Tripod head?

MatBin

MatBin

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Just bought a Vanguard pistol ball head and the trigger is far too stiff, anyone tried a different type with a lighter spring but still able to lock in position?
Matt
 
The manfrotto one is good but I thin it's best of a bad bunch personally
 
Most people go with a ball head and an L bracket on camera! I've got a 410 geared head which I've had 6 years and is brilliant
 
Mark twiglet said:
Most people go with a ball head and an L bracket on camera! I've got a 410 geared head which I've had 6 years and is brilliant
Click to expand...

:agree: Only downside is the head is quite heavy, although very sturdy and precise.
 
Another vote for the 410
 
Manfrotto 322RC2 is what I use as a trigger type ball head. Not perfect but better than the others I tried at the time. For speed of rough set up, it's hard to beat but it does sag a bit after rough set up.
 
Thanks for the input, would these items work well on a monopod too?
Matt
 
I meant for a tripod! No one mentioned monopod
 
I'm trying to cover both bases with one head, I might go mono or tripod, wondered if one head would do both.
Thanks for the input so far.
Matt
 
MatBin said:
I'm trying to cover both bases with one head, I might go mono or tripod, wondered if one head would do both.
Click to expand...
On a monopod you don't want too many movements ... up and down should be about enough (the horizontal you can adjust by leaning the tripod). if you are photographing sport you might not even need a head as everything will be reasonably level. On a tripod you got both hands free to position the camera and adjust the various levers and knobs.
 
Yeah agree! Wouldn't need a head on monopod
 
For birding I find there needs to be up and down movement only, when using a monopod. Particularly for birds high in the sky where leaning the monopod to such extremes puts the camera in a precarious position I think up and down is important. I found this forum thread really helpful.

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/best-monopod-head-for-largiesh-lens.654157/#post-7827431

I've my eyes on a Surui L-20 which unlike the L-10 has panning built in which from what I can see can be locked off when using it on a monopod. I think this head looks like a good option for both tripod and monopod use, yet to try it.

From experience, a ball head is no good on a monopod due to unpredictable movement when loosening off, and only having one hand free. It became very frustrating fighting the weight of the camera and heavy lens to try and move aim to towards a moving subject.
 
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