Tripod head advice...

Redsnapper smaller bullhead, light but strong, and rotation lock, not found better
 
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-tripod-heads

Will throw up the selection available from Manfrotto. For a one touch solution, it sounds like you want a ball head and there are plenty to choose from there! If you're after a single handed head, they do a few joystick ones as well, squeeze the handle and it releases the ball to allow repositioning.
 
Cant beat these as an all rounder speed grip
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http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...rts/manfrotto-222-grip-action-joystick-head-1
 
Velbon ph-157q is a single control 3-way head. Not bad IMHO.
 
TBH, Daryl, the 322 knocks the 222 into a cocked hat as far as usability goes. When the 222 is used to put the camera into portrait orientation, the centre of gravity of the camera is so far away from the ball that it creeps while the 322 can be reconfigured for left or right handed use with the trigger in front or behind the handle as well as being set up exactly like the 222.

Looks like Mifsuds have one in stock (2nd hand) at a tenner more than the (out of stock) listed at MPB.
http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used_Manfrotto_Heads.html
 
Manfrotto trigger grips are very fast to use, but really accurate positioning is tricky, they don't hold much weight off-axis, plus they're big and a bit heavy.

My choice would be Red Snapper RSH-12, terrific value and 10% off for TP members I think; or Feisol CB-40D, very strong, light, precise, great value; or my favourite Arca-Swiss P0, amazingly good but more money and really needs to be used with an L-bracket. They all use the Arca-Swiss quick-release system, too :thumbs:
 
ballhead or pistol heads is what u want...

what hoppy said above regarding pistol heads...not terrific in terms of precision, where ballheads can have the screw tightened just enough to allow you movement but still able to hold the weight of the camera.

Redsnapper is what i used and have been happy with it for years now.
 
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I've found that if very accurate positioning/aim is necessary, a geared head (I use a Manfrotto 410) is as quick as a ball head and once set will not creep.
 
I've found that if very accurate positioning/aim is necessary, a geared head (I use a Manfrotto 410) is as quick as a ball head and once set will not creep.

Geared heads are very nice for precise working but big and heavy. No decent head should creep after locking but the common cause of droop is not the head itself, but the way the camera is balanced and set, ie cameras are naturally front-heavy and with a ball-head especially, we hold the camera to adjust position. Therefore, when you let go, the camera droops down slightly because of tiny movement between the head and camera attachment point.

Three-way heads are much less prone to this as position is adjusted using the locking handles - you don't actually touch the camera. Or you can prevent it with a ball-head by getting the camera in good balance to start with, eg with a short rail like this for £19. Put the camera on that and slide it back an inch or so and it will be in perfect balance, no tension, so no droop. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Swis..._sbs_ce_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1S82BXHS9HYWZJDAF6E4
 
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There's a comment on that page regarding size, but no clarification - so what are they referring to?
 
There's a comment on that page regarding size, but no clarification - so what are they referring to?

You mean the Amazon link I posted above? The rail is 100mm long.
 
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