recomend a tripod head

i think that depends on what lens/camera your putting on it also what your shooting .
Rob.
 
yeah, we need more info.
personally I use a ARCA Z1 monoball, which I find excellent in all respects, from WA to Telephoto, when used with a Wimberley Sidekick. But what is your style of photography?
 
awp said:
Acratech GV2 - simply the best! :)
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It moves left-right when you lock it down. V poor for such an expensive head.
 
footman said:
What are you talking about? Mines rock solid.
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More correctly then, it moves as you lock it down. I read this in the review at The Digital Picture here http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Acratech-GV2-Ballhead-Review.aspx I emailed Acratech about it and they admited that it did move and that it was noticeable "when used for macro" but since I still wanted one I took my long lens to the Focus show last year and tried it for myself. And it moves, quite a lot actually, macor or not. Very disappointing.

I now have a Benro J-2 which is very good and great value. Another ball head that keeps getting good mentions is the Markins Q3, but the best budget head I've tried is the Redsnapper RSH-12 which is brilliant for £50. Very smooth action and does not move on lock down.

Major review of ball heads here, starting cheap and going right up to RRS and Arca etc, but no Acratech. It's in German (google translation is entertaining) but you can get the gist of it http://www.traumflieger.de/desktop/ballhead/ballheads.php
 
footman said:
Hmm, I think I would agree with you on the macro aspect. Are you saying that the Redsnapper is more stable?
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All I know is that I tried the Acratech because I wanted one for its very light weight and the very appealing design and engineering, but TBH I think the open design is left wanting in the clamping precision department. Though I'm sure it's as solid as you like once it's locked - that's not the point. When being critical, it just couldn't easily lock it in the position I wanted it in.

I bought a RedSnapper 284 tripod and RSH-12 head on behalf of a friend, partly to see what all the fuss was about, since they get recommended all the time. I found the tripod pretty average and a bit wobbly in both the leg and platform joints, but on the other hand it's at least as good as anything else for £50.

The head on the other hand, also £50, was a delight. Really smooth, progressive and precise clamping action, with no movement between positioning and lock down. Which is actually quite rare in anything but top end heads costing 3-4x that price. I felt that ultimate clamping strength was perhaps not as high as some so I wouldn't recommend it for really heavy stuff, and it's also not the lightest (getting on for twice the weight of the Acratech) but for fifty quid - bargain.

If I was buying again, I think I'd get this PhotoClam with panning clamp (which I have half an idea has a few bits in common with the Markins Q3) http://www.dentonimages.com/page.php?id=Photo_Clam_Pro_Gold_II_Easy_PQR_Review And then for studio use, this gorgeous geared Arca-Swiss D4 http://photorumors.com/2011/02/01/t...ce-world’s-smallest-and-lightest-tripod-head/ Unfortunately it costs four figures, and that's if you can actually find one.
 
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