Ball head vs Pan & Tilt

[JohnR84740]

I am going to go against the grain here and sing the praises of a good pan/tilt head. At least for the macro and landscape shots that I do, nothing else is as sturdy and able to be micro adjusted as easily and accurately. A good head allows you to make gross adjustments and then fine tune and not have to worry about the head moving unless you move it deliberately.

One of the unmentioned benefits is that it forces you to think about what you are doing, and in these days of digital instant everything, slowing down might just be a good thing.

I do use a (grip) ball head on my monopod for sports, because there I must move quickly, and in short, that is the primary benefit of a ballhead. A simple ballhead is also lighter and smaller, if those are important considerations for you.

NONE of these solutions are cheap. At least mine were not. If you are considering a tripod and head combination, you already know this -- and generally speaking, it is true that you get what you pay for. In the end, the question is not what is the best setup, but what is the best compromise that you are willing to make.

[Rense]

Originally Posted by Ed Shapiro

You need both~

In portraiture, I use a technique called subtle tilting. I tilt the camera slightly (side to side) in order to create more dynamic lines in certain kinds of theatrical and general work, I do not use this method when there is any vertical or horizontal points of reference in the background. This works well with solid or mottled backgrounds in random patterns. I restrict this methods to head and shoulders portraits and tight head shots. The ball head makes this method east to carry out. I can start with an extreme tilt and work my way back in seconds until I see the exact effect that I am looking for. With a good ball head I can adjust the tension so that I can move the camera around without having it fall forward or sideways. I recommend the ball heads made by Monfrotto and Arca Swiss.

For very precise architectural and commercial work and/or where heavier cameras are used such as medium format or view cameras, there is nothing like a good old heavy duty conventional tripod/pan head. I have a very heavy Monfrotto head and a few older heads on hand for those usages. I have an old Majestic which works on gears and a crank mechanism and have seen them around on the used market. These heavy heads lock very positively and can just about support a house but the also need a heavy duty tripod to take their weight plus that of the camera. The only warning I have pertaining to theses big heads is don't drop them on your foot!

I know this thread is about tripod heads but let's not forget the tripods. I have found that it is better to overkill than under kill when it comes to tripod stability. There are some models on the market that just don't cut it, especially when telephoto lenses are used. Cheap tripods also have poor locking devices on their legs and won't stand up well in constant use. Good tripods to consider are made by Monfrotto, Gitzo, Velbon (higher end models) and Benbo. If you do close up work in the field look for models with reversible center columns to enable macro work in the field. I find a ball head very handy for this usage as well.

I hope this helps. Ed

Indeed you need both, but only one tripod (each tripod can bear a ballhead or a pan/tilt combo).

[Ed Shapiro]

By the way- It is very difficult or nearly impossible to use a monopod effectively without a smoothly operating and easily controllable ball head. When you need to tilt the camera upward of downward you will be unable to keep the monopod it its most stable position, that is, perpendicular to the ground or the floor. With out a ball head you will have to change the angle of the monopod from 90 degrees to between 30 to 45 degrees forward or backward, thus loosing some stability.

Another issue is that not having a ball head can make it difficult to easily place your eye, in a comfortable manner, to the viewfinder. Besides the ball head, you will need a monopod that is tall enough and incrementally adjustable so that you can make fast adjustments to accommodate your height as well as the tilt of the camera. A conventional pan/tilt head is not advisable because you will end up the control/locking handle in your neck.

I have a monopod made by Tamron- I got it as a bonus some time ago when I purchased one of the 300mm f/2.8 lenses. It is rugged, telescopes quickly, has a foot, and the top section which is incrementally adjustable by means of a locking collar. It also has a provision for a neck strap, like a saxophone strap, that enabled hand held usage

I don’t know if they still manufacture that item of if it is/was manufactured by another company for them. I will do a bit of research and report back if I fine anything interesting.

Ed

[gryphonslair99]

Thas is why I prefer this setup instead of a ball head.

Tilt control
Really Right Stuff ... The High Capacity Monopod Solution

Orientation control.
Really Right Stuff ... Quick-Release Camera Body Plates

Which precludes someone from doing this:
Really Right Stuff ... Quick-Release Camera Body L-Plates
Completely negating the value of a monopod.

[Ed Shapiro]

Yes! G....99! Now I see what you mean- by looking at the photograph in the advertising that this is not a "conventional" tilt head with long handles. Their design addresses the issues I have pointed out quite nicely. Here's the part I especially like:

2-Pro II and B2 AS II clamps are easily oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the tilt. The “+” groove on the bottom of the clamp nests securely with bosses on the MH-01. The following clamps can also be mounted on the MH-01, but can only be oriented parallel to the tilt:
B2-Pro, B2-Pro/L, B2 LR II, B2 LLR II.
•Large tilt-lock knob is easy to grip, even with gloves on. handles.

Thanks for bringing up the link again. Ed

[gryphonslair99]

My biggest gripes about ballheads on monopods is usually the user. They forget that the monopod is your third leg. I hardly ever use a monopod in perpedicular mode. Only when it is short or my 400 f2.8 is on top of it. Then it is a weight support and then a head of any kind is just a hinderence. For genearal photography my setup is as above.

I was taught to either extend the monopod out in front of you a bit creating a semi tripod with your body and legs or to have is slightly behind you either resting against the inside arch of your back foot or between your legs braced against the inside of one of your legs. It makes fantastic support that way. Not quite a tripod, but excellent support that way.

Here is a link that shows some of the basics I was taught years ago for monopod usage.
http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3


When an inexperienced shooter puts a ball head on a monopod and decides to shoot in portrait mode, what do they do?? Flop the thing to the side completely negating the support a monopod provides.

That is why for the portrait/fashion/wedding shooter the setup I provided links to in my earlier post is so usefull, complete orientation with stability. It's just expensive to get that set up.

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by Ed Shapiro

Yes! G....99! Now I see what you mean- by looking at the photograph in the advertising that this is not a "conventional" tilt head with long handles. Their design addresses the issues I have pointed out quite nicely. Here's the part I especially like:

2-Pro II and B2 AS II clamps are easily oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the tilt. The “+” groove on the bottom of the clamp nests securely with bosses on the MH-01. The following clamps can also be mounted on the MH-01, but can only be oriented parallel to the tilt:
B2-Pro, B2-Pro/L, B2 LR II, B2 LLR II.
•Large tilt-lock knob is easy to grip, even with gloves on. handles.

Thanks for bringing up the link again. Ed

What kills me about the link page is the very bottom animated gif with their Wimberely II type head. They show using the tilt clamp on that head then tilting it to the side, again putting the weight to the side of center. I don't know what they were thinking on that one.

[seanhoxx]

Good stuff guys, thanks for the info. more choices to ponder? I have looked at the 'one hand' operation of the 'pistol grip' heads by Manfrotto seems liks a decent compromise. I think I would likely attach the lens not the body to the head. Gryphon, that is a really nice set up you provided the link to, I like the plate and clamp like that.

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by seanhoxx

Good stuff guys, thanks for the info. more choices to ponder? I have looked at the 'one hand' operation of the 'pistol grip' heads by Manfrotto seems liks a decent compromise. I think I would likely attach the lens not the body to the head. Gryphon, that is a really nice set up you provided the link to, I like the plate and clamp like that.

I've got a modified 322 head with an Arca-swiss QR clamp on it and love it for studio stuff. I would suggest that with that head though that you go look at it and play with it first. I've never a lens that is big enough to requre a ring mounted on it. Not sure how well it would handle that size glass with a body hangin off the back.

With a ball head and an arca-swiss QR clamp I can use the QR lens rail to balance the body/lens over the ball head. The 322 will not let me turn the QR clamp to allow for that. That is where my concern comes in. You may end up with a creep issue if the weight is off balance.

[Greg_in_Ontario]

The MANFROTTO 468MGRC2 HYDROSTATIC BALLHEAD is really nice, fine control and rock solid.

[00silvergt]

I got a Bogen/Manfrotto Joystick grip head, and won't touch a conventional pan and tilt or ball head again...LOL

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by Greg_in_Ontario

The MANFROTTO 468MGRC2 HYDROSTATIC BALLHEAD is really nice, fine control and rock solid.

For that kind of money you could end up with something lile this. Kirk Enterprises : BH-3 Ball Head
One outstanding ball head.

[Ben_V]

Originally Posted by gryphonslair99

For that kind of money you could end up with something lile this. Kirk Enterprises : BH-3 Ball Head
One outstanding ball head.

For that kind of money, there are quite a few possible choices, nevertheless the Manfrotto 468 hydrostatic ball head is a very good option. I use the modell RC3, with the large hexagonal QR system, which holds easily a 500/4.5 or a medium format or large format camera without any rotation of the plates (the smaller RC2 system is something I deeply distrust for my heavy equipment).

Ben

[sunway_ray]

Originally Posted by sunway_ray

I found that now the Germany FLM company and a China manufacturer they have produced a series of Ballheads that have combined the flexibility and stability of the Ballhead and the 3-axis, pan-tilt type of tripod head. That means it does not only can do any angle photography but also go on 360 degree panning . my email: beese@tom.com

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by Ben_V

For that kind of money, there are quite a few possible choices, nevertheless the Manfrotto 468 hydrostatic ball head is a very good option. I use the modell RC3, with the large hexagonal QR system, which holds easily a 500/4.5 or a medium format or large format camera without any rotation of the plates (the smaller RC2 system is something I deeply distrust for my heavy equipment).

Ben

My one complaint with Manfrotto heads is their proprietary QR system. The Arca-swiss system is quite a bit more flexible and stable.

[Ben_V]

Originally Posted by gryphonslair99

My one complaint with Manfrotto heads is their proprietary QR system. The Arca-swiss system is quite a bit more flexible and stable.

I cannot complain about any lack of stability with the Hexagons. They are sufficient for all my cameras and lenses, either large format, medium format or DSLR with a 500/4.5 and tc. I would agree, that the small RC2 plates would not be up to the job, though.

One advantage of the Manfrotto RC3 system - and that was the decisive advantage for me - is, that you place the place into the clamp and it closed automatically. No additional screws to turn, nothing. The QR clamp closes and the equipment is secure immediately, wheras with ArcaSwiss and all other dovetail systems, you need to turn a screw or a lever to prevent slippage and a possible fall of the euqipment. I know, there are catch-pins on some of these dovetail systems, but they are different from manufacturer to manufacturer and you are either bound to use a certain QR clamp + the system's plates or you loose the advantage of that security pin.

I have invested heavily in the Manfrotto system (around 300 or 400 USD for clamps and plates) and am very happy with it.

Anyway, you can get a 468 hydrostatic ball head without the QR clamp and add an Arca QR, if you prefer that route.

Ben

[sunway_ray]

You can see GItzo tripod can work with Pan&Tilt ballhead very well
http://www.sunwayphoto.com/UpLoadFil...1251802096.jpg

[Tareq]

Markins ballheads are great too, i have only Q3T from them, but i use only RRS BH-55, not sure if i should buy anothre Markins ballhead larger, it is lightweight more than RRS ballheads.