I need a good head!

[DocFrankenstein]

I've been to a store with a good selection of diff mount equipment. I think I'm gonna go with a manfrotto 190 legs

And I have no idea about the head I need. There are different types... ballheads, tilt/shift, liquid, then there are with the 3 joints independently rotating.

I've seen a combo of 190 legs and 56 head. It the 3 joint one. I like the idea, but I don't know how it would work for panoramas. It's not a fluid one.

Also the guy said that all fluid heads dry up anyways and you only need one if you have a digicam.

What should I get? My biggest lens is 70-200 which are 1.5 kilos and rebel body. I suspect that I'm not gonna get anything bigger for the next few years.

[Scottes]

Yeah, you don't need a fluid head. They're really made for smooth panning & tilting for video.

If you're going to do panos then you probably want a pan/tilt. Though you can still do panos with a ball head, a pan/tilt allows for easier placement for framing, and you could also easily do a 2-level pano. Trying to get a lens lined up just perfectly with a ball head is a pain because it will usually tilt forward with the weight of the lens and camera. A pan/tilt is easier to place "just so" to get perfect framing.

Again, this can be done with a ballhead, but it's a lot easier with a pan/tilt.

Ballheads are good for moving around to follow something - they're quicker to move around, but not as good at placing precisely.

Generally speaking, pan/tilt for landscapes, ballheads for action/wildlife/etc. If you can handle it, smaller is better - less weight to lug around.

Watch the legs for height - most legs mean you'll be bending over a lot - if you're 6'2" then you don't want a 52" tripod. Most can be extended with the center column, but you start losing stability quickly when you do. And if you like low-to-the-ground landscapes then make sure you get legs that can go low enough for you. The 190 is very short without the center column, but the angled legs will let you get very low.

Does your 70-200 have a tripod ring? (f/2.8 does, f/4 doesn't.) If you have the f/4 then you seriously want a pan/tilt because it will be lens-heavy on a ball head and getting the right framing will be a serious problem.

[Belmondo]

I've stuck pretty exclusively with Bogen/Manrotto heads because it is possible to buy several different model/sizes that all use the same Quick Release plate. This allow a lot of versatility with the equipment, and I can leave QR plates installed on all the bodies and lenses with tripod rings. No matter what tripod/head I'm using, I'm ready to go.

I also like the 488RC2 head because it has the ability to pan.

[blackviolet]

doc,

you say you won't get anything larger for a few years, but you might upgrade to a new body, add a battery grip, and who knows, maybe even a bigger lens - it's not that hard to quickly get over 4kgs, so i wouldn't suggest a mini.

personally i use the 322 rc2 - switched to left hand. it holds my 10d with big ed and bigma no problem. i do swing the qr plate around sideways though, when mounted on the lens' tripod collar.

you might seriously want to look at pan/tilts. just take your body and lens to the shop and spend time playing with the heads in the shop. don't just do level shots, try focussing at things on the ground, up in the air, etc.

[DocFrankenstein]

I dunno - battery grip with a new body is out of the question. I MAY get a bigger lens but I can hardly imagine a grip or a body.

and i would like to be able to carry the tripod with me. how large is the 322? How heavy?