levelling mechanism on Bogen 3130, 501, 503 at DVinfo.net

Laurie Dell · November 20th, 2003, 02:05 PM

Our church is considering bying some new tripods/heads to use with our GL-1's and I have seen a lot of discussion and done some research on these head models. But I have not been able to find out what type of mechanism (if any) is on these models for leveling the camera. Any knowledge out there?

Boyd Ostroff · November 20th, 2003, 02:11 PM

I have a 501 and there is no "leveling mechanism", but there is a little bubble level. You have to level it by adjusting the tripod legs. Perhaps the head can be mounted on a tripod with a ball leveling mechanism? Don't know. I now primarily us a Miller DS-5 which has a ball leveler. This is a HUGE improvement when you setup, especially when working outdoors on uneven surfaces. Never takes more than a couple seconds to get level. It's a tedious excercise using my 501 with 3221 legs.

Laurie Dell · November 20th, 2003, 02:18 PM

I am glad to see that about the 3221 legs. We have been using a 3130 with the 3221 that belongs to one of my camera guys - the legs are a pain.

Nathan Gifford · November 20th, 2003, 04:33 PM

Manfrotto makes the 438 (Bogen 3502) a 75mm compact leveler that works with the 501/503 (I have the 503). It works great and is well worth the $90 it cost me.

I not sure if all the DVinfo sponsors sell it, but B&H Photo does.

Marc Young · November 23rd, 2003, 08:20 PM

The Bogen 438 (US Cat # 3502) seems interesting. With a ball mechanism it should be faster to level than its more expensive brother, the 3416. The 3416 uses 3 brass thumb screws. It is a royal pain adjusting in the cold, and you could lose some skin attempting to rotate them too quickly. But either way, it's a lot less stressful than raising or lowering the legs to level the tripod. Time is of the essence in some situations, like shooting on a dock, where you are likely to be resting on 3 wooden boards, none of which are level with the other. Then the boat or animal life gets away. Another lost shot.

Laurie Dell · November 24th, 2003, 08:35 AM

Thanks for all the input. We have decided to go with the 3001 legs with the 501 head (we just are not at a point in our production that I can justify the difference for the 503 - I already feel like I am spoiling my camera crew by getting 501's instead of more 3130's!). In looking for the levelling assistance devices as mentioned by Nathan, I only found this one:

Bogen / Manfrotto 556B Leveling Center Column - for 3001 Pro Tripod

It is about $90. Does anyone have any experience with this device?

Andrew Fowler · November 25th, 2003, 03:10 AM

Bogen now offers the MDEVE tripods which incorporate levelers and are specifically designed for small vidcams. I haven't seen one in person but they seem like a good idea and are a bit cheaper than buying a leveler separately. Go to B&H and look for models 756B, 755B, and 754.

Frank Granovski · November 25th, 2003, 03:18 AM

Laurie, you don't need the overkill of the 503. Even the 501 is more than enough for the GL1.

November 20th, 2003, 02:05 PM	#1
Laurie Dell Tourist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 3	levelling mechanism on Bogen 3130, 501, 503 Our church is considering bying some new tripods/heads to use with our GL-1's and I have seen a lot of discussion and done some research on these head models. But I have not been able to find out what type of mechanism (if any) is on these models for leveling the camera. Any knowledge out there?

November 20th, 2003, 02:18 PM	#3
Laurie Dell Tourist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 3	Leveling mechanisms I am glad to see that about the 3221 legs. We have been using a 3130 with the 3221 that belongs to one of my camera guys - the legs are a pain.

November 20th, 2003, 04:33 PM	#4
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Manfrotto makes the 438 (Bogen 3502) a 75mm compact leveler that works with the 501/503 (I have the 503). It works great and is well worth the $90 it cost me. I not sure if all the DVinfo sponsors sell it, but B&H Photo does. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

November 24th, 2003, 08:35 AM	#6
Laurie Dell Tourist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 3	Levelling mechanisms Thanks for all the input. We have decided to go with the 3001 legs with the 501 head (we just are not at a point in our production that I can justify the difference for the 503 - I already feel like I am spoiling my camera crew by getting 501's instead of more 3130's!). In looking for the levelling assistance devices as mentioned by Nathan, I only found this one: Bogen / Manfrotto 556B Leveling Center Column - for 3001 Pro Tripod It is about $90. Does anyone have any experience with this device? __________________ Laurie Dell Video Director - Faith Baptist Church

November 20th, 2003, 02:11 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	I have a 501 and there is no "leveling mechanism", but there is a little bubble level. You have to level it by adjusting the tripod legs. Perhaps the head can be mounted on a tripod with a ball leveling mechanism? Don't know. I now primarily us a Miller DS-5 which has a ball leveler. This is a HUGE improvement when you setup, especially when working outdoors on uneven surfaces. Never takes more than a couple seconds to get level. It's a tedious excercise using my 501 with 3221 legs.

November 23rd, 2003, 08:20 PM	#5
Marc Young Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 112	The Bogen 438 (US Cat # 3502) seems interesting. With a ball mechanism it should be faster to level than its more expensive brother, the 3416. The 3416 uses 3 brass thumb screws. It is a royal pain adjusting in the cold, and you could lose some skin attempting to rotate them too quickly. But either way, it's a lot less stressful than raising or lowering the legs to level the tripod. Time is of the essence in some situations, like shooting on a dock, where you are likely to be resting on 3 wooden boards, none of which are level with the other. Then the boat or animal life gets away. Another lost shot.

November 25th, 2003, 03:10 AM	#7
Andrew Fowler New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11	Bogen now offers the MDEVE tripods which incorporate levelers and are specifically designed for small vidcams. I haven't seen one in person but they seem like a good idea and are a bit cheaper than buying a leveler separately. Go to B&H and look for models 756B, 755B, and 754.

November 25th, 2003, 03:18 AM	#8
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Laurie, you don't need the overkill of the 503. Even the 501 is more than enough for the GL1.