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| aspens in the fall. a level tripod is the key to success for panoramics |
new leveling base from Acratech ... a review
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| the new leveling base from Acratech is sleek and elegant in design |
Let me make one assumption from the beginning, a leveling base is nice to have. There are many reasons for using one and also many reasons why one might choose not to have one, but what I have found to be true is ... they are nice to have.
The reasons to have one are related mostly to application. Two instances in my photography make them a necessity. A pan and tilt head and a gimble mount. The pan and tilt is used mostly in panoramic photography. If one does a series of images across a given plane of view, the key element is going to be if the tripod, and therefore the camera, are level all the way through. This is not an easy or quick situation to set up.
This can be done by many means such as a bubble level on the tripod or even on the camera but I've found that the process takes some time and the result can be off enough to actually make the exercise ... well, an exercise. :-)
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| light and compact, this leveling base will hold upwards of 25 lbs of gear and go anywhere you do! |
A bubble level on the camera works if the camera is to remain stationary while the image is to be made but will not remain level if the tripod is not level when moved in a pan. I've often mounted the camera and and lens on a gimble mount only to pan while tracking something and later to find that it was going up or down hill. It wasn't but the film/sensor plane was!
The reasons for not having a leveling base are somewhat simple. The first was that they are usually heavy and add too much weight for what they do. After all, if the tool is too big or too heavy to take to the job then it becomes a moot point as to what it does. If you are a person that carries a lightweight tripod on the trail then anything that adds weight must be thought about most carefully. The second reason was they are rather expensive. Some feel if you use a ball head then it was sort of like a belt and suspenders proposition, that it, a leveling base was just not necessary. I find even with a ball head the leveling base keeps the load more centered with it's 10% movement in any direction. This means the angle the load is suspended is reduced. Again, a leveling base is nice to have!
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| using a leveling base with a gimble mount enables a level pan motion |
The good folks at Acratech have seemingly come up with a new leveling base that has answers for all of this. It easily holds upwards of 25 lbs of gear (11.4 kg) and has a low profile design, only 1.77" tall (not including stud). It Weighs only 1/2 lb (.24kg). Fits all standard (1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threads). It is precision C.N.C. machined and it's Oilless and greaseless ball will not attract or hold dirt and debris making it perfect for the field. The smooth knob action for easy and secure positioning and Precision bulls eye level for accurate positioning make it quick and easy to use. At $149.95 it is less than most.
How does it perform in the field? Quickly and accurately is my assessment thus far. The adjustment knob is on the opposite side of the pan tilt for easy identification by feel and the bubble level's bulls eye is easy to see when making the one-step leveling movement. When using the base with a ball head I've found that the extra inch and three quarters that I gain is a help with the shorter tripods. The half pound that the base adds has yet to keep me from taking it along on any of my hikes as yet, although I know it's not going backpacking with me. The small compact and lightweight design assures me that it will be in with my tripods for most all shooting occasions.
The bottom line here is that I have a lightweight and easy to use leveling base that I use with consistency now. And did I mention ... it's nice to have!
A review of the V-2 ballhead from Acratech.
Check all the DVD series Steve Kossack Photographing the Great American Landscape
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