1. It makes no sense to use a ballhead on top of a leveling base, because the ballhead does not have a detent for vertical position. And if you independently level the ballhead you are multiplying errors, doubling work, while adding weight. It's redundant. Instead either: 2. Install the ballhead (with a pan) upside down, so the pan is on top, and viola once leveled it's pan rotates level. A leveling base would add nothing but cost, complication, and error. Btw manufacturers sell "upside down ballheads" exactly for this reason. Or: 3. Use the leveling base with a simple rotating Arca compatible clamp (no ballhead). This is compact, simple, and cost effective.
My budget would not go for the Acratech 3 years ago so I bought a $50 one. It’s still working beautifully and, like you, it lives on my tripod and I never think about it until it’s time to use it.
I have the Acratech GP ball head (an older model now replaced by the GPX) and it is superb. I primarily use it with my Chamonix 45-N2 4x5; it has never failed me. Lately I’ve been looking at levelling bases and the cheaper ones I see available don’t inspire the same level of confidences s Acratech. So, as you said, I’m going to “bite the bullet” and get the right piece of gear.
I agree, the Acratech leveling base is solid and very durable. I have had one for nearly 10 years and just works. Acratech is an interesting small US company but make very solid tripod heads and extras. Cheers🇦🇺👍🏻
I very much like the idea of NOT having to worry about the tripod legs and farting about with legs. Very, very good little tool. A good tripod is still on my list but right now I use a make-shift C-stand and then I have a Joby. And my new tool, a remote for my camera and a wireless mic. Mic not here yet. It's these tools that I find save me time. Anything like this to help my work-flow, I'm all for. Getting a hand-me-down laptop for tethered shooting of thumb nails. Between the remote and the laptop, I think that will free me up to an extra video per week. I haven't watched your book video yet but it's my list. I watched your Capture One, one. I don't think I commented. Headed there now. I watched earlier today from a device that I cannot comment from. Anyway, long comment, sorry about that. Great video. Cheers and boogie boogie, Ivy.
Love iFootage - I have their carbon fiber tripod and monopod. Both are rock-solid. The tripod is half the price of Peak Design's carbon fiber, has the quick release legs and only a tad taller.
Bye cheap, buy twice⁉️ yep I rarely fall into this these days. However, I do use a tripod levelling device (very inexpensive) which works reasonably well. However, as my photography progressed and my panos increased (and I get older ) ease of use and weight has persuaded me to look for ease of use. Liked this and just ordered one. Good advice.
Aha! So this is what I need! For my church's livestream, I have a fluid head mounted on a mic stand because we need the camera quite high up. We put the mic stand on a table in the back, but chose a mic stand because a tripod has too big of a footprint. The issue is that things are not quite level. There is a forward/backward tilt on the fluid head, but not a side to side tilt. So something like this would be perfect to get that side to side. Thanks!
Yep! It’s great with fluid heads. If you don’t to spend this much there are more affordable ones out there. I think Neewer makes one. I think the Acratech is worth investing in if you plan on using it for a while.
Thank you Todd. Very nicely explained. Do you happen to know what's the best way to get good sounding ambient sounds? I travel often and want to capture not just the video, but also the surrounding sounds of the places I visit. Will a shotgun mic like your Sennheiser be a good device for this use case, or are those really only suitable for near-field speech? I've looked in to using a H1n since that has stereo pickups. But again it seems like those are geared towards near-field speech.
Hey Todd, great video btw! Funny enough I got the same exact legs and ball head as you. So im using my set to support my slider rig for videos. Have you ever used a slider mounted to the head? Curious how well it tightens down and holds some weight bc I would need the shots smooth and not shaky (duh) thanks!!
I think of it as the "cry once rule" for camera gear. The leveling bases with bubbles on three sides have fewer instances of fooling me about when its actually level.
I just bought one of these. My only complaint is that the level tends to drift to the left while the knob is being tightened, so you have to offset the level slightly to the right before tightening.
Thanks for the review. I'm a fan of Acratech, and am considering buying the leveling base. My only reservation is about the bubble. In many tools bullseye levels are notoriously inaccurate. Any comments on the accuracy of the Acratech bullseye level?
Glad it was helpful! Since this video I’ve moved on to a new ProMediaGear tripod with an integrated leveling base. I sometimes use the Acratech but not as much. Haven’t tested similar options from the companies you mentioned.
Hi, I have seen some other complicated kits with bars and bolts for performing panoramas with a wide angle lenses. I bet the leveling base does the same work of allowing moving the camera horizontally and keeping the photo aligned for later proper stitching them in photoshop. Do you level the ball head fluid level as well ?? (my Markin ballhead has a bubble fluid level included). Thanks
What you saw with bars etc is a proper setup for panoramic shooting. The "bars" & pieces are to locate the lens "entry pupil" exactly over the rotation axis, to prevent PARALLAX error. Your next point, "do you level the fluid head" is a near miss that suggests you have decent instincts. It's a "ballhead" and he shouldn't even be using it in this setup. But yeah you'd have to level it too. See my post on this above.
Acratech has big bobble but set bobble at the middle of circle very easy and very stable. I am using it for panorama 360 degree and works perfect. Most of tripod head bobble not stay at center when you rotate 360 degree. RRS Head BH-55 lervel is 0 to horizon for 360 degree when use Acrotch, But bobble of RRS is not stable.
Hi there, Which one is better for architecture photography?, the geared head tripod or the leveling base. Considering both of them cost pretty much the same. Thanks in advance
Hi!! How do you make sure the ball head is straight? I got a long telephoto (Fuji 70-300) and want to improve my precision, so any imperfections really get amplified
That's the right question, see my post just above. You don't put a ball head on a leveling base, it's both redundant and more inaccurate than either alone.
I have both Leveling base and GP ball head. Awesome products with brilliant engineering design. Craftsmanship is top notch, love their products. I wish them to make TRIPOD :)
I also have a GP Ball Head. Acratec says "Unscrew the quick release clamp and put it onto the bottom of the head and you are now ready to use the the GXP Ball-Head to create level, single row panoramas. This eliminates the need to carry a separate leveling base in order to create accurate stitched panoramas, as you'll be able to pan parallel to the horizon even when using your tripod on rocky or uneven terrain." Does this really work?
Yes, the GXP ball head easily converts to a ball head with a panning clamp on top. Takes less than a minute to convert it or to switch it back. I bought the GXP ball head because it was a minor cost increase for the 50 lb load rating so I knew it would handle a large lens with no problems. I love using it and keep it on my macro tripod. I have Acratech’s panoramic head on my Gitzo tripod that has a built in leveling base. The panoramic head is incredibly sturdy, even in strong winds.
That would be the same even if you didn't have the leveling base. Like the base can show that its level, doesn't mean the tripod head ball head itself is leveled
I think you're missing the point. Even if you can get the integrated bubble on the tripod legs to be level, how much time would be lost fussing over every change of position? If you have that patience then go for it, most of us rather use the time for taking better pictures.
The internal leveler is perfectly fine for taking single photos. The problems arise however when you pan/turn the ball head, for if the ball head and camera aren't aligned, the camera will then be thrown out of alignment. Most helpful when shooting panoramas or recording video.
You wouldn't need a third leveler if you're doing fine leveling using the spirit levels on the tripod base and ball head plate. The challenge with this however is that both have to be level in order for lateral pans to be perfectly level when shooting panoramas or video. Getting the tripod base level can be very tricky and time consuming when using a tripod outdoors or on any kind of unlevel terrain. So instead of trying to level the tripod by raising and lowering the legs, you use a leveling base like the Acratech or other brands to create a level base for the ballhead. Hope that makes sense.
Why not put the ballhead on the tripod and just put a panohead with switchabel indents on it .. of course with some bubble levels on somewhere. Adds the advantage of the indents on the panohead and ends up doing the same?
The point is to have the base of the head level so that you can pan around and keep level the whole way. You can use a ball head to correct a tilted base, but the correction makes things worse if you rotate the head!
Don't you folks find the tripod ballheads level very imprecise? Like, the bubble is smaller than the level ring... when I put my camera on my Benro tripod ballhead and double check the levelling with the camera's internal level, the ballhead is systematically wrong, the bubble is never right in the center of the level ring thing. Hence my interest in a very sharp ballhead
I really dont understand the point of using a leveling base with a ball head, except for the ability to pan from a level platform. Otherwise, whenever you use the ball head to frame up, you're still gonna need to check the level. It seems like this is an ideal tool for gimbals, video fluid or pan-and-tilt heads, where you would otherwise have to adjust the legs the level out the platform.
Thank you Todd, I have searched so many sources for help on how to set this up and you have explained it beautifully - brilliant. Thanks so much.
1. It makes no sense to use a ballhead on top of a leveling base, because the ballhead does not have a detent for vertical position. And if you independently level the ballhead you are multiplying errors, doubling work, while adding weight. It's redundant.
Instead either:
2. Install the ballhead (with a pan) upside down, so the pan is on top, and viola once leveled it's pan rotates level. A leveling base would add nothing but cost, complication, and error. Btw manufacturers sell "upside down ballheads" exactly for this reason.
Or:
3. Use the leveling base with a simple rotating Arca compatible clamp (no ballhead). This is compact, simple, and cost effective.
As an owner for over 3 years of the Acratech leveling base I must say it's of very high quality. It is worth the price. Nice review
Thanks Todd, once again advice on point! i'm happy because i have that tripod and struggle with the same issues as you discussed Thanks Mate
At last; a full explanation ~ I have trawled the net for a definite explanation: thanks very much.
Thanks for this video! You have explained things beautifully.
My budget would not go for the Acratech 3 years ago so I bought a $50 one. It’s still working beautifully and, like you, it lives on my tripod and I never think about it until it’s time to use it.
Thanks for the tip. Very helpful!
Great info just what I was looking for. Thanks.
I have the Acratech GP ball head (an older model now replaced by the GPX) and it is superb. I primarily use it with my Chamonix 45-N2 4x5; it has never failed me. Lately I’ve been looking at levelling bases and the cheaper ones I see available don’t inspire the same level of confidences s Acratech. So, as you said, I’m going to “bite the bullet” and get the right piece of gear.
I agree, the Acratech leveling base is solid and very durable. I have had one for nearly 10 years and just works. Acratech is an interesting small US company but make very solid tripod heads and extras. Cheers🇦🇺👍🏻
Exactly. They're relatively quiet and under-marketed, but their products speak for themselves.
Nice Video, keep up the good work!
Great video Todd. Many thanks
It's misleading.
I very much like the idea of NOT having to worry about the tripod legs and farting about with legs. Very, very good little tool. A good tripod is still on my list but right now I use a make-shift C-stand and then I have a Joby. And my new tool, a remote for my camera and a wireless mic. Mic not here yet. It's these tools that I find save me time. Anything like this to help my work-flow, I'm all for. Getting a hand-me-down laptop for tethered shooting of thumb nails. Between the remote and the laptop, I think that will free me up to an extra video per week. I haven't watched your book video yet but it's my list. I watched your Capture One, one. I don't think I commented. Headed there now. I watched earlier today from a device that I cannot comment from. Anyway, long comment, sorry about that. Great video. Cheers and boogie boogie, Ivy.
I've had the Acratech Leveling Base for 4 years now. I hardly ever take it off. A great piece of kit!
Agreed!
Same... it is always on my tripod and has never disappointed me.
Love iFootage - I have their carbon fiber tripod and monopod. Both are rock-solid. The tripod is half the price of Peak Design's carbon fiber, has the quick release legs and only a tad taller.
Bye cheap, buy twice⁉️ yep I rarely fall into this these days. However, I do use a tripod levelling device (very inexpensive) which works reasonably well. However, as my photography progressed and my panos increased (and I get older ) ease of use and weight has persuaded me to look for ease of use. Liked this and just ordered one. Good advice.
Aha! So this is what I need! For my church's livestream, I have a fluid head mounted on a mic stand because we need the camera quite high up. We put the mic stand on a table in the back, but chose a mic stand because a tripod has too big of a footprint. The issue is that things are not quite level. There is a forward/backward tilt on the fluid head, but not a side to side tilt. So something like this would be perfect to get that side to side. Thanks!
Yep! It’s great with fluid heads. If you don’t to spend this much there are more affordable ones out there. I think Neewer makes one. I think the Acratech is worth investing in if you plan on using it for a while.
Thank you Todd. Very nicely explained.
Do you happen to know what's the best way to get good sounding ambient sounds? I travel often and want to capture not just the video, but also the surrounding sounds of the places I visit. Will a shotgun mic like your Sennheiser be a good device for this use case, or are those really only suitable for near-field speech?
I've looked in to using a H1n since that has stereo pickups. But again it seems like those are geared towards near-field speech.
Hey Todd, great video btw! Funny enough I got the same exact legs and ball head as you. So im using my set to support my slider rig for videos. Have you ever used a slider mounted to the head? Curious how well it tightens down and holds some weight bc I would need the shots smooth and not shaky (duh) thanks!!
I think of it as the "cry once rule" for camera gear. The leveling bases with bubbles on three sides have fewer instances of fooling me about when its actually level.
I just bought one of these. My only complaint is that the level tends to drift to the left while the knob is being tightened, so you have to offset the level slightly to the right before tightening.
Thanks for the review. I'm a fan of Acratech, and am considering buying the leveling base. My only reservation is about the bubble. In many tools bullseye levels are notoriously inaccurate. Any comments on the accuracy of the Acratech bullseye level?
Hi Todd, awesome video. Can I use on a manfrotto tripod and manfrotto three way pan tilt head?
Thanks Todd , just when I thought my kit was complete.
Lol - know the feeling.
A more favorable and amicable version of ole’ Tony ‘tonneh’ Northrup! 🤔😆😂
Thank you Todd for this video! What about other manufacturers like Manfrotto, RRS or Leofoto? Have you tested them?
Glad it was helpful! Since this video I’ve moved on to a new ProMediaGear tripod with an integrated leveling base. I sometimes use the Acratech but not as much. Haven’t tested similar options from the companies you mentioned.
What are your thoughts of a leveling base attached versus integrated (a bowl within) in a tripod?
Hi Todd. Good video. After leveling, do you still need to find the nodal point? Is there an accessory for that?
Every lens has a different modal point. Some are at the aperture and some are even out in space in front of the lens.
Hi, I have seen some other complicated kits with bars and bolts for performing panoramas with a wide angle lenses. I bet the leveling base does the same work of allowing moving the camera horizontally and keeping the photo aligned for later proper stitching them in photoshop. Do you level the ball head fluid level as well ?? (my Markin ballhead has a bubble fluid level included). Thanks
What you saw with bars etc is a proper setup for panoramic shooting. The "bars" & pieces are to locate the lens "entry pupil" exactly over the rotation axis, to prevent PARALLAX error. Your next point, "do you level the fluid head" is a near miss that suggests you have decent instincts. It's a "ballhead" and he shouldn't even be using it in this setup. But yeah you'd have to level it too. See my post on this above.
Its enough the ball head for photo
Acratech has big bobble but set bobble at the middle of circle very easy and very stable. I am using it for panorama 360 degree and works perfect. Most of tripod head bobble not stay at center when you rotate 360 degree. RRS Head BH-55 lervel is 0 to horizon for 360 degree when use Acrotch, But bobble of RRS is not stable.
Hi there, Which one is better for architecture photography?, the geared head tripod or the leveling base. Considering both of them cost pretty much the same. Thanks in advance
There is no set screw?
Hi!!
How do you make sure the ball head is straight? I got a long telephoto (Fuji 70-300) and want to improve my precision, so any imperfections really get amplified
That's the right question, see my post just above. You don't put a ball head on a leveling base, it's both redundant and more inaccurate than either alone.
so it's a ballhead on top of a ballhead?
Yes, there is a screw on top and threaded socket in the bottom but you never said the size! Are they 1/4-20 or 3/8"?
Because it never matters. Everything commonly available is 1/4 male that can be upsized or 3/8 female that can be downsized.
I have both Leveling base and GP ball head. Awesome products with brilliant engineering design. Craftsmanship is top notch, love their products. I wish them to make TRIPOD :)
I'd love to see a tripod as well. Someday I might spring for that GP ball head! Do you enjoy using it?
@@dominey They have GXP version which has bigger knobs and beautiful design...
www.acratech.net/gxp-ball-head/
I also have a GP Ball Head. Acratec says "Unscrew the quick release clamp and put it onto the bottom of the head and you are now ready to use the the GXP Ball-Head to create level, single row panoramas. This eliminates the need to carry a separate leveling base in order to create accurate stitched panoramas, as you'll be able to pan parallel to the horizon even when using your tripod on rocky or uneven terrain." Does this really work?
Yes, the GXP ball head easily converts to a ball head with a panning clamp on top. Takes less than a minute to convert it or to switch it back. I bought the GXP ball head because it was a minor cost increase for the 50 lb load rating so I knew it would handle a large lens with no problems. I love using it and keep it on my macro tripod. I have Acratech’s panoramic head on my Gitzo tripod that has a built in leveling base. The panoramic head is incredibly sturdy, even in strong winds.
That would be the same even if you didn't have the leveling base. Like the base can show that its level, doesn't mean the tripod head ball head itself is leveled
I think you're missing the point. Even if you can get the integrated bubble on the tripod legs to be level, how much time would be lost fussing over every change of position? If you have that patience then go for it, most of us rather use the time for taking better pictures.
When using a ballhead with a mirrorles camera that has its internal digital leveller, how would a levelling base be helpful?
The internal leveler is perfectly fine for taking single photos. The problems arise however when you pan/turn the ball head, for if the ball head and camera aren't aligned, the camera will then be thrown out of alignment. Most helpful when shooting panoramas or recording video.
buy nice or buy twice! (or thrice!)
uploaded in 1080p but my eyes are hurting, what did you do to this video ? Blur filter ? Upscaled from 480p with some weird post FX ? Is nasty
You may need glasses, it's fine if a bit dim.
With a spirit level on a tripod and one on the head, why would a third one on a levelling base be more level?
You wouldn't need a third leveler if you're doing fine leveling using the spirit levels on the tripod base and ball head plate. The challenge with this however is that both have to be level in order for lateral pans to be perfectly level when shooting panoramas or video. Getting the tripod base level can be very tricky and time consuming when using a tripod outdoors or on any kind of unlevel terrain. So instead of trying to level the tripod by raising and lowering the legs, you use a leveling base like the Acratech or other brands to create a level base for the ballhead. Hope that makes sense.
@@dominey thank you.
Leofoto leveling base...a fraction of the cost
Why not put the ballhead on the tripod and just put a panohead with switchabel indents on it .. of course with some bubble levels on somewhere. Adds the advantage of the indents on the panohead and ends up doing the same?
The point is to have the base of the head level so that you can pan around and keep level the whole way. You can use a ball head to correct a tilted base, but the correction makes things worse if you rotate the head!
Don't you folks find the tripod ballheads level very imprecise? Like, the bubble is smaller than the level ring... when I put my camera on my Benro tripod ballhead and double check the levelling with the camera's internal level, the ballhead is systematically wrong, the bubble is never right in the center of the level ring thing. Hence my interest in a very sharp ballhead
One of the reasons why I've seriously considered getting a geared ball head for extra precise positioning.
I really dont understand the point of using a leveling base with a ball head, except for the ability to pan from a level platform. Otherwise, whenever you use the ball head to frame up, you're still gonna need to check the level. It seems like this is an ideal tool for gimbals, video fluid or pan-and-tilt heads, where you would otherwise have to adjust the legs the level out the platform.
Yes, for panning, and therefore for panos too
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