Tripod head?

JohnN

JohnN

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Hi,

I've just upgraded to the Giottos MTL9351B with adjustable column so as to improve my macros etc, however I still have am using the Redsnapper RSH-12 Ball Head, which is fine I guess but it really bugs me at times, I have the shot lined, head tightened down and I spot that at some point or another the plate has come loose from the camera and can turn relatively freely, now this happens alot and is frankly doing my head in.

I use the tripod mostly for portrait and macro work but am pretty flexible and have lenses weighing up to the 400mm f5.6 prime along with a gripped 60D + flash (all weighing it at 3.2kg).

What head would you suggest?

By the way I'm not fixed to ball head although if I do BiF it has some freedom, but I handhold then anyway.

Thanks.
 
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Funnily enough I just was having done a random google search, but its a little pricey and I'm wondering if its any use for other work, heavy etc (don;t know yet as I've not found a review so just wondering at the moment)
 
Sounds like it's not the head that's the problem, but the plate.

1) tighten it up!
b) stop it twisting with something sticky underneath. Tiny spot of BluTack might do it, or double-sided tape.
3) get a longer plate, Arca-Swiss type, 70mm long
4) if you shoot in portrait mode a lot with a heavy lens, you will always struggle. Get an A-S type L-bracket - sorted :thumbs:
 
Cheers Hoppy/Rich (whichever you prefer :))

I have tightened it, sometimes I worry too much
Not sure about tape, but blutack might work
I don't shoot portrait that much, but can you tell me more about this bracket too?

Sorry don't know plate styles - is Arca-Swiss the right one?

Is so can you advise a good one?

I'm still tempted by the Manfrotto 410, but it does sound pretty heavy at 1.2kg (twice the current heads weight which seems heavy enough), I'm also tempted by the Giottos MH7001-652 Ball + Socket Head with Quick Release and some sort of sliding plate.
 
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JohnN said:
Cheers Hoppy/Rich (whichever you prefer :))

I have tightened it, sometimes I worry too much
Not sure about tape, but blutack might work
I don't shoot portrait that much, but can you tell me more about this bracket too?

Sorry don't know plate styles - is Arca-Swiss the right one?

Is so can you advise a good one?

I'm still tempted by the Manfrotto 410, but it does sound pretty heavy at 1.2kg (twice the current heads weight which seems heavy enough), I'm also tempted by the Giottos MH7001-652 Ball + Socket Head with Quick Release and some sort of sliding plate.
Click to expand...

For 50 quid, you won't get a better ball head than the RedSnapper you have, and given that the problem is the plate anyway, try the (tiny amount of) BluTack and don't be frightened to screw the thing down tight. You're supposed to leave the plate on the camera.

Or get a custom 60D plate. You have the benefit of the Arca-Swiss dovetail fitting head clamp, which almost all top end heads use. This plate has an anti-rotation lip https://www.photoproshop.com/produc...cts_id/1117?osCsid=hm0f2lbl1mg88neemsk999lk84

The complete answer is an L-bracket, especially in portrait orientation. They're expensive, but very well made an extremely light. Fit and forget https://www.photoproshop.com/produc...cts_id/1052?osCsid=hm0f2lbl1mg88neemsk999lk84

PS, always use the lens tripod collar if you have one, much better balance.
 
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Cheers Hoppy, you're right quite expensive for the L, especially when you look at the gripped version.

I'll give the old blutack a whirl, sadly I sometimes use it with the 400mm too so cannot really just leave it on - well I guess I could and use the monopod for the 400 which is probably a better idea anyway :)
 
JohnN said:
Cheers Hoppy, you're right quite expensive for the L, especially when you look at the gripped version.

I'll give the old blutack a whirl, sadly I sometimes use it with the 400mm too so cannot really just leave it on - well I guess I could and use the monopod for the 400 which is probably a better idea anyway :)
Click to expand...

Get another plate. The whole idea of QR plates is that you leave them on!
 
I understand your predicament, currently have a Manfrotto 496 ballhead, using a 7d with battery grip, tend to find a little slippage either on the plate or when altering the ball head,
Have ordered the Manfrotto 808 three way head with a much bigger base plate so bigger contact area with base of camera, and I think the head will be easier to adjust using the control handles esprcially for small adjustments.

Of course all these things are very individual.

Regards Neil.
 
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