Grip action ball head

[Mitcon]

Hi all,

Anyone use the Manfrotto Grip action ball head ? Just wondering what it's like to use.

Cheers
Mitcon

[CyberDyneSystems]

Many start with one of these.. most move on.. (myself included)

Look at one of the more solid and more conventional ballheads instead.

[Mitcon]

Thanks for the reply,

Shame it's not so good then. I have a couple of normal ball heads already to be honest but find them very difficult to use as I have no strength in my thumbs. Thought the grip might have made life a little easier :cry:


Cheers
Mitcon

[lostdoggy]

Just got one a month ago. The low down on this head is that its too heavy and too tall for a mono pod. Action is nice though. Single squeeze and you can move it to any position you want release and its lock again. Draw back no panning unless you are using it on a monopod and you are pivoting on the pod. Another is it is limited in capacity. Tried the Bogen Compact w/ RC2, didn't like it returned the next week. Single knob action hard to pan.

[Belmondo]

I had one for a while and found it insufficient for heavier lenses. It is convenient, though. Switching to Arca/Swiss makes it all moot.

[Mitcon]

Thanks for the replys,

Maybe I'll have a look in the stores at one of these heads, Might also look at monopods too. I don't do alot of panning normally but when I do I don't use the head anyway. I don't lock the centre column & pan the head/camera together by twisting the column.

Maybe I just need to learn better technique handheld & go back to a 3way head. Lol, just seems the harder I try to hold a camera still, the more it shakes. Are monopods really that useful ? I've never tried one (still a newbie to cameras/photography).

Thanks for the input & thoughts

cheers
Mitcon

[lostdoggy]

I like using my monopod especially since I'm recovering from knee surgery. I mainly use it as a walking stick. Pod is great for me at least because it is easier to carry and easier setup and takedown. It is also easier to frame a picture on a pod then by handholding. I don't get that see sickness feeling bopping up and down (heavy breather). Less neck rash in the summer from neck strap.

[soupdragon]

I have the frotto grip ball ball head and find it very good, that said, I don't have any huge lens's to cart around.

I got fed up with using ball heads with thumb screws (too much hassle). The frotto grip is adjustable for different masses loaded so I can't really see any problems with it.