Leveling bases sound like the best thing since sliced bread, as the old saying goes. It took me just one 360 cylindrical panorama (Manfrotto 410 geared 3-axis head)to figure that out. I have read a number of the threads about leveling bases, and looked at the items mentioned in the threads (Manfrotto 338 and 438, Acratech, Novatech, RRS replacement column, Gitzo replacement column). The type where levelling is accomplished by rotating screws would seem to stay where you adjusted it. Leveling the bowl type is obvious, but can you LOCK the base securely, or does it "float"? Some of these bowl-type leveling bases seem to be for video use or video-capable, and I imagine that there are some situations where a little floating, with counterweight, might be useful for stabilization of shots on an unstable platform (eg. tripod on a boat). If lockable, the bowl-type base clamps might be very similar to ball-head clamps, and perhaps subject to "droop". Secure locking is an issue because I might like to make the base do double duty as a gimbal support for a long lens (birding, in which rotation may be more abrupt than in pano). Obviously I want the kind of leveling base that locks securely, and would like to have some reasonable adjustment range (10 to 15 degrees?) and ease of use. I have no plans for video.
Recommendations? I use an "enthusiast size" Canon 60D DSLR and lighter lenses (to 400mm f5.6 at 2.8 #). Current legs are Manfrotto 055 PROB. I am looking into getting a slightly more portable carbon set of legs, as the aluminum legs are heavy on a hike, though otherwise decent. Obviously I am trying to plan a budget for kit.
