Ball Heads for Video

[ToyTrains]

I have read that a Pan/Tilt fluid head is recommended for video. Can a regular ball head (that has a pan base) be successfully used for video (such as a RRS BH-55)? What are the tradeoffs and would I be unhappy using this type of setup. This would be for the 5Dii and the vast majority of use would be for stills.

[neilwood32]

The problem is that for any action outside the horizontal plane you either have to put up with movement in the head or being unable to capture the event.

Pan tilt heads allow you to move in both horizontal and vertical planes and give smooth movement that wont be available with the ball head.

[ToyTrains]

Pan tilt heads allow you to move in both horizontal and vertical planes and give smooth movement that wont be available with the ball head.
I hear what you are saying but I am not sure I understand yet.

Is it the fluid head that makes it smoother? Is the long handles on these heads or ?

Would adjusting the tension on the ball make the movement smoother?

With the pan tilt heads can you freely move in both directions (up/down and left/right). I guess with a ball head, the head could also tilt which might be a problem. Is that one of the issues?

If I was just panning without going up/down would that be fine with the ball head (with a panning base) or ?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I am trying to figure out if I will have to buy a separate head just for video.
Thanks!

[Jon]

The pan-tilt heads typically have two axes that you can control. There's a center column that has a tensioner and allows horizontal movement for panning, and there's an axis at right angles to it which you use to tilt the camera up and down. Both the tension and the angle are controlled by a long handle (a "tiller" or "steering column", if you will) which you hold to direct the camera. A ball head like the 488RC2 has a panning control, but any other motion is achieved via the ball, and it may go in any direction; you need to hold the camera directly, too. So a ball head is really not suited for video work; you'll find a pan-tilt head is much easier to work with for that.

[FlyingPhotog]

Fluid Heads allow you to set tension which you litterally work against while moving the camera. Setting a certain amount of "Drag" (as it's known) allows you to start and stop pans/tilts more smoothly and make more predictable moves becuase you won't over move when you start nor slop past your stop point.

Drag is different than actually being able to lock the pan or tilt axis.

[SYS]

Because I didn't want to have to purchase the head strictly for my limited home video projects, I just went ahead and purchased the 488RC2 as a compromise. I'm happy with the decision.

[dogwalker]

Have you had a chance to try it at both yet? I'm looking at the same decision ...

Thanks

[SYS]

Have you had a chance to try it at both yet? I'm looking at the same decision ...

Thanks

I don't know whether you're addressing your question to the OP or me, but since my own input with my set up wouldn't hurt...

The 488RC2 is a fantastic ball head for a tripod without draining your bank account and asking for a bailout...

It is also a good ball head with the pan base for a regular home video hobbyist... Of course it's not as good as those video heads specially made for video making, but for an ordinary video user like me, it's perfectly suited. I didn't get any jerky movements or such that would lead me to be concerned. You might get jerky movements while panning if your hands are unsteady or shaky to begin with. I'm perfectly happy with the decision to get the 488RC2 for my dual purposes.

[dogwalker]

Thanks, Sys. That sounds good.

LOL - yeah, I wonder if I can get Washington to send some money my way for my hobby.