Suggest me a ball head....

[Ross_Curtis]

I'm in the process of selling 3 tripods in order to fund a new one-for-all setup (total budget £350). The legs have to be light, compact and reach at least my eyeline (I'm 5ft6") as well as having horizontal functionality. I narrowed this down to the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4, it seems to tick all my boxes.

But, I can't decide on a head. With the 190 legs this leaves me a budget of £150. Most heads seem really heavy (700g). I want something that is a max of 10cm and be as light, but as sturdy as possible, I'd be mounting a 40D (5d at a later date) plus L primes (upto the 200L). The only one I've come up with is the Gitzo GH1780QR, which weighs only 350g. I can't find any reviews on this head, is it any good? are there any better alternatives out there?

Thanks

[jhom]

Markins Q3.

[Jaxdialation]

Ditto. Just got my Q3 and its great.

[vivala1210]

acratech gv2

[RPCrowe]

I'm in the process of selling 3 tripods in order to fund a new one-for-all setup (total budget £350). The legs have to be light, compact and reach at least my eyeline (I'm 5ft6") as well as having horizontal functionality. I narrowed this down to the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4, it seems to tick all my boxes. Thanks

A tripod does not need to reach up to the photographers eye-line. The tripod head will contribute several inches to the total height of the setup (just how much depends upon the model head that you choose) and the viewfinder of a camera is probably about three inches or so above the base of the camera. Therefore, if a tripod leg-set reaches approximately six inches below the photographer's eye-line, stooping will be unnecessary.

I would make sure that the leg-set reaches the required height without extending the center column. Extended center columns make for a less sturdy support.

Whatever head you decide on, I would recommend that you choose one that is Arca Compatible. With an Arca compatible head, you are not restricted to camera or lens plates made by one manufacturer.

Additionally, and most importantly, you can utilize an L-plate (L-bracket) such as the one made by Really Right Stuff. The L-plate allows you to use your camera (when utilizing a lens without a tripod ring) in the vertical position without the camera hanging cantilevered over to the side. Besides being a more steady method of support, the L-plate solves the problem of the camera torquing down due to the weight of the lens.

The ability to use an L-plate has several other important implications; first of which is a more steady support. Additionally, you can use the L-bracket as an effective pano support with the camera in vertical position. This allows a wider top to bottom view and the ability to shoot with a longer focal length - left to right coverage is simply predicated on how many images you are willing to stitch. The L-bracket also places your camera in virtually the same framing position in both vertical and horizontal positions. In other words, you don't have to make a major re-frame when switching from landscape to portrait positions.

Here are some advantages of the L-plate system:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

I have not suggested a specific head because I don't know the pricing in the U.K. nor do I know what import duties or VAT (if any) is involved with a purchase from outside the U.K.

I will mention that I have a Giottos MH-1300 ball head and, although Giottos produces a nice ball head; the Giottos Arca Compatible quick release system of that head has a peculiar quirk. The Q.R. has a safety detent pin which prevents the plate from slipping out of the quick release if it is inadvertently loosened. You need to depress a button on the quick release in order to release the plate. This is a great idea EXCEPT the safety detent pin prevents any but Giottos plates from sliding on and off the Q.R. (without physically modifying the plate or Q.R. system).

Giottos doesn't distribute the camera specific L-plates so when using an RRS or KIRK L-plate, I have to unloosen the Q.R. catch all the way and insert the plate from the top. This doesn't make the Giottos system unusable, simply a bit unwieldy and slower to work with. As I mentioned earlier, I could modify the plate by cutting a channel which would allow the plate to slide past the safety pin. I could also remove the safety pin system from the Giottos Q.R. system but, I would not want to make that safety unusable with Giottos plates.

Giottos does produce their own L-plate which can slide into the Giotos Q.R.. However that is a generic plate, not specifically coutoured to the camea body. The camera specific plates have the advantage of not being clumsy when hand holding the camera with plate attached. However, you need a separate plate for each type of camera setup you are using. All decicions on selecting photographic equipment are a series of choices and compromises.

Here is a quick guide to tripod and tripod head terminology:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/tripods.html

[JohnAdams]

Love the acratech gv2

[Tom Reichner]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/273360-REG/Foba_33_0700_Superball_M_1_Ballhead.html

[rklepper]

I have a Kirk and really like it.

[Ross_Curtis]

Thanks for all your input.

Most of the heads which have been suggested are quite a bit over my budget, I initially only wanted to spend around £100, but this now seems to have risen to over £150, where does it stop. I'm now tentitively looking at models over £200 - I'm not sure my usage really warrants it, although I do love the engineering and build quality of some of these models.

RPCrowe - Thanks for your very in depth reply, your comments have been very useful, and the link was great.