Tripod & Tripod Head

[PaulN]

Now that have moved to L lenses, I find that my bogen ball head (I don't know the model number, but it's 12 years old, and has nasty angular lever handles that are a pain in the neck sometimes) doesn't like the added weight of L lenses. So, I want to upgrade to a better quality ball head (that can handle a 70-200L) and I am looking for a tripod that will allow for easier close to the ground macro shots than my OLD 3001.

Right now, I am wondering about the
a) Arca-Swiss Monoball B1 Ballhead
b) Really Right stuff BH-55 (not out yet)
c) some other ball and socket head that I don't yet know about.

and for tripod, am looking at a
a)Gitzo G-2220 Explorer and a
b)Manfrotto 3021BPRO.

I would appreciate experience or advice. I do mostly outdoor nature photography and am 6'1".

-paul

[CyberDyneSystems]

I love the Manfrotto 3021 and 3001 "pro" legs particularly for the low level feature of the center post.

Also.. look at the Acratech "Ultimate" ballhead... :)

[Dogphoto]

I have been using the Gitzo G2220 Explorer tripod, with a Manfrotto 486 Ball Head, for over a year now with no problems.
I love the locking levers on the legs and the positioning capabilities of the center column.
I don't have any long lenses, but the Ball Head holds the weight of a 10D with 28-135mm lens, battery grip, Turbo C battery, Stroboframe Press T bracket, 550 EX flash and a Pocket Wizard Transmitter.

[Tom W]

I finally settled on the Manfrotto 3021Bpro myself, though I opted for a panhead instead of the ball.

I am intrigued by the new 322RC2 Grip-action ball head though. It looks like something worth looking into in the future.

[slin100]

I'm also searching for a ballhead. There's a little-known but very highly regarded manufacturer called Markins (http://www.markins.com). The Markins M10 (http://markins.com/2.0/eng/products/ballheads/m10_2004.html) is ranked by many as good as the Arca-Swiss B1, except without the assymmetric ball.

There's a review (http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_1.html) of the M10 on Nikonians (http://www.nikonians.org).

You might also consider the Kirk (http://www.kirkphoto.com) BH-1 or BH-3 ballheads.

[DaveG]

Now that have moved to L lenses, I find that my bogen ball head (I don't know the model number, but it's 12 years old, and has nasty angular lever handles that are a pain in the neck sometimes) doesn't like the added weight of L lenses. So, I want to upgrade to a better quality ball head (that can handle a 70-200L) and I am looking for a tripod that will allow for easier close to the ground macro shots than my OLD 3001.

Right now, I am wondering about the
a) Arca-Swiss Monoball B1 Ballhead
b) Really Right stuff BH-55 (not out yet)
c) some other ball and socket head that I don't yet know about.

and for tripod, am looking at a
a)Gitzo G-2220 Explorer and a
b)Manfrotto 3021BPRO.

I would appreciate experience or advice. I do mostly outdoor nature photography and am 6'1".

-paul

I use both the Manfrotto (Bogen) and Gitzo ball heads.

The Manfrotto is the largest one Manfroto sold and has been superceded by another model. It's massive, easily holds the weight of my 8x10, and is usually on my wooden Beurleback tripod. It has a quick release system and that's been very useful.

The Gitzo is magnesium and I use it with a aluminum Gitzo tripod. It's much smaller than the Manfroto, doesn't have the quick release, and I wouldn't want to torture it with too much weight.

Still, you have to carry these things and both have their place. The Manfrotto for example has a very big platform. I couldn't use my Polaroid back for a Mamiya Pro-TL with this head since the platform would get in the way. Although this is a non issue with the 10D it might not allow me to fully access the battery compartment. Not a big concern but something to add to the pile of YES or NO judgements.

The interesting thing to me is that a lens with a tripod collar can be used with a much lighter tripod head. For example if I use my 16-36 f2.8 L with a tripod I have to flip the camera over into a vertical position and this puts a lot of stress on the ball head and on the pad where the head attaches to the camera. Ironicaly with the heavier 70-200 f2.8L I don't stress it nearly as much. The lens is mounted on the tripod, not the camera. As I rotate the camera everything stays centered and balanced on the ball head, so there is no more stress than if the camera was horizontal. I just wish ALL lenses had a rotating tripod collar :D . It would sure make life a lot easier.

[Scottes]

I have a Manfrotto 3021B Pro and I would most definitely get the Gitzo G-2220 now. I have the 490RC4 head which I do like a lot.

An old post I made on this combo:


I got the 3021B PRO with the 490RC4 head. The 490RC4 is big, but I wanted it for the adjustable tension so I could track with my 100-400. I needed a head that could "do everything" for now. Ideally I would have gotten a gimbal type and a pan & tilt and a gear-head, but...

The 490 is great though. I definitely like it. The 488 is 3/4 lb lighter, a smaller ball which shouldn't mean anything, and doesn't have adjustable tension. I *really* like the adjustable tension. Otherwise they're the same head. Oh, the pan swivel is a little too stiff, but livable.

The 3021B PRO I'm not so enamored with. The center column only goes 90-degrees, ie; parallel to the ground. When at 90 it's connection to the rest of the tripod is kind of hokey - hard to explain. After seeing the Gitzo G-2220 I started kicking myself. I now wish that I had spent the extra $50 - if only. I really don't find the center column on the 3021B PRO that useful - it's more of a pain.

The 3021 is also very tall. With my head on it it's just about the perfect height for me at 6' - if I'm shooting straight ahead. But I'd love if it was 3 inches shorter, so then the center column could come up a few inches when I needed it. The Gitzo is several inches shorter - I'd probably find something in the middle to be ideal, but I'd take too short over too tall.

Lastly I don't like the way the legs angle out. You get the "normal" stance then the next stop is way too far out. In the normal stance the top of my quick-release plate is 61" from the ground, and the legs are 45" apart. Angling the legs to the next notch makes it 48" tall with the legs 78" apart. Too much in my opinion. I definitely would have liked something in between.

If I did it again I'd keep the 490RC4 but I'd get the Gitzo G-2220.


As a note, I never have the center column installed on the 3021B any more. It stays in the trunk in case I might need it, but I'd rather keep it removed.

[scottbergerphoto]

Gitzo Mountaineer Reporter: Carbon fibre, 4 segment, light, very portable.
Acratech Ultimate Ballhead from www.Acratech.net. : rugged, compact, holds alot of weight. Locks very steady.
Gimball type head for big telephoto: Wimberley at www.tripodhead.com
Scott

[saturnine]

slin100, did you buy the Markins Ballhead? If so, how has it worked out for you? This is the Ballhead that I'm very strongly considering for purchase.

[slin100]

As a matter of fact, I did buy the Markins M10. It's attached to my Gitzo 2220, another fine piece of equipment. BTW, the purchase was handled a little differently. I paid through Paypal, and the ballhead was shipped from Korea. They now have a more traditional Internet storefront at http://www.markinsamerica.com.

What do I think of it? The build quality is fantastic. It has a black matte-finish. The material is highly scratch-resistant. For a heavy-duty ballhead it's relatively light at 1.12 lbs but very strong. It's rated load is 88 lbs, although I doubt anyone would ever put that limit to the test. I certainly won't and can't. My heaviest lens is the 80-200/2.8L which is 3 lbs.

Like the Arca-Swiss B1, the M10 incorporates the torque limit dial inside the large friction control knob. I like this because it means there are only two knobs on the body, the other being the panning lock. Therefore, there is no risk of reaching for the panning lock knob and accidentally turning the torque limit dial, as can happen with the Kirk ballheads, which I also seriously considered.

I read one anecdotal report where their M10 gunked up in a very dusty environment. Markins recommends treating the ball with a light coat of oil. I'm not sure that's the best thing to do because of the potential for the oil to attract dust. I haven't had to clean it.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I have the perfect setup for wilderness trekking. Alas, I not a landscape photographer, so I haven't really tested the durability of the M10 or the Gitzo out in the field. So far, it's lived a coddled life here in my home studio.

[Mark Kemp]

Manfrotto have a new ball head out with just a single trigger to release it so its very quick to adjust. I haven't used it so I can't comment, although I have other Manfrotto stuff and its fine. Anyway I can't remember the model number, but it might be worth puting on the shortlist, especially if quick and easy adjustment is a factor.
If anyone has tried one of these I would be interested to hear their opinions as I have been meaning to take a look at one myself.