Tripod with ball and pan and tilt?

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charlottemarie_15

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Ok, not an expert on tripods but is it possible to get a tripod and then 2 different heads? I want a 3 way pan and tilt for landscapes, but i've heard a ball head is just the best way to go. My issue is I want to do panoramics so keeping a horizon level for different angles is crucial. Ideally one of the ball heads would have a spirit level/panoramic guide included.

I'm prepared to spend to get things that last, but if I can get a bargain I will!

Any suggestions?
 
I use a ball head on mine and do a lot of 360° panos with it for work and don't have any problems with it.

I do use live view to ensure the first shot is level using the guides, then after that so long as the tripod is level the pano goes together perfect.
 
You should definately consider the Redsnapper RSH 12 ball head IMO.

It's great quality for around £50, has the panning base for pano's & has the really solid Arca type quick release.
 
charlottemarie_15 said:
Ok, not an expert on tripods but is it possible to get a tripod and then 2 different heads? I want a 3 way pan and tilt for landscapes, but i've heard a ball head is just the best way to go. My issue is I want to do panoramics so keeping a horizon level for different angles is crucial. Ideally one of the ball heads would have a spirit level/panoramic guide included.

I'm prepared to spend to get things that last, but if I can get a bargain I will!

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

All ball heads have a panning base built in. Most folks find them much more useful than a 3-way head, but the mounting is a universal fit so you can swap different heads if you want.

The RedSnapper RSH-12 is really good for £50, way better than anything else I've tried for that money, but you can spend hundreds on these things if you want, and a few hundred more on nodal panning bases and rails, but you just don't need all that stuff for simple landscape panos. To be fair, you can do most distant panos hand held if you're careful.

I'm sure the RSH-12 will do everything you want, pop a spirit level in the hot shoe if you like, to make sure you get everything dead right. It also has an Arca-Swiss quick release clamp and plate, which is what the best support systems use. It's nice gear :thumbs: http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RSH-12_Ball_head.html

The lazy way to instant/perfect head leveling, slap one of these on top - Benro PC-0 pan base $99 (which is a bargain). It slots straight in http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Benro-PC-0-...956?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b64df1cc Saves you having to level the tripod first.
 
Thats great thanks guys! Really interested in the RedSnapper RSH-12, and that will go on any tripod then?

I've always used pan and tilt so couldn't see how ball heads could be as level and accurate but this sounds good!
 
charlottemarie_15 said:
Thats great thanks guys! Really interested in the RedSnapper RSH-12, and that will go on any tripod then?

I've always used pan and tilt so couldn't see how ball heads could be as level and accurate but this sounds good!
Click to expand...

The RSH-12 ball head has a 1/4" UNC threaded insert underneath. That means that it will mount to any tripod base with the same size thread. A lot of lighter duty tripods have this size thread and most of the bigger ones tend to have a reversible 3/8" to 1/4" spindle, so that you can mount either of the two common thread sizes of ball head to them.

At 50GBP, the RSH-12 is very well priced (you could pay 450GBP for an Arca Swiss one, which does basically the same thing, but has higher a weight capacity and better build quality than any amateur/part-time photographer really needs, IMHO).

But, if 50GBP is too steep for you, there's one for sale in the classifieds now :naughty: ...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=287098

If you miss that one, you can either order one direct from here (Link ...), or keep an eye out on ebay for the Marumi brand (another brand name for the same ball head) - they sometimes go a little cheaper than 50GBP.
 
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