Do I need a ball head as well?
May 9, 2020 09:11:08 #
Why do you need a tripod and a gimbal?
Here's a strong opinion about tripods: https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/digital-killed-my-tripod.htm
Here's a strong opinion about tripods: https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/digital-killed-my-tripod.htm
SAVH wrote:
With great input from fellow Hoggers, I am going to purchase a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and a Wimberley 200H gimbal. But for those instances when I do not need or use the gimbal, it seems I also need a ball head as the tripod just comes with a screw attachment and no center post. I will be using my Nikon D-850. Comments and recommendations appreciated. This is getting to be rather expensive as the Really Right Stuff or Arca Swiss ball heads go for about $500.
Scotty
Scotty
May 9, 2020 09:40:50 #
Instead of the Wimberly gimbal I opted to get a good ball head (from ReallyRight Stuff) and then got the Wimberly Sidekick. It attaches to any ball head with a arca swiss mount plate and turns the ball head into a gimbal. heck it out. It saved me a few hundred dollars and support my 600mm lens just fine.
May 9, 2020 09:58:21 #
ecurb
Loc: Metro Chicago Area
SAVH wrote:
With great input from fellow Hoggers, I am going to purchase a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and a Wimberley 200H gimbal. But for those instances when I do not need or use the gimbal, it seems I also need a ball head as the tripod just comes with a screw attachment and no center post. I will be using my Nikon D-850. Comments and recommendations appreciated. This is getting to be rather expensive as the Really Right Stuff or Arca Swiss ball heads go for about $500.
Scotty
Scotty
You would have to pay me to use a ball head. Pan/ tilt heads work for me, I level both axis. I trained as an architectural photographer.
May 9, 2020 10:04:26 #
I prefer pan and tilt. I set one, and then I set the other, and it's easy to pan, which is especially important when doing video. With a ball head, I have to get all angles right at once and then tighten it.
May 9, 2020 10:05:34 #
My gitzo came with a ball head so I got a wimberly side kick which attaches to the ball head and the two together work as a gimbal. If I need just the ball head say for a smaller lens camera combo I just loosen the arca Swiss mount and put the camera plate in the ball head. I have a d810 with grip and use a 200-500 with good results.
May 9, 2020 10:30:24 #
RLSprouse
Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)
I love the precise control provided by my Arca-Swiss d4 Tripod Head. Yes, it's pricy.
May 9, 2020 10:31:16 #
SAVH wrote:
With great input from fellow Hoggers, I am going to purchase a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and a Wimberley 200H gimbal. But for those instances when I do not need or use the gimbal, it seems I also need a ball head as the tripod just comes with a screw attachment and no center post. I will be using my Nikon D-850. Comments and recommendations appreciated. This is getting to be rather expensive as the Really Right Stuff or Arca Swiss ball heads go for about $500.
Scotty
Scotty
Scotty, look into a fluid head instead of a gimbal and/or ball head. Fluid heads are generally used for panning videos but are excellent for stills as well - from what I read. With a good fluid head you can balance camera with large heavy telephoto lens. Manfrotto offers quite a selection of fluid heads. If I wasn't so dam old I would retire all of my standard tripod heads, pistol grips, etc and get a good fluid head. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there on the use of fluid heads - even for still photography
May 9, 2020 10:49:10 #
SAVH wrote:
With great input from fellow Hoggers, I am going to purchase a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and a Wimberley 200H gimbal. But for those instances when I do not need or use the gimbal, it seems I also need a ball head as the tripod just comes with a screw attachment and no center post. I will be using my Nikon D-850. Comments and recommendations appreciated. This is getting to be rather expensive as the Really Right Stuff or Arca Swiss ball heads go for about $500.
Scotty
Scotty
Look around for used. I shop Kijiji a lot in my area. I picked up an older Manfrotto tripod with a ball head and video head for $125 (Canadian). Everything works perfectly. You just have to look around and be patient.
I bought an extra centre column for $40 and the seller threw in another video head for free.
May 9, 2020 11:05:08 #
I have the RRS BH-30. It's small and light and works great with a load up to 15lbs. It sells for under $300.
It's perfect for wildlife with a monopod and works well with my tripod. It has great design and it is top notch build quality.
It's perfect for wildlife with a monopod and works well with my tripod. It has great design and it is top notch build quality.
May 9, 2020 11:05:40 #
The OP did not specify his lenses' size and weights or a total load of his heaviest configuration. Nor did he mention the kids of photography he is mostly engaged in. There is no doubt that investing in good gear is wise but purchasing stuff that is unnecessary and will not be used to its greatest advantage is money better spent on equipment that will enhance one's working conditions.
Gimbles and extremely precise ball head have certain advantages especially in conditions where maximum support in situations where the very rapid placement of the camera is required- sports coverage, many kinds of wildlife and bird photography, and perhaps certain kinds of portraiture. In many more static situations, an ordinary sturdy tilt and pan head will do the job.
In the kind of work you do, how quickly do to need to move the camera from horizontal to vertical orientations while maintaining the exact same field of view with little or no readjustment? If that is your requirement, a gimble head to the rescue! If you do many panoramics that require lacing together in post-processing, ahead with a calibrated scale. Ball head can be used for incremental tilts- not just full horizontal or vertical changes. Ball heads, especially those with one-handed release work especially well on a monopod.
Choose your weapons according to the jobs at hand and spend your money accordingly. Consider payload, agility, locking controls, and friction.
Gimbles and extremely precise ball head have certain advantages especially in conditions where maximum support in situations where the very rapid placement of the camera is required- sports coverage, many kinds of wildlife and bird photography, and perhaps certain kinds of portraiture. In many more static situations, an ordinary sturdy tilt and pan head will do the job.
In the kind of work you do, how quickly do to need to move the camera from horizontal to vertical orientations while maintaining the exact same field of view with little or no readjustment? If that is your requirement, a gimble head to the rescue! If you do many panoramics that require lacing together in post-processing, ahead with a calibrated scale. Ball head can be used for incremental tilts- not just full horizontal or vertical changes. Ball heads, especially those with one-handed release work especially well on a monopod.
Choose your weapons according to the jobs at hand and spend your money accordingly. Consider payload, agility, locking controls, and friction.
May 9, 2020 11:24:06 #
May 9, 2020 12:32:57 #
SAVH wrote:
With great input from fellow Hoggers, I am going to purchase a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and a Wimberley 200H gimbal. But for those instances when I do not need or use the gimbal, it seems I also need a ball head as the tripod just comes with a screw attachment and no center post. I will be using my Nikon D-850. Comments and recommendations appreciated. This is getting to be rather expensive as the Really Right Stuff or Arca Swiss ball heads go for about $500.
Scotty
Scotty
I am not one to be buying and using these above mentioned high $$$ units "But" I do find my pistol grip ball heads from Amazon great for instantly composing my tripod held shots https://www.amazon.com/Kenro-Joystick-200PL-14-Release-Connect/dp/B0179IYPJW/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2I2DINVYFRL50&dchild=1&keywords=pistol+grip+ball+head+with+quick+release&qid=1589041826&sprefix=pistol+grip+b
May 9, 2020 13:18:43 #
Check out Steve Perry, Backcountry Gallery - excellent videos on tripods, monopods, gimbals.
backcountrygallery.com
backcountrygallery.com
May 9, 2020 14:34:59 #
Forget RRS, this is really special, will also support a greater weight than anything in the RRS range. https://www.flm-gmbh.de/en/
May 9, 2020 15:15:56 #
If you want the good stuff, stick with RRS and Gitzo (perhaps a few others), or else you'll end up replacing them anyway. I'm at the point that I use RRS clamps/plates on everything, and this makes my life easier. Never have to worry. I have a heavy, ancient, metal tripod from Bogen (now Monfrotto) that gives new meaning to the word 'portable' and a good, expensive Gitzo CF tripod that travels. I use a Wimberly Gimbal (the first Version) along with a mono gimbal and various RRS heads, including a BH-40 and a BH-55 and various clamps. Cost me a fortune but will outlast me. Buy once! Best of luck.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.