Tripod Heads (try again)

[Steve W]

Hi,

So what would be a good head to get with manfrotto legs. I want to use the tripod for macro work mainly.

I know it's personal taste, but wondered if people could quickly post why they chose the particular head they used?

Cheers

Steve

 

[tomh1982]

ive got a 141rc head on mine and find it very good. can take a little time to set up but very adjustable. if u want speed i would imagine a ball head would be better!

 

[nigpd]

I use a Manfrotto 405 geared head for my macro/close up photography. It's expensive but it's good

 

[Steve W]

ive got a 141rc head on mine and find it very good. can take a little time to set up but very adjustable. if u want speed i would imagine a ball head would be better!

Thanks will look into that head, do you know if the head will fit in a bag without having to dismantle it?

Cheers

 

[Steve W]

Has anyone used the joystick type heads?.........

 

[JSER]

Have you also looked at this thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=357113

As I say the Manfrotto three way is superb but the tripod can be just as important, eg UNILOK, Benbo.

 

[Steve W]

Yep, I started it, but it was closed so thought I'd try again.

I was looking at this offer manfrotto offer

 

[Dexy101]

I have not used that head but i did have a play around with it in one of the shops, it really felt fantastic on its own for movement and how well it locked but i dont know what it would be like with a camera on it.

 

[Digifrog]

RC2 322 would be my choice, that or the newer version.

 

[Dave in Wales]

I use manfrotto ball head 496rc2 on a 055xprob, brilliant combo imvho.

d in w

 

[AndyB1976]

I've got both the 322 trigger and 410 geared head. The 322 is extremely fast to position, the 410 geared head very accurate.

The problem with the 322 for macro for me is when I have framed the shot and release the trigger there is a slight but noticeable droop. This isn't a failure of the head, its the pressure you apply overall to the tripod head that only settles when you take your hand off - just to clarify this is really only an issue at macro level.

The 410 geared is bulkier and doesn't have the same range of movement and is overall slower to position. However the accuracy it allows makes it a superb head for macro (as well as landscapes, astro and more).

My findings were the 322 seemed quicker to position from the off, but its accuracy had me going back to reposition the shot more than once whereas the geared head nails it first time making it more efficient and less frustrating overall.

 

[Steve W]

Thanks for the informative reply Andy, I'd be using the tripod for astro work, maybe long exposure water shots and macro work.

Just saw this Manfrotto deal and so was considering the 190 Carbon Fibre and the 324 head.

mmmmm.......

What to do

 

[Nod]

Has anyone used the joystick type heads?.........

Yup, I use a Manfrotto 322 as my main head - extremely fast to get into position and stays where it's put even with a D700 and a 24-70 f/2.8 Sigma mounted.

For dedicated Macro use, I would be tempted bt a geared head or possibly a rack and pinion one to allow fine adjustment of distance from the subject to help with focussing. Somewhere, I have a lathe tool platform which I intend to convert to take a QR plate - it'll be too heavy for tripod use but should be fine for a table top setup.