Geared tripod heads?

Been struggling with my ballhead for shooting arch recently. I've basically been forced into some very odd corners where it was tough to get my head perfectly level because of how I was setup with the legs. Basically, it'd be really nice to be able to "nudge" my head slightly in one direction.

this is rad looking, but it's $1700:

this $70 plate

jacobsen1 wrote in post #15213123
it's VERY nice to have your tripod stup at ONE leg lock exactly then use the center column to adjust height knowing everything is level

Not an answer to your question, but is a leveling base/column an option? Not exactly the same, but at least the ballhead is level.

http://www.openphotogr​aphyforums.com/forums/​showthread.php?t=12980
http://www.robertwhite​.co.uk/blog/?tag=centr​e-columns
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx​?fc=159

It would help to know what camera gear you are using.

Regardless, when it comes to tripod head precision, there are geared heads, which obviously are the most precise .
They are also slow to use, and heavy and expensive .

Then there are the classic 3-way pan/tilt heads, which are basically like geared heads, only without gears .
Faster then geared heads, but you still need to have some sort of 'workflow', to use them efficiently .
Come in all sizes, quality and weight, and good ones are still affordable , as they are mechanically very simple and cheap to make.

Ball heads are the least precise by far, even though they have a few advantages in other areas .
They are fast and versatile, but you get movement in all 3 axes when loosening it, and they are very prone to sag .
They also come in many different flavours, weights and prices, but good ones tend to be on the more expensive side .
Great for even weight distribution and smooth movement, but that comes with poor single-axis precission .

I feel your pain! I had exactly the same problem and after some trial and error I ended up with the Manfrotto 410 (the $225 one that you mentioned above) and I also got this one: Amazon link

It's much lighter and you only use the ball head for two out of three dimensions. The horizontal plane has its own control. In addition it has a level when you flip the camera over to portrait view - which the 410 doesn't. As for the plates, I prefer the 410 plate to the other Manfrotto 200 plate but you do need a coin to loosen/tighten the screw. I can't comment on any other plates for comparison. If you want any other information on the 498RC4 let me know - I hike up the mountains here with it (on the short central column) and I'm guessing I'm nowhere near as strong and robust as you!

Had the 410 for a bit myself, then realized I really didnt need a geared head. Have talked to a couple people with the Arca-Swiss one, expensive but seems to be the best out there. I say give the Manfrotto a try and see how you feel and return it if you dont like it.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #15213123
...The easy solution there though is I'd keep my ballhead on my stump/short column and put this on the long column that came with my legs and swap for arch shoots...

This is exactly what I did and it worked out very well. Ballhead on the short column, 410 on the long.

Both the Hejnar Plate and clamp for the 410 are of the highest quality and I can highly recommend them.

thanks everyone!

René Damkot wrote in post #15213384
Not an answer to your question, but is a leveling base/column an option? Not exactly the same, but at least the ballhead is level.

Well, I've tried one before and it solves the leveling issue, but not the slight movement in ONE axis. I've had that issue recently and it's a PITA to try to nudge my ballhead just slightly one way. Yes I use the drag and can get there but it's harder than it should be IMHO. The other issue is I don't want any added weight when going into the woods. So I either want this on it's own tripod (ideal but expensive) or at least it's own center column which I'd then swap. I have the 2 columns already and I could leave both in the car.

Petersman wrote in post #15213749
It would help to know what camera gear you are using.

5Diii w/16-35II or 24-70L on a RRS L-bracket and lever clamp on induro CT 313 legs with a arca p0 head (for now).

I've had a 3 way and they're too bulky with the longer knobs. Also they're not actually faster, the 405 and 410 have quick release options on each knob where you pull it out and it moves VERY fast. Then you use the geared twisting action to adjust slightly. They're pretty well done to be honest. I expected to HATE them when I saw them at photoexpo but I actually liked everything about it except their clamp (which I have a way around already...).

AnnieMacD wrote in post #15215151
I feel your pain! I had exactly the same problem and after some trial and error I ended up with the Manfrotto 410 (the $225 one that you mentioned above) and I also got this one: Amazon link

so you use both? And I'd have a RRS clamp with my current l-bracket so flipping to vertical isn't an issue for me.

ben_r_ wrote in post #15215420
I say give the Manfrotto a try and see how you feel and return it if you dont like it.

that was my thought. The bigger issue is getting the extra parts for the clamp, but I supposed I could put the bogen plate on my l-bracket for now to see how I like it...

DavidR wrote in post #15216033
This is exactly what I did and it worked out very well. Ballhead on the short column, 410 on the long.

Both the Hejnar Plate and clamp for the 410 are of the highest quality and I can highly recommend them.

nice, so you like the 410? Also, with the hejnar, do you think a RRS lever clamp would work on it? I don't really see a reason it wouldn't and I personally prefer the lever clamps... I was also thinking of just milling off the top surface, drilling and tapping some holes and just bolting the clamp right on there... ha ha.

That Arca Swiss is a thing of beauty. I've wanted it for a long time, but I hate slow. I'm an instant kinda guy. I don't know if I could stand the slowness of the gears.

As to heads with handles, phewy, I say.

I see no reason, with some work, that the RRS clamp could not be fitted to the Hejnar adaptor plate.

That D4 looks like a sweet head. After diong some searches on line, it appears that although it was released in Feb of 2011, it doesn't seem to be for sale anywhere. I am impressed with my Z1 head, and I'm sure the D4 would be of equal quality....once I put an RRS clamp on top of it

MDJAK wrote in post #15216187
That Arca Swiss is a thing of beauty. I've wanted it for a long time, but I hate slow. I'm an instant kinda guy. I don't know if I could stand the slowness of the gears.

the geared heads all have options to release the gears and move the heads quickly!

DavidR wrote in post #15216219
I see no reason, with some work, that the RRS clamp could not be fitted to the Hejnar adaptor plate.

thanks!

Jptenberg wrote in post #15216338
That D4 looks like a sweet head. After diong some searches on line, it appears that although it was released in Feb of 2011, it doesn't seem to be for sale anywhere. I am impressed with my Z1 head, and I'm sure the D4 would be of equal quality....once I put an RRS clamp on top of it

arca actually sells a version with a knob clamp that works with RRS plates. On all their heads, not just the D4 but it's on the list. They were very quick to point that out at expo to me when I said "but I don't like your bracket"... They also make a universal L-bracket that works with their fancy clamp as well but yeah, I'm not a huge fan of universal Ls...

Have you found anywhere to buy the D4 domestically?

I was given their card and price list at the show and was told I could order from them. I tossed it though because I'm not spending $1k on a head.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #15216185
so you use both? And I'd have a RRS clamp with my current l-bracket so flipping to vertical isn't an issue for me.

Which one I use depends on how rough/steep/long a trek I'm planning. If I'm going up a mountain, I take the light one on the short stalk. If I'm taking the car and then walking along an easy trail, I don't find the 410 too much. However, I do miss the 410 if I don't have it. IMHO it's the best, but then I haven't tried many of the others!

Nice, I'm ordering one tonight.