QR clamps.....which orientation?

[Russ]

I was looking at a new ballhead for my hiking setup, culling thru the myriad of ballheads and the even larger choices of clamps to use, ie lever or screw-knob, etc. My smaller tripod doesn't have a level on the tripod itself, unlike the larger (GT3541XLS) one which does. I always use a level in the hotshoe....unless I'm using flash of course. A level on the camera tells you if the CAMERA is level at that moment & position....it does NOT tell you whether the axis of rotation for panning for panoramas is plumb or not however....for that you need something on the tripod. Nor does a level on the triopd tell you that your camera is level, unless the camera is attached directly to the tripod, ie not using a ballhead or pan/tilt head...for that you need one directly on the camera.

Anyhow, looking at ballheads and the various clamps I'm closing in on either a RRS BH-40 or a Markins Q3T....probably!!! The former has a level on the top of the jaw across from the lever/knob. The Markins has it between the jaws.....such that its ONLY visible when the camera is out of the clamp....what's the point??? The RRS isn't much better UNLESS.........that's when it occurred to me that maybe I have this wrong.

I've always positioned the clamp lever/knob "at the back" ie near my chin when viewing thru the viewfinder. If the clamp is using a tripod mount ring on the lens, then its turned 90 degrees and is on the right. Most instances I've seen (although I haven't really been paying attention) seems that others use the clamp's lever/knob to the rear. I did see a RRS video with the clamp placed to the front of the camera....once!

The RRS's orientation of the spirit level on the opposite jaw of the clamp's lever/knob would only make sense if the lever/knob was used in the front....so that the level can be read, otherwise its underneath a lens barrel and useless unless you remove the camera.

Soooooo......my question is: how do you orient the ballhead's clamp lever or knob when shooting using the camera mounted directly onto the clamp (presumably using a base plate), ie clamp to the rear or front?

[chaud]

I use the RRS system and am very very happy with it. I am constantly moving the camera from landscape to portrait and the L-bracket is perfect for me. I almost always have the clamp set at the front of the ball head. I find that more comfortable. Just a personal preference.

EDIT: I don't have a bubble level on my ball head and haven't really had a need for one.

[bread]

I have a Gitzo G1278M with quick release plate ballhead. It has a bubble level located on the same side as the plate release so I've never had an issue with seeing the bubble level.

The bubble level on my ball head and on the ones you and Fred are talking about all have that little round bubble level. Personally, I find that type of level pretty lame--I much prefer the 'tube' type like I have in my hot shoe bubble level. On one of our trips, I must have banged the bubble level accidentally because the green liquid has disappeared. I can't see a crack or a way for the liquid to escape, but now the level is useless. I have seriously considered getting a new ball head, but it's hard to justify when the ball head works just fine otherwise. Since I already have a considerable investment in Gitzo spare QR plates, I'd likely stick with Gitzo.

I've been eyeing this model: Gitzo GH1780 QR. It has three tube-type bubble levels on the plate and another in the stem between the ball and plate. I've read good things about this particular ballhead--its quality approaches that of RRS? Here's a photo I found showing three of the bubble levels. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mchangsp/3600512700/

The stem level can be seen here: http://www.gitzo.com/cms/cache/offon...?code=GH1780QR

[Russ]

I asked RRS and they advised that either method is satisfactory (ie clamp to the rear or to the front) BUT many/most prefer to the front. This old dog will have to learn a new trick!!!

Re the levels, again one above the head's "joint" determines whether your camera is level or not. I've always had some difficulty taking the time to check and ensure that it is by just visually aligning thru the viewfinder. Often there really isn't "level" things and a level is nice to have.

The 2nd and very different use of a level is to ensure that the axis of rotation for panoramas is vertical, ie the tripod base is level. If its not, each subsequent shot will "stair step" either up or down and when merged will necessitate more severe cropping than you otherwise were planning on. The tripod level and camera level are 2 different things and mounted below and above, respectively, the head's joint.

If you want to take level single shots, a good eye and the discipline to check for level OR a bubble level are necessary. If you want to take panoramas or pan (birds in flight or motion shots), then a tripod level AND camera level are desirous.