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Want a ball head but increasingly hear that they are not as good as a 3 way for landscapes. I'm not into panoramic stitching so surely this should make no difference?
Ballhead or 3way for Landscaping
- Thread starter pragmatist
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- Darren
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A ball head is never as good as a 3 way in any situation for people that prefer the 3 way. On the other hand, if you like ball heads then the 3 way is never going to cut the mustard.
Just make sure that whichever route you choose, you get something sturdy enough to stay exactly where you put it.
Just make sure that whichever route you choose, you get something sturdy enough to stay exactly where you put it.
OP
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- Matty
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A ball head is never as good as a 3 way in any situation for people that prefer the 3 way. On the other hand, if you like ball heads then the 3 way is never going to cut the mustard.
Just make sure that whichever route you choose, you get something sturdy enough to stay exactly where you put it.
I have been looking at some premium ballheads till i read an article on the 3 ways being preffered for that type of photography
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- Trevor
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3 Way for me, I only mount for long exposures and landscapes. Don't take any chances on movement, so I now use a Frotto 410 geared head. Heavy, slow but super solid. Makes you take more time, no bad thing.
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They are preferred by many when small and precise adjustments are called for, not just landscapes but things like still life and product work. This doesn't mean that you can't achieve these with a ball head though.
D
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I have both and to be honest the 3way is by far the better option for landscapes. I primarily use the ball head on my monopod for general 'wandering about' shoots but if im out on a mission for some scapes, 3way is my preferred choice. Much more control.
OP
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Cheers all, Think i will take a look at the Manfrotto 410 Junior head
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If you fancy 3-way, that 410 head is wonderful to use. But it is slow, and heavy, and not cheap. IMHO the trick is in the geared mech, rather than it being 3-way, if you see what I mean.
I used to dislike ball heads, but that was because I'd never used a decent one (and they all have panning bases BTW). There's nothing worse than a ball head that is not up to the task, but if you spend a bit more say around £100, I think they are as good as most 3-way heads and much faster, smaller and just generally easier. I now use one most of the time - a Benro J-2, which is up there with the Arca, Markins, Kirk etc for quality, but half the price (Chinese Arca copy).
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I use a ballhead for landscapes, with one of those new Seculine cross type digital levels in the hotshoe plate.
Absolutely excellent set up, but as others have said, make sure you get a heavy duty top quality head that won't move the camera whatsoever..
FWIW, I use a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead, with a 5D Mark II gripped L-bracket..
Absolutely excellent set up, but as others have said, make sure you get a heavy duty top quality head that won't move the camera whatsoever..
FWIW, I use a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead, with a 5D Mark II gripped L-bracket..
dinners
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What about a pistol grip head ???
Are these any good for landscapes...
I've always used a 3 way head but bought a Manfrotto 322 RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head when I lost the use of one of my arms. It was more out of need than choice but I found it fine.
OP
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I did look at RRS. Did you get nobbled with import duty?
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Unfortunately so....IIRC, the ballhead with import duty and tax came to £262 all in.
As you'd expect, Really Right Stuff fully declare the goods value on the shipping documents..I guess with brands like Kirk, they're already in the UK with Warehouse Express, with any duty already paid.
The RRS ballhead is sheer quality and is definately precision man
ufactured and it also comes with an embroidered pouch and box. The build quality, aesthetics and intuitive controls really are something else. Awesome product!!!