Not a "what tripod" thread, but a "what tripod head" thread

nigpd

nigpd

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Nigel
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I would like a nice expensive tripod head to go on top of my Gitzo. I would like it to hold my 7D with max load of the 28-70L f2.8 "brick".

In particular I am looking for the head, once set in a "nearly right" position, to have the facility of ease of fine adjustments in all directions for both landscape and for close ups when using my 100mm L f2.8 IS Macro.

I know macro focussing rails would be the way to go solely for macro, but I am looking to see if there is a head solution that would do both landscape and close up work with fine adjustment capability

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance
 
I have a Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head and it might suit you.

It's not the best made peice of kit in the world and it's a bit heavy and bulky and you'll probably skin your knuckles on it but it does allow rough positioning and then fine adjustment.
 
Have you looked at Really Right Stuff?
 
Another vote for a geared head.
 
You want a geared head.

Manfrotto 410 is quite good, cheap, and you can get it adapted to take an Arca-Swiss clamp (by Hejnar). Or the amazing Arca-Swiss Cube, or the PhotoClam Multiflex clone of the Cube, or the one I rather like the look of is the new Arca-Swiss D4 :thumbs:
 
jacob12_1993 said:
The king of ball heads is supposed to be the RRS B55
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That's the one I have; and the one thing that's been said, to me, about it is that it is more like a piece of equipment from a surgical theatre than something to do with photography.

It is just perfect :thumbs:
 
HoppyUK said:
You want a geared head.

Manfrotto 410 is quite good, cheap, and you can get it adapted to take an Arca-Swiss clamp (by Hejnar). Or the amazing Arca-Swiss Cube, or the PhotoClam Multiflex clone of the Cube, or the one I rather like the look of is the new Arca-Swiss D4 :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I have to agree with Hoppy, the Arca Swiss kit is superb :thumbs:
 
If you want fine adjustment a geared head is your only option.

The problem with RRS and marlkins is you can't buy them in the UK.
The cheapest place for Markins in the UK is through eBay from the Korean sellers - thy are generally very good. For RRS I think you'll need to go directly to a US shop and you're unlikely to get import fees reduced by the seller, ie reducing it's claimed value.
 
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nigpd said:
Just had a look on the Robert white website at the Arca Swiss D4. It's only £690 +vat. Very tempted but they are awaiting stock :'(
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From what you've said, maybe worth waiting for though :) Great design, strong as an ox and no doubt cool engineering. It's not too heavy for a geared head either.

Maybe get a used Arca ball from them meanwhile, which might surprise you at how adjustable they are (asymmetric ball and all that) and trade in later?
 
HoppyUK said:
Manfrotto 410 is quite good, cheap, and you can get it adapted to take an Arca-Swiss clamp (by Hejnar).
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Do you know how the adaptor connects to the head? Is it simply a plate that clips into the standard Manfrotto clamp, or is there something else to it? I had a look on web but couldn't tell from the pictures or the description he gives.

Also how sturdy are the Manfrotto 410 and 405? They're only rated at 5 and 7.5 kg respectively, which doesn't seem much compared to high-end ballheads. What weight and focal lengths do you think you can realistically use with either of them?
 
SamHH said:
Do you know how the adaptor connects to the head? Is it simply a plate that clips into the standard Manfrotto clamp, or is there something else to it? I had a look on web but couldn't tell from the pictures or the description he gives.

Also how sturdy are the Manfrotto 410 and 405? They're only rated at 5 and 7.5 kg respectively, which doesn't seem much compared to high-end ballheads. What weight and focal lengths do you think you can realistically use with either of them?
Click to expand...

Remove M'frotto QR plate, and replace with Hejnar plate/clamp combo? Drop Chris Hejnar an email - very helpful guy.

Personally, I wouldn't take much notice of load ratings - just use your loaf, research actual users, and try before you buy if possible. I have no idea what those ratings mean, how they are measured, and why different manufacturers quote different figures for seemingly identical spec products.

I wouldn't hesitate to put a heavy combo on a M'frotto 410, but having said that, the heavy stuff is almost always something long, and really the best way to mount long lenses is with a gimbal. The way to manage heavy stuff is to balance it properly first, so that there is minimal torque pulling on the head to start with.

I use a small sliding rail/clamp assembly so I can achieve that at any time. With that as a starting point, even a modest ball can take a lot of weight and is far easier to adjust than when you're constantly fighting the thing tilting under its own weight.

Edit: for anyone else wondering who/what Hejnar is, it's here http://stores.ebay.com/Hejnar-Photo...Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=1
 
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