📷 Manfrotto 438 3/8 Ball Camera Leveler - Professional Grade Replacement, Black Review

Solid construction as expected from Manfrotto but fixing the ball level causes it to move causing the leveling device not to re-level. You use one layer and you can recover, but what's the point of buying such an expensive kit so you have to recover when you lock levels. Excellent design and tool but defective

Complete scrap. I was tempted to buy the advertised fakes but I did my best and bought Manfrotto. It's not "Ball", no. It's a rounded piece with a beveled edge that snaps into place every time you try to move it. Forget fine-tuning - it always gets caught on the blunt edge at the top of the ball and requires a good jab or punch to release it. Garbage. Garbage. Garbage. Oh, and one more thing - the spirit level limits tilt from the side where it's located.

I use this on my Manfrotto 303PLUS QTVR Precision head but I can see its benefits on any standard pan, 2-sided or 3-sided head. It's impossible to see how this works with a ball head unless you can get the ball head perfectly lined up yourself from the start. Pros: *Sturdy, well-built design *Holds heavy loads securely *Very easy to use and set up *Compact and relatively light for its size* Dual bubble level* Perimeter locknuts to secure each connected head Cons:* A bit pricey

This works great for getting my shot lined up quickly. So I can quickly and easily take the picture I want. The only issue I have is that one of the screws holding it in place must have been defective. As soon as I tried to tighten it with my liquid head it practically fell apart and fell off completely. I did the same with the other screws and had no problems. I've never had a problem with a Manfrotto so don't hesitate. But now I have to find a way to get this broken screw out and find a…

UPDATE: After using this leveling base 4 weddings, the latch used to tighten the base loosened. The screw came out and behind it the latch. I had to shoot the first hour of the wedding day with a latch separate from the base. Then I accidentally found a small screw in my suitcase. I have to use teflon tape to make sure the screw stays in place. That works great. I usually have a 24" slider and a Manfrotto MVH500AH head and a Canon 5D3 and lens. This leveling base always held steady, even when…

I use this with my Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro tripod legs (black) and my Manfrotto 488RC2 which has been replaced with a Manfrotto 488RC4 midi ball head with RC4 (3271) quick-disconnect system. I also use a Manfrotto 337 Hot Shoe 2 axis level with this setup. I am very comfortable. The only problem I had when I only had the head and tripod was that you had to use the legs to align the ball head perfectly and that was very difficult in many cases. This tool makes it easy. Simply adjust the legs so…