PhotoTex Loc: Texas

I have a good tripod with a conventional 3 point align head. Even with practice it takes several seconds to set up my current head. I understand a ball head is faster. How do you compare the two. Are there disadvantages to the ball head. And how much difference is there between an inexpensive and inexpensive head (what does that mean in $) ?
Jim

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

A ball head is simply much faster to adjust. A 3 way head is better for technical adjustment if you have the time to do it.
Typically 3 way heads are cheaper price-wise. Ball heads are much more widely used and can vary from a decent $20 head to over $600 if you want to get carried away.
I have an old Bogen 3047 Three-way head that has been gathering dust for about 20 years. I have 3 Bogen 3055 ball heads that are my workhorses and priced very reasonably, you can usually find them for under $50 on Ebay, even though they have been out of production for about 6 or 8 years now. These are the heaviest, most full-featured ball heads you will find for the price.
If you are talking about really BIG lenses, then you need to consider a Gimbal style head.

PhotoTex Loc: Texas

Thanks for your observation and I will look on eBay. I am not quiet up to a 600mm prime yet!
Jim

jmarazzi Loc: Moving around to stay out of the HEAT

What are your thoughts on a grip/joystick head? I was out shooting wildflowers a couple weekends ago and my manfrotto ballhead was making me crazy! Someone let me try their manfrotto joystick and it seemed so much easier - and faster - to use.
thanks

redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

I recently got a vanguard alpro 264(tripod) with sbh100 ballhead and love it. I paid about 210$ for it on amazon. i was looking at the pistol grip,but i felt it would make the head a little heavier.I find the vanguard ball head very easy to use. The comparable Monfretto is nice,but i do believe that so is the vanguard from the reviews written on amazon. Go for the vanguard!!

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

When shooting something needing precision adjustment (a macro such as my Avatar) I use Manfrotto's Junior Pro geared head;I don't have to worry about movement when I remove my hand. Otherwise, I use a ball head - Really right Stuf's medium, Find it works good, but not to replace my geared head

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

They are great if you have $170.00 to part with or you can look at the pistol grips by Sunpak & Opteka on Amazon.com $27.74 & $34.95

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Manfroto 222 grip ballhead - $105, #234 swivel head -$45 - use it for EVERTHING !

jmarazzi Loc: Moving around to stay out of the HEAT

Thanks for all the good suggestions. Maybe I'll go over to my local camera shop and rent one or two - then I'll have more than a few minutes to really work with them.