Best levelling base plus head for a 5 x 4 Wisner LF Camera

[ndwgolf]

Guys
I have 2 tripods at home a Gitzo Mountaineer and a (Gitzo systematic there largest that I use for a Wimberly head and D5 plus 600mm f4) I am thinking that my Mountaineer tripod will be perfect for the Winser but I am using a Mankin ball head that might be a little on the small size. So I would like to know your recommendations for a levelling head and either ball head or a ??? not sue what they are called the ones with handles on??
Any tips advice would be much appreciated

Neil

[Richard Wasserman]

My favorite is a Manfrotto 410 geared head. I would skip using a leveling head.

[locutus]

Second the 410 recommendation for 5x4, perfect combo.

[ndwgolf]

Second the 410 recommendation for 5x4, perfect combo.
I ended up buying the 405 Pro.....thanks for the feedback

[neil poulsen]

I'd skip anything that raises the height of the camera, except the head.

[ndwgolf]

I'd skip anything that raises the height of the camera, except the head.

I don't think the 405 head is any larger than the 410. I already removed the center colum on the mountaineer tripod :)

[Christopher Barrett]

Anyone work with just a leveling head and nothing else? I've wondered about that as a more stable platform for my 8x10.

[Bob Salomon]

Anyone work with just a leveling head and nothing else? I've wondered about that as a more stable platform for my 8x10.

Sexton uses the Linhof 3-Way Levelig Head.

[Christopher Barrett]

I mean more like this...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images1000x1000/Linhof_003664_Large_Leveling_Head_31372.jpg

Closer to the sticks with no flex.

[faberryman]

I use a leveling head with my 4x5. Much more easily controlled than a ball head and much smaller than a pan/tilt head. It tilts around fifteen degrees when needed. If I need more tilt, I just adjust one of the tripod legs, but that is infrequent.

[Bob Salomon]

I mean more like this...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images1000x1000/Linhof_003664_Large_Leveling_Head_31372.jpg

Closer to the sticks with no flex.

Works fine, as long as you don't need more tilt, and shortening a leg is a sure way to drop your camera and lens as it reduces stability.

[Ken Lee]

I like the Manfrotto 438 under a normal head. See http://www.kennethleegallery.com/html/tech/index.php#LevelingHead (http://www.kennethleegallery.com/html/tech/index.php#LevelingHead)

Someone made a nice Youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2bPjphC9GY) about that leveling head.

Once the leveling head is level, any subsequent panning left and right with the ordinary head, remains level. As Bob points out, using tripod legs to adjust a camera is dangerous. And inconvenient too. And slow. And troublesome.

[Alan Gales]

Anyone work with just a leveling head and nothing else? I've wondered about that as a more stable platform for my 8x10.

When I bought my Tachihara 4x5 I used a Berlebach tripod with the built in leveling ball and no head. It was definitely stable. You are limited on movement compared to a tripod head though. It all depends upon how much movement you need.

[faberryman]

Works fine, as long as you don't need more tilt, and shortening a leg is a sure way to drop your camera and lens as it reduces stability.

As Bob points out, using tripod legs to adjust a camera is dangerous. And inconvenient too. And slow. And troublesome.
Yes, you have to use your brain when adjusting tripod legs, but I have found that true of most things in life. And did I mention it was infrequent? Checking...yes, I did say it was infrequent, so everyone can calm down.

[Vaughn]

Yes, you have to use your brain when adjusting tripod legs, but I have found that true of most things in life...

It is often that I set a tripod up on ground that is not close to level and/or solid. Heck, EW complained about it when he came through the redwoods -- messed up most of his shots (I am working with an 8x10, also). But it is one of the reasons I do not go headless (but hopefully not brainless)...headless is for people who can find a small patch of semi-flat ground in the proper place! A leveling head would be good for 80 to 90 percent of my images, though.

Reminds me that I need to sharpen up my spikes of the Ries. Handy things.

[Christopher Barrett]

Hmm, if you're on really uneven ground and you're not varying the length of your tripod legs to create a level platform, then you're creating a much less stable platform. You shouldn't be relying so much on your head to level the camera.

[Ken Lee]

On uneven ground, we take a guess and extend the tripod legs accordingly. Usually we're off by a bit. A leveling head allows us to quickly establish a level base without having to work further with the legs in a trial-and-error process. It's not perfect, but it's quick and straightforward.

[Bob Salomon]

On uneven ground, we take a guess and extend the tripod legs accordingly. Usually we're off by a bit. A leveling head allows us to quickly establish a level base without having to work further with the legs in a trial-and-error process. It's not perfect, but it's quick and straightforward.

That is why many tripods today have a level built into the top of the tripod as do many heads and many quick releases. And, if necessary, you can always pack a small level in your bag or pocket.

[Ari]

Anyone work with just a leveling head and nothing else? I've wondered about that as a more stable platform for my 8x10.

Yes. I have a tripod that uses a 100mm bowl, and I stuck a video leveling bowl in there, and added a QR clamp.
It's very secure when tightened and gives me about +/- 15˚ of movement, enough for 95% of my VC work. I'll use a ball head for more extreme camera positions.

The clamp is nice, too, as the camera drops in from the top, a "click" tells you it's locked into the clamp, but can still slide back and forth; a pin prevents the camera from sliding out.
And a flip of the lever tightens everything securely. Faster in use than to describe.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/417/31658071874_587651c9ba_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QevTPq)

[asf]

I mean more like this...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images1000x1000/Linhof_003664_Large_Leveling_Head_31372.jpg

Closer to the sticks with no flex.

Have tried, stable, but as with a ball hard to separate movements

I've always gone back to a (gitzo) leveling base plus geared head combo

BTW, I used to use the Arca B2 quite a bit and each of the 3 I used the side to side lock wasn't quite strong enough for 810 use. Perhaps they solved that with the newer models.

I remember years ago at FotoCare seeing an automatic leveling head. Was huge and electric but really neat. I wanted it but don't think it went into production (or at least I never saw another).

[asf]

For the OP I'd say get an Arca D4 and be done with it

410 is good but they don't last long before getting sloppy

[seezee]

I use the Manfrotto 410 geared head with a 438 leveling base. Apart from the weight, which is not inconsiderable, I like them very much. Not a fan of ball heads on LF camera. I keep my Arca-Swiss P0 under 35mm cameras or MF only.

[Kirk Gittings]

My favorite is a Manfrotto 410 geared head. I would skip using a leveling head.

Agreed, the leveling base just adds weight. I had one, never used it, and removed it. The only addition I made to my 410 was a Kessler Arca style clamp. The surest clamp in the western world.

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/13041038_10209323438752938_8565040760561500909_o.jpg?oh=163db6aa5553da4dcefb1fb69a0ee16a&oe=5918359A

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/13055700_10209323438792939_3130513066965769640_o.jpg?oh=dd608d2ca83baac4cbf90a08425f3f5c&oe=59176EAF

[Richard Wasserman]

That Kessler clamp looks nice.

[Kirk Gittings]

That Kessler clamp looks nice.

Its an amazing clamp-double security. You snap it down into the spring loaded red bar where it is secure but somewhat loose. Then you clamp it all down with the black lever and it is doubly secure.

FWIW after these pictures were taken, I replaced the nut that extends down with a low profile nut. It makes no difference in functionality but looks better.

[Richard Wasserman]

Time to go shopping...