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!

 

[Loswr]

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

 

[Loswr]

...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.

 

[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]

Once again, we need to know your budget

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.

 

[Loswr]

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.

 

[mbpics]

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.

Thanks! I figured the 30 was a good match for a set of travel legs. It seems to be the best compromise of size, stability, and price in the RRS lineup. I'm not the type to lug around a big hulking tripod (even the manfrotto 055 was far too big and heavy for my tastes) and I can't justify CF legs, so this looks like a good combo for me.

 

[Zen]

+1 on the RRS eqpt. It's the absolute best. After going thru 4-5 different combinations of other brands, incl Giotto and Manfrotto, I went for the RRS and there is no comparison. Wish I had gone with RRS from the beginning. I have the mid size head and find it stable, easy to use, mount and dismount the plated camera [5D3], etc.

Take a look at their web-site.

Zen

 

[Loswr]

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.

From a support and tracking standpoint, there's really no difference between the side mount gimbal and the bottom mount gimbal. A little more care is required when mounting the lens into the clamp, with the side mount you need to support the weight of the lens while you lock the clamp, but with the bottom mount you can rest the lens on the plate as you clamp it.

Besides being lighter and having one less piece when disassembled, I like that the side mount allows me to reach 'under' the lens to access the MF and focus preset rings. I had originally intended to get the full gimbal, and was surprised when RRS recommended the side over the full. I discussed it with someone who'd bought the side gimbal for a 500 MkI and was quite pleased, so between that and RRS' recommendation, I went with that.

 

[brett b]

+1 on the RRS eqpt. It's the absolute best. After going thru 4-5 different combinations of other brands, incl Giotto and Manfrotto, I went for the RRS and there is no comparison. Wish I had gone with RRS from the beginning. I have the mid size head and find it stable, easy to use, mount and dismount the plated camera [5D3], etc.

Take a look at their web-site.

Zen

Same here!
I've pretty much always used the RRS L plates, but I've had various combinations of Manfrotto, Gitzo & Acratech...which were all good, but not quite right.
I picked up a RRS TVC-24L tripod w/ BH-40 ball head about 1 1/2 years ago and couldn't be happier.
Neuro brings up a good point about the diff between the BH-40 and BH-30...the lack of the drag friction knob is something that I couldn't live without.

 

[docsmith]

The ultimate in support would be a Arca-Swiss Z1 or RRS BH-55. Given your current tripod and what you are planning on supporting, it seems that a Markins Q3T, Markins M10, or a RRS BH-40 would be perfect.

 

[Tioga Designs]

Same here!
I've pretty much always used the RRS L plates, but I've had various combinations of Manfrotto, Gitzo & Acratech...which were all good, but not quite right.
I picked up a RRS TVC-24L tripod w/ BH-40 ball head about 1 1/2 years ago and couldn't be happier.
Neuro brings up a good point about the diff between the BH-40 and BH-30...the lack of the drag friction knob is something that I couldn't live without.

I also highly recommend the RRS BH-40 and the L plate. Great head and the L plate makes switching between portrait and landscape a breeze - something that you don't realize how useful it is until you have one.