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IMO, it's not an issue unless you "over-tighten" the pan tilt knob... I actually use it like "zeroing in" a scope...
We shall see.......
IMO, it's not an issue unless you "over-tighten" the pan tilt knob... I actually use it like "zeroing in" a scope...
There is a slight upward movement when locking up. It's not like a geared head that stays in position and has no movement. My old ball head used to have a bit of movement when locking up too so it's not something I've worried about. It's all a compromise, for me the benefits (lightweight, one solution, levelling, acra Swiss plates, panning *needs additional part*, does everything I need to to) outweigh the negatives (not a true gimbal, slight movement locking up) as I can practically carry only one tripod and head to do both wildlife and landscapes. If you want the best solution to do both wildlife and landscapes it would mean carrying a geared head and a gimbal, but then there is that additional weight increase to carry both and the pain to swap between them. It's a compromise and that's the decision you have to make.I spoke to Tim Parkin (On Landscape magazine) at the Photography Show and he wasn't too impressed with the Uniqball. It was the upward movement of the head when you tighten it up which concerned him.
So although I have more or less pulled the trigger on one of these I shall try it out with trepidation.......
Just thought I would post some observations so far on my UB35P, although I've only used it in "long lens with tripod collar" mode. To be honest, I find that locking the horizon correctly using the outer ball, and then using the inner ball to make fine adjustments, is a bit awkward. Coming from a standard ball head the inability to move the camera in any direction immediately can be a bit frustrating, particularly with fast moving subjects.
However I've found a solution to this which makes it an absolute delight to use. I slacken off the tripod collar so that the lens can rotate within it. This combination gives infinitely variable adjustments without the ball collapsing as can happen with a standard ball head. So that has been a real revelation.
Secondly I've been puzzled to find that when you slacken off the outer head, the whole thing rotates on the top of the tripod. At first I thought I must have attached the head wrongly but it seems to be a feature. Anyone else found this to be awkward or make using it difficult ? Or found a way to turn this into a positive?
Steven, your point is a sensible one but when I first tried out a Uniqball I could immediately see the limitations of only being able to pan and tilt the inner ball.
Let's say you have a small bird in a bush in the viewfinder and it moves a few feet away diagonally. If the large ball is locked you can only move the head vertically and horizontally (panning and tilting) . So as far as I can see it's not possible to move quickly over to the birds new position without rotating the lens. The Uniqball is still advantageous in that you don't have to slacken the main ball off and risk the whole caboodle collapsing in one direction or another.
Those are my first impressions anyway, and I'm still on a learning curve with it.
Diagonally? As in "right and down?"
The only reason to rotate the body/horizon is if you don't want the horizon "flat." And with wildlife/birds that may be the case for composition (if you're tight). But you're basically just changing the orientation (landscape/portrait), and IMO the best way to do that is with the tripod collar.
The situation you describe here is one that doesn't suit the uniqball or even a gimbal head. Majority of the time I want a level base to work from unless I want to be creative with framing where using the tripod collar as you describe would work well. If I'm photographing birds in flight I want a level bass to work from. It saves levelling the images in Lightroom later on where there is a horizon or trees in the background. It all depends how you work, I find knowing it's level saves a headache trying to work out what's level later.Rob,
I'm very grateful for the explanation and I did wonder if I could have set the thing up incorrectly. But I don't think I have. The (red) inner ball adjustment knob is along the same axis as the lens, pointing forwards. I'm used to that having used a Novoflex Magicball for years.
I understand how to level the horizon but I think the situation I described is one where there isn't a horizon. The only thing that matters is the composition, which Steven refers to above. I spent several hours photographing small birds landing on twigs close to a bird feeder and found that slackening off the lens collar gave me an extra level of flexibility. Unless I'm completely deluded it gives you movement in the one dimension that the Uniqball is designed not to move in, without the drawbacks.
You have that flexibility with a standard ball head (or the outer ball on the Uniqball) but you run the risk of the whole set-up collapsing to one side or the other. This doesn't happen using the lens collar.
I've never used a gimbal, actually. It would be interesting to try.
This is all part of the learning process. I know I had real problems when I retired the Magicball and began using a standard ball head...
I understand your frustration Jerry. Rotating via the lens collar gives another dimension of movement, a very important one IMHO, but most lens collars are not designed to be used like that when unlocked - they're just unlock, change orientation, re-lock. Some lenses are okay and you can use them with the collar loose; from memory, I'm not sure how good your Tamron is for that.
If you ever get the chance to try an Arca-Swiss P0 (basically a better version of your favourite Novoflex MagicBall) that might be the answer. Fantastic thing. Let me know if you want to try mine
Or the ultimate solution would be a gimbal with lens collar loose. I think those cheap ones are well worth a punt
Problem I find is that 'level' isn't always 'level', especially when panning, so for me with the 500 f4 on the Wimberley gimbal the tripod collar is always loosened off to allow rotation as required.
Or the ultimate solution would be a gimbal with lens collar loose. I think those cheap ones are well worth a punt
Using a gimbal head in that way would be no different to how Jerry is using the uniqball, both have similar panning and tilting movement (the gimbal adds the benefit of being able to leave the lens at any angle without locking). What Jerry is talking about is the ability of a ball head to move on a 'circumference angle' to aid what he feels is a better composition. For me this movement was what made me move away from a ballhead to a gimbal, and then onto the uniqball as compromise of a the lightweight of a ballhead and movement of a gimbal without this sideways movement.
The UniqueBall as pan/tilt acts and feels like a video fluid head. A video fluid head (on claw base) is a great choice for wildlife/action... except they are huge and weigh a ton (for a relative weight rating).TBH I'm struggling to find any advantage over a plain ballhead.
The uniqball doesn't replace a gimbal head but it does enough of a gimbal for me except the sitting unlocked at an angle. Im not against gimbals, I still use a gimbal. Ive found I use it less now except in a hide where its sitting unlocked function is an advantage. This is mainly due to the types of photography I do, what works for me may not work for others.Yes, I know what Jerry means. I said gimbal with lens collar loose - that provides all movement options. The Uniqball is not at all like a gimbal, if only for the important aspect you describe - it won't hold the camera unless it's locked. For me, that's the main advantage of a gimbal. And because of that, TBH I'm struggling to find any advantage over a plain ballhead.
I have thought about doing that as it hardly gets used as I don't do photography from hides very often. One of my reasons for getting the uniqball was to go to only one head, my gimbal should now be sold as its pointless keeping it and not using it much.I never use my gimbal any more... I'll be selling it...
When using a gimbal it depends on if I've taken the time to properly level the tripod by adjusting the tripod legs. If I haven't set up the tripod level, the extra movement of the lens collar helps to compose a level image. If the tripod legs are properly levelled I find there is no need for the lens collar to be loose. I find how smooth the rotation movement is very dependant on the lens, some collars are better than others.A question for those who use a gimbal: is it common practice to use one with the lens collar released to give maximum flexibility?
Even stationary/from a hide I use the UniqBall... It can be locked to hold any position, and released very quickly with a small twist of the knob. And it can often be "balanced" to hold a primary position/angle with just a little friction (preferable).I have thought about doing that as it hardly gets used as I don't do photography from hides very often. One of my reasons for getting the uniqball was to go to only one head, my gimbal should now be sold as its pointless keeping it and not using it much.
I agree, but it goes back to what I said earlier about "stability" vs "weight support."When using a gimbal it depends ...... there is no right or wrong way if you get the images you are after.
I had seen that maybe 2 yrs ago... I have no clue how they incorporate gearing into a ballhead, and the price is off-putting. Maybe, but that is a long stretch IMO...Kind of off-topic, but I just stumbled across a new brand of ball head I've not heard about before - KPS, from Korea.
I had seen that maybe 2 yrs ago... I have no clue how they incorporate gearing into a ballhead, and the price is off-putting. Maybe, but that is a long stretch IMO...
I've not seen a gimbal "adaptation" of a ballhead that wasn't a notable compromise... I can't see those being any different. (I think Markins has come close to the best adaptation)
Yes, they do... things like the "sidekick" etc. And they also put the weight off-center which is not a good thing. They're really not a lot different from just using a ballhead flopped to the side (which can be used in a pinch).Yes, price is a problem with that geared jobbie...
Seems to me some of those ballhead 'gimbal' adaptations just remove one axis of movement and create something that's effectively the same as a monopod head, like this SunwayFoto http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUNWAYFOT...thout-clamp-/272104836578?hash=item3f5ab64de2
The FlexShooter just adds a fixed counterbalance spring similar to a cheap video head. If your kit falls in the weight range where the counterbalance helps, it's a good thing; otherwise it's a notable negative. Originally I didn't think the price difference was justified; but it's much less now.@sk66 Steven, do you have any thoughts on the comparison of the flexshooter ball heads with the unique ball?
As always thanks for the insights good to here it's still in use and still performing I'm mainly a handholder with the wild.life but it's about time I had a half decent tripod and head. for the odd occassion. I do have a gimbal but it's so heavy when moving on the floor one of these double ball heads is so light, it could prove a useful tool for meThe FlexShooter just adds a fixed counterbalance spring similar to a cheap video head. If your kit falls in the weight range where the counterbalance helps, it's a good thing; otherwise it's a notable negative. Originally I didn't think the price difference was justified; but it's much less now.
I still use my UniqBall UBH-45 a lot; I haven't used an X-clamp.
Hiya Peter thanks for chiming in.I've been aware of the flexshooter for a long time now probably not long after they came out due to our american friends. This vid by Scott Keys is a good watchOver the pond the Flexshooter seems to be becoming popular.
It's quite often mentioned (positively) on Steve Perry's website forums. bcgforums.com
Andy rouse is the UK agent.
Although I still use a Uniqball head (along with others) I can't add anything to what has already been said, but...Can anyone tell me what novoflex is?