After many consideration I came to the same setup ! My tripod is the Benro Tortoise 24CLV which is a tiny bit shorter but has as a leveling head integrated for the same mass so it's way lighter and cheaper !
THANK YOU ! Very interesting setup which is relatively affordable and compact. For panoramas I would suggest adding a Leofoto 200mm nodal slide to compensate for paralax
I was in the market for a new, lighter and taller tripod when I saw your video. Now I have the same setup like yours minus the leveling base. Also I have made a small handle to have a smoother pan/tilt motion since the head has the 1/4-20 holes for the handle.
This is exactly the video I needed. I saw Thomas's video a while back and I didn't want to spend the money on the acratech long lens head. And I saw the leofoto heads and I was wondering of those could work since I already have a levelling base. Thank you! Good stuff.
Since I followed you and got the same tripod, I would suggest you get the "Leofoto TFS US Version Long Spike/Rubber / Universal Tripod Feet" to put on the tripod. It makes it a bit taller, more stable in the sand, mud, dirt and since they are from SS, no need to keep the bottom feet clean all the time. Check them out.
I've used a similar setup for years with a large format camera. In my case I use a Sinar Pan/tilt head. I do use it with full frame digital, as well, even though it's a bit heavy. One thing that would really help is if accurate bubble levels were viewable from the sides. I can't always get directly above my tripod. I do have a few Leofoto pieces, and they've all been high quality. For example, when I am photographing architecture, I put a Leofoto G2 on my ball head. It works well, although, again, being able to level the head from the side without using an auxiliary level would be really nice.
You need to get the Nodal of the lens when you shoot panoramas. So, you need a rail to put on that head and then balance it and get it centered. Otherwise, the stitching together of the files won't work as well. P.S. I have the Acratech 1165 and the Leofoto Sv30. I recomend the Leofoto over the Acratech. Smoother movements and the top can be spun without undoing it and flipping. A smooth turn on the Leofoto.
I like to use a fluid video head and a 75mm bowl tripod also for photography. It works in the same way as two-way head apart from that tilt is easier. Another bonus it that the tripod is more stable. I got inspired by Henry Hudson.
Another +1 for Henry Hudson's 75mm bowl and fluid head combination. The most flexible system I've found so far, especially if you want to shoot video too!
Very interesting points about the fine control for panos. I've been using the peak travel tripod ever since the kickstarter and really like how compact and light it is, but this is definitely food for thought!
How about a single axis head (up-down) sitting atop a set of Tiltall legs? On a Tiltall (or Star-D, who made Tiltalls for a while) the horizontal rotation (vertical axis) is built into the tripod. It cannot get any simpler. They are a little more robust than the Manfrotto 3021 line.
Looking at pretty much this exact setup but with the LS-364 or the LS-324CEX which has an integrated leveling base. Do you think you could use this head without the leveling base?
Did you buy the 364? How do you like it? IMO, the CEX version is a waste of money. You could buy their leveling base for less and just add it. That is exactly what they do on the EX version- they add their own level base. I just got the 364 for $250 open box and paired it with the higher quality (German made) FLM leveling base and FLM ballhead. It hasn't arrived yet so I am curious how you are getting on with it?
Hi Felix, Just like yourself I have been pondering over the same set-up, I have the same tripod asThomas had it at a stealof aprice at sub £200 Sterling. The head is another matter,like yourself I have been looking at the Leofoto and the Buddiesman VH-3, I would preferthe fixed clamp on to if it were like the Acra Tech in that if can be released and turned 90 degrees, whereas the Leofoto would require a 90 degree adapter clamp. So I would like to know have you had any issues with the top clamp creeping as I have heard from a few sources, which is putting me off the head you have. Regards, Geiff Howard
After many consideration I came to the same setup !
My tripod is the Benro Tortoise 24CLV which is a tiny bit shorter but has as a leveling head integrated for the same mass so it's way lighter and cheaper !
THANK YOU ! Very interesting setup which is relatively affordable and compact. For panoramas I would suggest adding a Leofoto 200mm nodal slide to compensate for paralax
I was in the market for a new, lighter and taller tripod when I saw your video. Now I have the same setup like yours minus the leveling base. Also I have made a small handle to have a smoother pan/tilt motion since the head has the 1/4-20 holes for the handle.
This is exactly the video I needed. I saw Thomas's video a while back and I didn't want to spend the money on the acratech long lens head. And I saw the leofoto heads and I was wondering of those could work since I already have a levelling base. Thank you! Good stuff.
Btw he does have a video talking about it called "I'm done with my ball head"
Good Morning from New Zealand, thanks for your great video, Thank you for sharing have a great week
Thank you! You too!
Since I followed you and got the same tripod, I would suggest you get the "Leofoto TFS US Version Long Spike/Rubber / Universal Tripod Feet" to put on the tripod. It makes it a bit taller, more stable in the sand, mud, dirt and since they are from SS, no need to keep the bottom feet clean all the time. Check them out.
I've used a similar setup for years with a large format camera. In my case I use a Sinar Pan/tilt head. I do use it with full frame digital, as well, even though it's a bit heavy. One thing that would really help is if accurate bubble levels were viewable from the sides. I can't always get directly above my tripod. I do have a few Leofoto pieces, and they've all been high quality. For example, when I am photographing architecture, I put a Leofoto G2 on my ball head. It works well, although, again, being able to level the head from the side without using an auxiliary level would be really nice.
You need to get the Nodal of the lens when you shoot panoramas. So, you need a rail to put on that head and then balance it and get it centered. Otherwise, the stitching together of the files won't work as well.
P.S. I have the Acratech 1165 and the Leofoto Sv30. I recomend the Leofoto over the Acratech. Smoother movements and the top can be spun without undoing it and flipping. A smooth turn on the Leofoto.
I like to use a fluid video head and a 75mm bowl tripod also for photography. It works in the same way as two-way head apart from that tilt is easier. Another bonus it that the tripod is more stable. I got inspired by Henry Hudson.
Another +1 for Henry Hudson's 75mm bowl and fluid head combination. The most flexible system I've found so far, especially if you want to shoot video too!
By the time you finished the setup, the sky turn dark. Lol
Very interesting points about the fine control for panos. I've been using the peak travel tripod ever since the kickstarter and really like how compact and light it is, but this is definitely food for thought!
Yo, great review and setup, question though why the 65mm leveling base instead of the 60mm?
Don't copy Thomas Heaton, he bought one tripod too many and wife kicked him out, now he lives in a van :D. Just joking. Nice video, keep sharing.
How about a single axis head (up-down) sitting atop a set of Tiltall legs? On a Tiltall (or Star-D, who made Tiltalls for a while) the horizontal rotation (vertical axis) is built into the tripod. It cannot get any simpler. They are a little more robust than the Manfrotto 3021 line.
Looking at pretty much this exact setup but with the LS-364 or the LS-324CEX which has an integrated leveling base. Do you think you could use this head without the leveling base?
Did you buy the 364? How do you like it?
IMO, the CEX version is a waste of money. You could buy their leveling base for less and just add it. That is exactly what they do on the EX version- they add their own level base. I just got the 364 for $250 open box and paired it with the higher quality (German made) FLM leveling base and FLM ballhead. It hasn't arrived yet so I am curious how you are getting on with it?
Nodal point/your lens for panos?
Hi Felix, Just like yourself I have been pondering over the same set-up, I have the same tripod asThomas had it at a stealof aprice at sub £200 Sterling. The head is another matter,like yourself I have been looking at the Leofoto and the Buddiesman VH-3, I would preferthe fixed clamp on to if it were like the Acra Tech in that if can be released and turned 90 degrees, whereas the Leofoto would require a 90 degree adapter clamp. So I would like to know have you had any issues with the top clamp creeping as I have heard from a few sources, which is putting me off the head you have.
Regards,
Geiff Howard
Ha Thomas Heaton, pinched the idea from Hudson Henry.
Well, none of them invented the head that actually works the way it is explained! 🙂
Not sure its a genius set up..