Tripod head leveler at DVinfo.net

Mark Williams · February 8th, 2004, 10:28 AM

I have a Manfrotto 3221 tripod (center column type) with 501 head which is proving to be a little time consuming to level up each time. Has anyone used the Manfrotto head leveler with this combo. Take a look here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=203536&is=REG

Also any other suggestions would be welcome

Regards,

Mark Williams

Federico Dib · February 8th, 2004, 12:07 PM

I´m in your same process of finding a levelling device to speed up my shooting, and I wanted that exact same leveler..

But everyone told me that for that price I should pay the difference and get me the this levelling center column..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=272855&is=REG
(note this is for my 190pro legs... there are other several models for other legs)..

So I went to a store and checked it out and compared to the levelling device you mention.. and the Center Column feels much better in my opinion..

It gives you 15 degrees of levelling instead of 10.
I feel it´s easier to lock/unlock.
And I get a spare center column to make my own steady-whatever device...
I don´t like the read ball.. but that´s just makeup...

Now if could just find a place to buy it around here with the great price bhphoto has...

Mark Williams · February 10th, 2004, 06:10 PM

Thanks Federico,

Your suggestion looks like it will work for me.

Regards,

Mark

Federico Dib · February 11th, 2004, 09:08 AM

You are welcome...

I´ll be buying it next month... and if you haven´t yet I´ll let you know how it works in a real shooting envoriment and not in the store...

Mark Williams · February 11th, 2004, 11:43 AM

Thanks, I will be awaiting your report.

Regards,

Mark

Nathan Gifford · February 11th, 2004, 12:31 PM

Mark, I have the head you are talking about. It works great (I'm using it with a 503 instead of the 501).

Mark Williams · March 21st, 2004, 04:03 PM

Frederico,

Did you ever get the Manfrotto 3502 ball leveler for your tripod and if so what is your opinion

Regards,

Mark

Ralf Strandell · March 22nd, 2004, 02:17 AM

How much height does the center column with the red levelling ball add to the tripod at most?

I would like to know the max height of a tripod with that center column. That particular accessory/replacement part does not, however, appear on the manfrotto web pages.

Mark Williams · March 22nd, 2004, 11:11 AM

Ralf,

There may be some confusion here. The ball leveler that I am talking about is the 3502 seen here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=3&shs=3502&ci=1&ac=&Submit.x=44&Submit.y=15

I want to use this with my 3221 legs and 501 head. With the 3221 legs you can remove the center column and there is a threaded plug on the end of the column that you can detach and then snap in to the top of the tripod. The 3502 ball leveler about 2" high then attaches to the plug with the 501 added to the top of the leveler. With the 3221 legs and now no center column you can get amazingly low to the ground.

Regards,

Mark

David Stone · March 22nd, 2004, 11:25 AM

I purchased the 501 head from EVS. I also purchased the 3502 leveler. I looked at some of the threads discussing having a quick way to level and this is what was suggested. It works great! The price was $64.98 and well worth it.

Mark Williams · March 22nd, 2004, 01:30 PM

Thanks David,

I just tried to order one and they are out of stock. I guess I will have to wait just a little longer.

Regards,

Mark

Ralf Strandell · March 23rd, 2004, 12:58 AM

Mark,

I was asking about that alternative centre-column model on B&H...

I'm interested in the two-inch compact levelling ball, but then it was pointed out that there is a centre column available with a built-in red levelling ball fixed at the end. So I wanted to compare the heights of these both setups.

Federico Dib · March 23rd, 2004, 05:56 AM

Hi, I´ve forgotten about this thread.
I had not been able to buy the column yet. My cam is in the shop for a zoom problem.. so I´ll have to wait another month, (or get a job).

But I´ve tested it in the store a few times, and it´s smooth and fast. And I´m decided to go for it.

And about the weight, I don´t think you will fill the difference unless, maybe you are planning on doing a lot of hicking, and still I don´t think it will add much weight.

Mark Williams · March 30th, 2004, 03:51 PM

Got the Manfrotto 3502 ball leveler today. This thing is great. My tripod set up time has been cut in half. Thanks to everyone.

Regards,

Mark

February 8th, 2004, 10:28 AM	#1
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Tripod head leveler I have a Manfrotto 3221 tripod (center column type) with 501 head which is proving to be a little time consuming to level up each time. Has anyone used the Manfrotto head leveler with this combo. Take a look here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=203536&is=REG Also any other suggestions would be welcome Regards, Mark Williams

February 8th, 2004, 12:07 PM	#2
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	I´m in your same process of finding a levelling device to speed up my shooting, and I wanted that exact same leveler.. But everyone told me that for that price I should pay the difference and get me the this levelling center column.. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=272855&is=REG (note this is for my 190pro legs... there are other several models for other legs).. So I went to a store and checked it out and compared to the levelling device you mention.. and the Center Column feels much better in my opinion.. It gives you 15 degrees of levelling instead of 10. I feel it´s easier to lock/unlock. And I get a spare center column to make my own steady-whatever device... I don´t like the read ball.. but that´s just makeup... Now if could just find a place to buy it around here with the great price bhphoto has... __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

February 11th, 2004, 09:08 AM	#4
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	You are welcome... I´ll be buying it next month... and if you haven´t yet I´ll let you know how it works in a real shooting envoriment and not in the store... __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

February 11th, 2004, 12:31 PM	#6
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Mark, I have the head you are talking about. It works great (I'm using it with a 503 instead of the 501). __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

March 23rd, 2004, 05:56 AM	#13
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	Hi, I´ve forgotten about this thread. I had not been able to buy the column yet. My cam is in the shop for a zoom problem.. so I´ll have to wait another month, (or get a job). But I´ve tested it in the store a few times, and it´s smooth and fast. And I´m decided to go for it. And about the weight, I don´t think you will fill the difference unless, maybe you are planning on doing a lot of hicking, and still I don´t think it will add much weight. __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

February 10th, 2004, 06:10 PM	#3
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Thanks Federico, Your suggestion looks like it will work for me. Regards, Mark

February 11th, 2004, 11:43 AM	#5
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Thanks, I will be awaiting your report. Regards, Mark

March 21st, 2004, 04:03 PM	#7
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Frederico, Did you ever get the Manfrotto 3502 ball leveler for your tripod and if so what is your opinion Regards, Mark

March 22nd, 2004, 02:17 AM	#8
Ralf Strandell Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 180	How much height does the center column with the red levelling ball add to the tripod at most? I would like to know the max height of a tripod with that center column. That particular accessory/replacement part does not, however, appear on the manfrotto web pages.

March 22nd, 2004, 11:11 AM	#9
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Ralf, There may be some confusion here. The ball leveler that I am talking about is the 3502 seen here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=3&shs=3502&ci=1&ac=&Submit.x=44&Submit.y=15 I want to use this with my 3221 legs and 501 head. With the 3221 legs you can remove the center column and there is a threaded plug on the end of the column that you can detach and then snap in to the top of the tripod. The 3502 ball leveler about 2" high then attaches to the plug with the 501 added to the top of the leveler. With the 3221 legs and now no center column you can get amazingly low to the ground. Regards, Mark

March 22nd, 2004, 11:25 AM	#10
David Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 40	I purchased the 501 head from EVS. I also purchased the 3502 leveler. I looked at some of the threads discussing having a quick way to level and this is what was suggested. It works great! The price was $64.98 and well worth it.

March 22nd, 2004, 01:30 PM	#11
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Thanks David, I just tried to order one and they are out of stock. I guess I will have to wait just a little longer. Regards, Mark

March 23rd, 2004, 12:58 AM	#12
Ralf Strandell Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 180	Mark, I was asking about that alternative centre-column model on B&H... I'm interested in the two-inch compact levelling ball, but then it was pointed out that there is a centre column available with a built-in red levelling ball fixed at the end. So I wanted to compare the heights of these both setups.

March 30th, 2004, 03:51 PM	#14
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Got the Manfrotto 3502 ball leveler today. This thing is great. My tripod set up time has been cut in half. Thanks to everyone. Regards, Mark