Need help choosing a tripod head
Dec 2, 2017 07:35:19 #
steveoliveira wrote:
Does anyone have a good recommendation for a top quality head? I just bought a Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 tripod, so now I am shopping for a head... and there are so many choices. I shoot primarily landscape, with a Nikon D7500, and I never go longer than 300mm. Size and weight aren't really important factors for me.
What type head would you recommend for my situation, a ball or a pan/tilt?
Which manufacturers would you recommend?
Any help would be appreciated! Thank you... newbie Steve
What type head would you recommend for my situation, a ball or a pan/tilt?
Which manufacturers would you recommend?
Any help would be appreciated! Thank you... newbie Steve
I own two very sturdy Velbon DV7000N tripods, which have oversized legs. I spread them 50" apart and they are still at eye level. I replaced their heads with all-metal Velbon cradle head/pan heads. They are fast and the action is silky smooth. They are not terribly expensive either.
Dec 2, 2017 08:03:29 #
My first tripod head was a pan/tilt. It made a great paper weight. If you're a serious landscape photographer, go with a quality ball head, RRS or Arca Swiss.
Dec 2, 2017 08:32:26 #
Really Right Stuff ball head or my favorite RRS Pano Gimbal. L bracket for your camera is nice too.
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Dec 2, 2017 08:34:01 #
Another good choice is Acratech, which is what I use for my larger tripod. Right up there with Arca Swiss, RRS. Expensive, but worth it!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/903254-REG/Acratech_1186_GPSS_Ballhead_With_Lever.html/mode/edu
I agree with some comments on the pan/tilt. Kind of bulky, with the handle and all. That's great for panning, but for all around photography, a ball head is my choice.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/903254-REG/Acratech_1186_GPSS_Ballhead_With_Lever.html/mode/edu
I agree with some comments on the pan/tilt. Kind of bulky, with the handle and all. That's great for panning, but for all around photography, a ball head is my choice.
Dec 2, 2017 08:34:22 #
I use two different ballheads, one is a Linhof and the other is a Cullman. Both have served me well.
Dec 2, 2017 08:58:27 #
wapiti wrote:
My first tripod head was a pan/tilt. It made a great paper weight. If you're a serious landscape photographer, go with a quality ball head, RRS or Arca Swiss.
Why is a ball head better than a " Lead Weight " Pan/Tilt for landscape work ? As one commenter stated " The mountains are not going anywhere ". I would think the additional weight would be an asset for this type work. I have an ancient Bogen 3047 which weighs a ton but is rock solid. I am open to change if someone can give me a logical reason to do so... Thanks, Bob
Dec 2, 2017 09:01:07 #
Leaning towards a Gimbal (sp?) and good tripod one day in the future when I can buy a Long prime lens
I saw a military photographer once at Death Valley using a Miller 30 Video tripod and head with his Sony R7ii Great rig but expensive
I saw a military photographer once at Death Valley using a Miller 30 Video tripod and head with his Sony R7ii Great rig but expensive
Dec 2, 2017 09:30:06 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Really Right Stuff
Great quality, pricey but sturdy.That is what I use.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/search?keywords=ball%20heads
Great quality, pricey but sturdy.That is what I use.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/search?keywords=ball%20heads
Couldn't agree more!
Dec 2, 2017 09:43:23 #
ez22
Loc: The World
Arca Swiss. I've had mine for 18 years. Wouldn't use anything else !
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469923-REG/Arca_Swiss_801104_Monoball_Z1_sp_with.html/?c3api=3679%2Cbing%2C2763659969%2C4585581963538021
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469923-REG/Arca_Swiss_801104_Monoball_Z1_sp_with.html/?c3api=3679%2Cbing%2C2763659969%2C4585581963538021
Dec 2, 2017 09:44:24 #
Over the past 40+ years I have owned a lot of different tripod heads. By far the best I have ever had are the 2 (different sizes) RRS heads. They are the second pair of RRS heads I have owned. The first 2 were stolen along with the tripods when I was traveling.
Dec 2, 2017 09:54:34 #
Sturdy wins over heavy in my opinion. I prefer the repeatable markings on my RRS pano gimbal vs say the Wimberly. I just find the RRS much more versatile than the Wimberly but both ate great tools.
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Best,
Todd Ferguson
MrBob wrote:
Why is a ball head better than a " Lead Weight " Pan/Tilt for landscape work ? As one commenter stated " The mountains are not going anywhere ". I would think the additional weight would be an asset for this type work. I have an ancient Bogen 3047 which weighs a ton but is rock solid. I am open to change if someone can give me a logical reason to do so... Thanks, Bob
Dec 2, 2017 10:15:43 #
mrtaxi
Loc: Old Westbury NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL
I have many ball heads but the ones I like best and use the most are my Acratech
Dec 2, 2017 10:21:41 #
Wanderer2
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
For landscapes I prefer a pan-tilt head because I can more precisely frame the scene than with a ball head and as others have said, speed is not usually a consideration with landscapes. I think the choice depends on what the photographer is most skilled and comfortable with. As for brands, I'm surprised at the large number of posters who recommended RRS since the OP didn't say he was wealthy. :o) I've never even seen an RRS and I'm sure they are of very high quality but IMHO there are much less expensive heads that will function just as well as RRS for landscape work. I use an Induro pan-tilt head on a Gitzo tripod and am very satisfied with both, although I do believe there are less expensive tripods that would do the job just as well as the Gitzo. I have a compact Benro, also with an Induro head, for use when traveling and as best I can see the build quality of the Benro is as good as the Gitzo. Just my opinion but I think there is a lot of overpricing in the tripod manufacturing industry and the profit margins of the most expensive brands is huge.
Dec 2, 2017 10:38:08 #
If you get a ball head, get one at least one size larger than what you initially think you need. Otherwise, you will probably end up buying a second ball head. (I know from personal experience)
Dec 2, 2017 10:53:08 #
jackm1943 wrote:
If you get a ball head, get one at least one size larger than what you initially think you need. Otherwise, you will probably end up buying a second ball head. (I know from personal experience)
Very true!
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