Levelling base for tripod ~ which one?

Box Brownie

Box Brownie

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Hi all

This came up on another thread and I have been looking into the options to put one on my old Manfrotto tripod.

@sk66 mentioned the Sunwayphoto model(s) and I noted the DYH-66i model that looks promising. However, at a tangent I was re-visiting the Surui L10 tilt head for my monopod usage and spotted that Sirui make the LE-60. This one looks very similar to the DYH-66i but at twice the price.

Now, both Sirui and Sunwayphoto overall get good reviews for the quality & price points compared to say RRS and Kirkbut what about the rekative comparison between Sirui and Sunwayphoto???

I looked for reviews on these levelling bases and the DYH-66i though praised had some negative(s) in regard to the lubricant bleeding out and being awkward to handling as it gets on the users hands and then the other gear!!!

Therefore is Sirui worth(?) the higher cost compared to the Sunway one on the surmise it is indeed better engineered?

TIA for the thoughts and insights :)
 
IME, Sirui is generally marginally better than SunwayFoto, like OEM vs knockoff...

But if the issue is just excess grease, that is generally pretty easy to resolve and it might be QC issue. I will be getting the larger SunwayFoto base delivered this week... I'll let you know what I find. The main concern with excess lubricant (IMO) is that it attracts/holds grit. If mine shows up with a lot of grease I will probably clean/flush it and apply a dry film type lubricant instead.
 
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Box Brownie said:
Levelling base for tripod ~ which one?
Click to expand...

The most critical point for levelling base is the number of
threads by inch — the reason I quit using Feisol that ma-
kes good tripods but very lousy levelling bases with too few.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
The most critical point for levelling base is the number of
threads by inch
Click to expand...
Not quite understanding this Daniel...

Box Brownie, I have one of the cheaper chinese levelling bases (they all seem to follow roughly the same design) bought for use under a gimbal, I am not an engineer but the quality is more than adequate, it locks solid when levelled and happily sits under a hefty gimbal, a 500mm f4, extender with a 1 series body attached, I do find it less useful when using a ball or geared head, however if I did panoramic images then it would be useful...
 
PhilH04 said:
Not quite understanding this Daniel...
Click to expand...


Will this help? :)


The finer = the better…


threads%20by%20inch.jpg
 
Kodiak Qc said:
The most critical point for levelling base is the number of
threads by inch — the reason I quit using Feisol that ma-
kes good tripods but very lousy levelling bases with too few.
Click to expand...

Not all levelling bases have threaded screws to adjust the level. I know the Feisol ones do but the ones being discussed work on a ball and socket arrangement.

I have a cheap Neewer one permanently on my tripod and it works very well. The levelling action is smooth and it locks very tight with a small twist of the knob.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
Will this help? :)


The finer = the better…
Click to expand...
Yes like the Manfrotto 338 I believe, I didn't understand your post simply because the original topic was referring to the 'locking ball' style...
 
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tijuana taxi said:
FLM make one that I have been considering
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FLM makes nice stuff and that has a great weight rating plus it doesn't weigh much comparatively... for the price it would be nice if it included the bubble level, and it looks a bit like there are a lot of places for stuff to accumulate (but it might be easy to clean as well, IDK).
 
sk66 said:
FLM makes nice stuff and that has a great weight rating plus it doesn't weigh much comparatively... for the price it would be nice if it included the bubble level, and it looks a bit like there are a lot of places for stuff to accumulate (but it might be easy to clean as well, IDK).
Click to expand...

I like their gear, this solves the spirit level issue https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/999224-REG/flm_12_21_901_hsa_45_flash_shoe_adapter.html
It slots in the side of the levelling base

Not so sure about cleaning, if needed could probably flush out with citric degreaser and relube, think they make a larger levelling base too
 
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Acratech make good levelling bases.
 
Sorry to piggy back onto this but what is the principle advantage of a levelling base vs doing the levelling with a ball head? More precise?
 
I should note that if you do not use your tripod at minimum height (legs flat) then the leveling bases that replace the top plate (claw ball) are probably a better answer compared to the more expensive top mounted levelers, if that is an option.

They generally support more weight, they have fewer interfaces for flex and to work loose, and they don't raise the weight/CG as high above the tripod apex (which introduces more leverage/flex). Probably not a big deal in most cases...
 
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gad-westy said:
Sorry to piggy back onto this but what is the principle advantage of a levelling base vs doing the levelling with a ball head? More precise?
Click to expand...
Depends on the setup... If the head has "top panning" capability with the ball locked (or static shots), then there is very likely no significant benefit.
 
sk66 said:
Depends on the setup... If the head has "top panning" capability with the ball locked (or static shots), then there is very likely no significant benefit.
Click to expand...

Got you, so this is really to allow panning of the whole head nice and level? Been using pano top clamps for ages so I guess I've never really acknowledged the need for these. Can be pain to get a ball head bang on level mind.
 
gad-westy said:
Sorry to piggy back onto this but what is the principle advantage of a levelling base vs doing the levelling with a ball head? More precise?
Click to expand...

To get a level base you would need to adjust the tripod legs, a levelling base replaces that action .
You can't level with a ballhead as its fixed to the tripod with no movement possible

*edit* beaten to it, but think we are saying the same thing
 
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tijuana taxi said:
To get a level base you would need to adjust the tripod legs, a levelling base replaces that action .
You can't level with a ballhead as its fixed to the tripod with no movement possible

*edit* beaten to it, but think we are saying the same thing
Click to expand...

Yes, I meant levelling the top part of the ballhead. But yes, I think we're on the same page.
 
Best levelling base IMO is the Gitzo. I agree with Kodiak re. Feisol.
Acratech are better then the FLM as third party oprtions.
Never tried the Sunway or Sirui.
 
I have the Sunwayfoto DYH-66i and I'm happy with it - it copes fine with my 5DIII+70-200f4. Mine came without the leaking grease option so perhaps it was manufacturing issue that is now resolved? No idea when mine was manufactured but I purchased in January of this year.

My only observation, which applies to all levelling bases, it raises the centre of gravity of the tripod a fair bit and feels a bit weighty. I'm using the clamp in between a Manfrotto MT190CXPRO3 and a Sirui K20X ballhead. As noted above another option is to replace the clamp atop your ballhead with a panning clamp which would be lighter and less top-heavy.
 
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I use a Gitzo levelling base - It saves a lot of time which would be spent faffing around with tripod leg lengths. I think it's essential under a gimbal head.

RRS and Acratech are both brands which can be trusted to offer high quality alternatives.

As usual it's horses-for-courses and depends on what you shoot and where as to what gear is more practical.

Gitzo%20gimbal_0718.jpg
 
Many thanks all for the added insight and suggested manufacturers...........................more digging to do :) I am intrigued by the Novoflex mentioned by @BigBudgie Graham in post #21 ~ Magicbalance makes it sound like is self-levelling????

PS and yes as per @RedRobin Robin says my plan is to use it on my Manfrotto tripod with my Wimberley gimbal.
 
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Box Brownie said:
PS and yes as per @RedRobin Robin says, my plan is to use it on my Manfrotto tripod with my Wimberley gimbal.
Click to expand...

....What is the heaviest lens you intend to mount on your tripod+gimbal?

I'm assuming you already have the Manfrotto tripod and Wimberley gimbal?
 
Box Brownie said:
However, at a tangent I was re-visiting the Surui L10 tilt head for my monopod usage
Click to expand...

....Having used various heads on a monopod including Jobu's small Jr-3 Deluxe gimbal, I can strongly recommend a tilt head as being the easiest to use and fast to lock onto target. However, unless you have a swivel foot such as Gitzo's Big Foot on a monopod, your panning is more tricky. If you shoot motorsport this will be an important consideration.

I use the Really Right Stuff tilt head < Very expensive but I won't ever need to buy another tilt head! All RRS products are very well thought out and a very high standard < America's best! Although Acratech are good too.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
Then, my post WAS pertinent! :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely, Manfrotto's own levelling base has three screws but I have no idea of the screw pitch count. But such a design concern is not relevant for what one might call ''floating ball" design..........having said that with this design the way the locking mechanism functions is of importance because as it ''locks" there must be minimal to zero shifting of the position.

RedRobin said:
....What is the heaviest lens you intend to mount on your tripod+gimbal?

I'm assuming you already have the Manfrotto tripod and Wimberley gimbal?
Click to expand...

My key kit is the 5D3 & 100-400mm MK2 with 1.4x TC as needed. In future I might hire a 500mm f4 or other large prime. FWIW my Wimberly is the side mount version without the swing arm NB not the sidekick one using a ballhead.

RedRobin said:
....Having used various heads on a monopod including Jobu's small Jr-3 Deluxe gimbal, I can strongly recommend a tilt head as being the easiest to use and fast to lock onto target. However, unless you have a swivel foot such as Gitzo's Big Foot on a monopod, your panning is more tricky. If you shoot motorsport this will be an important consideration.

I use the Really Right Stuff tilt head < Very expensive but I won't ever need to buy another tilt head! All RRS products are very well thought out and a very high standard < America's best! Although Acratech are good too.
Click to expand...

The design of the Surui L10 is very much like the RRS one. Good point about the swivel foot, my manfrotto monopod has a simple rubber foot but in the past all my panning has been handheld....be it Motorsports, BiF, airshows. As I get older and muscle tone & age related changes to core strength continue I might have to review the kit and/or the subjects I can capture to a good standard.
 
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I've never found panning with a simple rubber foot to be a problem. I keep the foot between my feet, close to the centre of rotation. These days, I mainly only shoot at a local hill climb where I often end up shooting hand held - viva la Fuji CSC system!!!
 
Box Brownie said:
My key kit is the 5D3 & 100-400mm MK2 with 1.4x TC as needed. In future I might hire a 500mm f4 or other large prime. FWIW my Wimberly is the side mount version without the swing arm NB not the sidekick one using a ballhead.
Click to expand...

....I also use the 100-400mm L II and sometimes with the x1.4 III (version III works best for Canon L II lenses). I also have the Canon 500mm F/4L II and it is an absolutely awesome lens! < You have been warned! It takes either the x1.4 or x2 Extenders much better regarding image quality than the 100-400mm (see my Flickr albums '700 Collection' and '1,000 Collection' for examples). I shoot on 7D2 and 5D4 bodies.

I find the 100-400mm + x1.4 combo easy to handhold but the 500mm is more reliable on either a monopod or tripod and much better on a tripod with gimbal. IF you ever use a 500mm your side mount might possibly be more awkward on which to mount the lens. Having had a Wimberley Sidekick I personally found it very awkward mounting a heavy lens but I'm sure you adapt and get used to it.
 
Nod said:
I've never found panning with a simple rubber foot to be a problem. I keep the foot between my feet, close to the centre of rotation. These days, I mainly only shoot at a local hill climb where I often end up shooting hand held - viva la Fuji CSC system!!!
Click to expand...

....I think we each individually adapt to the gear we use but because I usually throw out my monopod leg at an angle in front of me and spread my human legs so as to form a better three-legged support, then the swivel 'Big Foot' (which isn't big in size) helps enormously not just for panning but keeps the image more horizontally level with any side movement.

@Box Brownie Laurence, as Manfrotto and Gitzo are divisions of the same company you may find that a Gitzo Big Foot will fit a Manfrotto monopod. It costs about £15 from Wex and they can tell you if it will fit or not - Hit option 3 on their phone system, they are always extremely helpful.
 
RedRobin said:
....I also use the 100-400mm L II and sometimes with the x1.4 III (version III works best for Canon L II lenses). I also have the Canon 500mm F/4L II and it is an absolutely awesome lens! < You have been warned! It takes either the x1.4 or x2 Extenders much better regarding image quality than the 100-400mm (see my Flickr albums '700 Collection' and '1,000 Collection' for examples). I shoot on 7D2 and 5D4 bodies.

I find the 100-400mm + x1.4 combo easy to handhold but the 500mm is more reliable on either a monopod or tripod and much better on a tripod with gimbal. IF you ever use a 500mm your side mount might possibly be more awkward on which to mount the lens. Having had a Wimberley Sidekick I personally found it very awkward mounting a heavy lens but I'm sure you adapt and get used to it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insights with same'ish kit.

I remember on a day group get together a few years back trying another tog's 600mm..........:D but such money! Whether I could afford or justify even a 2nd hand 500mm will remain to be considered!

Re 5D4, would really like to upgrade one day ???

RedRobin said:
....I think we each individually adapt to the gear we use but because I usually throw out my monopod leg at an angle in front of me and spread my human legs so as to form a better three-legged support, then the swivel 'Big Foot' (which isn't big in size) helps enormously not just for panning but keeps the image more horizontally level with any side movement.

@Box Brownie Laurence, as Manfrotto and Gitzo are divisions of the same company you may find that a Gitzo Big Foot will fit a Manfrotto monopod. It costs about £15 from Wex and they can tell you if it will fit or not - Hit option 3 on their phone system, they are always extremely helpful.
Click to expand...

Good heads up re possible usage of alt foot, both my tripod and monopod are very old aluminium models I have had them in excess of 25 years.....so a question as to what newer feet etc might ''work"???
 
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I received the SunwayFoto DYH-90i. It's well made (no plastic) and a nice size match to my RRS series 3 tripod. The bubble level is large and easy to see, and everything seems well made. It has more travel than most (34*) and holds more weight (33lb/15kg). And I'm quite confident that it can securely support the 18lb load (head/camera/lens) at full offset. Lockup is secure w/ no notable shift, but it does take at least 1/2 turn; it takes about 1 full turn to go from completely loose to full lock. The main negative is that it tends to want to bind at max tilt unless fully loosened; and no, it does not seem to be by design (it will likely wear in over time). It is also a bit heavy at ~1lb/.45kg and it raises the head by 2". FWIW, the mechanism is essentially the same as all of the claw ball/bowl designs such as the Gitzo/RRS/Video/etc.

The extra height is a benefit for me when using the tripod extended as mine isn't terribly tall, but it also means the minimum height for the camera is ~ 1ft when on the Gizo Fluid Gimbal.
In contrast, the video bowl/ball setup I have only raises the height by ~ 3/4" and it weighs a bit less. But it's hard to use with the tripod extended and doesn't have as much travel (~ 20*). But 1ft is usually more than low enough... If not, I have another tripod/head setup for that.
Most leveling bases (like the Gitzo/RRS) with the drop handle will raise the minimum height much farther as the legs can't be set flat. But as I noted earlier, if minimum height is not a primary concern those types of leveling bases/claw balls tend to work the best IMO.

Once again, there is no perfect answer I guess... I'm going to stay with the DYH-90i for now.
 
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Box Brownie said:
Good heads up re possible usage of alt foot, both my tripod and monopod are very old aluminium models I have had them in excess of 25 years.....so a question as to what newer feet etc might ''work"???
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I like the large foot, but not for panning. I like it because it keeps the monopod foot from sinking/digging as much. But these days I just use a removable ski pole basket (I have a set of 3 in my bag).

The standard foot attachment is 3/8-16 and generally interchangeable... instead of the Gitzo foot I would suggest the LeoFoto BigFoot (?) version instead... it's essentially the same thing at 1/3 the cost.
 
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