Panorama Head, or Leveling a Tripod Options

[mpp]

I create many 360 degree panoramas with my DV Camcorders still-photo
capabilities. Early on I discovered the difficulty of keeping all the
photos on the same horizon line.

I solved the problem by purchasing a Manfrotto 3416 leveling head,
made specifically for this purpose.

A Google search for this device will show you a photo of it, which is
easier than me trying to describe it. It costs about $100. It is all
metal, probably steel, so it is a heavy brute, but a solid performer.

You first rough-level the tripod with the tripod legs, then fine-level
the tripod head with the 3 leveling screws on the 3416, using the
level bubble built into the 3416. Next use a small torpedo level set
on the tripod camera mounting plate to set and lock the "tilt" angle
to level. Then verify that everything is level by rotating the tripod
head 360 degrees. If the torpedo remains level thru the entire
revolution, the camcorder or camera will maintain a constant horizon
line.

Once the head is level all around, you can tilt the head to any angle
above or below horizontal, and all photos taken at that new tilt angle
will line up on the same new horizon line. I wouldn't be without it,
regardless of the weight.

HTH,

Mike

[David Ruether]

"mpp" <sandy...@harbornet.com> wrote in message news:2df49f9f-1367-41f5...@f18g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

I also eventually gave up on the "a little less/more length on this or
that leg, then try the next leg" method and bought one of these. It
did work well.
--DR

[Gary Eickmeier]

OK, it's all over. I got the Bogen 438, and it worked well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554093-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html

I mounted it on the tripod, then put the video head on it, and went to work.
Turned out that the level on the video head worked best. When I leveled the
438 according to the bubble level on the video head, I found I had a perfect
horizon and could rotate thru 360 degrees without incident. Oh happy day. I
don't know if the 438 really made a difference, but I don't care. I can
level my flippin tripod now.

Thanks everyone for all the contributions. I guess it must be somewhat of an
issue, since they do manufacture these leveling heads, and there are a lot
of panorama fans out there. I just have not encountered this before.

Gary Eickmeier