what ballhead ?

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thesmileyone

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Hello there.

Im currently using a Series 3 Hama tripod, and its rubbish. Seems to be made entirely from plastic, and using my D70 with a 50mm lens (therefore remote shutter release is not applicable) the whole thing rocks as soon as you press the shutter button.

I am planning to buy a Gitzmo GT3540XLS but I am unsure as to what head and plates I need ?

I normally shoot with either 50mm 1.8d, 18-70mm and 70-300mm. I see a tripod as an investment and so want to buy the best. But heads confuse me, and the adaptor plates confuse me even more.

I will be shooting studio, landscapes, and ocassional action, this being cars and planes on airdays.

Budget £400 maximum.

thankyou!
 
:agree:
 
If your budget is that much for a ballhead and you're looking to invest in seriously expensive quality glass in the future, then something like a Really Right Stuff BH-55, a Kirk, Markins or Acratech would last you absolutely ages.

I have the RRS BH-55 and it is super impressive; performs outstandingly well, aesthetically gorgeous, bombproof and will last a lifetime without any doubt.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Images/gallery/BH55LR.png

On the down side, you can only buy direct from Really Right Stuff in the USA, so import duty and tax will almost certainly have to factored into the price...
 
Best review of ball heads I've seen is here, translated courtesy of babelfish
http://uk.babelfish.yahoo.com/trans...ead/ballheads.php&lp=de_en&btnTrUrl=Translate Top dogs are, as you might expect, Really Right Stuff, Arca-Swiss, Markins etc, plus some surprisingly good oriental options. Acratech are not included in this review, but see here http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Acratech-GV2-Ballhead-Review.aspx Gitzo are not best known for their heads; rightly IMHO.

Virtually all the best heads use the universal 'Arca-Swiss type' quick-release plate system. You should get a camera plate with the head. There's nothing more to it than that. Is the Gitzo GT3540xls a current model?

Edit: like Buckas I've got Benro J-series, but probably money-no-object choice would be Really Right Stuff for its gorgeousness :thumbs: althought it is very heavy, or Actratec because of its trick design (not the best reason maybe :) ).
 
Arca Swiss Z1 around £250 from Robert White.

RRS you have to import from the USA, but nice heads.

Acratech whilst a nice design, are not as good as the two above.
 
I'm a big fan of the Markins Q3. I have the T version which has been modified for the Gitzo GT1541T tripod.
 
Thanks guys.

Im pretty sure im buying a Gitzo Systematic GT5531S as its around £500 and the legs are thicker. This means i should be good for upto 600mm which I will never buy however im sure ill come to rent one day :)

Just need a head now. I appreciate those reviews are the top of the range ball heads, could someone spec me a sub £100 head i can use on the gitzo tripod for the time being ? Im selling my lenses to buy a Nikon 135 De-Focus :) So thats the heaviest I will be using for the moment.

Many thanks.
 
thesmileyone said:
Thanks guys.

Im pretty sure im buying a Gitzo Systematic GT5531S as its around £500 and the legs are thicker. This means i should be good for upto 600mm which I will never buy however im sure ill come to rent one day :)

Just need a head now. I appreciate those reviews are the top of the range ball heads, could someone spec me a sub £100 head i can use on the gitzo tripod for the time being ? Im selling my lenses to buy a Nikon 135 De-Focus :) So thats the heaviest I will be using for the moment.

Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Just a comment bud, but why that tripod model? It's very substantial, which is nice of course, but at least a kilo heavier than many very good and strong models, and not very high given that it doesn't have a centre column.

On the ball head, you don't have to spend big money to get high quality. In the review I linked above, Benro come out very well. I have a J-2 which is fantastically well made and around your budget - Arca-Swiss copy. I also have an extremely nice Benro C-257 M8 (Gitzo copy) which is more than capable of supporting most things. I will be confidently sticking a 500mm f/4 on there, via a gimbal head (also Benro, Wimberly copy :D ) which is arguably the most important bit. Buckas has the same I think for big lens birding, from here (recommended, no extra charges) http://stores.ebay.com/DCs-Photography-Store or here if you prefer UK supply www.photopal.co.uk Benro copy the quality as well as the design :)
 
Rockshifter said:
bostin said:
Hi thesmileyone

Sub £100 ball head for up to 600mm lens, how about this
http://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/productdetail.kmod?productid=9310

I take it these heads have standard thread size and can be used on any make of pod.
Click to expand...

The smaller version of this head I have has a standard 3/8 female socket in the base of the head, so will certainly work with Giottos, Manfrotto and Gitzo. I think later Velbon models use the same fitting aswell, but the head came supplied with an adapter to adapt 3/8 down to 1/4, so should be suitable for most tripods.
Click to expand...
 
why are you looking Ball heads??? You need fast quick release and fast adjustment.

You need a Speed grip. Sqeeze and change as quick as you move your hand.

Knobs and dials only hold/Slow you up... waste of time.......


I use Manfrotto but you need something to fit your type like this... ever so fast for release of tripod and directional change..

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/2311?livid=80&lsf=80&child=2

but to fit yours ...
 
'If you're buying a tripod specifically for use with a long heavy lens, it's a good idea to get one without a centre column to give max rigidity. Centre columns can be a source of a little play even when they're lowered, and you don't want to be raising a centre column at all with a heavy lens on as it soon becomes whippy and a conduit for vibration.

Most of the tripods people buy for birding are that simple configuration so it's a good idea to make sure it erects high enough for you to be able to stand without stooping. I'm 5' 11" and I have the Gitzo GT 3530LS - the 'L' signifying that overall it's longer (taller)

That's an ideal situation though, and something to consider if you were buying now - it isn't a deal breaker if you currently have a good solid tripod with a centre column. Don't raise the column at all if you can help it and make sure the release knob for the column is fully tightened to eliminate any play. Obviously, if you're using an IS lens those issues are less of a problem anyway.
 
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