tripod heads

[jdear]

Im looking for a tripod ball head with a quick release plate also with a rotating base. Any suggestions / experience?

many thanks
JD

[Glen]

Jdear, get to a saturday meet and see Birddy's collection to choose for yourself. I chose RRS BH 55 pro, but there is also Markins 20 or Acratech at his place to choose from. I think all meet your above criteria

[fozzie]

JD,

Glen's idea is excellent.

I have the Markins M-20, and find it extremely smooth to operate.

Imported the product myself @ US$370 (BH + QRC) + Shipping (US$20) + PayPal (US$10) all up US$400. Delivery time frame 3-5 working days from Seoul, Korea.

Here is the website:

http://www.markins.com/2.0/eng/online.html

For another US$12 you can get this:

http://www.markins.com/2.0/eng/products ... s/mp2.html


Cheers,

[huynhie]

JDear,


It all depends on what you are prepared to spend and what gear you are going to be using with it. When you are purchasing a ballhead, you really have to look at what camera equipement you are going to be putting on the head and what leg you are going to use.

Lets assume you want the very best first

Basically the good heads start from over USD300 and brands that you should keep and eye on are Arca Swiss, Really Right Stuff, Kirk, and Markins to name a few. All these heads do exactly the some thing and have the most important feature which is the "tension control" dial. I own the Arca Swiss B1 and will not be upgrading anytime soon as this thing will definately last a lifetime. The advantage of these ballheads is that they all accept the Arca Swiss style plates. If you go the Manfrotto route then unfortunately your going to have to buy manfrotto plates.

The above price does not include the plate which starts from USD50 and are universally referred to as "Arca Swiss" style plates. These plates incorporate a "dove Tail" at the base to clamp onto the ballhead. These plates can come from manufacturers such as Really Right Stuff, Kirk, Wimberley, and Markins. I my self own Really Right Stuff plates as well as Wimberley plates, the only difference between the two from what I can see is the RRS plates are lighter. With both brand plates being nicely machined.

Jdear, what type of legs are you going to be using and how heavy is the heaviest equipement that you shall be using?

[birddog114]

Jdear,
Good to hear from you once again, have you sold your Milnolta yet? and the D70 rebate is end by Feb. 28, hope you'll get in to it with the right time.
As per head and tripod, huynhie mentioned all about them, lot of variety to choose and select from, prepare you deep pocket to lust.

To start, at least you have to have over $350.00 for a cheap Man 190 and head, from there you're heading up couple grant but never ending there, do your shopping, make up your sum and come into the game! Firstly you have to get the camera, without the camera, the leg + head will be useless

[MHD]

I'm still happy with my Acratech AUB...

[Glen]

MHD, it's a nice ballhead, I would be happy with it too

[birddog114]

I'm still happy with my Acratech AUB...

if you're just stop there and won't move up to the 70-200VR/ 200-400VR or ________VR

[jdear]

ahh its good to be back!
I was hoping my 100 post would be made when i announced the news of my new d70... !

Been real busy with my 3 and a half week old son!!!
truly a very blessed time! Being a father is one of the most rewarding experiences ive ever known!

birddog your right, a d70 would be sensible to come first. Ill probably end up expending the minolta on ebay.

I was enquiring after a ballhead for a friend who was interested in knowing whats out there... Your posts are very helpful, ill pass on the information... better still im hoping he will sign up to this forum (i was around at his place playing with his studio and d70 today!!)

I remember why i love this forum!

JD

[birddog114]

MHD, it's a nice ballhead, I would be happy with it too

MHD,
It won't work and let you play with the lens up or down with greater 45 degree, say: if you have a 70-200VR and want to panning bird in flight or planes in the sky, it's restricted to certain angle or limiting by the wall of the ballhead, all the ballhead, none of them provide you with the greater ability to manoeuver flexibility with the camera or lens attached on the QRP. With the fixed or not greater movement of the lens, it's OK but not as quick as you wish.

[kipper]

Ok that scraps my idea for the Acratech AUB then

Birdy, appart from the Acratech AUB, do any other heads also have limited movement like this? Say for instance the Markins M-20, Kirk BH-1 or the Arca Swiss B-1?

[birddog114]

Ok that scraps my idea for the Acratech AUB then

Birdy, appart from the Acratech AUB, do any other heads also have limited movement like this? Say for instance the Markins M-20, Kirk BH-1 or the Arca Swiss B-1?

None of the head will give you any flexibility of driving the lens, same as tracking subject fast and satbility as the the Wimberley Sidekick or Wimberley heads and it's US$250.00 for the Sidekick and the Wimberleyhead is over US$535.00 FOB.

The RRS BH55Pro is US$415.00 (8 weeks back-order)

The cheapest option is AUB or Markin 10 & 20, we had many discussion on these heads about their capacity same as quality.

Apart from above heads you need to have L plates, lens plate or lens replacement foot to work with the heads equipped with Arca Swiss type, if you have a loose change of US$1000.00 (excluding the leg) after your trip, then those above items are the answer for you, if not go for the other alternative way.

[kipper]

Yeah I knew that I wouldn't see any change from $1000 for the Arca Swiss B-2.

Ok perhaps I should of stated what I want to use my head and tripod for - portraits, landscape/weather, sports/action and still life. Which head would cover all of those types? You mentioned that the Wimberley is good for fast panning and tracking, is it also quite stable for the other types of photography that I like or plan to get into?

[birddog114]

Yeah I knew that I wouldn't see any change from $1000 for the Arca Swiss B-2.

Ok perhaps I should of stated what I want to use my head and tripod for - portraits, landscape/weather, sports/action and still life. Which head would cover all of those types? You mentioned that the Wimberley is good for fast panning and tracking, is it also quite stable for the other types of photography that I like or plan to get into?

Any head from Man. or Gitzo or AUB, RRS, Arca Swiss, Markins will cover your style of shooting and it depends on your loose change

The Wimberley Sidekick or Wimberley head are use in difference application as tracking plane and bird in flight or provide easier to handle the 70-200VR or bigger lenses in the above applications.

The Wimberley Sidekick cannot work by itself, it requires a ballhead with Arca Swiss type to work with it and count as an additional option.

The Wimberley Head is not or can not work with other shooting as you mentioned.

To work out, if you can list your proposal of lust + your budget then I may provide you with the estimate of costing same as recomnedation.

[kipper]

Ok well my budget is probably $1500 inclusive of legs.

Types of photography:

* landscapes (day/night)
* natural phenonema / weather (ie. lightning strikes, cloud formations, aurora)
* sports / action (ie. car racing, airshows etc)
* wildlife (ie. birds, horses, cattle etc)
* portrait
* still life
* macro (ie. flowers, plants, insects etc)


Type of legs that from what I've heard sound good are the Gitzo 1227 LVL, unless you can stear me through to better. I like walking/rambling here and in Europe so the lighter the gear the better. If you want to put forward a recommendation given the budget and a recommendation going over the budget and the pros/cons of each it'd be appreciated

[birddog114]

Ok well my budget is probably $1500 inclusive of legs.

Types of photography:

* landscapes (day/night)
* natural phenonema / weather (ie. lightning strikes, cloud formations, aurora)
* sports / action (ie. car racing, airshows etc)
* wildlife (ie. birds, horses, cattle etc)
* portrait
* still life
* macro (ie. flowers, plants, insects etc)


Type of legs that from what I've heard sound good are the Gitzo 1227 LVL, unless you can stear me through to better. I like walking/rambling here and in Europe so the lighter the gear the better. If you want to put forward a recommendation given the budget and a recommendation going over the budget and the pros/cons of each it'd be appreciated

kipper,
1/ your budget is AU$1500.00 is not enough cover what I have in mind, it's better for you to walk into Vanbar or other local photographic stores and enjoy.

2/ with all your listing of your interested photography styles, you have to have at least US$10k to play around as a happy camper.

3/ Sorry, I don't have time to sit down and do the analysis all pros and cons for you as lighter or heavier etc..., we have been discussed hundred posts of tripod and head + lenses in macro, tele zoom lenses across this forum and you better search them and do your own research.

[kipper]

Yeah, I'm guessing you would need more than one set of legs for lowlevel macro work that would allow the camera to be rotated and extended to a lowlevel on an arm....think the Gitzo Explorer range allows for this. Plus I'd probably need a monopod aswell. Ok....for the time being I'm really into outdoor landscapes, that is my number one enjoyment. Secondly probably macro work and thirdly and not so importantly sport/action. Probably once a year at the F1GP and every so often the Airshow. So the last one isnn't so important and not entirely how pratical a tripod is at the F1GP - monopod?

[Flyer]

Hi Kipper,

I bought Gitzo G2227 ($US $380.00 from Poon) & recently added Kirk BH-3 ball head($US239.95). All for under $AU1000
Very nice combo.
Gitzo G2227 is very flexible, especially in landscape & macro photography.
Kirk ball heads have advantage of being supplied with universal body/lens plate.

Cheers.

[birddog114]

Hi Kipper,

I bought Gitzo G2227 ($US $380.00 from Poon) & recently added Kirk BH-3 ball head($US239.95). All for under $AU1000
Very nice combo.
Gitzo G2227 is very flexible, especially in landscape & macro photography.
Kirk ball heads have advantage of being supplied with universal body/lens plate.

Cheers.

Flyer & Kipper,
The question here is buy one rig now and use it for life or buy one today and get another replacement tomorrow.

I provide my advise, cos I had and used, ditched the G2227 and two types of Kirk Ballhead (B1 + B3), I'm current the owner of the AUB/ Markins 20/ RRS BH55Pro, hardly use the AUB and it stays home in the cupboard as spare or loan unit, mainly I'm with the Markins 20 and RRS BH55Pro with the new acquired Wimberley Sidekick.

I believe the G2227 is not the one kipper asked for (he's looking for the 1227LVL) and not in his style of photogarphic, nor suitable for his long run with his proposal of upgrading down the track, the G2227 is suitable for the camera and lens no greater than 105mm, while he's looking for the a 70-200VR and perhaps with a TC, then the G2227 is not sturdy enough will be shaken and vibration can be seen in long exposure shot or windy.

The G2227 is only can be compared better than Feisol legs (G2227 10/ Feisol 7)
While the G1227LVL delivers all the best for light travel, best suitable with his choice.

The Kirk BH-3 is far less value than the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead (AUB)and again he'll upgrade the ballhead later with with some types of stronger head with the capability of swinging the 70-200VR in full 180 degree up & down, the alternative way, he better go with the Kirk BH-1 and it is similar to the Markins 10 or Acratech Ultimate Ballhead (AUB).

The free universal Arca-style quick release body/lens plate , is not so important, it's not flexibility in the way of changing lenses and body, Go for the Kirk or RRS L bracket will do more steady works in both portrait and landscape than the free give away plate from Kirk.

All the zoom lens requires the lens foot (Lens with collar) to use the Arca Swiss type QRP, as the 70-200VR or 80-400VR or Sigma 70-200 or Sigma 80-400, Sigma 50-500, Macro 150/180/ 200mm, and he wants to shoot at the coming Avalon Airshow.

So AU$1000.00 is just settle for a small part of kipper wants and there's a monopod in his wish list same as lenses and perhaps a pano kit with slider for him to enjoy shooting landscape day & night.

[huynhie]

Kipper,

I have just read this post after I PMed you not knowing exactly what you wanted in your earlier PM.

With a budget of AUD1500, we can certainly help you out!

Currently what type of tripod do you have ATM?

What camera and lenses do you have at the moment

After seeing what type of shooting that you like to do, I would suggest either the 1227 or the 1325 (more leaning towards the 1325).

Just remember even though your budget is AUD1500, you dont have to buy everything at once.

[huynhie]

This is what I PM Kipper earlier

Hi Kipper,

I just sold the 055ProB to Pippin88 last Saturday at Birddog's meet, after picking up a Gitzo 1325.

If you are looking for Gitzo tripods, I suggest that you weigh up the following things
1. How much you are willing to spend (for the tripod, ballhead, and plates)
2. How heavy is the equipement that you are going to place on the tripod.
3. The weight and size of the tripod that you are happy to carry around.
4. How high/low you want the tripod to go.

I chose the 1325 for the following reasons
1. I didn't want a centre column (this got in the way when shooting at low levels when I owned the 055ProB, it was also a hassle to remove.)
2.The 1325 is only marginally smaller then the 1227LVL when folded up (approx 10cm), Though it is abit wider.
3. The 1325 is taller the the 055ProB at full extension.
4. The difference between the 1227LVL and the 1325 is only a few hundred dollars.

Here are a few points that I like about the 1325...

1. I found the 1325 extremely sturdy when compared to the 055ProB, the difference is very substantial.(I mounted both tripods with an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead along with my Nikon F5 and 70-200 VR)
2. It is definately lighter the the 055ProB, approx 30% lighter.
3. If I really wanted to, I can add a centre column to the 1325. (I am not very likely going to do this as the 1325 is taller then my eyesite fully extended with the Arca Swis B1 and F5 mounted (I am 5 foot 10)


hope this helps

[kipper]

Ok after talking to Birddy I think I'm settling on the G1325. After adding up all the costs of G1321 levelling plate, rss l-plate for d70, lense foot for 70-200VR and a markin m-20. It looks like I'll be spending in the vicinity of $2100AU.

What I might do is not purchase the lense foot for the 70-200VR or the levelling plate. This will bring my costs back to about $1500-1600 for the time being.