Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Don't get frustrated. That is very easy to do. Most tripod manufacturers have leveling as a concern. This will take time to perfect and at least 2 leveling bubbles. You can also add a level bubble directly onto the camera's hot shoe. Set it up with the camera. Fold it up and do it a half dozen times if not more. You will get it to level.

Norm W. Loc: Southern CA

I have same tripod, the splay of each leg is controls by a ratchet type device at the head. I understand you want the splay of each leg to be exactly the same number of degrees out from the center column so given a level surface the tripod will be instantly level when set up and the legs are equal in length. The only adjustment I see would be disassemble the head and file material at the stops where necessary to make each leg splayed out exactly the same degrees from the center column. I think this could be possible however quite challenging.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

That works, but two would make it easier, and quicker.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

The leg lengths can be, and probably should be, adjusted to help in the leveling process. I disagree, it is a user/operater error. If you level in two directions 90 deg apart with two tubular levels. The head will be level 360 deg. You could alternately use one circular, bulls eye bubble, but I prefer two tubular levels. But the bulls eye will work fine. I would also check the camera level after mounting.

Your photos look like you are doing it right, if you move the level 90 deg, adjusting the leg lengths..

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

Good luck!

Kiron Loc: Wales and Florida

The floor it is used on is absolutely level and flat. It was built that way. As I said, with the legs fully splayed, the tripod head where the 141RC is attached is not level in all directions.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

But the whole idea of a tripod is to be used on uneven surfaces not perfectly level surfaces... Leveling base on the tripod is the easy answer...

Kiron Loc: Wales and Florida

In the short term, I can figure out which leg(s) need to be adjusted to make things level in all directions. Then I will mark it (them) so then when I am setting up I don't have to keep fiddling to get things level. One of these fine days I shall dissect the tripod then find a permanent solution.

Peter B.

Kiron Loc: Wales and Florida

FYI, I might look like a Bogen and have a Bogen label on it but it says "Made in Italy by Manfrotto for Bogen". The tripod casting also says Made in Italy by Manfrotto. I understand they were imported here and sold under the Bogen label, that way both companies got a piece of the pie.

Like my Grannie used to say "you can put a pig in a three-piece-suit, but it is still a pig", LOL .

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Nine times out of ten, when you dissect something, it won't work right again. With that being written, it may be an issue of the ball joint not being level. I have seen from my own experience, the ball joint supporting the camera isn't always right. Get a spirit level and see. Spirit level are cheap and available in different styles and sizes from hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe's. ( I'm expecting a royalty check from them now that I wrote it. ). Also use a hanging vertical level the kind that is used for deck posts. You can get a "L" bracket or a "FLASH" bracket and attach a spirit level to that. They are not very pricey and can make it easier to diagnose the leveling problem. You can get a spirit level that fits on the camera's hot shoe. They also are a few bucks.
There is a cell phone application that has three levels available. That may facilitate finding the solution. If I may make suggestion, use two levels if not more. You can try to have a background that is perfectly level both vertically and horizontally. You can apply a fine magic marker on it. But I'm not sure if your printed background will accept these fine magic marker lines. Try testing in a smaller area first that would not be noticable.
Lastly, since this problem seems very significant you could return the tripod you have back to the manufacturer for repair. The tripod may actually be defective and your frustration may be getting the better of you. I hope the tripod is still in warranty. If not in warranty, keep this one lying around for other photographic needs like lighting support. A new tripod can get ridiculous on the price tag. I get that. I just threw $200 on a new one for traveling. Buy a new one from a different manufacturer since the equipment is not just right. In all, bringing this problem to the forum is a good idea. You have many experienced photographers helping someone like me. Now, I'm going to check my new tripod for any manufacturing defects. Wish me luck!
Happy Shooting!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

As for the tripod being a Bogen or a Manfrotto, I knew that the two companies had collaborated a few years back. So that is why I didn't make an issue of it. I hope my last post helped. If it didn't, I'm sorry if I wasted your time.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

You kept repeating the floor is perfectly level and you want to make the tripod set up be a permanently level setup. Yet you acknowledge needing to readjust after relocating on the same floor, which negates your belief the floor is perfectly level. You are not going to find a permanent solution as long as you believe making your tripod level at any given time means it will always be level when you set up again. That's not even addressing the issue that your 3 way head also has to be leveled.

After all the discussion and information you have received to your question, I have to agree with FrankR that this is user error and not the equipment. Someone else suggested not worrying about it, just correct in post. Given your insistence in making the tripod the culprit, post correction is probably your best and fastest solution.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Then you need to shorten a leg or two...... That is how you level, by adjusting the legs..... If your legs are not individually adjustable, you I'd get a tripod that is.

If your legs are adjustable, then I can not explain it..... What would you do outside on Earth? You would never get level.

Kiron Loc: Wales and Florida

I believe only one leg is to blame. It looks like the casting part of the hinge mechanism attached to the leg comes up against a lug (for want of a better word) on the main casting when it is fully splayed. My thinking that with a bit of experimentation I can add a shim to the lug to correct the splay angle.

Some may question why I would bother to do that, when I could use a tripod that has a built in level. They are right but why should I. My Manfrotto tripod is one of the sturdiest I have and is rock solid when setup. Besides which I inherited it from a Pro portrait photographer who is now in the big studio in the sky. I also consider it a challenge; if I can build, maintain and operate Nuclear Power Plants, I can surely take on this mini project.

Kiron Loc: Wales and Florida

The floor was carefully engineered to be level and flat.

I have the floor marked with masking tape so that I would know exactly where the tripod legs are positioned, then with the camera on the 141RC and aimed and focused at an object on my bench, I pick up the tripod and rotate it 90 degrees then rotate (pan) the camera back to the original direction it is no longer level. That tells me that at least one or more legs is either of a different length or splayed at a different angle to the others. If the doubters were here they could see for themselves.