which tripod head?

[sGu]

I'm planning to get a Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod, but got stuck when i faced with too many heads to choose from.

I'm looking for a steady head, which will support up to 100-400mm+10D+grip, and for the useage, i'd say a lot of portrait, nightshots, and possible during events such as play, concert, football matches(soccer) and motorsport, so smooth panning is required.

any suggestions?

[dtrayers]

I love my Acratech Ultimate Ballhead for the light weight, but you'll find other's hate it.

It would work just fine with your setup as long as you have a tripod mount for the lens.

http://acratech.net/

[sGu]

thanks, i'll take a look later.

oh, i forgot to mention that quick release is a must on the head. :)

[KennyG]

That is a pretty lightweight setup so you don't need anything too over the top. Even the Manfrotto 486 would do the job, jus make sure you get a head with a QR plate, it is so much easier to use.

Forget about using a tripod for motorsport or soccer. Using a monopod is limiting, a tripod is like a ball and chain. You would also find yourself extremely unpopular with people nearby as they take up too much space and are like man-traps, tripping up people as they pass.

[sGu]

That is a pretty lightweight setup so you don't need anything too over the top. Even the Manfrotto 486 would do the job, jus make sure you get a head with a QR plate, it is so much easier to use.

Forget about using a tripod for motorsport or soccer. Using a monopod is limiting, a tripod is like a ball and chain. You would also find yourself extremely unpopular with people nearby as they take up too much space and are like man-traps, tripping up people as they pass.

I see your point there, tripod isn't necessary at all for action sport photography. I'm looking for something versatile which is steady and will allow me to change to different camera angle easily.

Ball head seems to be a popular choice, am i right?

[scottbergerphoto]

I love my Acratech Ultimate Ballhead for the light weight, but you'll find other's hate it.

It would work just fine with your setup as long as you have a tripod mount for the lens.

http://acratech.net/
Excellent head! It's what I use when I'm not using the Wimberley.
Scott

[sGu]

I actually used that head before with my mate's tripod, one thing i didn't like was the screw in for the quick release, i much prefer Manfrotto's quick release plate, slide in and one click.

Think i'm gonna go with one of their ball heads

[dtrayers]

I agree. So I ordered the Acratech without their QR plate, and used my own Bogen (Manfrotto) QR plate, the 3299. Ordering the Acratech without the QR plate saved $50US, and the 3299 was about $30US.

Here's a pic and link of the 3299:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/149686.jpg (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=149686 &is=REG)

I much prefer the 3299 over the Arca Swiss style. Much faster clamping action. Maybe it can't handle the large weights the AS plates can, but it's strong enough for my 10D with the 70-200 f/4.