Having a tripod leveling base in a camera toolkit is a necessity for many professionals. It helps by assuring that your camera stays parallel to the ground. Although you can check the balance of your camera with a bubble, you'll find that tripod levelers can do much more than that.

What's a Tripod Leveling Base?

A tripod or camera leveling base is an extra accessory that mounts between the tripod and the camera. It allows you to see if your camera is balanced and to make the necessary adjustments if it's not. They usually have a built-in bubble level, also known as a spirit level. Often there are two levels for both the vertical and horizontal directions. If your bubble level lacks accuracy, leveling plates make for a great alternative.

With an unbalanced camera, you'll quickly see the benefits of a leveling base. It allows you to make fine adjustments to the camera angle without having to adjust your tripod legs every time. Most have quick-release plates, so you don't need to worry about having quick access to your camera.

One common type of leveling base includes three wheels, which allow you to tilt and adjust the camera to the desired angle. Most models have a tilt range of 10 degrees, 5 in each direction. If you need an extra range of motion than the leveling base allows, you can always purchase an additional tripod head platform.

Uses for a Tripod Leveling Base

A leveling base can be handy if you shoot outdoors or on uneven surfaces. It is a must-have if you take panoramic photos or 360-degree videos. If you use tripod arms to rotate your camera, a leveling base makes sure your video or panorama is smooth and even.

Industry experts recommend tripod leveling bases even if you're using a ball head or gimbal head. However, always double-check that your lens matches the mounting plate. If not, you can customize your setup with the right gimbal head accessories.

What's a Leveling Head?

While some leveling bases require a head attachment, some combine the two functions. In many cases, a leveling head is also a leveling base. You may find a leveling head more functional, as it reduces the need for carrying additional equipment, and it makes setup quicker.

When using a camera leveling base with a ball head attachment, you might need to level the camera during a panoramic take. A leveling head helps in this case. Unless you need to use a specialized head attachment such as a gimbal, a leveling head will suffice.

Whatever the situation, you can always take a perfect picture with the right tools. Browse a large variety of camera and tripod levelers, along with cases for tripod heads, and additional accessories, at B&H Photo and Video.