Which Tripod Head for Eclipse
Jul 25, 2017 10:44:17 #
I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens with which to shoot the August 21st solar eclipse. I am torn as to which tripod head to use; ball, pan or gimbal. My tripod is fairly heavy duty and shouldn't have any problems with the weight. However, I'm not sure as to which head would afford the best opportunities for eclipse shooting. Since the eclipse is moving slowly across the sky, I am thinking that my panhead might be best. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jul 25, 2017 10:48:20 #
danielb59 wrote:
I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a S... (show quote)
I have a heavy Vanguard Tracker 4 with what they call a liquid head - tilt and pan. It's not actually liquid-filled, but it is very smooth. I can leave both handles tight enough/loose enough that I can easily move the head any way I want. I suppose you could do the same with a pan head, but I prefer tilt and pan.
Jul 25, 2017 13:35:29 #
danielb59 wrote:
I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a S... (show quote)
A stable one. with a minimum 300 mm lens, you can get several images left to right without moving your camera. In that case a ball head that you can lock down tight to restrict movement might be best.
Jul 25, 2017 23:58:02 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
jerryc41 wrote:
I have a heavy Vanguard Tracker 4 with what they call a liquid head - tilt and pan. It's not actually liquid-filled, but it is very smooth. I can leave both handles tight enough/loose enough that I can easily move the head any way I want. I suppose you could do the same with a pan head, but I prefer tilt and pan.
Jul 26, 2017 06:52:35 #
danielb59 wrote:
You pretty much answered your own question by stating it is a slow moving event, so any head you mentioned should work fine, close your eyes and take a pick!I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a S... (show quote)
Jul 26, 2017 07:28:15 #
danielb59 wrote:
I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a S... (show quote)
I would think the total weight of the camera/lens would dictate what ever head you use.
Jul 26, 2017 12:48:45 #
Jul 26, 2017 12:56:59 #
danielb59 wrote:
I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a S... (show quote)
I would use the heaviest you have or the one that locks down the best. Make sure the camera/lens are in balance over the pivot point !
Jul 26, 2017 13:52:36 #
Get your filter on, and practice at about the same time of day as the eclipse will be. Here in Oregon the sun/moon will be fairly high up so, my tripod has to be able to look almost straight up.....most tripods don't like that position. Know before you go. Happy shooting
Jul 27, 2017 08:25:38 #
Do you really need a head and tripod to shoot this or can you do it handheld with a high shutter speed perhaps. If you use the tripod I suggest a pano gimbal head as being much easier to use with a lens of that size. I my experience a large lens on a ball head can be very floppy if you are not very careful.
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Jul 27, 2017 08:46:33 #
danielb59 wrote:
I have a Canon 80D which I intend to mate with a S... (show quote)
My first pick would be the gimbal; you can balance the camera/lens and track easily.
However, if your pan head is robust (think video head like Manfrotto 501), and if your ball head has a separate pan lock, then you can use both for easier tracking. You will put the lens on the ball head, and the ball head on the pan head. Orient the pan head with the north celestial pole, point the lens at the sun, and use the pan of the ball head to rotate along the track of the sun.
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