Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Okay, this may sound like a silly question BUT...….

I've used ball heads for years, and have no problem with them at all. But I recently got a video head as a gift, and after messing with it, it seems to do everything I use my ball head for, but better. Assuming your tripod is level, I cant imagine where a ball head is better suited than a video head. What am I missing ?

I've been a photographer for YEARS and I cant believe I'm just questioning this. Enlighten me Please.

- A Video Head stays Level (assuming the tripod is level) A Ball head does NOT.
- A Video Head can shoot in Portrait mode providing you have an "L" Bracket on your camera (which I do)
- A Video Head is easy to make small adjustments up, down, left, & right, and do it smoothly (not as precise with a ball head)

The ONLY downside I can see with a Video Head is; it makes it clumsy to look in the viewfinder without the handle poking into your shoulder.

I don't think a Video Head replaces a Gimbal for BIF etc, but now I'm questioning why I ever used Ball heads.

Maybe I'm just overthinking things because I have too much free time on my hands

-Gary

marionhughes

Gary,
I replaced my ball heads several years ago. The video head is so much easier. I put a Manfrado flip bracket on mine so I can quickly jump from vertical to horizontal.
Two suggestions about the handle. One, cut the thing down. It works fine a little shorter. Two, reverse the head and reach around to the handle. Seams a little awkward at first by I got used to it pretty fast.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I've used video heads over the years with no problems. Bought a ball head several years ago and didn't like. I replaced it with a sqeaze handle and I really like it.

ashriverguy Loc: Rural Minnesota

G'day Gary, I have been reading a lot about video heads vs gimbal heads vs ball heads too. I’m about ready
to pull the trigger on a video head before I go to Florida this winter. The Manfroto video heads are around $150 but Amazon has a couple for $50 that look identical and have very good reviews. Perhaps some
Hoggers will have some knowledgeable advice on this subject. Good Luck, Jeff / ashriverguy

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You are not missing anything ! - you are correct ! .......it has only been fairly recently that video fluid head prices from the Chinese and good quality standards have made them viable for stills. I started using them about 3 years ago - took the handle OFF ..... My latest configuration with leveling head and interchangeable base.
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(Download)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I have both for over 40 years and they both have their place. I love my ball head for its speed, convenience and yeah, its performance! When I'm shooting stills, thats what I use and I prefer it over the fluid head. But when shooting movies, i wouldn't get caught without my fluid head! My ballhead just can not give me the smooth performance that my Sachtler gives me. But I do hardly ever shoot movies anymore (too costly), so the fluid head and the matching tripod is just collecting dust! I love my ball head and that's the one I continue to use!

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Well I THOUGHT the same initially, but Speed, Convenience, & Performance ????

a Ball head is somehow FASTER ? (ummmm not sure how)
a Ball head is more Convenient ? (okay maybe because its generally smaller)
a Ball head performs Better ? (HOW ?... I'm beginning to think just the opposite)

I Agree there SHOULD be a specific need for each type, but I'm now beginning to question my previous choices. I'm curious how you think they're faster and perform better? Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to understand.

jcboy3

Ball head is faster because you don't have to level the tripod.

Ball head is more convenient because you don't have to level the tripod, can easily switch from landscape to portrait by flipping it over, and especially if you use an Arca mount and an Arca base plate on your camera, can just slip the camera into the clamp. And, you can then use large telephoto lenses with Arca compatible feet without adding a plate. And because some tripod legs fold up over the ball head for packing. And because most video heads are very large and heavy. And, although some video heads are Arca compatible, you still need an adapter if you use an Arca base plate on your camera.

Ball head is better because you need fewer adapters to quickly mount the camera (more adapters means more instability), and because with a single control you can move the entire camera and lock the entire camera.

Add a leveling base to the video head, and you get more flexibility at the cost of additional weight, cost, and loss of stability.

Finally, video heads are damped, so quick movement from one position to another is hampered.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have both plus a gimbal too. I tend to only use the ball head with shorter FL lenses. I don't like it at all with longer FL's.

And I am sometimes favoring the fluid video head for long FL's over the gimbal head.

But I do find that the fluid video head is the heaviest to carry.

MrBossHK Loc: The West Valley of Phoenix metro area

About two years ago, I came across this YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epPSQaYnU8M

In the video, Mr. Hudson gave a very comprehensive analysis of the OP's topic. I followed his advice and purchased the video head and have essentially shelved my Markins ballhead.

Give it a viewing and see if he offers another recommended solution to your query.

Dave.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

[quote=jcboy3.[/quote]

"Ball head is faster because you don't have to level the tripod." - except for other than still landscapes or doing video pans, you really do not HAVE to level it !

"Ball head is more convenient because you don't have to level the tripod," - see above ! How do you do a leveled pan with a ball head ?? - without leveling the base/tripod ??

"Ball head is better because with a single control you can move the entire camera and lock the entire camera." - NOT necessarily a good thing !

"And because most video heads are very large and heavy." - There are many smaller/lighter/affordable ones today because most of the video cameras are getting smaller/lighter !

"video heads are damped, so quick movement from one position to another is hampered." Somewhat true - but this turns out to be the best reason for using one !
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Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Interesting Video, It kind of confirms what I've been recently feeling. Thank you.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

I Hear what you're saying, and in some ways I thought that was true, But leveling a ball head for Pano Shots, or even landscape shots is no easier than leveling the tripod ONCE. I Appreciate your opinion though, just not sure I agree.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

We MIGHT be a minority here. Either way, I've never been a conformist lol

Bill P

A ball head requires special handling, one hand on the camera and the other on the thing that tightens it. Once you get the camera on the fluid head and balance it, not too complicated, you can set the head to a less flexible setting and it will stay in place all day.

There is nothing more convenient than a fluidhead,I might even try it for BIF, iff i shot them. And no one head performs better than another in every situation.