LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I agree in principle. I have the 410 3 way geared head— and its great for when you have time to set up. However, now I either shoot macro handheld or using a ball head. Just an observation here: many do not use their ball heads to full advantage. They over-tighten them. If you find the ballhead ”sweetspot” you can easily (and quickly) adjust the position for your shot.

jcboy3

The main distinction is this: with a pan head you need to level your tripod by adjusting the legs (or use a leveler). This takes time and some skill or additional hardware.

Some ball heads have separate panning control; so you can use the ball head as a panning head (still have to level up those legs, however).

Finally, ball heads are usually more compact than pan heads.

If you need precise positioning, then a 3 axis head is best (each axis individually adjustable). These can be geared or not. Usually they are large and cumbersome.

I recommend a panning ball head to start, then get a specialty head if you need it (there are pan/tilt heads, fluid (pan/tilt) heads for video, 3-axis heads, pistol grip heads, geared heads, panoramic heads, gimbal heads...).

MMunsey

I thought for a moment or two I might be the lone voice crying in the wilderness, “Don’t forget gimbal heads.” I’m not, but I’ll toss in 2 cents worth.

First, I agree with those who’ve noted much of this is personal preference...sort of. Early on I bought a ball head to replace my kit pan/tilt head. Thinking a ball head is a ball head is a ball head I went for least expensive. Then I ran across a differently designed ball head. “Look at that - it’s got a different quick-release design. This was Manfrotto’s 486RC2 head, and it changed my life. But wait - there’s more! Sticking with Manfrotto because the RC2 quick release system is the best (in this application most of the time), I found the MHXPRO BHQ2 head, and except for air shows and sports (where the gimbal is king), it’s just the best IMHO because instead of round knobs to tighten they give you flanged knobs.

That is unless you’re shooting something active and you want to track with it - something like the Blue Angels, your grandson running the bases or your granddaughter riding her mount across the finish. A gimbal (when properly adjusted) distributes the weight evenly and allows you to move freely in all three directions. There’s no getting around their being heavier comes up - I needed a sturdier tripod, but saved some $ via eBay. Sometimes I just want that tripod with the ball head.

I think I’ve said enough.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I still have my RC2...and here’s what I did not like: fine tuning compositions was quite difficult because the “squeeze and release” action would significantly (for me) change my compositions. I prefer the standard ball head because I can adjust the tension just to the point where I can move it and it will stay where I re-position it. I actually bought the three-way geared head to solve this issue with precise compositions. Unfortunately, this resulted in another issue which was how tedious it was to get my composition set. If I wanted to make a significant adjustment for another shot it could take a lot of twisting of multiple knobs.

So I’m not ruling out any of these wonderful options for others—they just didn’t work to my satisfaction for how I work.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

A good ball head is a lot smaller and much quicker to set up. Pan heads are a pain to use and carry in the outdoors as the levers get caught up on all sorts of things.

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Try them both. Choose the one that will best serve your needs.
HTH

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

👍🏻 🏍. Alas, we date ourselves, don't we?

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

What about pistol grip heads? I never see much mentioned about pistol grip heads. Pro's? Cons?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

They are more formally called "grip action ball heads " ....

And, like ALL heads, benefit immeasurably from being in balance over the pivot point and properly adjusted to minimize creep.

..

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Agreed. I've never met a Manfrotto ball head I liked because they all creeped (but have had good luck with their better tripods). Went with Acratech ballheads & they work well without creep and are smooth when adjusted for motion.

CO

I also purchased an Acratech ballhead. It's the Nomad model. I like that it has a positive feel with the friction and locking knobs. Some ballheads have a mushy feel when locking. With the Acratech you can really tell when it's locked securely. Another nice feature is the fluted base. The fluted shape gives you something to grip when tightening or loosening the head from the tripod.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Yup. I think they make a nice product. No complaints here with anything I’ve bought from them. As you noted nice progressive control, & no creep.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I use a ball head most of the time, but also use a pan/tilt head and a gimbal head. Depends upon the mission and the lens. More than one answer. Best of luck.

Spiney Loc: Reading, PA

As a portrait photographer who worked in studio and out in the field I liked the quick adjustments of their pistol grip ball heads. But even when using a relatively light DSLR with a short zoom it lost its grip after not too much use. You can tighten the tension but it then becomes a bear to squeeze, especially for my wife.

Someone a few posts back mentioned using one of these with an “L” bracket for balance. Could you explain that further, maybe add a picture.

I have a small Flip bracket that connects to a tripod or mono pod an allows you to easily flip the camera orientation.

In our studio when we were using a heavy Mamiya RZII outfit with power drive, AEII Prism, and a 100-210 zoom we used a heavy duty Studio Stand with a Bogen 3-Way tilt Pan head. I loved the stability and the ease of going from 1’ up to 7’ with a counter-balanced column. Really beats messing with tripod legs in a studio.