With these style of bases its good to keep in mind that you're adding an extra inch or two to the height of your stowed tripod over a standard half ball base. Not a huge deal, but is the difference between being able to store my tripod, leveling base, and head assembled in the tripod bag and being just over height.
You don’t need a leveling base if the swing axis (side to side camera movement adjustment) on the tripod head is above the tilt axis. The Arca-Swiss mono all PO is one tripod head,for example. The knob that you loosen to let the camera swing back and forth is above the tripod head’s ball. Level the head with the ball adjustment and you’re all set.
Thank Gregg for this INFORMATIVE & UNIQUE video. As of today, August 4th, 2024, out of the 6 leveling base videos I’ve watched, yours is the ONLY one that compares 3 brands at the same time. They are: Neewer, Ifootage & Leofoto. This video helps me make an informed decision and save time because I don’t have to watch 3 videos of 3 different brands.
I’m checking out Leofoto’s tripods with the built-in leveling base. They don’t have the centre post but I think it’s not going to be an issue as cameras nowadays have the convenient tilting rear screen. Nice comparison video👍🙂
Nice video, but I was wondering how is it possible to “not use” the bubble level indicator when adjusting the base for level? Also, you did not mention the set screws on two of the leveling bases to keep the tripod head from loosening. The set screws are an important feature to those that do not switch out their tripod heads at frequent intervals.
Thanks! I don't look at the bubble level. I always use the grid lines on my camera lcd. As a filmmaker, I'm always swapping out heads, sliders, etc on my tripod. I find those set screws just gobble up more time in the field fiddling with tightening and loosening them
Good video. I've tried and had to return the Leofoto 60n as the silver collar is completely jammed in the lock position and I can't unlock it. Turning the collar anticlockwise just unscrews the base from my tripod. Really bad design flaw. Would be so better with a knob rather than a butterfly collar
Completely new to concept of leveling base - would I attach my RSS BH-40 ball head on top of one of these attached to my tripod (as you have in video) to make it independently level to any tripod setup that may be uneven or on difficult terrain to get level?
Rubber on top is not necessary as there are 3 Allen head lock screws on the leveler (you seemed not to notce) that push up at 45 degrees into whatever you mount on top, stopping any possibility of rotation.
Thanks. Because I'm constantly swapping out heads, sliders, etc, fiddling with those screws is a time killer for me in the field. But I can see if you permanently have a head on your base, you could just set the screws and forget it 👍
A bit puzzled as to why you don't like that the lock knob on the Neewer hits the bubble level when a short while later you rotate it out of the way - an easy fix. Also for me the Neewer is a good option to use as a "fixed" levelling base for my Star Adventurer
The lock knob shouldn't hit any part. Having to stop and swivel the base out of the way, or having to constantly check that the extruding bubble level is not in a position to hit the lock knob is a potentially missed shot for me. That's costly
@@GreggMcLachlan ah, chuckle chuckle. You have used the base for 10 years so I guess you coped.😀. Designers and engineers are know to fail sometimes I've had to do a few mods to gear over the years - I would maybe have just cut that lever a little shorter, finished off nicely as I too would get teed off at times too.. I have a similar problem with my new tripod for astro photography. The plinth for the head mount is very wide and the Benro GH3 lowest tilt adjustment knob will hit the leg joints as one rotates the head. I have had to make a suitable packer with a longer mount bolt to raise the head to get it all to work properly - Kiwi ingenuity at work
I had to replace the lever/clasp on the ifootage, it’s starting to go agian. It’s aslo difficult to tighten without a pair of pliers. Great video
I've had to retighten mine a few times
I got a sunwayfoto leveling base which also came with the ¼-20 mount. I loctited a ⅜ bushing, since all the tripod heads I’m using are ⅜-16
That's a great solution 👍
With these style of bases its good to keep in mind that you're adding an extra inch or two to the height of your stowed tripod over a standard half ball base. Not a huge deal, but is the difference between being able to store my tripod, leveling base, and head assembled in the tripod bag and being just over height.
You don’t need a leveling base if the swing axis (side to side camera movement adjustment) on the tripod head is above the tilt axis. The Arca-Swiss mono all PO is one tripod head,for example. The knob that you loosen to let the camera swing back and forth is above the tripod head’s ball. Level the head with the ball adjustment and you’re all set.
Thank Gregg for this INFORMATIVE & UNIQUE video. As of today, August 4th, 2024, out of the 6 leveling base videos I’ve watched, yours is the ONLY one that compares 3 brands at the same time. They are: Neewer, Ifootage & Leofoto. This video helps me make an informed decision and save time because I don’t have to watch 3 videos of 3 different brands.
@@mauriciolee7349 awesome. Thanks for watching and glad it helped you 👊
you know you can pull the lever out and rotate it so it gets out of the way on the Neewer right?
If looking at getting both the neewer and leofoto leveling based. Leofoto for my tripod and the neewer for my diy ground pod. 👍 Informative video!
Thanks Henry!
I’m checking out Leofoto’s tripods with the built-in leveling base. They don’t have the centre post but I think it’s not going to be an issue as cameras nowadays have the convenient tilting rear screen. Nice comparison video👍🙂
Thanks. Leofoto makes superb tripods with the bases built in 👍
Thanks for sharing this. Very informative. Cheers, Gregg! ✌️🇨🇦
dang....you had the neewer one for 10 years? you got your moneys worth
Thanks, Greg. That’s just what I needed to know about.
Thanks for watching it 👍
Nice video, but I was wondering how is it possible to “not use” the bubble level indicator when adjusting the base for level? Also, you did not mention the set screws on two of the leveling bases to keep the tripod head from loosening. The set screws are an important feature to those that do not switch out their tripod heads at frequent intervals.
Thanks! I don't look at the bubble level. I always use the grid lines on my camera lcd. As a filmmaker, I'm always swapping out heads, sliders, etc on my tripod. I find those set screws just gobble up more time in the field fiddling with tightening and loosening them
Good video. I've tried and had to return the Leofoto 60n as the silver collar is completely jammed in the lock position and I can't unlock it. Turning the collar anticlockwise just unscrews the base from my tripod. Really bad design flaw. Would be so better with a knob rather than a butterfly collar
That's the one issue, for sure. If it's overtightened, which is easy to do (I've done that too!) It's hard to unlock
Completely new to concept of leveling base - would I attach my RSS BH-40 ball head on top of one of these attached to my tripod (as you have in video) to make it independently level to any tripod setup that may be uneven or on difficult terrain to get level?
@@pll66 yes, the ballhead goes on top of this, then the base of the leveller mounts on the tripod
Rubber on top is not necessary as there are 3 Allen head lock screws on the leveler (you seemed not to notce) that push up at 45 degrees into whatever you mount on top, stopping any possibility of rotation.
Thanks. Because I'm constantly swapping out heads, sliders, etc, fiddling with those screws is a time killer for me in the field. But I can see if you permanently have a head on your base, you could just set the screws and forget it 👍
great vid! thank you
Thanks !
A bit puzzled as to why you don't like that the lock knob on the Neewer hits the bubble level when a short while later you rotate it out of the way - an easy fix.
Also for me the Neewer is a good option to use as a "fixed" levelling base for my Star Adventurer
The lock knob shouldn't hit any part. Having to stop and swivel the base out of the way, or having to constantly check that the extruding bubble level is not in a position to hit the lock knob is a potentially missed shot for me. That's costly
@@GreggMcLachlan ah, chuckle chuckle. You have used the base for 10 years so I guess you coped.😀. Designers and engineers are know to fail sometimes
I've had to do a few mods to gear over the years - I would maybe have just cut that lever a little shorter, finished off nicely as I too would get teed off at times too.. I have a similar problem with my new tripod for astro photography.
The plinth for the head mount is very wide and the Benro GH3 lowest tilt adjustment knob will hit the leg joints as one rotates the head. I have had to make a suitable packer with a longer mount bolt to raise the head to get it all to work properly - Kiwi ingenuity at work
I bought the Leofoto and I have to say the locking ring does not work. Mine is locked open and will not close.
Ugh. Contact them. That sounds like a fault one
@@GreggMcLachlan Yep. I have reached out to the store to get a replacement.