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Tripod Leveling Base
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Jul 13, 2018 14:41:31   #
gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado
 
Hello,

I am wanting to buy a decent leveling base to go on my tripod with the ball head attached to that. I understand this helps to take pano shots that will merge much better.

Any info or recommendations would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave

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Jul 13, 2018 15:26:13   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Check out Really Right Stuff

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Jul 13, 2018 15:30:56   #
Ken Harris Loc: Nashville,Tn.
 
You need to use a leveling base with a pano head. (Your ball head will be useless for pano shots!) I would recommend RRS!

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Jul 13, 2018 15:39:18   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
I use an Acratech GP Ballhead on a Gitzo G1127 Tripod-- The Acratech has leveling head capabilities -- Also tried it & it works

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Jul 13, 2018 16:12:27   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Ken Harris wrote:
You need to use a leveling base with a pano head. (Your ball head will be useless for pano shots!) I would recommend RRS!


I use a ball head with leveling base 100% of the time. Why do you say it is useless?

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Jul 13, 2018 16:15:21   #
gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado
 
Gene51 wrote:
I use a ball head with leveling base 100% of the time. Why do you say it is useless?


Ken, do you recommend a particular leveling base?

Thanks

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Jul 13, 2018 16:31:01   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
gunflint wrote:
Ken, do you recommend a particular leveling base?

Thanks


Frankly, I thought I already did ---- Or did I misread or better yet not understand your question?
If not ----
Once again ----
The Acratech GP Ballhead ----
Quoting from the instruction manual:

"The GP ballhead can be used as a leveling head for stitched panoramic images. To do this --------"

The combination of ballhead & tripod is what I use for totally level stitched images

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Jul 13, 2018 16:34:18   #
gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado
 
Gene51 wrote:
I use a ball head with leveling base 100% of the time. Why do you say it is useless?


Sorry, I meant to ask Gene what leveling base he uses.

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Jul 13, 2018 16:54:59   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
Go to a caravan shop and buy a three way spirit level - they come in 'small'.....
make a hot shoe bracket and clip it on the camera.

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Jul 13, 2018 21:51:03   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
gunflint wrote:
Sorry, I meant to ask Gene what leveling base he uses.


I use a Feisol tripod and the 75mm bowl head that is made for it - the LB7572, along with my Arca-Swiss Z1 ball head.

http://www.feisol.com/0823tripodsdetails-1.html

I level the top of the tripod (leveling base) first, then I level the camera using the in-camera azimuth feature. From this point forward, if I move the legs to a new location, it is a simple matter to level the top of the tripod again. I do not need to level the camera again.

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Jul 14, 2018 07:35:51   #
BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD
 
Just got Acra-Tech's leveling base - have not had opportunity to use yet but it seems rather easy to use and accurate. Paid about $170 +/-

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Jul 14, 2018 08:05:10   #
rubble43 Loc: Oyster Bay, Long Island NY
 
Check out the ARCA-SWISS p0 Monoball tripod head. The ball head is at the base of the unit allowing camera leveling. I've used one of these for several years for panoramas. It is light weight and knobless.

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Jul 14, 2018 08:12:47   #
wireloose
 
I have the Acratech base as well. Its well made but much lighter than the RRS one. Just makes it easier to get a quick level on uneven ground instead of fiddling with the tripod legs. Around $150 on eBay for new ones. Very solid, once set it doesnt move

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Jul 14, 2018 09:09:10   #
jims203 Loc: Connecticut
 
Acratech light weight works well. Stays on the tripod.

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Jul 14, 2018 09:58:58   #
gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado
 
Thanks everyone! Yesterday I ordered the Acratech leveling base, arrives Monday. Wednesday will be hiking up to a glacial lake above timberline to get some amazing panos!

Dave

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