Which tripod head?

[P1]

I have a nice Induro tripod that I like, but I just am not a bit fan of the Manfrotto 322RC2. I cannot get used to it, so I'll probably sell it and get something else.

What is everyone else using as a tripod head? I have a 5D Mark III and some rather heavy lenses, so I need this thing to be able to hold that kind of weight.

[bmw1racer]

Here's a recent review of ball heads: http://www.imaging-resource.com/news...for-any-budget

[GeorgeR]

What is your budget?

I use the RRS BH-55

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/BH-55-Ballhead

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by GeorgeR

What is your budget?

I use the RRS BH-55

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/BH-55-Ballhead

That's the key thing. But if you have a 5D MkIII and heavy lenses, you probably have the right budget for the RRS.

[P1]

Originally Posted by GeorgeR

What is your budget?

I use the RRS BH-55

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/BH-55-Ballhead

Nice piece of equipment, but looking at spending $150 and below on this...

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by P1et

Nice piece of equipment, but looking at spending $150 and below on this...

I have a Sriui k-20x. It holds my 5DIII with 70-200 with ease. Feels like s fine precision instrument. I love using it.


$130, free two day shipping if you have Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/Sirui-K-20X-B.../dp/B004QC3COO

[P1]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

I have a Sriui k-20x. It holds my 5DIII with 70-200 with ease. Feels like s fine precision instrument. I love using it.


$130, free two day shipping if you have Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/Sirui-K-20X-B.../dp/B004QC3COO

I was actually looking at this one. Panning is not an issue?

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by P1et

I was actually looking at this one. Panning is not an issue?

An issue? I don't understand. I've never tried to pan with a tripod. Seems like if you're not absolutely level, to what you're shooting, panning with a tripod will result the lens making an arc. No?

I guess the answer is no. It pans left and right just fine. Super smooth movement.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

An issue? I don't understand. I've never tried to pan with a tripod. Seems like if you're not absolutely level, to what you're shooting, panning with a tripod will result the lens making an arc. No?

I guess the answer is no. It pans left and right just fine. Super smooth movement.

If I look at the ball head, will I be able to tighten down the vertical and be able to freely move horizontally? Or once I loosen up the ball head, will both the vertical and horizontal become loose?

[Mr Tonka]

Yes. Both operate independently.

Sorry, my panning experience extends only to race cars from grand stands.

[WoohooSoCal]

You will not go wrong with Sirui.

I have a K-20X and it works well with my Sony A7 RII.

[P1]

Sirui it is!

[Weebl]

I have the Manfrotto 468 ball head and the 502 video head.
Even with the hydrostatic, panning is a pain so I was either going to get the 502 or 229. I'm very happy with the 502, the damping helps smooth things out.

It all depends on what you are going to do with the head.

[dcstep]

Get a ballhead with an Arca-Swiss style camera plate. Some makers use proprietary plates. Manfrotto has three or four different plates that are not compatible with each other. Arca-Swiss style is the industry standard.

Here's an Induro ballhead at your price point:

http://www.indurogear.com/products/induro-bhd1.aspx

If you can, consider moving up at least one step in price/performance. For example, a 5D with a 24-105mm puts a lot of torque on the ballhead. That's not really a lot of lens. All other heads are slow to adjust and hard to use, so you really should get a ballhead.

Oh, if you're going to do video, even casually, you need a video head, but your budget is too low for that.

Dave

[P1]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Get a ballhead with an Arca-Swiss style camera plate. Some makers use proprietary plates. Manfrotto has three or four different plates that are not compatible with each other. Arca-Swiss style is the industry standard.

Here's an Induro ballhead at your price point:

http://www.indurogear.com/products/induro-bhd1.aspx

If you can, consider moving up at least one step in price/performance. For example, a 5D with a 24-105mm puts a lot of torque on the ballhead. That's not really a lot of lens. All other heads are slow to adjust and hard to use, so you really should get a ballhead.

Oh, if you're going to do video, even casually, you need a video head, but your budget is too low for that.

Dave

So would the Siriu not qualify then, or are you just a bigger fan of Induro? My tripod is Induro, and I don't have any qualms with it.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by P1et

So would the Siriu not qualify then, or are you just a bigger fan of Induro? My tripod is Induro, and I don't have any qualms with it.

Looking at the Siriu link on Amazon, it looks like it's Arca-Swiss compatible and it says so in one of the reviews. Look at the next heavier Siriu or Induro, within your budget. You will not regret having extra capacity.

Dave

[P1]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Looking at the Siriu link on Amazon, it looks like it's Arca-Swiss compatible and it says so in one of the reviews. Look at the next heavier Siriu or Induro, within your budget. You will not regret having extra capacity.

Dave

Appreciate the tip. The next level up doesn't seem to really cost that much extra, and it'll be future proof.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Looking at the Siriu link on Amazon, it looks like it's Arca-Swiss compatible and it says so in one of the reviews. Look at the next heavier Siriu or Induro, within your budget. You will not regret having extra capacity.

Dave

It is. I don't use the plate that came with it. I use a third party Arca-Swiss type plate.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

I use one of these https://www.3leggedthing.com/airheds/airhed-360.html

Great bit of kit and the tripod I have is the 3LT Brian which is incredible for its size weight its prefect even with holding either my 7D & 5Diii both bodies gripped with a Canon 100-400L lens no bother and doesnt moan at the 7D with my 300 f.28L either.

[GoHokiesGo]

My current tripod head is a Giotto MH-1000-652, which falls within the budget going for right around $100 even.
https://amzn.com/B000I6UV1Y
I'm not sure this exact model is available any longer, but I'd gladly by a Giotto's product again. They're italian made and have a nice build quality.

I've been happy with it using my 6D and a few heavier wide angle/std range lenses, although I have not used it with my telephoto lenses. It has independent adjustment for panning/horizontal movement (with degree markings), all metal build, clamps down tightly and feels smooth when adjusting. I mostly shoot landscapes, and it's worked well for stitched panos and astrophotography shots.