Levelling a tripod

[taxboy]

I'm looking to have a go at some panoramic shots & I know this seems like a stupid question but has anyone got any tips for levelling a tripod. I spend ages fiddling around trying to get the bubble in the centre. It seems just as I've got one plane level then the other is miles off. It seems a bit like 3D chess at the moment :thinking:

TIA

Andrew

[LeeP]

Andrew

What camera are you using? I know the D3 has a virtual horizon which is so useful in these situations!

Lee

[Chappers]

Some days it's easier than others.

Working on a flat surface helps, but that is not always possible

Try this. Try adjusting only two legs not all three. Have the "Fixed" leg pointing to the center of the panorama. Also have the tripod legs splayed out reasonably wide. This will give you smaller movements at the head.

I've found that tripods with quick release leg clamps are easier to adjust than others, as you can lock the legs in position more easily

Don't forget to get the camera level on the head as well

[rich_eason]

Assuming you have a level built in....I used to day in day out set up Total Station Tripods.....especially after someone moved it as it was "in the way":bang:

Fully extend legs to full extension

Position somewhere near level.

Lock one leg in position...do not touch this leg

You will probably find that the bubble is not center in the vile.

Using the two other legs one at a time shortening and lengthening the legs to adjust the position of the bubble.

Depending how "out" you are depends on how much of each leg you should have to move, you may only need to move one.

You tend to find its the leg opposite the position of the bubble that requires the adjustment.

Where it falls between both legs, both legs need to be adjusted.

Not the easiest technique to describe!

[taxboy]

Thanks for the tips guys - I'll try them out :thumbs:

[ilikebowens]

get a Manfrotto 338 leveling base, it makes life much easier!

[StewartR]

What kind of panoramics are you trying to take? If they're landscapes, you don't need a tripod, let alone a precisely levelled one. Evidence. (http://stewartr.smugmug.com/gallery/2580250_NBLRk/1/178088581_ySsYq#178088581_ySsYq)

[taxboy]

What kind of panoramics are you trying to take? If they're landscapes, you don't need a tripod, let alone a precisely levelled one. Evidence. (http://stewartr.smugmug.com/gallery/2580250_NBLRk/1/178088581_ySsYq#178088581_ySsYq)

That looks very impressive for hand held - I'm just trying to educate myself to use a tripod for all landscape shots at the moment not just panoramas

[dellipher]

I dont see the point of using a tiny tiny tiny spirit level....as someone once said :lol: would you trust a brickie who used a small one?