What type of tripod head?

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

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Sup?

I want to get a new tripod (probably a Manfrotto 190XPROB), but I'm massively confused by all the types of tripod heads available.

What would everyone recommend? Three way, ball, pivot, they all sound like sex stuff.

Help me out :)

Spanks
 
what type of photos do you want to use the tripod for mate ?
i personally prefer a good ball head ,main use is land/seascapes .but a macro focus rail would also be handy .if you looking to do fine alignment then panoramic heads and fine ratchet heads are useful
 
Ball head for small to medium lens (everything up to 70-200mm f/2.8, 300 f/4.0, the top end heads will allow 300mm f/3.8 at a push, but wont be pleasant.)

Gimball heads for the heavy lenses, 300mm f.2.8 and up, e.g. 600mm f/4.0. Preferably combined with something like a wimberly sidekick.


Pan-tilt heads are for video only, never for stills.



Landscape and architectural work with stitched photos requires a panoramic head that allows rotation around the lens' nodal point to avoid parallax errors.





Really Right Stuff sells the best ball heads, get a BH-55 and you are set for life more less. Other good heads are the Arca-Swiss Monoball Z, Acratech GP, Kirk BH-1. Nothing else out there at all compares to these. As great as companies like Gitzo are at making tripod legs their heads really suck.
The precision and craftsman ship of the Really Right Stuff is second to none, get a dedicated camera L-plate and replacement lens collars and feet.
 
Sorry, I should have said, I'm going to be doing a lot more landscape photography in 2013 onwards, but I'd like something relatively light and compact as I'll be hiking with it.

Thanks for the recommendations D.P. I'll check them out.

The other requirement is that I must be able to buy it in Canada. I haven't got a massive luggage allowance so the more stuff I can buy when I get there rather than lug it out there with me, the better.
 
pingu666 said:
why should you not use a pan tilt head for stills?
I've seen some ball with pistol grip thing that look good :-)
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You can use a pan-tilt, but it is very awkward. Pan-tilt was invented for video, as its name suggests they allow smooth panning OR tilting of video. For still photography you want to simultaneously control the camera head with pitch, roll and yaw in a single smooth motion, rather than independent steps. Furthermore, the torsion control allows a much more fluid change.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Sorry, I should have said, I'm going to be doing a lot more landscape photography in 2013 onwards, but I'd like something relatively light and compact as I'll be hiking with it.

Thanks for the recommendations D.P. I'll check them out.

The other requirement is that I must be able to buy it in Canada. I haven't got a massive luggage allowance so the more stuff I can buy when I get there rather than lug it out there with me, the better.
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Most of my suggestions are on the heavier side but I use a BH-55 for hiking 12-14 miles, 3000-4000 feet with a 300mm f/4.0. Tiring but doable, depending on your fitness etc. If I want to go light I tend to go for a monopod, even tempted at getting one of the those telescopic hiking poles that have the 1/4" stud to mount on the camera base. And recently I purchased a small m43 camera for when I really want to be light, I do some Skimo (ski mountaineering racing) and like to go really fast and light at times, I have spent thousands getting super light skis,boost, avy gear, clothes, backpacks, I even modify my ski boots cutting off straps, drilling holes, I cut off useless straps form my backpack etc. So when I go light, I really go light, otherwise I tend to ignore weight and take the full tripod.


The Acratech heads are about 450g and lighter than the other I suggested. Really right Stuff also offer a smaller light, BH-40 which is very, there is also BH-30 but this is probably too small to be useful.


If weight is a concern you can look at other places to save weight. Many backpacks weigh in close to 2kg, but you can get backpack that is just as function at 1.2-1.3kg, and backpacks that are almost as function in the 800-900g range. Changing a Nalgene bottle to a used 2l coke bottle saves to several hundred grams. Some winter jacks weigh well over 1.5kgs, but you can gore-tex pro shell in a little over 500g and a spend pack a polartec micro fleece for a 250-300g, you will be more comfortable and will have saved a load of weight.
 
i think ive only used cheap equipment, on that end pan and tilt is better, ball = not quite tight, too tight cant undo, looser than your bowls in bombay :/
 
Perhaps some more afford suggestions would be good D.P. !!!.....
I also don't get the issue about 3 way P&T, years ago that's all you got......

I have a Slik88, about 30 years old that I'd also be tempted to put a new head on, as the Slik item is bit plasticy and not very "slick" .... Again landscape use mainly.
 
D.P. said:
Pan-tilt heads are for video only, never for stills.
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All those landscape, cityscape, night shots, interior photographers just went WHAT!?

You made the whole thing sound more extreme than it really is, the guy has an entry level set of legs, what makes you think he is going to spend £300 on a head?

How exactly is P&T "never" for stills? It's not like the camera will explode or the scene will burst into flames. You losen the grips a bit, put it into the right place and lock it down. Look through the viewfinder to double check.

Yes it's good. I like this.

Shoot.

:confused:
 
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Practical Photography Feb edition recommends a few, these look top options :-
Giottos MH1300-621 Series II ball head for £89,
3 Legged Thing Airhead 1 Evolution 2 Blue. £139
 
I've just started using the manfrotto 410 junior geared head for macro. It's probably the most accurate and stable head I've ever used.
It's replacing an oldish but very expensive Acratech GV2 which I shall retire to bottom of the cupboard. It's tendency to droop has driven me crazy.

The 410 has its drawbacks, it's not light and can be slow to use but for accuracy and stability it takes some beating. Mine was a present but I think it costs about £126.
 
Looks like there's plenty of options for me to consider.

I'm still not sure what type of head I would like though. I'm guessing a ball head would be a bit more compact.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Do not lube a ball head !!! The whole thing needs friction for it to grip. You can clean it and wipe it down but don't lube it.
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My Manfrotto ball head came with it's own lube already on :D I often get a whiff of it if I'm moving the ball head around a lot as the grease starts to warm up a bit.
 
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