Getting a Redsnaper tripod, do I need the ball head?

c22w1 · 24 Dec 2013

After Xmas I will be buying my first grown up tripod, a Redsnapper RST-283 tripod but which head do I go for?

The RST-283 & RSH-61 Ball Head for £80
The RST-283 & RSH-528 3 Way Head for £90
The RST-283 & RSH-24 3-way Head for £60

What I have read in the past is most people prefer the ball head but for what reason, are they more sturdy or easier to use? I have only had the pan and tilt head in the past and the ball head looks quite a bit more fiddly to me.
My main reason for upgrading my tripod is for sturdiness, my current toy is badly affected by even the slightest bit of wind and I want to get my next purchase right the first time to keep the boss happy, bless her.

pingu666 · 24 Dec 2013

I quite like the ball head, its the one i tend to use and i have both

Mr Mike · 24 Dec 2013

Ball is very good for its price, very smooth operation, tightens with little turn of dial and becomes solid. Mine is 4yrs old and exactly as it was the day it turned up.

I couldn't go back to a pan n tilt style with handles sticking out, this is so much easier to get it adjusted where you want

suggs · 24 Dec 2013

on a side note, do the red snapper tripod heads tilt for portrait shots ?

HoppyUK · 24 Dec 2013

Of the RedSnappers, RSH-12 is the head you want. Good head, great value.

suggs said:
on a side note, do the red snapper tripod heads tilt for portrait shots ?

Yes.

c22w1 · 24 Dec 2013

HoppyUK said:
Of the RedSnappers, RSH-12 is the head you want. Good head, great value.

Why does a 12 ball head cost £40 more than a 61 ball head? It doesn't make sense to me?

HoppyUK · 24 Dec 2013

c22w1 said:
Why does a 12 ball head cost £40 more than a 61 ball head? It doesn't make sense to me?

What doesn't make sense? Same reason most better quality products cost more than less good ones.

RSH-12 is not an expensive head by any means, but you'll pay several times that to get significantly better.

c22w1 · 24 Dec 2013

HoppyUK said:
What doesn't make sense? Same reason most better quality products cost more than less good ones.

RSH-12 is not an expensive head by any means, but you'll pay several times that to get significantly better.

Surely a head with 61 ball bearings would be smoother to operate than one with only 12?

HoppyUK · 25 Dec 2013

c22w1 said:
Surely a head with 61 ball bearings would be smoother to operate than one with only 12?

Neither model has any ball bearings. Ball head is just short for ball-and-socket head - the ball is that big black round thing in the middle!

bulldog5988 · 25 Dec 2013

The 12 is a higher spec ball head. I have it and am very pleased with the way it handles.

killwilly · 25 Dec 2013

Whilst on the subject of Redsnaper tripods. Is there anyone with an RS-324 that can answer me a question? Can the 324 fold down to ground level, similar to the one shown in the link below.

I did email Joe, but to date have had no reply, he is probably very busy at the moment, so though this wound be an appropriate place and time to ask if anyone on the forum had an RS-324.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/tripods...ography-news/the-rst-283-rsh-12-get-low-down/

bledyn125 · 25 Dec 2013

killwilly said:
Whilst on the subject of Redsnaper tripods. Is there anyone with an RS-324 that can answer me a question? Can the 324 fold down to ground level, similar to the one shown in the link below.

I did email Joe, but to date have had no reply, he is probably very busy at the moment, so though this wound be an appropriate place and time to ask if anyone on the forum had an RS-324.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/tripods...ography-news/the-rst-283-rsh-12-get-low-down/

yes it will go down low

just taken from the redsnapper site

The centre pole is reversible allowing your camera to be positioned close to the ground OR you can change to the optional short centre column that is included to get you 'low down'. It also has a sprung loaded hook to hang a weight from to give more stability to the tripod.
The tripod comes with a quality padded case that has an extremely comfortable carry strap.