Pan Tilt tripod head recommendations (Page 2): That would be a 3-way pan/tilt - I have not used one in about 30 years - today most useful in close-up/macro work with gear drives....

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

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?

That would be a 3-way pan/tilt - I have not used one in about 30 years - today most useful in close-up/macro work with gear drives....

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

Longshadow wrote:

I have, and really like, a Manfrotto MH804 head.

I wish I hadn't gotten a ball head. I dislike it so much I hardly ever use it!

Canisdirus

goldenyears wrote:

I wish I hadn't gotten a ball head. I dislike it so much I hardly ever use it!

I bought three before I figured out a much better way...well one came with a cheap travel tripod.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Canisdirus wrote:

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...

Thanks so much.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Canisdirus wrote:

Manfrotto 502 for most of my gear. br br On sale ... (show quote)

That’s what I use, too. It’s a great little head, especially for Micro 4/3 cameras.

Canisdirus

burkphoto wrote:

That’s what I use, too. It’s a great little head, especially for Micro 4/3 cameras.

Yes, it's a keeper. I doubt it's possible to get more out of a tripod head for the money...it just works.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Canisdirus wrote:

Yes, it's a keeper. I doubt it's possible to get more out of a tripod head for the money...it just works.

Manfrotto/Bogen stuff is rock solid. My tripod is at least 20 years old and in good shape. There's also a few sources of replacement parts. I've replaced leg clamps a couple of times. This place is my go to:

SpartanPhotoCenter, Inc.
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

My pan/tilt head was used, from KEH.com. It was like new and still is.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Sounds like I better get a 502! Thanks for all the recommendations.

Canisdirus

You're welcome...enjoy.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

TriX wrote:

Sounds like I better get a 502! Thanks for all the recommendations.

What are you going to put on the 502? It can handle up to 10 kg or 22 pounds. I use it with around five pounds of AV stuff and it feels about right. I also have a 128RC Micro Fluid Video Head that can handle about 8.8 pounds. It is very bare bones, but does the job just as well for Micro 4/3 rigs. It's also reasonably priced. I prefer lugging it around.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

burkphoto wrote:

What are you going to put on the 502? It can handle up to 10 kg or 22 pounds. I use it with around five pounds of AV stuff and it feels about right. I also have a 128RC Micro Fluid Video Head that can handle about 8.8 pounds. It is very bare bones, but does the job just as well for Micro 4/3 rigs. It's also reasonably priced. I prefer lugging it around.

The heaviest cameras are either a FF Canon + grip + 100-400L (6 lbs) or my MF Mamiya RB67 +180 (7 lbs). It’s a pretty hefty Induro CT414 tripod. I was looking at the Manfrotto 229 Pro, which is a serious 3 axis head (and KEH has a great deal on one), but it weighs 4 1/2 lbs so added to the tripods 6+ lbs, that kinda makes it a studio setup. How heavy is the 502? (Haven’t been able to find the weight - just shipping wt.) thoughts?

Canisdirus

I weighed mine, but did not take off the 75mm bowl which is locked in place.

With handle attached...it was 3.2 lbs. Figure a lb for the bowl...so somewhere around 2.2 to 2.4 lbs.

It's not flimsy by any means...well built in fact...for the money.

jcboy3

TriX wrote:

The heaviest cameras are either a FF Canon + grip + 100-400L (6 lbs) or my MF Mamiya RB67 +180 (7 lbs). It’s a pretty hefty Induro CT414 tripod. I was looking at the Manfrotto 229 Pro, which is a serious 3 axis head (and KEH has a great deal on one), but it weighs 4 1/2 lbs so added to the tripods 6+ lbs, that kinda makes it a studio setup. How heavy is the 502? (Haven’t been able to find the weight - just shipping wt.) thoughts?

I've had many of those 3-axis heads, including the 410 Junior geared head. I got rid of them all because they didn't have Arca (although I had converted some to Arca). Big, heavy, and slow to use in the field. And I didn't need them in the studio any more. I now use a Leofoto geared head which is actually 4-axis.

Your Induro CT414 tripod is not a bowl tripod, so using fluid video heads (which are only 2-axis) leaves the problem of leveling the tripod. While I am pretty adept at leveling a tripod, it does take time. This is why people tend to use bowl tripods with the 2-axis video heads. You can get a separate leveling head; they come in two types, bowl or 3-point. Bowl type are faster but not as precise, while 3-point leveling is like leveling a tripod, just a bit more convenient. I use bowl type most of the time now (Manfrotto or Acratech).

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

TriX wrote:

The heaviest cameras are either a FF Canon + grip + 100-400L (6 lbs) or my MF Mamiya RB67 +180 (7 lbs). It’s a pretty hefty Induro CT414 tripod. I was looking at the Manfrotto 229 Pro, which is a serious 3 axis head (and KEH has a great deal on one), but it weighs 4 1/2 lbs so added to the tripods 6+ lbs, that kinda makes it a studio setup. How heavy is the 502? (Haven’t been able to find the weight - just shipping wt.) thoughts?

https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/502-fluid-video-head-with-flat-base-mvh502ah/

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imagemeister wrote:

and a Manfro - https://www.ebay.com/itm/275538778... (show quote)

As I mentioned - Manfro 502 on ebay .....