Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg)
The Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head provides fast leveling for tripods without built-in levels. It fits between the center column and head and has 10° range of adjustment.
This item replaces old catalog #3502.
- Features a 3/8" socket at its base, and a 3/8" screw at its top.
- Three anti-twist screws prohibit unwanted rotation of tripod head, camera or other attached device
| Load Capacity | 33 lbs (15kg) |
| Levelling Bubble | Yes (1) |
| Height | 2" (5cm) |
| Weight | 1.4 lb (650g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 39 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Improves tripod function (33)
- Easy to use (31)
- Fits well (28)
- Solid/sturdy (28)
Cons
- Heavy (3)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (17)
- Video (15)
- Wildlife (11)
- Travel (10)
- Portraits (8)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (13), Photo enthusiast (11), Semi-pro photographer (9)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (20)
Most Liked Positive Review
Manfrotto Ball Leveler
I use this leveler to take panoramic photographs (I use it with a Nodal Ninja 5 to correct for parallax error). The device itself is very sturdy and has a great degree of flexibility...Read complete review
I use this leveler to take panoramic photographs (I use it with a Nodal Ninja 5 to correct for parallax error). The device itself is very sturdy and has a great degree of flexibility in terms of angle shift versus other alternatives. The clamp / ball mechanism combination allows for very quick leveling and is stable even while supporting a heavy load. Before I bought it, I read the other reviews and the only material complaint I saw related to a bit of grinding of the ball inside of the socket. This is true and can be a bit frustrating, but it's manageable...Manfrotto could have done a better job of machining the parts. However, when you mount a heavy panoramic device along with a heavy SLR on top you hardly notice the effect. Overall, if you are doing serious panoramic photography this leveler is a must have and is extremely useful.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
438 Compact Levelling Head by Manfrotto
Functionally great, but poor implementation. I found the action to be "graunchy" and "snatchy" so I dismantled the head assembly completely, polished the ball, removed possible burring of t...Read complete review
Functionally great, but poor implementation. I found the action to be "graunchy" and "snatchy" so I dismantled the head assembly completely, polished the ball, removed possible burring of the casing, regreased it all and reassembled it. It was better, but there's no escaping the fact that the ball and housing are both a little eccentric.
Bottom line is that I am rather disappointed with the leveler although I do use it.
A very old, and much larger, ball leveller from Bogen is FAR smoother - but also weighs a ton...
Reviewed by 39 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
This leveling head has way more travel than I expected, which is a good thing. I would go so far as to say it has as much travel as a Matthews M25 does with it's ball. Everyone with a tripod and head should get one of these. I use it for video.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
- Sticky
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
I have two of these. One is on a plate for low level shooting. It's very low profile (much lower than tripod heads) which keeps me very close to the ground.
The other allows me to put a fluid head on my still photo tripod and level the head quickly for horizontal pans.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Manfrotto 503HDV Professional Video Fluid Head
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
- Sticks out of Box
- Weak locking knob
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
I own a Canon 60D and recently purchased a Manfrotto 501HDV tripod head to mount to my home-made Jib & Slider. The issue I was running into though was that the 501HDV head has a flat base, therefore leveling the camera to the horizon became a big issue.
Instead of investing in more expensive solutions (i.e. Ball base, high-hat, bowl sticks) I purchased this item, and so far it has worked like a dream.
It has a 3/8" base and mount so it screws in nice and tight into the 501 and my rigs.
Out of the box the adapter didn't seem completely greased, so it snagged in certain areas. However I just worked it around in a circular fashion and it greased itself naturally, I'm assuming what was there had just seeped to the bottom as it had been sitting in a box for a while. It is easy to take apart, so if you were to want to re-grease it yourself that shouldn't be a problem.
I'm a little concerned the tension knob to lock your level in place might be a little weak, but the screw is visible so you can keep an eye on wear/tear pretty easily.
Definitely won't leave home without it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Awesome for uses on sliders, jibs, or any kind of mount imaginable...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Perfect for the compact fluid heads without level balls...[*]. Seriously-set the sticks, center the bubble, and shoot away!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
This is a must have for anyone who wants to produce a quality picture/video anywhere. have tried other "cheaper" leveling heads and needless to say you get what you pay for. This is a great addition to my tripod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Great to add to a tripod that doesn't have a leveler at the head without adjusting by the legs. Cons is that when adding it to a tripod it makes it heavier.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
4 stars only for the level. It is toooo small. Needs improoooovement.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
you need get used it!!!
to keep levelling!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
I use this on my manfrotto carbon fiber "on the go" tripod for getting B roll.
It adds a little weight but I can get the tripod close to level then this brings it true very quickly. works great with my 701 head and Sony Z1u
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Loose Clamp
- Poor Design
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
No matter how hard I tried to tighen the set screws, this ball leveler would not stay in place. I intend to return it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
This is a great device to level gimbal type lens supports. Highly recommanded.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Supports my 701 head on a cinevate atlas 10. Allows for some fine-tuning when the slider isn't always level. Solidly built. Ball occasionally catches during adjustments. Release lever requires some force to get in and out of position.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Good angle range, good bubble leveler, solid and easy to loosen/readjust and tighten again. A bit jerky when adjusting but that's probably just being new or needing more grease.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
I purchased this to assist with levelling my Slik Pro 700DX tripod and it works great. No more needing to mess with tripod legs, the leveller eliminates that troublesome task. My only complaint is that there is no protection from dirt entering the ball/socket area. This will be a problem for dusty areas like Arizona because they did put some type of grease in that area. I ended up making a clear cover from a ziplock bag to lay over the ball/socket area.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Put between your tripod and inexpensive head to get ball head utility from a still photography tripod - or mount on a solid car mount (not the suction cup kind) to get a low profile ball to level and aim your video camera. Skip the head entirely if you're going to do a lock off. (unless you want dramatic tilted angle)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Use to shoot panoramic landscape shots. Easy to use and set. Recommend it to all my photo friends
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
This is a key piece to a completing a Manfrotto tripod system if you chose not use a levelling ball. This is the best way to get a quick level adjustment with a 501 or 503 head. A must have for quick operation.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Great way to add ball head support, but I would recommend getting a tripod/head with this feature built in. Adding this joint adds a lot of weight to an area of the tripod that's already pretty heavy.
If you already own a tripod and are looking for ball head leveling, this is one of your only options, but it's the best option. Solid build quality. Once you adjust the position and lock it into place, it's not moving - really sturdy. Fast adjustment and operation too.
When I installed it under my 501HDV Manfrotto head, the head covers up the bubble on the leveler, but the head itself has one so it's no big deal.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
- Solid/Sturdy
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg):
Looking at some reviews, I almost did not purcahse this. But, I am glad I did. This is extremely helpful when your tripod is not so easy to adjust. Wish I had this several years ago.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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General Tripod Accessories
- Price: $22.90
What's in the Box
- 1-Year Warranty
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