Good TripodHead

[chihiro]

hello!

I am looking for a help to choose a tripod head!! (a stable tripod head) .

i am using Manfrotto 055XPROB. for now is ok., (but probably should think for a replacement for the near future.)

i have been using for some time - Giottos MH1300-652 and Its very unstable ! Could you give me some suggestions for a good realible tripod head please.

i use 5d mark3 with battery grip sometime,with lenses canon 16-35mm and canon 24-105mm f/4 IS

Thank you!

[neuroanatomist]

What sort of budget?  The Really Right Stuff BH-40 is an excellent mid-sized ballhead, but not cheap, and you'll need an Arca-Swiss type plate for your camera (which is a better clamping system than the Giottos one, anyway). 

The Manfrotto 468MG is also a great option, a bit less expensive, I'd pair it with a Wimberley C-12 clamp and a Wimberley P-5 camera plate.

[raptor3x]

I'm a huge fan of the Markins ballheads, although the RRS BH-40 is a fantastic option as well.  If you search on FM, you can usually find Q10s going for less than $250.  If you're more budget minded, the Benro B2 or B3 seems to be a reasonable approximation to the Markins, although I don't know how well they'll hold up over time; but I use one of their combination legs (the C4770t) and it's been absolutely fantastic so I don't doubt their ball heads will be any worse.  Then the other issue is that you'll need to start investing in QR plates as well.  When I switched over to the arca-swiss system I ended up spending more on plates than I did on the ball head just because of how many I needed to buy.

[EvilTed]

I went with Arca-Swiss Z1 with a Really Right Stuff QR clamp and RRS L bracket and lens plates.
Wonderful combination and the AS is rated much higher than the RRS BH-55.

ET

[neuroanatomist]

...the AS is rated much higher than the RRS BH-55.

Load capacity ratings aren't really useful to compare between manufacturers, only within a manufacturer's line.  I've got a RRS TQC-14 tripod that is 'rated' to support 25 lbs...I can grab a two of the legs and hang my 185 lb self underneath the tripod with no issues.  The Induro CT-214 tripod legs are rated to 26.5 lbs, and when I started to try that trick with a set of them in a shop, it was immediately apparent from the way they bowed in that I needed to stop to avoid 'you break it you buy it'. 

[Hector1970]

I have the Manfrotto (310 I think) Junior Geared Head.
It's great for accurate changing of levels or straightening the horizon.
It's downsize is it's bloody heavy and big.
I was caught by surprise when it arrived as I was expecting junior to be small.
Once you get over size and weight it's super.
It's steady as a rock.
I got of sick of ballheads and trying to get them properly level.
Maybe I should have gone for something more expensive like a Swiss Arca Ball Head or Really Right Stuff.

[scrappydog]

I have both the RRS BH-55 and Markins Q3T heads and both are very stable.  I generally use them for my tilt shifts, 70-200 f/2.8L II, and 100-400 with no stability issues.  For comparison, the BH-55 with panning clamp is $575 USD and is fairly heavy; the Q3T is $290 USD and is very light.

[Seanlucky]

I have the Manfrotto (310 I think) Junior Geared Head.

You're thinking of the Manfrotto 410 Geared Head. I have the larger brother (405) head and absolutely love them.

To the OP, you really need to mention your budget if you want to get any useful answers...

[crasher8]

Best low end-Benro/Induro

Best Moderately Priced- Surui/Oben

Best Money no Issue- Kirk/Markins/RRS

[mbpics]

What sort of budget?  The Really Right Stuff BH-40 is an excellent mid-sized ballhead, but not cheap, and you'll need an Arca-Swiss type plate for your camera (which is a better clamping system than the Giottos one, anyway). 

The Manfrotto 468MG is also a great option, a bit less expensive, I'd pair it with a Wimberley C-12 clamp and a Wimberley P-5 camera plate.

Neuro, what do you think of the BH-30?

I recently got an RRS body plate and flat-back clamp for use with my Black Rapid strap and I'm looking for a lightweight yet sturdy head. I have Benro A2190T lightweight aluminum legs that are surprisingly sturdy with the center post removed and bottom leg segment not exended (I don't mind bending down a bit). Weight is a priority and I wouldn't really need it to be able to sustain high winds or anything like that.

The heaviest combo I'd likely mount is my D700 and 24-70, so think 7D/5D3 and 24-70 I for a Canon comparison.

Also do you think the lack of a drag knob on the BH-30 is a big deal compared to the BH-40? It would be nice to save the $100 difference and put it towards a lens, but I haven't had much luck finding info about any drawbacks to the BH-30.

[Halfrack]

I'm loving the Sirui k30x with the CarrySpeed Arca plate.  It's rated for a very heavy 66lbs, so stepping down a level may work.  Can't fight the price though - $141

[RMC33]

...the AS is rated much higher than the RRS BH-55.

Load capacity ratings aren't really useful to compare between manufacturers, only within a manufacturer's line.  I've got a RRS TQC-14 tripod that is 'rated' to support 25 lbs...I can grab a two of the legs and hang my 185 lb self underneath the tripod with no issues.  The Induro CT-214 tripod legs are rated to 26.5 lbs, and when I started to try that trick with a set of them in a shop, it was immediately apparent from the way they bowed in that I needed to stop to avoid 'you break it you buy it'.

Just got my versa 3 and have to say it blows my old Benro out of the water. Versa 3+PG-02 FG = ultimate stability for my 400 f/2.8 II.

[Aglet]

I have the Manfrotto (310 I think) Junior Geared Head.
It's great for accurate changing of levels or straightening the horizon.
It's downsize is it's bloody heavy and big.
I was caught by surprise when it arrived as I was expecting junior to be small.
Once you get over size and weight it's super.
It's steady as a rock.
I got of sick of ballheads and trying to get them properly level.
Maybe I should have gone for something more expensive like a Swiss Arca Ball Head or Really Right Stuff.

+1
LOVE my manfrotto gear heads, they're almost all I use.
had some ball-heads, they blow.  Kept one midsize manfrotto ball head for use with my compact cams.
ballheads are ok if you're messing around and need to be fast

The 410 Junior is a nice match to the 055 tripod, very solid, nice big mounting plate.
I use the bigger 405 with heavier rigs and bigger 'pods.

A cheaper head a buddy likes is the one with 3 large levers to move the 3 sections and each one is also a twist lock.  it's quite precise too, not as small but if you're used to it it's pretty fast and solid.  it also has built-in spring counter-balance which can be turned on-off and is occasionally useful.

[neuroanatomist]

Neuro, what do you think of the BH-30?

Also do you think the lack of a drag knob on the BH-30 is a big deal compared to the BH-40? It would be nice to save the $100 difference and put it towards a lens, but I haven't had much luck finding info about any drawbacks to the BH-30.

I have the BH-30 on my TQC-14, and I like it a lot - it's small, light, and strong for its size.  I don't find the lack of a drag friction knob to be a big sacrifice, but others might.  A friend mentioned that there was a pretty abrupt transition from tight to loose on the BH-30 he borrowed to test out (he settled on the Markins Q3T); my BH-30 doesn't seem that abrupt (it can be set with a bit of drag), but mine is new and the one he tested has seen a couple of years of use, so maybe mine will change?  Here's a good read on the subject.

Versa 3+PG-02 FG = ultimate stability for my 400 f/2.8 II.

I went with the PG-02 LLR (side mount vs. bottom mount gimbal) on a TVC-33, either way it's a top-notch setup for holding a supertele.

[RMC33]

Versa 3+PG-02 FG = ultimate stability for my 400 f/2.8 II.

I went with the PG-02 LLR (side mount vs. bottom mount gimbal) on a TVC-33, either way it's a top-notch setup for holding a supertele.

Yup. I would like to try the non-gimbal. I should just buy the plate and see how different it is. I am sure it is minimal but the FG setup is about 1 Lb I could shave out of my gear.