Pan Tilt tripod head recommendations: Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance. Cheers...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Cheers

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have, and really like, a Manfrotto MH804 head.
I like that the control knobs collapse short and the QR plate.
I got a second plate for my other camera.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

TriX wrote:

Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Cheers

I have a Manfrotto Geared Head that I use for Macro, a Silk Video head with the long handles, a ProMaster Pistol Grip head and my oldest is a Vivetar tripod with a fixed pan tilt head. All work, but I find I like each for a different reason. Geared for table-top and macro work, The Slik for moving objects like trains and cars and the ProMaster when I am doing long distance birds etc. The old Vivetar, well I seldom get rid of things and it makes a handy loaner or emergency back up.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

TriX wrote:

Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Cheers

I have been using a Sirui - https://www.ebay.com/itm/265186553023?epid=1455360197&hash=item3dbe59acbf:g:skAAAOSwvKtY~xEF&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoEhBGgGH6MDQQFHk%2Bo45ANw32qGIJ68%2FhfIWAAllF1wNssMs3G5BznLFM6f%2Fb258%2FICV7B3Qa6nQ1wLRlhs%2BCxDsqog5rVVwYba2SsyEaU4g4MeD7%2FfRDkvC5YHS0fmvbu2MLomMJ5%2B7jH4k0vSbHGag2zAOXt8ArD%2BuuNHzVxeUzPSppXPXAOq2nRKu1AABPoCr9ErS%2FTYK%2FLzQBUcMvxI%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-TWy6aTYQ

for lighter weight stuff and a Manfro - https://www.ebay.com/itm/275538778710?epid=129848343&hash=item4027641a56:g:KNsAAOxy-W9SOcxB&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8LjITDEq4lh9t%2BKrY91hTaGBCqNt9ri%2F3lRTxoFrcEDfS%2BPj02MXMIswHxSvos1oL%2B5OPqxe8LuX%2FIrwCFLoMMIormzTEx7qs8gkUJrkoPuYPpaCh1rf2La%2BfUvuvOQSdrQu5wCvnEUsqNZ0yxO70LoJNV6bG8RJf0EB1tbsXSUcuS%2BTbEl9AlLNmKCN5FpZ%2F9nTg6S60rrP%2B%2BiOETs18pNIIhRKtviN4%2BljoE6T0kuvF26jwnLCZUWw7s06PKiPOHiE2g10reC5fCy2LF2wBawm%2BZTr6olpECB8jRoEgxILTBCbs1Cy%2BdmSgupjVY6kLw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8T6gqeTYQ - for heavier stuff
.

Canisdirus

Manfrotto 502 for most of my gear.

On sale at B&H ... though that seems about the price I paid a few years ago.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827210-REG/Manfrotto_MVH502AH_75Mm_Flat_Head.html

Fluid heads are all I use now...it's simply better than a ball head...far more versatile.

===============

Heavier gear... I break out the beast... Prompter People HD300.

https://prompterpeople.com/affordable-fluid-head-heavy-duty-tripod-30lb/

95% is shot with the Manfrotto...it does it all.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

TriX wrote:

Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Cheers

I have an Induro pan head that I have used for almost 10 years of heavy outdooor use, never a problem. Don't recall the model. I believe Benro owns Induro now.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imagemeister wrote:

I have been using a Sirui - https://www.ebay.com/... (show quote)

This can be used to convert to Arca/Swiss if needed - most video/fluid heads will need this conversion - https://www.ebay.com/itm/313375978162
.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

For the past 20 years, I've been using, and quite pleased with, the Gitzo tripod and pan/tilt head on it.
--Bob

TriX wrote:

Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Cheers

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Gentlemen, thanks so much for the responses.

Actually, I should have been more clear - I was thinking more of a 3-axis pan tilt head like the Manfrotto 229. Not shooting video - I just like to be able to twist the vertical tilt grip, adjust, and twist to lock - same with the horizontal tilt and the pan control. Thoughts?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

TriX wrote:

Hi all, looking for recommendations for pan tilt heads (not ball heads) that you’ve used and liked. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Cheers

After seeing the Acratech pano tilt head on a Thomas Heaton YouTube video, I looked at it on Amazon and then called Acratech directly and bought the head from them. Not inexpensive but rock solid and it’s the only head I now use. Highly recommended. I bought the long lens head, which is available in two versions.

See https://www.acratech.net/

And if you call, don’t be afraid to ask about cosmetic seconds. I saved about $75 on mine.

Canisdirus

TriX wrote:

Gentlemen, thanks so much for the responses.

Actually, I should have been more clear - I was thinking more of a 3-axis pan tilt head like the Manfrotto 229. Not shooting video - I just like to be able to twist the vertical tilt grip, adjust, and twist to lock - same with the horizontal tilt and the pan control. Thoughts?

I don't see any difference in functionality.

The fluid head has quick twists to lock up in any position.

I use it for stills...macro...you name it.

Why I use it...it does ...everything.

But no...I cannot recommend...since I bypassed them.

rlscholl Loc: California

Heads like you describe were common years ago. (my Gitzo is an example). You might try use d sources.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Canisdirus wrote:

I don't see any difference in functionality.

The fluid head has quick twists to lock up in any position.

I use it for stills...macro...you name it.

Why I use it...it does ...everything.

But no...I cannot recommend...since I bypassed them.

Does the head you mentioned have twist locks in both the vertical and horizontal tilt axis as well as panning? Perhaps I didn’t understand…(couldn’t tell from the images) And thanks again for the help!

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

TriX wrote:

Gentlemen, thanks so much for the responses.

Actually, I should have been more clear - I was thinking more of a 3-axis pan tilt head like the Manfrotto 229. Not shooting video - I just like to be able to twist the vertical tilt grip, adjust, and twist to lock - same with the horizontal tilt and the pan control. Thoughts?

As a follow up I checked online regarding Induro products. They are now part of Benro and most products are in that name. They do have 3 way panheads as low as 89.85 but I do not know how they compare to my old Induro. These can be seen at: https://benrousa.com/photo/tripod-heads/3-way-heads/

Hope this is of some help.

Canisdirus

TriX wrote:

Does the head you mentioned have twist locks in both the vertical and horizontal tilt axis as well as panning? Perhaps I didn’t understand…(couldn’t tell from the images) And thanks again for the help!

All points can be stopped...the head can be locked at any angle with just two twists...

It's as lockable as any tripod head...no different.

It just has built in buffering for panning...but not enough to interrupt fast action...
Unless you plan on shooting an Eagle passing 6 feet in front of your lens...good luck with that.

Check this out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei8XYK5Cz-k

He's right...