Why don't tripod legs have calibration markings?

[TMR Design]

I have been using my tripod a lot recently and find that I adjust the legs quite a bit. So I was scratching my head and wondering why there are no markings or units of measurement so you can adjust the legs equally. I know I can use my eye but sometimes you can't tell until you have stepped away and looked at it, and if it's not straight, or level, then you have to readjust, but it is a random thing. This seems like such a logical thing to have. Why doesn't it exist? Or does it and I just missed it and it's not on my Manfrotto B28.

[ibdb]

I guess if you always shot from level ground, it could be useful. If, like me, you're never setting your tripod up on level ground, it wouldn't help nearly as much. That's why I have a bubble level I slip into the hotshoe whenever possible.

[HammerCope]

There should be 2 or 3 levels on your tri-pod head to show you level.

[TMR Design]

Ahh yes, the bubble makes much more sense. I knew there had to be a reason. For now I am always indoors and the tripod is on a level surface so al 3 legs get adjusted by the same amount each time I need to make an adjustment. I will get an all in one bubble level for now since I am using an A620 p & s but once I get my DSLR I will get one of the levels that slips into the hot shoe. Thanks.

[RuggerJoe]

Ahh yes, the bubble makes much more sense. I knew there had to be a reason. For now I am always indoors and the tripod is on a level surface so al 3 legs get adjusted by the same amount each time I need to make an adjustment. I will get an all in one bubble level for now since I am using an A620 p & s but once I get my DSLR I will get one of the levels that slips into the hot shoe. Thanks.

For indoor use why not mark the legs yourself with a Sharpie?

[amonline]

My Velbon Sherpa Pro has them. ???

[TheSteveMadden]

Even with leveling marks, it wouldn't help with most tripod heads. I know my ball head has no center detent, so it doesn't matter how the tripod legs are adjusted the camera has free movement.

Even with a three way head, I wouldn't trust the tilt to be level even if the legs were even. There's just too much play, especially sag caused by heavy gear.

[DavidW]

Fold the legs up, set them to the same length, unfold the legs - magic! On anything but the most stable ground, you'll need to level the tripod anyway - my tripod has a bubble level in the legs which helps. If I need to level the camera, I put a hotshoe level on the camera and level that.



David

[JaertX]

Fold the legs up, set them to the same length, unfold the legs - magic!

I always feel silly when I'm setting up my tripod like that, but it sure works! Glad to hear I'm not the only one!

[kram]

Probably coz the tripod being level doesnt mean anything - the camera could still be at any angle thanks to the head.

[DavidW]

Probably coz the tripod being level doesnt mean anything - the camera could still be at any angle thanks to the head.
I was inclined to say (but missed out of my first answer) that tripod legs don't have calibration markings because the ground isn't calibrated either.



David

[DocFrankenstein]

For indoors, the tripod doesn't make sense. You need a studio stand. Those things weigh more than a photographer and are really smooth.

[JaertX]

For indoors, the tripod doesn't make sense. You need a tripod stand. Those things weigh more than a photographer and are really smooth.

if a light stand is for studio lights, and a camera stand is for cameras, what's a tripod stand for? :lol:

[DocFrankenstein]

if a light stand is for studio lights, and a camera stand is for cameras, what's a tripod stand for? :lol:
I meant a stidio stand. It's a big column with a counterweight.

[JaertX]

I meant a stidio stand. It's a big column with a counterweight.


sorry Doc...just another poor attempt at being a wise guy :oops:

yeah, stands are cool but a major pain with a tiny little dslr. I know a few pros who wouldn't do without 'em though.

[ibdb]

A studio stand is probably a bit of overkill for the OP. He referred earlier to his P&S camera.

[lungdoc]

I have an old Japanese made tripod form high-school days (Heiwa?) that I still use - just added an RC2 adapter to the 3 way pan head. I actually marked the legs exactly halfway up each section with white paint back in the early 80's and it's still there today, handy if you only want partial height for whatever reason, especially if leg angles can't be adjusted. One day I'll get something better but for now it does the job.

[blonde]

Probably coz the tripod being level doesnt mean anything - the camera could still be at any angle thanks to the head.

exactly. even if i spend 10 mins making sure that the tripod legs are leveled, my camera body is still free to move. that is why i also use the hot shoe level...

[DocFrankenstein]

A studio stand is probably a bit of overkill for the OP. He referred earlier to his P&S camera.
I didn't recommend buying it. Just mentioned it exists. ;)

[SkipD]

It's really easy, especially with black-finished aluminum tripod legs, to scribe lines every three to five inches or so to use for reference in setting up the leg lengths. I did that on an old Linhof tripod I had years ago and at times found it quite useful.

With my 3021BPro (considering its extremely versatile ways of setting up the legs), I do so many different kinds of setups that I don't find a need for the markings. I just eyeball "level" most of the time and once in a while use the spirit level on the tripod itself.

[DavidW]

If you want a quick way of levelling your tripod (though you'd still have to level the head), the Manfrotto 438 (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/3204?livid=103|104&idx=106) may be what you want. It goes in between the legs and the head. (I don't know whether there's a different Bogen number for this product in the US).

It's a similar sort of mechanism to the levelling tripods you could buy, though it may not have quite such a range of adjustment. If you shoot panoramas or have a similar application where levelling the tripod as well as the head is essential, it may be worth purchasing.



David

[kram]

Just a little spirit level that you can stick to the camera would do the trick?

[JMA]

Leveling both the tripod and the camera makes panorama shots much easier, IMHO.

[SkipD]

A little gadget called a compact levelling head - which I have one of - is fantastic for critically levelling the base of the head itself. It lets you set the tripod up at roughly level (within 10° of level) and make the critical adjustment with this leveller.

Here's a link to the Bogen Compact Levelling Head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=203536&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

[DavidW]

If you want a quick way of levelling your tripod (though you'd still have to level the head), the Manfrotto 438 (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/3204?livid=103|104&idx=106) may be what you want. It goes in between the legs and the head. (I don't know whether there's a different Bogen number for this product in the US).

A little gadget called a compact levelling head - which I have one of - is fantastic for critically levelling the base of the head itself. It lets you set the tripod up at roughly level (within 10° of level) and make the critical adjustment with this leveller.
We've both identified the same item - clearly it's Manfrotto 438 except in North America, where it's Bogen 3502.



David