Need Tripod Head advice

[cking2]

I just bought a Bogen/Manfrotto 3221WN Tripod over on FM. I am now trying to figure out what kind of head to order. I know I want a quick release, and I am going to buy a Sigma 120-300 sometime soon, so what head would you suggest?

Thanks,

Rick

[vjack]

It might be helpful to give us more information about what you plan to shoot. In general, I'd think a ball head is going to be the most versatile. I love my Kirk ball head and would buy it again without hesitation.

[SkipD]

For general-purpose use, I really like the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead on my 3021BPro tripod. It's the best ballhead for the money that I have found.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Depending on the weight of the lens (which I'm not sure of), you may not want to spend 300 -some odd dollars on a ballhead. You may think about things like the Bogen 3265 or the 488RC2 or RC4. About $100 for either, and either will hold most anything. The second one I described is a bit like the kirk, but at 1/3 the price tag.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

On a related subject, what makes the 3021BPRO apparently so much more favorable than the 3001BPRO? Seems to be a very small difference in price. What is it?

[cking2]

It might be helpful to give us more information about what you plan to shoot. In general, I'd think a ball head is going to be the most versatile. I love my Kirk ball head and would buy it again without hesitation.

Right now I am shooting sports(basketball) and this spring I will shoot little league baseball, and in the fall football. I plan to use a Monopod for the baseball and football shots, and basketball is all handheld with my primes.
And since I am prime addicted I would love to get a Canon 300mm 2.8 prime, if I can afford it.

I do plan to pick up a Canon 70-200 F2.8L and the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 EX and a 1.4 converter. I would like to start doing some wildlife shots with the tripod and lens. Sigma weighs in at 5lb 11 ozs.

Thanks,

Rick

[DavidEB]

The big decision is ARCA or non-ARCA. The ARCA systems are more expensive by far, especially once you start adding in the cost of extra QR plates for each lens. ARCA lets you slide the lens forward and backwards in the mount to get perfect balance, and gives you an absolutely secure lock between ballhead and lens. ARCA also allows use of cool stuff like the wimberley sidekick. All the ARCA ballheads I know are great -- I have the acratech ultimate and love it, RRS & Kirk also have big fan base. but you'll end up spending something like $250 more than the bogen 488RC2 (once you add in the cost of extra plates), but then, you'll never have to upgrade to ARCA later on.

[jjonsalt]

I use a Slik 550 Pro Ballhead. I think it would hold almost anything secure.

[rklepper]

For general-purpose use, I really like the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead on my 3021BPro tripod. It's the best ballhead for the money that I have found.

I would concur with that. Great head for a little money.

[vjack]

Personally, I found buying tripod legs and a head a more difficult process that buying my camera or any lens I have since bought.

Part of the problem was that the forums on which I was asking for advice (I hadn't discovered this one yet) dismissed most of the lower-cost options as crap. In fact, the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 which was recommended to you here was one of the many I was told to avoid. In hindsight, what I encountered was every bit as absurd as the "anything that isn't L is crap" one sometimes encounters.

The key points of your decision are going to involve weight and QR system. Ideally, you want to buy a head that will handle the heaviest lens you are likely to use. Otherwise, you'll need to replace it when you buy a heavier lens. I wanted to by into the Arca-style QR system after reading countless reviews recommending it.

The best advice I can give you is to take your time and get a sense of what other people are using and whether they like it.

[SkipD]

On a related subject, what makes the 3021BPRO apparently so much more favorable than the 3001BPRO? Seems to be a very small difference in price. What is it?Check out the specs and the differences become apparent. For example, the 3001BPro is 46.9" tall (with the column all the way down) and the 3021BPro is 53.2" tall. In addition, the rated capacity is greater for the 3021BPro as well, by 2.2 pounds - meaning that the 3021BPro is a bit stronger than the 3001BPro.

[cking2]

So If my Mark II N weighs in around 5 (guess) lbs and the biggest lens I think I will use weighs around 6 lbs then I would need a head that takes at a minimum 11 lbs.

So the Cadillac of ball type heads would be....QR Plate is extra:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=ARB2QR&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=1909

Another ARCA type head, Less $$$..QR plate is extra

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=250107&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Then the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 at $100 buck..gives bang for the buck:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272779&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I think that gives me a good idea of what I am looking at.....

Thanks,

Rick

[Ronald S. Jr.]

That first one is just ridiculous. Not only is that an outrageous price for a darn ballhead, but who the hell has 150 lbs. mounted on their tripod?!

Anyway, that second one looks nice...I liked the one I got mostly because it didn't require turning any knobs or anything just to tilt the camera a little bit. Seemed odd to have to do that.

[cking2]

That first one is just ridiculous. Not only is that an outrageous price for a darn ballhead, but who the hell has 150 lbs. mounted on their tripod?!

Anyway, that second one looks nice...I liked the one I got mostly because it didn't require turning any knobs or anything just to tilt the camera a little bit. Seemed odd to have to do that.

Its for that Cannon 2400 mm f4LL (note the double L) that I am looking at:lol: just kidding. I think the Arcatech Ultimate might be the way I go, but the third option is alot more economical because it comes with the Quick Release and the Arcatech ones are an additional $40.

Rick

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I guess I just don't see how you'd even need the ultimate. It just seems like too much, and I don't just mean money. The Bogens are quite nice. Spend the extra $250 on other things.