Leave ballhead attached to tripod?

[tvphotog]

How many of you carry your ballhead attached to your tripod all the time and how many carry them separately and assemble them for shooting? Why do you do what you do?

I've got a Gitzo 1541t with a Q3t head, and carry it on the back of my pack with one tripod leg extended a bit so it will strike the ground before the ballhead if I set the pack on the ground.

[ed rader]

How many of you carry your ballhead attached to your tripod all the time and how many carry them separately and assemble them for shooting? Why do you do what you do?

I've got a Gitzo 1541t with a Q3t head, and carry it on the back of my pack with one tripod leg extended a bit so it will strike the ground before the ballhead if I set the pack on the ground.


i keep mine assembled unless i'm travelling by plane. before i would use one of my gray L lens pouches to store the ballhead and short column (one piece).

i recently bought a snoot boot to put over the ballhead when it's in my truck, and i'll use the snoot boot instead of the gray pouch when i travel.

i'm also going to get a snoot boot for my new RRS monopod head, which cost me more than my markins Q3 :D.

ed rader

[Lowner]

My M10 stays on the tripod except when travelling by air, when it stays close to me.

[argyle]

My M10 stays on the tripod except when travelling by air, when it stays close to me.

Ditto. Its much easier to replace a tripod on the road should something happen to it (such as theft from our trustworthy baggage handling friends should I have to pack it) than it is to replace a high-quality ballhead and RRS lever clamp.

Other than that, the ballhead stays on the tripod. Frankly, I'm not too concerned about getting a scratch or two on it...that's the risk you take when you shoot landscapes. I don't go out of my way to damage it, I'm still careful about it...I just don't lose sleep over it should it happen. In the house, I have a snoot boot (like ed) to keep dust and pet dander out of the mechanism.

Didn't vote since there's no option that fits my situation (keep separate for fear of theft while flying).

[Josh_30]

I keep mine assembled all the time, even when traveling (if flying, it is in my locked suitcase). If I had to assemble my tripod every time I used it, then I'd probably use it less frequently.

[FlyingPhotog]

Always assembled. If I fly, the whole thing fits in the bag that came with the tripod (Induro) and that goes in the suitcase (Fits perfectly...)

[René Damkot]

If I had to assemble my tripod every time I used it, then I'd probably use it less frequently.

Same here.

[tvphotog]

I keep mine assembled all the time, even when traveling (if flying, it is in my locked suitcase). If I had to assemble my tripod every time I used it, then I'd probably use it less frequently.

That was pretty much the reason for me to leave the two things assembled.

When I travel, I keep the Gitzo in the center slot on the back of my Tamrac Expedition. In that position, the outer leg blocks the head from damage, and I haven't felt the need to disassemble the head and carry it inside the pack. Everything fits in the overhead just fine.

[ed rader]

when i "disassemble" my tripod i just pull the column out, and i have a short column. i don't unscrew the head.

ed rader

[ben_r_]

Always attached. I see no reason to be taking the ballhead on and off all the time.

[argyle]

I probably have to clarify...ballhead off when flying. Once in the field, it stays attached until the return flight back. Its not complicated to remove it...a turn or two with a strap wrench and its a done deal. Same for re-assembly.

[homersapien]

My Feisol 3442 folds over my Kirk BH-3 perfectly, so reversing for storage/carry is a snap. They are paired 24/7.

[yabbie]

I have a nice padded tripod bag, so there's no chance of any damage. Easier to grab one thing, than have to fish around and find the head separately.

[photoguy6405]

Never even occurred to me to disassemble it. Unless I'm changing heads, of course, which is rare.

[Greg_C]

If I had to assemble my tripod every time I used it, then I'd probably use it less frequently.
Same here, my RRS BH-55 came with it's own padded cover - a nice touch. I keep this on it even when the whole thing goes into the Manfrotto tripod bag.

[gembobs]

my ball head stays attached all the time. The whole thing just goes in my suitcase when I travel. I don't envisage ever taking the ball head off, if I ever need a heavier duty ball head, I will upgrade my tripod too.

I only have a manfrotto 486RC2 ball head and 190xprob tripod, so I am nto too worried about the cost of replacing it. Though I try not to damage it, I don't baby it either. If I had a more expensive ball head, who knows?!

[Sean]

Yes, I leave them attached all the time. If for some reason I needed to remove it, I'd do that, but at this time I don't NEED too.

Cheers,

[neilwood32]

Unless i fly with my tripod (which i havent yet but i will in a few weeks), the ballhead stays on as it would be far too much hassle to assemble/disassemble every time i wanted to use it.

As for the flying, i think I will remove the head for the trip and pack the tripod and head in my carry on within seperate bags.

[RDKirk]

I attach the heads to my tripods as tightly as I humanly can (short of stripping something), using blue Locktite.

I don't remove the heads from the tripods until it's time to replace one or the other. If I had to return a tripod for service, I'd just remove the column.

[snails]

i keep mine assembled unless i'm travelling by plane. before i would use one of my gray L lens pouches to store the ballhead and short column (one piece).

i recently bought a snoot boot to put over the ballhead when it's in my truck, and i'll use the snoot boot instead of the gray pouch when i travel.

i'm also going to get a snoot boot for my new RRS monopod head, which cost me more than my markins Q3 :D.

ed rader

I found an alternative for you Ed.

http://images.entertainmentearth.com/%5CAUTOIMAGES%5CCS74120lg.jpg

[fishfoto]

I take the head off, as when I fly with my tripod it is attached to the exterior of my bag and I prefer everything to be as small and low profile as possible. I often remove the main center post as well to reduce the side of my tripod.

[HG1605]

I always disassemble when flying but it stays on when I'm at a shoot and then disassemble again for return flight. Other than that it's always attached.

[wantone]

I always leave it on, only because i never had to take it off for any reason.

[blueM]

i keep mine assembled unless i'm travelling by plane.

I agree with Ed on this

[_aravena]

How about...

"No I keep it separate since I don't have one for both tripod and monopod." :D

[Jon]

How about...

"No I keep it separate since I don't have one for both tripod and monopod." :DSell some of your surplus Crumplers!

:{)#

[_aravena]

BAH! Would you sell your surplus Domkes? Exactly! :p

Besides, I don't have a surplus...yet. :D

[Jon]

Aside from I don't have surplus Domke bags - I've used every one within the past 4 months.

[That_Fox]

I never disassemble my tripod unless I am switching between my heads.

[_aravena]

Aside from I don't have surplus Domke bags - I've used every one within the past 4 months.

I just used my 7MDH and have a few more shoots to use it on and I've been using my 5MDH like crazy lately. Only thing I don't use is that Velocity as I haven't went out hiking or anything like that and I actually am trying to sell it.

[JWright]

I carry my tripod on a Manfrotto 401N (http://harrysproshop.com/Tripods/strap/401N.jpg) strap. About the only time I take the head and center column off is when I want to transport it in the trunk of my touring motorcycle. Otherwise it stays assembled.