Tripod with level on legs or head with level

[HoppyUK]

I think I'll just go for the one that you linked. I don't want to replace my call head with it, I'll just keep it in my back or rucksack to use and required.

I've been looking for a while and there aren't actually that many L brackets made for the D7100, I did find one on Amazon though.

Detachable L-shaped Vertical Quick Release Plate/Camera Holder Bracket Grip Special for Tripod Ball Head Nikon D7200 D7100 D7000 Body https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ST1E2HO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_G9CcBbTE060P7

Can't help with an L-bracket really, other than the comments above - every camera is different so there's a bit of suck it and see. But if you're lucky it'll fit like a glove, be unobtrusive fit-and-forget, and allow full access to everything. Or it may not... there are a few options around if you search Amazon/ebay or maybe start another thread?

 

[Kell]

Maybe all your tripods are too complicated.

Or you live in a world where normal physics do not apply.

But my tripod rotates around a central pole. If that pole is at 90 degrees vertical in all planes then rotating/panning the camera means it will remain flat and level throughout.

 

[ianmarsh]

Maybe all your tripods are too complicated.

Or you live in a world where normal physics do not apply.

But my tripod rotates around a central pole. If that pole is at 90 degrees vertical in all planes then rotating/panning the camera means it will remain flat and level throughout.

Are you rotating the plate and pole (in which case you are right but the second you loosen the poll it risks moving) or the whole ballhead around it's tripod mount (in which case the tripod needs to be flat too)?

 

[Kell]

Pole, plate, camera.

Only the legs stay stationary. This is why I’m confused.

 

[ianmarsh]

Then you are right if just the pole plate and camera are rotating. But most ballheads I've seen have a panning head so the whole ballhead rotates except the fixing to the top of the legs. If the pole is at an angle to the rest of the head (ie if the legs aren't flat so the ballhead is moved to make the camera level), rotating the whole head means you are not rotating around the vertical pole so you get a shift. As Hoppy siad, the easiest way out is to buy the panning plate which fits onto the plate.

 

[HoppyUK]

Maybe all your tripods are too complicated.

Or you live in a world where normal physics do not apply.

But my tripod rotates around a central pole. If that pole is at 90 degrees vertical in all planes then rotating/panning the camera means it will remain flat and level throughout.

The whole point of this thread is the fact that unless a tripod is set up dead level, then with a normal base-panning tripod head, it will not pan flat. Not much of a problem on level ground, but on anything else getting the tripod level is fiddly and time consuming - you have to adjust the leg lengths, often several times before it's right. A top-panning feature on the head is the easiest way around this.

 

[Kell]

The whole point of this thread is the fact that unless a tripod is set up dead level, then with a normal base-panning tripod head, it will not pan flat. Not much of a problem on level ground, but on anything else getting the tripod level is fiddly and time consuming - you have to adjust the leg lengths, often several times before it's right. A top-panning feature on the head is the easiest way around this.

I'm with you now.

I think we're arguing the same point. My point about if the bit you attach your camera too is level and flat then it will pan flat. You're saying essentially the same thing, but adding that it's difficult to achieve this, hence the additional kit.

Clears up my confusion anyway.