Ball versus 3-Way head

Heaviest ballhead? Probably pretty darn heavy. Take the max load capabilities of your tripod and subtract 4 pounds to account for camera & lens weight, and that's your max head weight.

But really, how do you use the tripod? Do you like it fully extended with a big camera and lens on it? This might be precarious with a light tripod - stable, yes, but kick a leg accidentally and it may fall over - or it just might not be heavy enough to remain motion-free. You might not want to decrease stability by adding a heavy head. Do you always use a small lens, thus adding little weight and allowing for a heavier head? Do you like to do landscapes low to the ground? Stability's not so much of an issue here, so a heavy head's OK. Did you get the CF to save weight? If so, get a light head.

I guess, for me, the answer would be to get the smallest, lightest head that will do what I want. I say small & light because that's why *I* would buy a CF tripod.

Actually, I think the answer for any "which head" question is "the smallest, lightest head that will do what you want." But with the reminder that if you use big lenses in high winds then the "lightest" head should probably weigh as much as possible. And then you wouldn't want a CF tripod in this case.

Yup! The CF for weight. To be used for macros, landscapes etc. I don't see me using the long lens on it. Although I still use my Mamiya medium format film camera on occasion.

I was leaning toward the 3030 and kept reading about the better versatility in use of the ballhead and thus my question. Then I thought about the 322RC2 but read some negative comments about that one (too small a ball) .For macros, I think the 3 way has benefits, but I am used to the ballhead I have on my monopod and comments read here led me away from the 3 way.

I should go into a store and look in person, but I have mostly given up on photo stores, not for price reasons, but because I find the personel increasingly unfriendly. Not all of them , but the 2 closest to my home.

I agree, the 3 way can be nice for macros. It can be a pain in the butt to set up sometimes, but the versatile movement can make up for this. I'd be looking at a medium-sized head - too small a ball can *really* be a pain. And there's little sense in wiping out the weight-savings of a CF by getting a 3-pound head. What about the 486RC2, or perhaps a little bigger like the 488RC2?

I think that they are too heavy. The CF is only rated for 15.5lbs which is the head weight of the 488RC2??? Does that seem correct??. I guess you can't have it both ways or I guess that this is "the rock and the hard place".

I am going to review all the weights I am dealing with and face it tomorrow. Thanks for your input!

I have a 3-way Bogen and a couple of ball-head mounts. While using my 35mm cameras I quickly learned that the 3-way drove me nuts because I was always getting confused as to which of the 3 handles controlled what movement so it took forever to set up a shot. With the ball head, there was only one thing to tighten/loosen and could usually get the camera leveled and aimed and the picture composed well within a minute or so. I find this even more useful when taking nighttime long exposures - I may not be able to see much but I can feel what to loosen/tighten.

488RC2 Specifications

This head can handle 17.6 Lb, and weighs 1.5 Lb.

I have the 488 RC2. When I bought it I wanted to order the 486 RC2, but the shop didn't have it in stock, so I took the 488 RC2. Later in another shop I saw the 486 RC2 and I was glad I took the 488. The 486 looked small, and it doesn't have the 0 - 360 degrees scale on the bottom of the head.

(I'm using a 10D, but I don't have really heavy lenses).

from using my 300D, i have only used ballhead on my monopod and the ballhead is amazing. i also have a monfrotto and have had no problems with it. i am actually kinda sad i can't use it more often. i have also used both the three way on the tripod with the 300D and i will admit that it drives up the wall with the amount of time it takes to get adjusted.

Would a ball head be strong enough to support a 20D/550EX/flash bracket (small one like quickflip or pro-t) in portrait mode? Given I don't need to pan, any suggestions which QR2 capable ball head I should look at? If I need a 3 way head, any suggestions which QR2 compatible head to use?

TIA

Have you considered acratech ultimate ballhead?

At less than a pound it seems to be "the" ballhead for the carbon fiber tripod.

I've read about 20 reviews on it, and all agree that manfrotto doesn't even come close with the quality.

What's more important is that's it's easy to clean.

Mind you, I only have 2 pan tilt manfrotto heads... and never used a ballhead.

http://www.acratech.ne​t …Code=AOS&Produc​t_Code=ubh

I have the Acratech on my Gitzo carbon fibre tripod. My old Manfrotto 468RC ball head stays at home most of the time and usually only gets used on the window pod if I am shooting game from a vehicle. I just find the Acratech more enjoyable to use.

Scott

I use an RRS ballhead on my Gitzo CF tripod. It will hold my 1DMkII with 100-400L with 1.4x TC attached at any angle without any creep. The ballhead movement is really smooth and you can adjust the tension so the head doesn't flop when you loosen it. It also has a bubble level. The only drawback might be the weight.

Consider a Haldex FT 6703.
It has a Pistol Grip - Ball Head, Quick Release Mount (it comes with a spare plate), there are 3 small levels on the head (2 circular & 1 straight) You can check the head for level from any side. It comes in a bag with a couple of tools. The legs have snap clamps to make it easy & quick to adjust. The legs are independant and can lift to aprox 90 degrees so you can lean them against a wall. The ball head is mounted on a removable centre shaft which is a telescopic monopod. The monopod (centre shaft) can be inverted to hang the camera under the tripod for close to the ground shots. The whole unit is a cracker!!! However it is made in Australia & the freight cost may make it expensive for you people in other parts or the world. I paid AU$295 for the whole unit. I purchase a lot of camera equipment from USA, Hong Kong & UK and have no problems but a tripod is quite large. I guess the exchange rate may make it cheap!!!

Hot Opal, the brand on that seems to be "Weifeng". I'd rather stick with Manfrotto, they have a great reputation.

Right now i'm strongly leaning towards a standard 3 way head, though i'd also consider one of these. I think it'd be easier to keep things level with a 3 way head, but anyone with practical experience either way could convince me. I'll be placing my order in an hour or so, any suggestions type fast!

Ok, i've been reading about tripod heads for a couple of hours now, and the general opinion seems to be ball heads are generally easier to use than pan/tilt heads, and preferred. My teacher recommeded a pistol grip head, but CDS's post convinced me that they're not the best idea.

I'd rather have the Manfrotto RC2 quick release system, to match my monopod. Could I put that plate on top of a different brand of ball head?

Now i'm considering a 488 RC2, or because of CDS the Giotto MH-3000. Any other suggestions at $150 or less?