Recommend me a tripod head please

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Hi guys & ladies,

I currently have 2 Manfrotto 055CL tripods which are fine for what I use them for but having recentley started using a 70-200F4L on the camera body I'm getting movement after composition from the head (lens moving downwards a little bit) which I am putting down to the weight of the lens. I'm happy with the tripods could you suggest a new head for me please ?

Thanks Baz
 
I would suggest one of the Arca Swiss compatible makes assuming you are thinking Ballhead

Take your pick from Arca, Kirk, Markins, RRS then their cheaper clones such as Sunwayfoto, Feisol and Photoclam.

Manfrotto geared heads are also well thought of, but can't comment never having used one (probably need a conversion part for Arca Swiss compatibility)
 
For speed of initial setup where fine accuracy isn't a priority, I use a Manfrotto 322 ball/trigger head. However, with heavier and unbalanced lenses this can creep and can need extra adjustments. For more critical aim, I use a Manfrotto 410 geared head which isn't that much slower to aim and once aimed correctly stays on target. I have fitted an adaptor plate to the QR plate on the 410 so it accepts the RC2 system which my other supports share. Pretty sure you can get similar adaptors for the Arca system.
 
What's your budget? Scroll down the forum for recent posts on tripod heads. The Arca-Swiss type of QR system is good, pretty much standard with higher-end ball heads.

The movement you're getting is mostly down to flex in the joint between the camera and the head, rather than the head itself - because you're holding the camera and the head is under tension with the weight of the 70-200 pulling down. The answer to that is to get a tripod collar for the 70-200 lens - there are some cheap ones on ebay/Amazon. This allows the camera and 70-200 lens to sit on the head in perfect balance, no tension on the head, so no movement when you lock it down.

However, that works best when the camera is close to horizontal and if the lens is pointing down (maybe engine close-ups in your car detailing work?) then it will go out of balance again and the problem returns. There are ways around that but probably the easiest answer is a three-way head where you adjust position not by holding and moving the camera, but by moving the head without touching the camera.
 
Gent's thanks for the replies, Richard you are right it will be used for my work & in a variety of angles, I'll have a look at the suggestions made & decide, not really thought about budget but like more people it is a big factor :)
 
Manfrotto Geared 405 gets my vote. never used anything like it, its awesome for landscapes, but for moving stuff not so awesome, but I never use a tripod for moving stuff so its still awesome. LOL
 
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