Pan Tilt tripod head recommendations
Nov 22, 2022 14:14:50 #
imagemeister wrote:
As I mentioned - Manfro 502 on ebay .....
It's cheaper at B&H by 50 bucks...
Nov 26, 2022 11:14:31 #
jcboy3 wrote:
I've had many of those 3-axis heads, including the... (show quote)
Good information and much appreciated. I currently have a lighter weight Gitzo with a ball head, which for me is a PIA, although I can see that it could be quick if you need to change 3 axis simultaneously. My other tripod is a heavier pan tilt that also has a horizontal tilt adjustment, which I really like because I don’t need to level the tripod, and I’ve really grown used to this type of tripod. Maybe not quite as fast, but candidly, when I’m shooting action, I’m not on a tripod (I don’t usually shoot BIF). In the end, I didn’t want to fool with tripod leveling so I went for a 3 axis P-T with a locking handle for each axis. It is a big guy however - a Manfrotto 229 Pro at a little over 4 lbs - 2 lbs heavier than a 804 and a pound heavier than an 808 which I seriously considered. I am very pleased with it and got it for a 1/3 the new price from KEH in as new condition (probably cheap because not popular due to the weight) Rock solid, and using a hand on each of the 2 adjustment arms (after leveling with the 3rd), it’s not slow by any means, but it is heavy - combined with the tripod, it’s close to 11 lbs, but with my heart condition, my hiking days are over, so no issue with just tossing it in the car. It uses a hex plate quick release instead of Arca, but the locking and safety mechanism is very solid, plates are cheap, and since it tilts a full 90 degees in either axis, no right angle plate is required.
Thanks again to everyone for the excellent advice
Nov 26, 2022 12:09:16 #
TriX wrote:
Good information and much appreciated. I currently... (show quote)
One of the nicer 3-ways .......it CAN be adapted to A/S .......lack of speed for most people in most situations and size/weight are the penalties here !
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Nov 26, 2022 12:59:36 #
imagemeister wrote:
One of the nicer 3-ways .......it CAN be adapted to A/S .......lack of speed for most people in most situations and size/weight are the penalties here !
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Yep, in the camera world, it’s often weight vs performance. I don’t think I’ll convert to A/S, I’m just ordering a few more hex plates for my larger lenses. It’s a perfectly fine locking system, just not as standard as A/S. As for the speed thing, I can see that if you don’t tighten the ball all the way tight, it can be a lot faster, but if you have to hold the camera/lens in one hand and orient it and tighten with the other, then not much difference. If I ever get into shooting fast moving subjects from a tripod, I’ll probably get a good sized ball head (or a gimbal). I don’t shoot video, so smooth panning is a no op.
Nov 26, 2022 13:07:52 #
TriX wrote:
Yep, in the camera world, it’s often weight vs performance. I don’t think I’ll convert to A/S, I’m just ordering a few more hex plates for my larger lenses. It’s a perfectly fine locking system, just not as standard as A/S
Yes, A perfectly fine locking system - I use it as a QR for inter-changing heads on my tripods - but it does lack the ability for adjusting BALANCE on longer lenses ......
Nov 26, 2022 13:17:58 #
imagemeister wrote:
Yes, A perfectly fine locking system - I use it as a QR for inter-changing heads on my tripods - but it does lack the ability for adjusting BALANCE on longer lenses ......
Yes indeed. I never thought of it for changing heads - thanks for the suggestion! Lots to learn about tripods/heads…
Nov 26, 2022 13:52:31 #
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?
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?
Dont encumber your choices worrying about the flip action to vertical. Just expect to use a right angle quick bracket on your camera.
I have a bracket on my Z almost always. Even feels better in-hand than without it. Its a Gabale bracket. I didnt research it. I simply bought it from a hawgster.
Nov 26, 2022 14:06:20 #
User ID wrote:
Dont encumber your choices worrying about the flip action to vertical. Just expect to use a right angle quick bracket on your camera.
I have a bracket on my Z almost always. Even feels better in-hand than without it. Its a Gabale bracket. I didnt research it. I simply bought it from a hawgster.
I have a bracket on my Z almost always. Even feels better in-hand than without it. Its a Gabale bracket. I didnt research it. I simply bought it from a hawgster.
Don’t need it with this head - it tilts to 90 degrees and has a stop there.
Nov 26, 2022 15:29:37 #
TriX wrote:
Yep, in the camera world, it’s often weight vs per... (show quote)
I have a pistol grip ball head for my Bogen/Manfrotto tripod. It "does everything, but nothing well," as my wife said about it. I use the video fluid head almost exclusively, now. Back in the 1980s, I did have one of those heads you showed with the hex plate and three axis adjustment knobs. It was good for studio still life work.
Nov 26, 2022 15:38:07 #
burkphoto wrote:
I have a pistol grip ball head for my Bogen/Manfrotto tripod. It "does everything, but nothing well," as my wife said about it. I use the video fluid head almost exclusively, now. Back in the 1980s, I did have one of those heads you showed with the hex plate and three axis adjustment knobs. It was good for studio still life work.
Manfrotto makes an interesting 3 axis head that allows you to pull a lever under each adjustment handle (with one hand) which allows quick adjustment, or you can turn the handle for micro adjustment - a little like a pistol grip. But made of polymer and doesn’t look that sturdy to me.
Nov 26, 2022 16:17:09 #
TriX wrote:
Manfrotto makes an interesting 3 axis head that allows you to pull a lever under each adjustment handle (with one hand) which allows quick adjustment, or you can turn the handle for micro adjustment - a little like a pistol grip. But made of polymer and doesn’t look that sturdy to me.
I have that head, it is pretty sturdy, rated for about 8.8 lbs which the way they fudge means it can hold a lb or two more. I use it for macro work on a table-top tripod indoors or a medium weight tripod outdoors doing flowers, bugs etc.
Nov 26, 2022 18:44:16 #
TriX wrote:
Manfrotto makes an interesting 3 axis head that allows you to pull a lever under each adjustment handle (with one hand) which allows quick adjustment, or you can turn the handle for micro adjustment - a little like a pistol grip. But made of polymer and doesn’t look that sturdy to me.
Thaz odd. My geared Manfrotto, with quite stiff quick setting rings, is their usual heavy metal boat anchor.
Nov 26, 2022 19:48:58 #
User ID wrote:
Thaz odd. My geared Manfrotto, with quite stiff quick setting rings, is their usual heavy metal boat anchor.
It’s this one. See the quick release levers under each micro adjustment
Nov 26, 2022 22:05:41 #
TriX wrote:
It’s this one. See the quick release levers under each micro adjustment
Those bypass levers look to be waaaaaay easier to use than the spring loaded rings on my version. Very inneressing.
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