How do You Protect Your Tripod Head?

I'm currently researching a new set of low cost tripod legs. What I like about the Feisol 3442's is that the legs can fold over the tripod head possibly protecting it when rolling around in the trunk, cab or other. What I don't like is in order to do this their must be a center column. I'm no longer a fan of center columns.

If I don't get the 3442's is their another way of protecting the tripod head?

Wrap it in egg shells.

I don't do anything special to "protect" my tripod head. Never had an issue with transport.

I usually have the platform tipped back. For airline travel, it is in a soft case with the head in the same position. Other times the head is removed and carried on. When I was using a three way pan-tilt head, the handles were unscrewed with one handle left on and platform tipped back like the ball head is.

You don't really need to protect the head.

I remove mine when I pack the tripod in the suitcase, but that's about it.

And the 3442's legs can be reversed over the head even without a centre column. You just need to have a small enough head.

If you have a finicky ballhead Kirk makes good pouches.

My BH-55 came with a cover. I didn't think I'd use it but I do. Not least as there are maybe six tripods thrown into the back of the car and they don't get treated too well. The cover gets pulled over the head in situ on the tripod.

I don't.

Any small neoprene pouch inverted on the head, and carried in a padded tripod bag.

Thanks for the replies.

For today, I simply used a lens pouch. Maybe this is what I'll do until I make my mind up on tripod legs and if that's a feature then I'm covered. I guess even a sock would do.

OT: Sirrith, have you done a review on the 3442? I'm interested in it, but wondering if it'll be tall enough, I'm 5'9". I have lots of back problems and can't hunch like I used to.

I just started using my Lens Coat Hood cover with a rubber band to cover the ballhead.

Tall tripods that are not expensive are not easy to find. I think Feisol makes the best. Of course, if weight is not an issue, look at Gitzo's aluminun and basalt lines. You may pay more, but if they are the same as the carbon fiber models, they come in tall and extra tall versions.

This may sound like an odd question, but are there screw on posts that could get me by if it were an absolute emergency, say 4" at most? In-other-words a post that would screw onto the stud on top of the spider and then screw my head on top of that. Like I say, just as a last resort.

tvphotog wrote in post #16906493
Any small neoprene pouch inverted on the head, and carried in a padded tripod bag.

I found a set of 3 or 4 neoprene pouches on eBay for $10.00 shipped like the one pictured, (but black) and they work great. I keep my tripod and mono in the same bag so I cover the heads of both with these pouches. One started to pull apart at a seam pretty quick but a dab of super glue fixed that.

When I using the tripod, I snap the pouch's clip onto the shoulder strap lug and it becomes a mini basket for whatever including my remote release.

Simon_Gardner wrote in post #16905873
My BH-55 came with a cover. I didn't think I'd use it but I do. Not least as there are maybe six tripods thrown into the back of the car and they don't get treated too well. The cover gets pulled over the head in situ on the tripod.

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Exactly the same as me, I keep this over my BH-55 at all times when not in use!

Ynot wrote in post #16906583
OT: Sirrith, have you done a review on the 3442? I'm interested in it, but wondering if it'll be tall enough, I'm 5'9". I have lots of back problems and can't hunch like I used to.

No, I figured Jay's review of the 3441T covered the 3442 adequately since they are the same set of legs with a different platform

I don't know feet, but I am ~175cm, and the 3442 + ballhead + camera means the viewfinder reaches pretty much exactly my eye level. If you want a little extra boost, I would recommend you get the 3441T. The centre column does not detract from stability, and you don't have to raise it ever. You can replace it with the short centre column to allow the tripod to go lower. And because of the centre column locking knob, you get an extra ~1.5" of height over the 3442. I actually have both tripods in the form of the legs of the 3442 and the spiders for both 3441T and 3442.