Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Any Suggestions For A Pistol Grip Tripod Head... or head that aims quickly
Page 1 of 4 next> last>>
Sep 14, 2021 17:30:21   #
Abo
 
The two pistol grip tripod heads I have don't have
enough grip to comfortably hold my D700 with
the 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor.

Do you have, or have you used a pistol grip head
that comfortably locks something as front heavy
as the above... that you could recommend?

It's not a deal breaker if the unit is not a pistol grip,
but I'd like something that is quick to aim.

Regards,

Alan.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 17:36:50   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
I highly suggest you try one first if you can.
I had one... Simple to use but I found that after I set it and let go, it kinda drooped a skosh with my zoom.
Maybe it was the tripod itself as the grip-lock was real snug.
I replaced it with a Manfroto (I think) tilt-pan head, which I like a lot more.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 17:52:03   #
Abo
 
Longshadow wrote:
I highly suggest you try one first if you can.
I had one... Simple to use but I found that after I set it and let go, it kinda drooped a skosh with my zoom.
Maybe it was the tripod itself as the grip-lock was real snug.
I replaced it with a Manfroto (I think) tilt-pan head, which I like a lot more.


I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but the reason I asked for recommendations
is so I'm not stabbing in the dark and do not have to try out possible failures.

Also "Manfroto sic" make a plethora of "tilt pan heads"... without a model number
I've got no idea on which one you "think" you are talking about.

Reply
 
 
Sep 14, 2021 17:52:47   #
druthven
 
Check out the Aspen ball head from Colorado Tripods.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 18:12:55   #
cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina
 
Abo wrote:
The two pistol grip tripod heads I have don't have
enough grip to comfortably hold my D700 with
the 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor.

Do you have, or have you used a pistol grip head
that comfortably locks something as front heavy
as the above... that you could recommend?

It's not a deal breaker if the unit is not a pistol grip,
but I'd like something that is quick to aim.

Regards,

Alan.


While I have not used the following pistol grip I have used an older model from this company on a sturdy tripod with no problems. Load Capacity 6.5 lb / 2.9 kg

http://slik.com/products/af1100e/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/439941-REG/Slik_618_111_AF_1100E_Pistol_Grip_Head.html/specs

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 18:18:16   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Abo wrote:
I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but the reason I asked for recommendations
is so I'm not stabbing in the dark and do not have to try out possible failures.

Also "Manfroto sic" make a plethora of "tilt pan heads"... without a model number
I've got no idea on which one you "think" you are talking about.

Well, my recommendation was to (physically) check them out before buying...
Sorry, wasn't aware you'd be interested in the particular model, just my experience.
It's a Manfrotto MH804-3W. I got an extra camera plate also for use with my little bridge camera, a SONY H-1.
No particular reason for me purchasing THAT particular head, I just liked the way it looked with collapsible arms.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 18:46:52   #
Abo
 
Longshadow wrote:
Well, my recommendation was to (physically) check them out before buying...
Sorry, wasn't aware you'd be interested in the particular model, just my experience.
It's a Manfrotto MH804-3W. I got an extra camera plate also for use with my little bridge camera, a SONY H-1.
No particular reason for me purchasing THAT particular head, I just liked the way it looked with collapsible arms.


Thanks

Reply
 
 
Sep 14, 2021 18:50:24   #
Abo
 
druthven wrote:
Check out the Aspen ball head from Colorado Tripods.


Looks great and has plenty of weight capacity too. I was hoping for something
a little less exxy though.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 19:00:27   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Abo wrote:
The two pistol grip tripod heads I have don't have
enough grip to comfortably hold my D700 with
the 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor.

Do you have, or have you used a pistol grip head
that comfortably locks something as front heavy
as the above... that you could recommend?

It's not a deal breaker if the unit is not a pistol grip,
but I'd like something that is quick to aim.

Regards,

Alan.


Have you tried a Gimbal Head? That is what I use for my Tamron 150-600 G2 with whichever body I put on it.

I have a "Nest" on a Nest carbon fiber tripod-both rated for 58lbs-but they and their parent company were mostly inside the Wuhan quarantine zone in China and seem to be next to out of business with no announced plans to start up again.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 19:23:36   #
Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA
 
Abo wrote:
The two pistol grip tripod heads I have don't have
enough grip to comfortably hold my D700 with
the 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor.

Do you have, or have you used a pistol grip head
that comfortably locks something as front heavy
as the above... that you could recommend?

It's not a deal breaker if the unit is not a pistol grip,
but I'd like something that is quick to aim.

Regards,

Alan.


I have three of the Slik pistol grips and use then 99% of the time. They function well with all my lenses other than the super zooms and even then they work as long as you mount the quick release to the lens shoe and not the camera, and don't do an extreme tilt. As long as you aren't looking over a cliff into a canyon, you won't have a problem with them. I can maneuver them easily to any direction and even use them with smaller lenses to do copy work as they can point the camera straight down.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 20:42:48   #
Abo
 
robertjerl wrote:
Have you tried a Gimbal Head? That is what I use for my Tamron 150-600 G2 with whichever body I put on it.

I have a "Nest" on a Nest carbon fiber tripod-both rated for 58lbs-but they and their parent company were mostly inside the Wuhan quarantine zone in China and seem to be next to out of business with no announced plans to start up again.


No Rob, I havn't tried a gimbal head.

I guess it's hard to step out of ones comfort zone... a gimbal might be a bit of a culture shock :-)

Reply
 
 
Sep 14, 2021 20:47:09   #
Abo
 
Bridges wrote:
I have three of the Slik pistol grips and use then 99% of the time. They function well with all my lenses other than the super zooms and even then they work as long as you mount the quick release to the lens shoe and not the camera, and don't do an extreme tilt. As long as you aren't looking over a cliff into a canyon, you won't have a problem with them. I can maneuver them easily to any direction and even use them with smaller lenses to do copy work as they can point the camera straight down.
I have three of the Slik pistol grips and use then... (show quote)


No lens shoe for the 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor as far as I know.
Should be though, as the objective lens is a gigantic
hunk of glass.


(Download)

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 21:04:12   #
Abo
 
cedymock wrote:
While I have not used the following pistol grip I have used an older model from this company on a sturdy tripod with no problems. Load Capacity 6.5 lb / 2.9 kg

http://slik.com/products/af1100e/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/439941-REG/Slik_618_111_AF_1100E_Pistol_Grip_Head.html/specs


Yep... I use one, it's ok in landscape mode but does not have enough
holding power in portrait... see image above... thanks for your input though.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 21:26:05   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Abo wrote:
No Rob, I havn't tried a gimbal head.

I guess it's hard to step out of ones comfort zone... a gimbal might be a bit of a culture shock :-)


Several brands make things like this for heavy lenses that don't have provision for a tripod foot. You mount it to the head and position things so they balance. The camera goes on one end and you adjust the "V" support to the lens and the strap is to hold it in position.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554350-REG/Manfrotto_293_293_Telephoto_Lens_Support.html/overview?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkIGKBhCxARIsAINMioJHCmuqmU_P6gk7lajIsUzcrDLZKyjg4AL-7K6XeVB8KsU8PyijsM4aAkxUEALw_wcB

I do have a pistol grip ball head but it is only rated to hold 8.8lbs. I use it on a monopod so I can adjust things with only one hand.

Reply
Sep 14, 2021 22:02:42   #
Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA
 
Abo wrote:
No lens shoe for the 14-24 f/2.8 Nikkor as far as I know.
Should be though, as the objective lens is a gigantic
hunk of glass.


Yes, I have that lens and have never had a problem but then again, I usually shoot it level or looking up as I do a lot of fireworks shooting. I imagine it might creep if the lens is used vertically for portraits. For that I would use a Manfrotto three-way head I have. It is rock solid and the three-way movement makes it pretty fast to set up.

Reply
Page 1 of 4 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.