which head do you use

SpikeK6

SpikeK6

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Spike
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I just recently bought my new tripod (giottos) with a 3 way head on it.
Now whilst it has every adjustment under the sun I have just looked at a socket and ball head which looks much cleaner and easier to use in an everyday envirioment.

Is this right or wrong????

which do you use and why??

Thanks

spike
 
I've got loads of tripod heads and the one I always use is a ball & socket, at least for general stuff.

Compared to a cheap ball head, the 3-way jobbie you have is better. But a good ball head really does it all, and is much faster. Giottos make some good ball heads but get the best you can possibly afford.
 
There's no right or wrong in my book although a good ball head is hard to beat.

Some of the geared heads with fine adjustments have a use though.

I used a three way head for ages but recently I lost the use of my right arm so was kind of stumped.

Hoppy (TP member) was very kind and sent me a Manfrotto 322 grip which he converted to left handed for me which is my current head.
 
On my main tripod, I use a Manfrotto 322 ball head; on my GorillaPod SLR Zoom, I have a Manfrotto 484 ball head and on my monopod I have a Manfrotto 234 head. All use the same quick release system and I have plates on everything that gets mounted onto supports. I even have an adaptor fitted to my Pod so I don't need to unscrew the plate from whatever I'm using it under. I would like a Manfrotto 410 geared head for when framing is critical (although with a 95% viewfinder, that's rare!) but the QR system is different so will not be getting one.
 
I'd recommend either the 322 or the 410 in preference to a normal 3-way head or a normal ball head.

I've been using a Manfrotto ball head for years, but earlier in the year was told to go and spend a day with a borrowed 410 geared head - I've now got a 410.
The trouble with ball heads is the inevitable fine tweak - oops the horizon isn't quite level, etc. Fine adjustment is surprisingly tricky as all three axes get affected to some degree.
The 410 was a revelation.
What I didn't appreciate about the 410 before playing with it is that each axis has two knobs; the inner one does the geared bit which you kinda expect and the outer one is a quick release which means it is trivial to set up pointing roughly the right direction and use the inner knob to fine tune. Also, twisting the outer knob in the other direction locks down the axis making it utterly rigid.

One of my photobuddies has the Manfrotto 322 which is an excellent bit of kit. Much better fine control than a normal ball head and because the grip is squeezed to move the camera it eliminates the possibility of the camera dropping with a thunk when a the ball head is released.
 
I used a three way head for ages but recently I lost the use of my right arm so was kind of stumped.
Click to expand...

I hope that was an intentional pun. As king of laughing at myself, I did chuckle.

As for heads, I'm in the have lots and tried all varieties camp. For me it has to be 3 way and prefferably geared too. I do sometimes use a ball head but it lacks the accuracy and to me, that's a very large part of a tripods reason for being.
 
DuncanDisorderly said:
I'd recommend either the 322 or the 410 in preference to a normal 3-way head or a normal ball head.

I've been using a Manfrotto ball head for years, but earlier in the year was told to go and spend a day with a borrowed 410 geared head - I've now got a 410.
The trouble with ball heads is the inevitable fine tweak - oops the horizon isn't quite level, etc. Fine adjustment is surprisingly tricky as all three axes get affected to some degree.
The 410 was a revelation.
What I didn't appreciate about the 410 before playing with it is that each axis has two knobs; the inner one does the geared bit which you kinda expect and the outer one is a quick release which means it is trivial to set up pointing roughly the right direction and use the inner knob to fine tune. Also, twisting the outer knob in the other direction locks down the axis making it utterly rigid.

One of my photobuddies has the Manfrotto 322 which is an excellent bit of kit. Much better fine control than a normal ball head and because the grip is squeezed to move the camera it eliminates the possibility of the camera dropping with a thunk when a the ball head is released.
Click to expand...

Not sure how you can compare those two heads at all. 410 is a geared three-way and is superb for fine control, really very good, but is slow, very heavy and not cheap.

The 322 is a completely different 'action' trigger-grip ball head, very fast to use but frankly not very good at all for fine adjustment.

They are both quite different to a good conventional ball head and while nothing is perfect for everything, I think that is the best option for everyday tripod photography (which is what the OP was asking).
 
Hi Hoppy
You are right, they are very different. Which is why I didn't compare them against each other.

I had originally considered upgrading from my plain ball head to the 322 because of the advantages I listed; but the 410 suits me better.

What does everyday mean for a tripod?
I prefer handholding unless conditions dictate I need to use a tripod.
When I'm using the tripod I expect a stable platform that makes it easy to frame my image.

For me the 410 does this job exceptionally well - but I appreciate not everyone gets on well with separate axis contols.
Although the 322 is very different it is still darned good. It is so intuitive to use and I think it affords far better control than a plain ball head.
 
I only use my tripod for landscapes and long exposures. For me the 410 is perfect. Yes it's heavy and slow. Makes me really take my time over a shot. I won't use anything else.
 
trevorbray said:
I only use my tripod for landscapes and long exposures. For me the 410 is perfect. Yes it's heavy and slow. Makes me really take my time over a shot. I won't use anything else.
Click to expand...

Pretty damn good reason I'd say :thumbs:
 
I use a Slik pistol grip.
This is like an extention of your hand ang gives an instant fixed position at any angle when you release the grip.
It is rock solid and holds my largest lenses with ease.
 
I now use a Manfrotto 468MGRC3 as i got fed up of my other ball heads drooping a bit when i was trying to compose. With the 468 when its locked it doesnt move at all. As Hoppy pointed out i dont think one head covers all situations.
 
Thanks for all the replys, some interesting reading there.

I just took my new tripod to work today so afterwards i went to a good vantage point looking out over St Peter Port harbour towards the island of Herm, and to say I was impressed is an understatement, it did everything it said on the tin, compared with my old cheap thing.

I just wanted to know why you guys use what you do, the 3 way did everything I wanted to tonight, and to be fair at this point in time it seems like it will last along time before a change.
I just like to keep all my options open,

Thanks again for all the replys

Spike
 
I use a couple of Manfrotto RC128's (camera and scope), which I find very solid and stable.
A bit liimiting though, if you want portrait mode.
Mike
 
I have a 410 Geared head on my Sherpa CF tripod, brilliant head for fine movements but as has been said is a bit heavy but as mine is on my CF legs it is not too much of a burden.

I also have a 322 Grip head on my Benbo Mk1 and for macro and wildlife the combination takes some beating although I agree it is not the best for really fine adjustments.
 
Manfrotto 222 joystick head for me (well when his christmasness bring it next week :))
 
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