Ball head
Jul 19, 2012 08:40:36 #
TrishV wrote:
Am wanting to get a new ball head for my manfrotto tripod and would appreciate any tips. I do a lot of birds in flight photos and need a ball head that will swivel in all directions quickly and with a good locking system as I use a 100 - 400mm USM lens. Am looking at Acratech GV at the moment but if anyone out there has any info that might let me know if I am on the right track that would be great. Thanks.
I've been researching also - haven't decided yet but the Manfrotto 393 head has gotten great reviews and is on $174. Check it out at B&H and on several You Tube videos.
Jul 19, 2012 09:01:35 #
Jerry Green
Loc: Huntsville, AL
I have the Manfrotto 393 and a Wimberly WH-200 for my big 600mm lens. They are both very good gimbal heads. I use a Flashpoint Gimbal Head 2 from Adorama for smaller telephoto lens such as my 200-400mm and 70-200mm lens. It is lighter and a good head for the money.
http://www.adorama.com/FPGH2.html
http://www.adorama.com/FPGH2.html
Jul 19, 2012 09:31:04 #
Jerry Green wrote:
I have the Manfrotto 393 and a Wimberly WH-200 for my big 600mm lens. They are both very good gimbal heads. I use a Flashpoint Gimbal Head 2 from Adorama for smaller telephoto lens such as my 200-400mm and 70-200mm lens. It is lighter and a good head for the money.
http://www.adorama.com/FPGH2.html
http://www.adorama.com/FPGH2.html
Jerry, which would you use with a Sigma 150-500mm lens (I'm ordering this lens) - I estimate that the lens, camera, flash, etc would weigh 6.5 - 7.0 lbs. Thanks
Jul 19, 2012 09:42:38 #
Jerry Green
Loc: Huntsville, AL
My Nikon Nikon 200-400mm lens weighs 7.4 lbs and is used with a Nkon D3S. The Flashpoint Gimbal 2 head works just fine with it. The Wimberley WH-200 works even better. If you can afford the Wimberley I would recommend it and you can use it when you win the lottery and get an 800mm lens.
Jul 19, 2012 10:30:27 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
TrishV wrote:
Am wanting to get a new ball head for my manfrotto tripod and would appreciate any tips. I do a lot of birds in flight photos and need a ball head that will swivel in all directions quickly and with a good locking system as I use a 100 - 400mm USM lens. Am looking at Acratech GV at the moment but if anyone out there has any info that might let me know if I am on the right track that would be great. Thanks.
Acratech - can't go wrong! Well built, great design - lots of bang for the buck!
Jul 19, 2012 10:37:06 #
BurtLehman wrote:
There are plenty of good ball heads out there, but none of them solves the problem of counterbalance.
If you are trying to follow anything in motion, you need a very uniform drag in all directions. Additionally you need to have the center of gravity zeroed out.
Fluid heads with counterbalance adjustments do this best. They are the head of choice in cinematography, which is essentially what you are trying to capture with wildlife in motion.
If you are trying to follow anything in motion, you need a very uniform drag in all directions. Additionally you need to have the center of gravity zeroed out.
Fluid heads with counterbalance adjustments do this best. They are the head of choice in cinematography, which is essentially what you are trying to capture with wildlife in motion.
I agree about fluid heads - BUT check the price ! Center of gravity of your camera/lens combo is of key importance and must be addressed. Unfortunately, the Canon 100-400 because it's length changes, is not user friendly in this regard. The Canon 70-200 with 2X is much more friendly/ergonomic and just as sharp if not sharper ! All my lenses mount at the center of balance and below is what I use on a one hand adjustable monopod - Manfrotto - as is all the rest. I use this with lenses as large as a Canon 300 2.8 with 2X. Birds in flight can be iffy with ANY system. If you want, my system has a quick disconnect so you can handhold for BIF. Cost? About $250 including the monopod.
Jul 19, 2012 10:44:42 #
I really appreciate everyones comments and am taking them into consideration in my final decision. It is great to be able to get assistance from such knowledgeable people.
Jul 19, 2012 13:38:07 #
You might conider the Vanguard 250 ball head. I use this on head on my monopods. It is very sturdy and holds 22lbs.
Jul 19, 2012 14:56:09 #
Something to consider before buying. If you plan to hold your lens all of the time, the ball head will work. Unless you lock it down, the lens will tilt on you. The gimbal design, whether you go with the Wimberley or the manfrotto, allows you to let the camera go and the lens will stay put while on the tripod. It is balanced for that reason. You don't have to use as much force to pivot the lens.
The learning curve is also different. When you pivot from the monopod, you can move the lens/camera to be in front of you easier than the tripod and gimbal. As you pivot the long lens on the gimbal and tripod, the camera swings at a larger arc due to where the pivot point is located. This means you have to move your body more.
You can mount the gimbal to your monopod though. With the really larger lenses, the gimbal is the way to go.
If you have a decent camera store around, bring your large lens and camera in and try the two different designs.
The learning curve is also different. When you pivot from the monopod, you can move the lens/camera to be in front of you easier than the tripod and gimbal. As you pivot the long lens on the gimbal and tripod, the camera swings at a larger arc due to where the pivot point is located. This means you have to move your body more.
You can mount the gimbal to your monopod though. With the really larger lenses, the gimbal is the way to go.
If you have a decent camera store around, bring your large lens and camera in and try the two different designs.
Jul 19, 2012 15:25:16 #
Thanks everyone. Appreciate all the help but have now made my decision.
Jul 19, 2012 15:52:07 #
Gary Truchelut wrote:
A gimbal is definitely the way to go. I bought a W... (show quote)
As much as I agree about a Wimberley (and it is spelled "ey") I feel a good ball head such as the Really Right Stuff BH-55 equipped with a Sidekick or other similar product would serve you best. No matter what ball head you go with, by itself the camera / lens will want to flop over to the right or left. By adding a Sidekick or similar arm and bearing, you eliminate that situation. Check into the 4th Generation Design (4gdphoto.com) arm that they make in competition to Wimberley's Sidekick. What ever you do, I hope you enjoy it. J. Goffe and Remember the f/stops here!
Jul 19, 2012 16:31:00 #
Jul 19, 2012 16:38:49 #
Jul 19, 2012 17:02:54 #
larrycumba wrote:
why use a tripod etc. at all?
"Oh, but are you experienced?
Have you ever been experienced?"
J. Hendrix
Jul 19, 2012 17:12:55 #
larrycumba wrote:
why use a tripod etc. at all?
Show up at Bosque del Apache NWR in NM to capture images of Sandhill Cranes between Thanksgiving and the end of January and you'll never ask that question again.
Remember the f/stops here!
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