Tripod heads

htid

htid

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Chris
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So I'm finally going to get my 500mm back from Nikon on Thursday and need a tripod head for a trip in June . For now it will just be on a monopod but I'm planning to get a tripod at some point in the future and want a head to last a lifetime. I've decided on the arca swiss monoball p0 but my problem is I don't really understand all the different types of plate on top. There seem to be 4 types:
  • With threaded disc
  • With monoballfix
  • With quickset classic
  • With quickset fliplock
The lens has the foot it came with and the monopod has just the standard screw thread. I'd like some advice on which one I need and what else I'd need to connect them. I've never had a head or anything like this so I've seen Arca swiss, rrs, Kirk etc but I don't know what any of them do.

Any advice or pointers in the right direction much appreciated :)
 
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htid said:
I don't really understand all the different types of plate on top.
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Makers, so to justify what they want to sell as "better ideas",
will often cook up some catchy names for given features.
htid said:
I've never had a head…
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Don't say that too often nor too loud! :ROFLMAO:
htid said:
I'd like some advice on which one I need
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Arca Swiss is only the attachment system, I use it a lot.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WARN YOU…
with the intended use (long lens), you should consider
a gimbal head instead of a ball head (that I use as well
but never with long lenses).

For my long lenses I use two of these proudly made in Canada!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006IY7RYO/ref=pe_2443651_133570571_em_ti
 
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Chris, don't go for an AS for that size lens. You'll struggle with framing with those. Two tripod heads that I know of will not let you down:

1. Burzynski.

2. Really Right Stuff BH-55.

Both are rock solid. The RRS is effectively a copy of the Burzynski and there's a reason they did that.
 
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WingTsun said:
Chris, don't go for an AS for that size lens. You'll struggle with framing with those. Two tripod heads that I know of will not let you down:

1. Burzynski.

2. Really Right Stuff BH-55.

Both are rock solid. The RRS is effectively a copy of the Burzynski and there's a reason they did that.
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The P-0 has the same load rating the BH-55 has...
But personally I wouldn't get any ball-head for long lens use (pan/tilt or gimbal).

As far as arca swiss clamps go, I really dislike the "two levels" of the original quicksets (I've mis-mounted the camera numerous times with it). That leaves the monoball fix as the only OEM clamp. But I might be inclined to add a third party clamp to the screw version instead.
 
sk66 said:
The P-0 has the same load rating the BH-55 has...
But personally I wouldn't get any ball-head for long lens use (pan/tilt or gimbal).

As far as arca swiss clamps go, I really dislike the "two levels" of the original quicksets (I've mis-mounted the camera numerous times with it). That leaves the monoball fix as the only OEM clamp. But I might be inclined to add a third party clamp to the screw version instead.
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I'd normally agree with you, Steven but the Burzinski is a bit special.
 
I've got a Burzynski and it could probably hold an elephant steady. I have used it with the 400mm f/2.8 but it can get a bit frightening if you loosen the standard and gravity takes over. For a tripod and long lens a Wimberley mk II is hard to beat.
 
@Kodiak Qc you've recommended that to me before but unfortunately as much as I'd love to, it's out of budget.

I can't find a price of the Burz but if the rrs is the cheap version and still over £400, I may have to accept I just can't afford what I need and go without for this trip. That's a big shame as I'm going to dawlish where there are lots of waders on the estuary and I'll have nothing to lean on, and with that size lens I won't be able to hand hold. My max is about £300 and I was recommended the p0 in the past which is why I looked at it.

Not sure what to do at this point...hmm
 
Hoppy on here has some really good advice on tripod heads. Don't know how to alert him but he's tested quite a few I believe.
 
One I've been considering is the Giottos MH-1300-658 for use with my 100-400 II and 7DII.
 
•


Yes, it is the last in the links list of alternatives for price
but I can only recommend what I use.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•


Yes, it is the last in the links list of alternatives for price
but I can only recommend what I use.
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It doesn't seem to be the same? The one you linked to supports up to 4.5kg whereas the one I linked says much higher (500mm plus pro body) hmm.
 
 
If I could only have one tripod head (and fortunately, I have several :)) it would be the Arca-Swiss P0. Very strong, very precise with excellent control, very light, and I really like the way it works and locks. Great on a monopod, as I don't get on with the lack on movement with monopod heads.

I dislike all the Arca-Swiss clamps though, ironic really since they invented the now universal dovetail quick release system, but I'm not alone. So I removed the AS clamp (it was way easier than I had been led to believe) and fitted a cheapo Chinese jobbie from Amazon. This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-Rel...d=1464731916&sr=8-4&keywords=arca+swiss+clamp It's excellently made, light, and has a double-speed thread on the locking knob. You may need to file a mm off the knob to clear the P0's pan locking lever. Oh, and I've screwed a little locking pin through that fits into the anti-rotation hole on top of the P0. None of this is difficult, though you do need a bit of mechanical nouse, and some confidence when it comes to the blow-torch bit LOL Or get the plain AS P0 and screw a different clamp straight on. Quite a few circular clamp options available.

The weight of a 500/4 wouldn't be a problem on a P0 (I've had all the new 150-600s on it, including the Sigma Sports monster, on a monopod) but for tripod use, I have to say a gimbal is the way to go. I'd take a punt on the bargain Beike BK-45.

Other heavy duty ball heads that have particularly impressed include the superb Arca-Swiss Z1, and Manfrotto Hydrostatic - both have an iron fist in a velvet glove, easy, effortless, with great control and accuracy, ie they don't shift when locking down, v important for long lens work. But they're not gimbals ;)
 
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I would not recommend a gimbal that does not have a vertically adjustable platform... nor a "side mount" version. I have used a Benro GH-2 for a decade or so w/o issue... it's probably identical to the Beike BK-45 (but I don't know).
 
Lensmaster uk gimbal is a good piece of kit

I use this on a tripod, the beike goes on the monopod now but the rh2 will do a monopod too

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh2.htm
 
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I just did the same as lensmaster did, I made one myself. It's very easy if you can do any fabrication at all and have even a small amount of mechanical aptitude.
 
Wimberley head for me. I have seen them occasionally on MPB used within your budget.
 
htid said:
  • With threaded disc
  • With monoballfix
  • With quickset classic
  • With quickset fliplock
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Avoid the monoballfix version. It is basically a smaller version of Arca-swiss clamp. If you get that you will end up with Arca-swiss branded QR system that is not arca compatible. Not only this is funny but it also defeats the point of having Arca system as you will need to buy a set of universal QR plates for your gear. I guess it could be more suited to smaller gear, but personally I don't see the point.

Threaded disc is non quick release version (there is just ¼ stud like it is on most tripods).

fliplock vs classic is about whether you more prefer lever or knob for locking the clamp (I personally don't care and can use both).
 
Just as an update, Roger (gramps) pointed me to a used Wimberley mk2 for £270 on Ebay which turned out to be a member on here. Contacted him privately and got it for £250...arrived today and looks to be a great piece of kit! Have a week in Dawlish booked next week so hopefully I'll be able to give it a test down there! Thanks for the input everybody.
 
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