My tripod/Ballhead choice - cobblers or cack?

[condyk]

Ok ... to me this is a very boring topic and so I must have spend literally minutes in reseach over the last 3-4 months :lol: :lol: Ok, truth is I have looked into it a bit more than that but I do find my eyes glazing over as I read :lol:

Here is what I think could provide good performance at a fair price:

Feisol CT-3401 Carbon Fibre jobbie $185 by direct import (Duty/VAT/Delivery on top!!)
http://www.feisol.com/english/enconnect-n.htm

Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC0 ballhead thingy £60 or so plus delivery
http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=8&itemid=1954

I want light, stable, good value for use shooting wildlife and little tweets in a hide. Will be used with what I have in my Sig, but likely uopgrade end 2005 to 20D and 100-400mm L iS. Any other suggestions welcome.

[AjP]

I have this one and I like it alot, so easy to release and lock
322RC2 (http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_23218.htm) Grip Action Ball Head

[SkipD]

The Bogen 488 ballhead is a good value. I prefer the RC2 version of the quick release, but that's just a preference. If you already have something with the RC0 version, go with it. Otherwise, take a look at the RC2. I think you'll see that it may fit the camera profile a little better (less overhang of the adapter from the camera body).

[kram]

I tried the 488 ballhead in the shop. Of course I was sure I wanted the quick release. Ended up getting the 486RC2 which was lighter - both by weight and on the wallet. It has a load capacity that exceeds all my current gear put together :)

[condyk]

Ok .. so that's three people saying the RC2 is a better option. I'm convinced and, as Skip says, it does look like it would go with the profile of the camera better

[CyberDyneSystems]

Can't beat the Feisol for the price..

Dump that RC0 QR release and go RC2 ;)

If your interested.. there is much talk about the RC2 in the "Sticky thread" being the "only other way to go" (as opposed to the highly pricey Arca) where QR is concerned..

But it sounds like Skip has allready"talked you down" from the RC0 anyways :lol:
If you see the RC2 and RC0 side by sode you'll know right off.. you'd easily want the RC2 on your tripod collars and camera etc... And they really hold big lenses quite niceley.

[condyk]

Ok CDS, I'll stick with the RC2. That sticky was a useful read too ... which is the point of a sticky :lol: Somehow, last time I read that it wasn't very useful. Maybe it's changed or I am reading it with different eyes.

So, looks like I'm sorted ... unless anyone thinks different!

[blue_max]

Dave, I just bought an 055 pro black and a 488 rc2 head. I seem to be ahead of you these days!

Anyway, the legs are extremely solid. You can save a few grams by going carbon fibre, but it's not more than about 20%.

I have had a three way head before and was wondering if a ball head would do it for me. Well it does! and some. Loosen it off a little and it goes anywhere. There is a lever for pan, so it swivells round. The RC2 quick release is about 2" by 1" and goes on in a flash - well worth the couple of quid extra.

The smaller ball heads are harder to control, so don't be tempted to buy a smaller ball head. This is particularly so with the battery grip as it tends to be less stable.

Highly recommended and try t4cameras.co.uk for a keen price.

Graham

[condyk]

Dave, I just bought an 055 pro black and a 488 rc2 head. I seem to be ahead of you these days!

Highly recommended and try t4cameras.co.uk for a keen price.

Cheeky chappie ... but then I don't need mine until early December, so I'm pretty ahead of myself at least :lol: :lol:

I'm happy with the Feisol Carbon Fibre jobbie as it's about the best compromise of lightness, stability, build quality and cost I have found ... be good to see if the 'owner hype' is true and whether I can really use it practically for travelling. Every gram saved counts for me as I am such a lazy ^&%@^* I've travelled for 8 months on hand luggage only :lol:

Encouraging to see we have some agreement about the ballhead. I've ordered it from t4cameras.co.uk (only £59 incl P&P so £5 saved on my best price :D ) They do have some good prices. I ordered the Feisol too, but direct from manufacturer.

[Dmclogger]

[QUOTE=CyberDyneSystems]Can't beat the Feisol for the price..

Dump that RC0 QR release and go RC2 ;)

[Dmclogger]

RC2 ok. But how about the RC2 compared to the RC4?
It does seem like many of you go with the RC2 though

[Thelonius]

I just orderered a Feisol CB-50 and QR Plate to go with my Feisol 3401.

http://feisol.com/english/cb50.htm

I picked them up off of ebay and Feisol refunded the charge for shipping the plate without my prompting.

My one concern is that the safety lock seems to be in a different position than other manufacturers.

[condyk]

Yes, I was very interested in this ballhead/QR and nearly went that route. In the end I decided to wait for the 'second generation' version, should one ever appear. It looks good and decent price. I played safe as not sure how much I will use a tripod in practice and reckoned the Manfrotto will have good resale if I wanted to sell. Be very interested in hearing about your experience when it arrives.

There was talk over at FM about drilling existing plates so they could work with the Feisol. They have recently added a 'Quick Release Specifications' section, probably based on all the questions people were sending them about this compatibility issue.