Pan head vs. ball head: I'm needin' to buy a new tripod but I don't have a lot of "dough". Looks like I've settled on a Manfrotto 294. I have a choice of a 3 way pan head or a QR ball...

ijustshotu Loc: Northern California

I'm needin' to buy a new tripod but I don't have a lot of "dough". Looks like I've settled on a Manfrotto 294. I have a choice of a 3 way pan head or a QR ball head. My only experience is with cheaper pan heads and I'm not impressed with them. Some input from members on both would be much appreciated. Thanks.

snowbear

ijustshotu wrote:

I'm needin' to buy a new tripod but I don't have a lot of "dough". Looks like I've settled on a Manfrotto 294. I have a choice of a 3 way pan head or a QR ball head. My only experience is with cheaper pan heads and I'm not impressed with them. Some input from members on both would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I like the flexibility a ball head offers but getting it level can be a bitc . . . um, pain.

ijustshotu Loc: Northern California

I understand!

snowbear wrote:

ijustshotu wrote:

I'm needin' to buy a new tripod but I don't have a lot of "dough". Looks like I've settled on a Manfrotto 294. I have a choice of a 3 way pan head or a QR ball head. My only experience is with cheaper pan heads and I'm not impressed with them. Some input from members on both would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I like the flexibility a ball head offers but getting it level can be a bitc . . . um, pain.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

If you are going to do panoramas buy the pan head, if not buy the ball head

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

they have ball heads with levels that lock down and become pan heads.
It's pretty slick and they aren't very expensive.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

BboH wrote:

If you are going to do panoramas buy the pan head, if not buy the ball head

I agree. In addition, a good ball head is lighter, faster and more flexible than a pan head.

Look for one rated at 2x the total weight of your camera and lens combined weight. That's been my guideline for decades. I have many reasons for this, but logic and inertial physics alone should allow you to see the main reason.

Manfrotto is good. Right now I'm very impressed with Induro's new line of ball heads. A tad heavy, but very well built, work smooth as glass and seem to stand right next to RRS without flinching.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Here is a manfrotto that is a ball head that locks down and pans and it will support 13lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-498RC2-Release-Replaces-488RC2/dp/B002UOCWUK/ref=pd_cp_p_0

snowbear

rpavich wrote:

Here is a manfrotto that is a ball head that locks down and pans and it will support 13lbs.

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-498RC2-Release-Replaces-488RC2/dp/B002UOCWUK/ref=pd_cp_p_0

Thanks. I may need to replace my older 486 with something like this. I can get it close to level by putting a 2D (round) spirit level on the base before snapping in the camera. I'd like to have the pano meter along the bottom, as well.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

My one piece of advice for buying ball heads based on experience: Find the one you think right, then buy one or two sizes larger.

A DSLR with battery pac and heavy lens hanging in the vertical position is very difficuly to hold steady w/o slipping.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

jackm1943 wrote:

My one piece of advice for buying ball heads based on experience: Find the one you think right, then buy one or two sizes larger.

A DSLR with battery pac and heavy lens hanging in the vertical position is very difficuly to hold steady w/o slipping.

Thanks for the good advice! I'll definitely keep that in mind!

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

ijustshotu wrote:

I'm needin' to buy a new tripod but I don't have a lot of "dough". Looks like I've settled on a Manfrotto 294. I have a choice of a 3 way pan head or a QR ball head. My only experience is with cheaper pan heads and I'm not impressed with them. Some input from members on both would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I prefer the 3 way pan head. I use a Manfrotto 804RTC2 and use it intensively. I have used it with up to a heavy telescopic lens and it doesn't fail or creep. I have teamed it up with a 300N indexing head as I shoot a lot of panoramas. I have a lighter ball head and am not impressed. Maybe if you get a heavy enough one it might be ok. I just find the three way much easier to adjust than the ball.
Swede

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I hve the Manfrotto 3-way panheads on my tripods because I am usually using tripods to set up shots and staying at one spot. I have ballheads on my monopods because monopods allow me to move around (i.e. at zoo's and museuems). The ballhead I enjoy using is the Vanguard 250.

ijustshotu Loc: Northern California

Thanks to all for the feed back. You folks are great. I believe I have enough info to make a decision now. Thanks again.

BrianHanna Loc: Pittsburgh

I just got one of these yesterday. looks awesome so far, but HEAVY. http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-APGL4-Professional-Tripod-Adjustable/dp/B003SQEAY0

ijustshotu Loc: Northern California

Thanks for the link, I checked it out but this item is much too heavy for me. It looks pretty nice though. Hope it works out for ya.

BrianHanna wrote:

I just got one of these yesterday. looks awesome so far, but HEAVY. http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-APGL4-Professional-Tripod-Adjustable/dp/B003SQEAY0