Really Right Stuff TA-3-LC-HK leveling insert for RRS Versa 3 tripod series with clamp and hook

TA-3-LC-HK leveling base for demanding photographers and filmmakers

Sometimes you’re all set up – the tripod is in place, the subject is perfect – but the bubble level is practically screaming: everything’s crooked. That’s exactly where the Really Right Stuff TA-3-LC-HK leveling base comes into play. It replaces your tripod’s base plate and ensures that you can level your camera quickly, precisely, and without a lot of fiddling, even when the ground looks more like a rubble field than a studio floor.

The TA-3-LC-HK is suitable for tripods of the Really Right Stuff Versa Series 3 as well as for Gitzo Systematic Series 3 and Gitzo Systematic Series 4. You simply remove the existing tripod base plate and insert this leveling base. Using the grippy control knob, you lock and unlock the bowl, allowing you to level your setup cleanly within a few seconds, even with heavier rigs of up to 11 kg load capacity.

Precise leveling with 75 mm bowl and 15° adjustment range

Inside, a 75 mm bowl operates with an adjustment angle of ± 15 degrees. This means you don’t have to align your tripod to the millimeter; you can easily compensate for minor tilts using the leveling base. This is especially practical when you’re out in the field and the ground is anything but cooperative.

The TA-3-LC-HK is supplied including the TA-3-VB video bowl. The leveling unit can be removed separately, so you can also use other accessories for 75 mm video adapter bowls if needed. This makes the system pleasantly flexible when you switch between photo and video setups or want to test different heads.

Integrated quick-release clamp with 38 mm dovetail

On top sits an integrated quick-release base with clamping lever and a 38 mm dovetail profile. The clamp accepts a whole range of common dovetail profiles: Flexshooter 38 mm dovetail, Leofoto dovetail, Benro dovetail, Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail, Pro Media Gear dovetail, and Kirk dovetail, and according to the manufacturer also 38 mm dovetails designed to be Arca-style compatible. This way you don’t have to completely reconfigure your system every time just because you want to use a different camera and L-bracket combination.

With a platform diameter of about 7.4 cm, the top provides sufficient contact area without being unnecessarily bulky. The lever clamp allows you to mount and release your camera or lens plate quickly, which in everyday use often makes the difference between “just one quick shot” and “never mind, I’ll skip it”.

Made in the USA, robust build for continuous use

The TA-3-LC-HK is made from 6061-T6 aluminum, a material that has proven itself in professional use for many years. The whole unit is Type II black anodized, which not only looks good but also provides a durable surface. You can tell that this piece is designed for tough outdoor use, not just for the occasional living-room shoot.

With a weight of around 496 g, the leveling base remains relatively light, especially considering that it offers a holding capacity of up to 11 kg. The overall height is about 18.5 cm, while the height above the tripod shoulder of Versa 3 tripods is only about 36 mm, so your center of gravity stays pleasantly low and the setup remains stable.

Arca-style compatible, versatile quick-release solution

The integrated quick-release base is designed for the widely used 38 mm dovetail profile and is therefore Arca-style compatible in practice. For you, this means you can use a wide range of plates, L-brackets, and rails without being tied to a single manufacturer. Especially if you already use several ARCA-based components, the TA-3-LC-HK integrates seamlessly into your existing system.

In combination with panoramic heads, macro rails, or video tilt heads from the Really Right Stuff portfolio, this creates a highly flexible modular system that you can expand step by step instead of having to replace everything at once.

Large bull’s-eye level for quick alignment

At the top of the unit sits an easily visible 12 mm bull’s-eye level. This single, clearly legible level helps you to level quickly without having to contort yourself or guess in low light whether the bubble is really centered. Especially for long exposures, architectural work, or video recordings where horizontal lines must be accurate, this is a real advantage.

Ergonomic handle and low-angle perspectives

The ribbed rubber handle is designed so that you can operate the leveling base comfortably, with or without gloves. With a length of about 74 mm, the tripod can still be brought into low-angle positions even with the base mounted, for example when you want to shoot macro or very low perspectives. The handle provides enough leverage to safely loosen and retighten the bowl without having to apply excessive force.

Compatibility and mounting thread

The TA-3-LC-HK is specifically designed for tripods with a 75 mm video adapter bowl and therefore fits perfectly with Really Right Stuff Versa Series 3, Gitzo Systematic Series 3, and Gitzo Systematic Series 4. On the bottom you have a 3/8"-16 UNC mounting thread at your disposal, which corresponds to the common standard in photography. This allows the leveling base to integrate neatly into professional tripod systems without a tangle of adapters.

Ideal for panorama, video, and precise alignment

In practice, the TA-3-LC-HK shows its strengths wherever an exactly leveled setup is important: for panoramas, for video recordings with smooth pans, for architectural and landscape photography, or whenever you work with panoramic accessories from Really Right Stuff. The combination of a 75 mm bowl, 15-degree adjustment range, and stable quick-release clamp creates a setup that can be quickly adapted to changing situations without having to start from scratch every time.

Technical data at a glance

Maximum load: 11 kg
Weight: approx. 496 g
Bowl: 75 mm
Adjustment range: ± 15°
Overall height: approx. 18.5 cm
Height above tripod shoulder (Versa 3): approx. 36 mm
Platform diameter: approx. 7.4 cm
Material: 6061-T6 aluminum, Type II black anodized
Bottom mounting thread: 3/8"-16 UNC
Integrated level: 1 x bull’s-eye level
Requirement: 75 mm video adapter bowl
Suitable for: Really Right Stuff Versa Series 3, Gitzo Systematic Series 3, Gitzo Systematic Series 4
Clamp: 38 mm dovetail, compatible with Flexshooter, Leofoto, Benro, Really Right Stuff, Wimberley, Pro Media Gear, Kirk, and, according to the manufacturer, profiles designed to be Arca-style compatible