Suggestions for a cheap tripod head that meets my needs: What are my needs? I need a three way pan head, but I’ll almost never use it. I like ball heads, but I need this pan head only...

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

What are my needs? I need a three way pan head, but I’ll almost never use it. I like ball heads, but I need this pan head only to use with a focus calibration target. That means the head will be holding something that weighs a few ounces and will barely be used, but it is evidently much easier to align the target on one plane at a time. I’ve read some reviews on Amazon about cheap heads that leak or stick when you try to adjust them, so that’s not acceptable, but I think you can see why I don’t want to invest much in this head.

I would appreciate recommendations for a head that meets my needs, or even alternative approaches (but this is the method suggested by the manufacturer).

Thanks!

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I needed an inexpensive pan tilt head for a video project filming my wife’s chorus. Like yourself, I didn’t expect to use it often.

I found this on Amazon. It worked surprisingly well for $34!

https://www.amazon.com/GkGk-Rotation-Hydraulic-Three-Dimensional-Camcorder/dp/B013ZTZ3CM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536613089&sr=8-2&keywords=gkgk+g06

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have one of these and like it a lot.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=1175948&is=REG
(I bought an extra QR plate for the second camera.)

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Photographer Jim wrote:

I needed an inexpensive pan tilt head for a video project filming my wife’s chorus. Like yourself, I didn’t expect to use it often.

I found this on Amazon. It worked surprisingly well for $34!

https://www.amazon.com/GkGk-Rotation-Hydraulic-Three-Dimensional-Camcorder/dp/B013ZTZ3CM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536613089&sr=8-2&keywords=gkgk+g06

This is one of the ones I looked at, Jim. One of the reviews said that it worked once and then it started leaking fluid and having other problems. I trust your experience has been better?

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Longshadow wrote:

I have one of these and like it a lot.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=1175948&is=REG
(I bought an extra QR plate for the second camera.)

Thank you for the suggestion. It looks like a good piece of equipment. I’m hoping to stay a little bit lower in price, but if I can get some thing of reasonable quality, this would definitely be an option.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Rab-Eye wrote:

Thank you for the suggestion. It looks like a good piece of equipment. I’m hoping to stay a little bit lower in price, but if I can get some thing of reasonable quality, this would definitely be an option.

Try eBay.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Rab-Eye wrote:

This is one of the ones I looked at, Jim. One of the reviews said that it worked once and then it started leaking fluid and having other problems. I trust your experience has been better?

I had no problem with it. Keep in mind that 84% of the 120 reviews were either 4 or 5 stars. For $34 it did the job for me.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Photographer Jim wrote:

I had no problem with it. Keep in mind that 84% of the 120 reviews were either 4 or 5 stars. For $34 it did the job for me.

True enough. At that price, it’s worth a try.

CO

I have a Manfrotto X-Pro 3-way pan/tilt head. It has an aluminum construction and is precisely machined. The axes move very smoothly without any slop. It has adjustable friction and handles that collapse in to make it more compact when transporting it.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217437-REG/manfrotto_x_pro_3_way_head_with.html

I also have the Manfrotto 460MG 3-way magnesium head. It's strong and the magnesium construction makes it light.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553704-REG/Manfrotto_460MG_460MG_3D_Magnesium_Head.html

Benro recently redesigned their 3-way pan/tilt heads and they now have an Arca-Swiss quick release system. The HD1A has an 11 lb. capacity. The HD2A has an 17.6 lb. capacity, and the HD3A has a 26.4 lb. capacity.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1410666-REG/benro_hd1a_3_way_pan_head.html

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

CO wrote:

I have a Manfrotto X-Pro 3-way pan/tilt head. It h... (show quote)

The Benro looks perfect. Thank you!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Photographer Jim wrote:

I needed an inexpensive pan tilt head for a video project filming my wife’s chorus. Like yourself, I didn’t expect to use it often.

I found this on Amazon. It worked surprisingly well for $34!

https://www.amazon.com/GkGk-Rotation-Hydraulic-Three-Dimensional-Camcorder/dp/B013ZTZ3CM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536613089&sr=8-2&keywords=gkgk+g06

That looks like a good choice. Good price and good reviews.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

jerryc41 wrote:

That looks like a good choice. Good price and good reviews.

I don’t see how I could not try that one first, given the price. I don’t like it, I’ll send it back.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Rab-Eye wrote:

What are my needs? I need a three way pan head, bu... (show quote)

For your stated purpose, I'd head to my local second hand store and pick up a cheap tripod there. They always seem to have some for a few $. Those are the plasticky ones people bought and then found out they were inadequate for their camera and lens (but would be fine for the use you plan). They nearly always have pan tilt heads and rarely cost over $10. Might be missing a quick release adapter, though... so watch out for that (or figure out another way to attach the calibration target to the tripod).

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

amfoto1 wrote:

For your stated purpose, I'd head to my local seco... (show quote)

That was actually my first thought, and I tried it. Unfortunately, it did not work out. Those things are so flimsy but simply trying to adjust the head makes the legs flex. I took that thing back. But I do appreciate the thought.

hankswan

Try Neewer (Brand name). I have purchased several heads, they all work just fine and for the price could not do better. IMO