Tripod Reviews

• Sound advice on buying a tripod, here. The original version is here.
• 10 Tripods B&H suggest, here.
• 13 Tripods tested, here.
• Ron Martinsen Tripod Recommendations here.
• What to look for in a travel tripod, here.
• 5 Travel Tripods reviewed, here.
• Strobist: Choosing a tripod, here.
• Stability of tripods measured and ranked here.

Gimbal heads

• Gimbal Head Reviews (short reviews mostly) here.
• Gimbal Head comparisons, here.
• Gimbal Head reviews here.
• RRS ballheads and gimbals compared (2021), here.

Ballheads

• Battle of the Ballheads here.
• Compatibility between Tripod Ballheads and Plates, here.
• RRS ballheads and gimbals compared (2021), here.

Keeping the camera level

Several options can assist, including:

• in camera level, this function is not available on all cameras;
• the focus points in the viewfinder of most cameras offer an easy way to check your horizon. Line the horizon up with the horizontal lines in the viewfinder. This method is less effective for vertical alignment;
• spirit level for flash mount, cheap ones can be bought on eBay, but quality does varies;
• use the “grid” in the live view mode on your camera (quality can vary depending on barrel distortion of the lense being used). In some cameras this function is called a virtual horizon;
• buy and use a levelling base for your tripod;
• fix in post processing (last resort option).

Tripod Maintenance

• Tutorial on tripod maintenance, lot of pics, here.