Tripods/heads.. Too many choices!

[bildo]

Now that it's dark during my spare hours, I'm thinking about upgrading my tripod (or head).

I currently have a Red Snapper RST-283 & RSH-12 Ball Head, I've just never really got used to it or particularly liked it. I can deal with the tripod, but the ballhead has always got on my nerves and it's never seemed to keep the camera perfectly in the right position (I sometimes do stacked images so it's essential that it doesn't move at all.)

Now, I'm considering keeping the RST-283 and scrapping the ball head. I've tried looking in the usual places for a replacement, but I just find it really hard to compare things like ball heads! Some are crazy cheap, which worries me, others are crazy expensive with no real valid justification.

I won't need it for anything TOO heavy, although if it can take a D800 with a 300 2.8 on it, it'd be really handy.

What tripods/heads have you guys enjoyed using?

 

[troutfisher]

I sometimes use a ball head when i can tolerate 'lens droop' when i need stabilty i use a geared head but its heavy

 

[bildo]

I sometimes use a ball head when i can tolerate 'lens droop' when i need stabilty i use a geared head but its heavy

It was the 'droop' that frustrated me with the RSH-12, if I had anything slightly heavy then I'd get it in position and by the time I'd tightened it, it was in a completely different place!

As much as I'd like a nice clunky geared head for when I do really need it, I'm trying to cut back on spending too crazily at the moment. Weight isn't too much of an issue as I'd mainly be using it in places accessible by car anyway.

Just to clarify - I don't necessarily need it for video, I'd rather have something that was good value for money and didn't have the 'lens droop' as mentioned above.

 

[Diving Pete]

What use are you looking for the head to do >?

 

[bildo]

It'll mainly be used for automotive photography, so it'll generally be in my car and will be set up there and then.

I want to be able to take various exposures without any droop or anything, it'll also be used for light painting.

The main issues I had with the old head was that it would droop, and if I went over to change shutter speed etc then it'd feel like it had a few mm of play in the head no matter how much I tightened. Where this wouldn't be too much of an issue for some types of photography, it was hugely frustrating when some frames didn't align with others.

My hunting so far has taken me to this head, which seems to have great reviews all over the place online, it's pretty much at the top end of what I'd like to spend but it seems to be spot on for the job, doubt I'll need more than 20kg either!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sirui-K-10X...UTF8&qid=1450038467&sr=1-1&keywords=ball+head

 

[Willid1]

I too bought a ball ans socket head with my Red Snapper tripod, nothing wrong with the B&S head but I just don't like it.

I have just ordered one of these as an early Christmas present as they are on special offer

https://www.calphoto.co.uk/product/...tm_campaign=uk_enews_131215&t=CM02&a=CM02&cal

HTH

David

 

[SoDoSoPa]

Sunwayfoto ballhead DB-44

 

[bildo]

Sunwayfoto ballhead DB-44

Found it at £140, does it justify the extra £40+ over the Sirui?

 

[SoDoSoPa]

66lb is a lot of torque for a ball head

 

[bildo]

Maybe a bit overkill though? Sirui is 44lb and I can't see myself needing to put more than 22lb on it realistically.

 

[Yelkrub]

I ordered the K10x from amazon but returned it for the K20x as the base diameter was too small to cover the lock screws on the mating face on my manfrotto 190xprob legs.
The K20x is a nice unit and I don't get any droop with Olympus OMD and 12-40 and Panasonc 100-300 being my heaviest lenses.

 

[Mark twiglet]

Buy the manfrotto 410 geared head! It's brilliant! I hate ball heads!!

They are a ball ache !! [emoji1]

 

[Kodiak Qc]

I sometimes do stacked images so it's essential that it doesn't move at all

•
I use 4 different heads. One of them is the Manfrotto 410 geared head
for studio work and an other is the 70mm ball head from Feisol for on
location work.

What ever body and lens I want to use, I just do and I never have to worry
if the support combo will be able to take the weight.

 

[RedRobin]

If you are after a ballhead I am considering selling my Acratech GP-SS. The new price of £385 reflects their quality. I normally sell secondhand at 50% but ~£190 is possibly not what you want to spend.

To demonstrate its strength and non-slip reliability I have been using it to support a Wimberley Sidekick plus Acratech 'L' Bracket with Canon 100-400mm L II on 7D Mark II - So quite a bit of weight.

I need to photograph it before offering for sale.

http://www.bobrigby.com/acratech/gpssballhead.html

 

[Diving Pete]

ArcaSwiss Z1 will be rock solid ...

Can get them 2nd hand fairly often & relatively cheaply.

I've used it with the D800e & 400mm 2.8....
Doesn't move a smidge.