Orphoto Loc: Oregon

For the most part pistol grip heads are designed around very small balls. If you are serious about stable results, move on to a real ballhead with a serious ball to clamp onto. They are quite fast to operate. See earlier threads about well regarded models.

User ID

I verrrrrry briefly checked out the Mandrotto. It locks pretty well, but I could find no other positive aspects ... unless huge and heavy is what prefer
So I wound up with a Slik thaz about 2/3 the size of the Manfrtto and has a pano movement at the top, right below the camera’s base plate (not video grade). It locks at least as well as the Manfrotto .

Abo

In landscape mode it would address the problem perfectly...
but not in portrait. The problem is the distance the ball is
from the camera. When the pistol grip is vertical (camera in landscape format)
the device you cite has camera and lens in balance over the top of the ball... zero leverage,
however when the pistol grip is horizontal (portrait format) there is a 6 or 7 inch lever between the weight
of the lens/camera combo and the ball.

You've given me an idea though... :-)

A one inch wide piece of
1/8 plate about 8 inches long with with a strategically placed
90 degree bend!!! plus a screw hole near one end and another
screw hole about 1 and 3/4 inches from
the other end. Problem solved. C of G of lens/camera in portrait mode
centered over the ball on the vertical pistol grip. Patent f@#$%^g Pending!!!

Eureka!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Not sure there is a gimbal that works with a 14-24. And the 293 is not going to work because it is too long, and with a rated load capacity of only 5.5 lbs, only really suitable for short to medium tele lenses.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

If you are using a light camera and lens combo, you may be happy with a pistol grips performance. Otherwise, a ball head is the way to go.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Alan, I have a 14-24 and have had a D700 and now a D810. I would suggest you look at a ball head. A good ball head with an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp, along with an L-bracket on the camera - should do what you want. Clearly the large the ball the better the action, and you can adjust the ball head to provide just enough drag to allow you to move the camera and head, yet not move when you let go of the camera.

I would also suggest a rail that you can mount a clamp to, so you can better balance the front heavy 14-24.

Pistol grips will not satisfy your needs.

Hejnar Photo is a good source for the rail and clamp. The rail in the image below is their heavy duty rail which is extremely rigid and stable. The Arca-Swiss Z1 ball head is a dream to use - very fast and smooth, locks down nicely, and has ball diameter of 69mm, and a load capacity of 130 lbs. It is unique in that it has an elliptical ball, so once adjusted for your camera/lens, it increases drag as it approaches the limit of motion, so that should you let it go it will minimize shock as it hits its limit. It is by no means the only one to consider, but I have owned mine since 2006 and it has so far served me well.

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(Download)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If the Arca-Swiss ball Z1 is beyond your budget, you may want to look at the Feisol CB-70D, which has a similarly sized ball, 83 lb load capacity, and costs nearly $200 less. It is not as smooth as the Arca, but in use it will be close enough to work for you I think.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

IF you can walk and chew gum you can use a gimbal head.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Manfro made these originally - but are no longer making them - https://www.ebay.com/itm/391512015074?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
It would behove you to have an Araca Swiss QR (which you may have to adapt) with a long A/S plate to help you balance out your camera/lens on this type head. Yes, this type head does sacrifice some stability for SPEED .....
I have used a similar head with 300 2.8 on monopod .....
.

dugeeeeeee

I have the slik af2100 pistol grip. I got it with my first decent tripod when I started. It would hold my d810 with 300mm. I did use the 300mm foot to mount to give better balance. I have since switched to a gitzo ball head and use a wimberly side kick gimbal. Once balanced you can point your camera in any direction and leave it. If you really want it locked there’s a knob to lock it in but I rarely use it.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

You just need an L-plate. And maybe a clamp/plate depending on your pistol-grip attaching point.

alexol

If you weren't in Australia, I'd offer my Manfrotto 322RC2 Ball Head which I've been meaning to put in the UHH classifieds for a while.

It's a very good unit with a very much higher load capacity than I will ever need - complete overkill for my purposes but might work well for what you need.

Postage to you would would probably be a killer, so I'd better get on and list it!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I just use an L bracket.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

You are asking for both speed and grip. IF you find something that meets both criteria please let this board know. Many people are searching for it.

alexol

Manfrotto 322RC2 Ball Head provides both, apparently supporting just over 17lbs. Just a question of adjusting the friction to suit the weight.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303591-REG/Manfrotto_322RC2_322RC2_Grip_Action_Ballhead.html

Worked fine with a D850 & 200-500.