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Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg)
Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg)
B&H # MA438 MFR # 438
$0 VA Sales Tax Collected on This Item
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Manfrotto 438 Overview
- 1Description
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
UPC: 719821288725
In the Box
Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg)
Table of Contents
- 1Description
Manfrotto 438 Specs
| Load Capacity | 33 lbs (15kg) |
| Levelling Bubble | Yes (1) |
| Height | 2" (5cm) |
| Weight | 1.4 lb (650g) |
| Packaging Info | |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 1.15 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 5.2 x 4.9 x 3.7" |
Manfrotto 438 Reviews
438 Compact Leveling Head - Ball Camera Leveler - Supports 33 lb (15kg) is rated
out of
5 by
83.
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Sturdy, Heavy
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.
Date published: 2010-10-28
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Haught from
Good but heavy
Heavier than I would have liked. Works all right for tweaking the level of the tripod when setting up for panorama shots. But the ball is rather rough (probably has to be to reduce slippage and to support higher weights), so making tiny adjustments is more difficult than one would like. Tightening the lockdown lever changes the level a bit, so you have to compensate by under-adjusting the ball before tightening. Overall, I'm fairly happy with the product, but do wish someone would design something lighter and less fiddly.
Date published: 2012-02-24
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Worst product I ever bought from Manfrotto
I've owned a lot of Manfrotto equipment in my life time and I thought I was getting a great product when I bought this head 6 months ago from B&H. I would tell you to buy any leveling head but this one. You will just be throwing your money away.....but if you want one I'll sell you mine for 1/2 the price. It pivots very roughly...no matter how much you tighten the lever you will lose it and once that happens your screwed.....so buyer beware.....same on you Manfrotto for not standing behind your product. I wrote you and you didn't even have the decency to respond back.
Date published: 2017-06-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
sTaRfLuX from
Awsome!!
Love this product... after reading many review on the Manfrotto video tripod kits it seemed the general consensus was that most people love Manfrotto head and are not that crazy about the legs(at least on the lower end kits). So i bought this leveler to go with a flat base Manfrotto 502HD head and then paired them both with my awesomely light weight but super sturdy Gitzo tripod legs. In all it adds just the right amount of bulk to the complete setup. Its always better to have a tiny bit more weight to a video tripod than too little, especially when you are heavy on the drag. just less likely tomove around on a smoother surface.Fianlly, i've use regular ball mount video heads and this leveler has just as much range of motion and there were no problem getting exact level every time...
Date published: 2013-07-29
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Ok - not perfect
I use this to level my Manfrotto 502HD Fluid Head on a Manfrotto 190xprob tripod.My complaint - and it's a big one - is that the ball moves when you lock it down. You have to find the right center so when you lock down, the bubble is in the middle. Very annoying.
Date published: 2014-09-30
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Daniel Yee from
A must have on every tripod
Very simple operation of the leveler. All you have to do is unscrew your tripod head, screw this on, and screw your head back on. Comes with all the tiny screws that you need to ensure a strong bonding.It is very useful for people who frequently do video, and it cuts down on setup time where balancing legs would take.As much as I liked it, i found this a little too heavy and not worth having. Instead, the manfrotto tripod post with a 50mm ball head would do much better. it is similar with the MDEVE tripod heads, but for the XPRO series. B&H carries it . Highly recommend that
Date published: 2012-09-02
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Pete from
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 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...
Date published: 2009-10-13
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Easy leveling and great for traveling
I use the leveling head for fast leveling on location when shooting music videos and taking landscape photos on uneven ground. Actually I never remove it from my tripod since it is quite handy in all circumstances.Even though the leverling head itself is a bit heavy I would say it is great for traveling. When combining it with a small and light carbon fibre tripod it is far better than bringing a more heavier and larger classical video tripod.It does not move completely smoothly, but then again it is not used for tilting or panning. At first it was actually quite stuck, but as soon you get the camera on it works much better and now it moves great. Of course it has not the same amount of leveling abilities as a regular video tripod.
Date published: 2012-09-16
question
Is the 438 leveling head oil/grease lubricated, or is it dry ?
The Manfrotto 438 is greased.
Date published: 2018-08-27
question
how do you change the 3/8 screw at the top? I need a longer one
Unfortunately, the 3/8 screw cannot be changed on the Manfrotto 438 Compact Leveling Head.
Date published: 2018-11-16
question
does the tightening lever extend below the base of the unit? In other words could this be mounted on a flat plane of metal?
I mounted this leveler on a flat plate and could not move the locking lever. I had to use a fender washer between the leveler and the plate to make room. which, of course, allowed the leveler to spin a bit. I then had to tighten it down extremely well to get it to sit still.
Date published: 2018-08-27
question
what is the diameter of the base? My Arca Swiss ball head is 70mm in diameter.
I really don't know
Date published: 2019-01-30
question
Does the 438 works with the MT055XPRO3 tripod and the MVH502AH fluid head?
yes, with any tripod with 3/8 inch screw.
Date published: 2018-10-24
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