Choosing Head for My Tripod

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Laron

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Hi everyone,
I would like to ask you for recommendations for a tripod head for Velbon Sherpa 600 R tripod.
Mostly I take outdoor pictures of children, dogs and some nature macros aswell.
I was thinking about buying a ball head, but I don´t know how to choose. The price should be max. 100-120 $.
I wonder, in case I would choose one from Manfrotto, would it be a problem to adjust it to my tripod?
Thanks for any advices in advance.
B.
 
With children and dogs I would have thought you would want the freedom of not using a tripod. If you need to then I would recommend something quick to adjust, like the pistol grip heads, Manfrotto 324RC2 etc.

If you were doing more static stuff like macro I'd recommend a geared head, look for a used Manfrotto 410, they allow precise adjustments which are a lot more difficult with a ball head.
 
hi laron, welcome to the forums

yes I thought that children etc would not require a tripod unless you're static in a studio
outdoors, then you need to be fast on your feet!
what about a monopod?
I have a carbon monopod with a ball head which i've used at airshows. allows some freedom of movement.

macros? well as mark suggests as I can only guess.
they should all have a 3/8" thread on them which I think is more or less universal..(?)

p.s BMWJC's link, I've bought a similar one as mentioned for my monopod and it seems okay. for pro macro shots you'd need something more I guess, for ratchet based adjustment
 
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I wasn't sure about the type of head to try with my giottos tripod, so I bought a really cheap ball head from 7dayshop. £10.99
The lower swivel was very loose when I bought it though :'( , but being an engineer i dismantled it and fixed the problem by skimming some metal.:D
Now its as good as my mates £85 giottos ball head.:lol:
Not for the faint hearted though:gag:
 
Thanks a lot for all the comments, guys.


markmullen said:
With children and dogs I would have thought you would want the freedom of not using a tripod. If you need to then I would recommend something quick to adjust, like the pistol grip heads, Manfrotto 324RC2 etc.

If you were doing more static stuff like macro I'd recommend a geared head, look for a used Manfrotto 410, they allow precise adjustments which are a lot more difficult with a ball head.
Click to expand...

The Manfrotto 324RC2 looks quite nice, would I need some adjustments for my tripod, or will it fit to it without problems?
 
markmullen said:
If you were doing more static stuff like macro I'd recommend a geared head, look for a used Manfrotto 410, they allow precise adjustments which are a lot more difficult with a ball head.
Click to expand...

I spent ages waiting for a 2nd hand 410 junior geared head to appear and gave up last week and forked out for a brand new one.

If the OP wants speed, get a ball head - I find my 322 faster than either of the lever operated ones I also have but for accuracy, the 410 is the bogs dollocks! My main reason (apart from the cost) for not getting one sooner was the incompatibility of the QR plate with the rest of my supports but Manfrotto do a converter plate (which I had kicking around after getting it as a freebie from a very kind member on here, whose name I'm afraid has completely slipped my mind - if it was you, thanks very much again!) which means all my cameras and lenses with collars now fit all my supports using the same QR system.
 
markmullen said:
It should go straight on, they are more or less a universal fitting.

Worst case you'll need a 1/4 to 3/8ths adaptor which are about £2 from the bay of fleas.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks a lot once again :)
I was already determined to buy the 324 RC2, but got another recommendation for 498 RC2 :thinking:
And got a warning that the ball heads are very sensitive- once a single screw is broken, the whole head is useless..so i don´t know..:shrug:
being a beginner is sometimes hard.. :)
 
Laron said:
Great, thanks a lot once again :)
I was already determined to buy the 324 RC2, but got another recommendation for 498 RC2 :thinking:
And got a warning that the ball heads are very sensitive- once a single screw is broken, the whole head is useless..so i don´t know..:shrug:
being a beginner is sometimes hard.. :)
Click to expand...

With a decent make like Manfrotto you'll be fine.
 
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