tripod heads, do you have 2?

after getting my new tripod legs and gimbal type head I have a question. I can see where I would still need or want a ball type head. Do you guys have 2 heads and change back and forth? or 2 tripods? or am I crazy thinking I need 2 types of tripod heads.

gimbal is great for birds, motorsports anything moving or tracking.

thinking I need the ball head for people / potrait ?

Thanks

I think it kinda depends on what lenses you have and how much you intend to use your tripod.

For birds, motorsports or aviation, you might be better off with an IS lens and handholding, or at least use a monopod if the lens is big and heavy. I shoot a lot of aviation and I got away from using my tripods and monopods (yes, I more than one of each) because they were more of a hindrance than a help.

For people and portraits, you might want to have a tripod with a standard ball head on it because you likely won't be using a big heavy lens that would require the use of the gimbal mount.

i don't have a need for a gimbal head yet. if i did, i'd probably keep a ball head around. they don't look like they'd fit in tripod case, so you'd probably have to find room in your gear bag.

plus, aren't most gimbals set up to shoot in a portrait orientation? what if you want a landscape on a small lens that doesn't have a tripod mount?

For the moment I swap between the gimbal and ball heads on my biggest tripod. I expect if I concentrate more on using long lenses I'll add another tripod.

Most people using gimbal heads are using Arca-Swiss QR clamps, so they get L plates for their cameras.

I use two different tripods. My gimbel head stas n the big gitzo 5541 and ball head on the smaller manfrotto. Changing things back and forth is a pain in the butt to me. Plus, I wouldn't want to pack that monster Gitzo everywhere.

I have five due to some poor buying decisions in the past. To be honest the only ones I use are the big Manfrotto 393 on a Gitzo 5530s and a tiny Giottos MH1302-655 that goes on the Gitzo 0530. Like the tripods themselves, buying a cheap and nasty head simply means that you'll buy again further down the line. Stick to the well known and recommended brands even if it means saving for a little longer until you can afford it.

thanks guys... looks like I might buy a ball head and just change when I need to. Thing is I just sold my 055xprob legs with 488rc2 head. should have sold the legs only, did not think I would need a ball head... but now I know....

I've only got the one tripod, but I do use a second ballhead on my monopod. They both use the A-S dovetail clamp system so I'm able to move between them without getting the allen keys out.

2 ...
I lost count of how many sticks, legs, head combos for different situations. But to make it quick I standardized on one QR plate for everything from gimbals to macro rigs. Some are stored at different locations some with various bags/rollers so I don't forget (gettin' old...I mean "wise")

Hmmm, let's have a quick count -

Three tripods (a heavy Gitzo for use at home, a lighter Velbon for out and about and a very light Slik for air travel) and five heads (Gimbal for use at home or near the car, Acratech Long Lens Head for out and about, Acratech ball head for use at home, Manfrotto tilt/shift for the monopod, Velbon cheap 'n' nasty in storage).

I don't have any lenses long enough to need a gimbal... But when I used to (100-400) I used my acratech GV2 and it worked quite well. I'm sure a larger lens would be limiting on it, but for a 100-400 it worked VERY well. As for 2 heads/legs, yes I have 2 sets. I have one very nice set with the GV2 on a set of gitzo carbon legs that is my primary setup. I also have a ~15 y/o pair of bogen legs that are the only piece of my original film kit left paired with a $50 chinese knockoff head. I leave it's crappy acra plate in the head and this tripod LIVES in the trunk of my car (trunkpod!). That way if I ever forget my tripod in the house for some reason, or even my plate, I'm covered. It's saved my ass ~3 times now and several other people on group shoots who either forgot something or just don't have legs yet.

hollis_f wrote in post #9948609
Hmmm, let's have a quick count -

Three tripods (a heavy Gitzo for use at home, a lighter Velbon for out and about and a very light Slik for air travel) and five heads (Gimbal for use at home or near the car, Acratech Long Lens Head for out and about, Acratech ball head for use at home, Manfrotto tilt/shift for the monopod, Velbon cheap 'n' nasty in storage).

Just curious. What do you shoot inside your home that requires a gimbal head? Or do you have very young ones that are hard to pin down when taking pictures of them.

Got a ball head and a Junior geared head on separate tripods. The latter head is very precise for macro which is about all I do.

PacAce wrote in post #9950636
Just curious. What do you shoot inside your home that requires a gimbal head? Or do you have very young ones that are hard to pin down when taking pictures of them.

Currently it gets set up every evening where the weather's fine to try and get some video footage of one of our local Barn Owls, using my 300 2.8 +1.4TC. Unfortunately, they seem to be very camera-shy. Still, I shall persevere.

Normally I shoot the 300 hand-held. But video really does need a stable platform, so the Gimbal will be getting more use. I'm determined to get some footage of a singing Nightingale this spring.

hollis_f wrote in post #9950917
Currently it gets set up every evening where the weather's fine to try and get some video footage of one of our local Barn Owls, using my 300 2.8 +1.4TC. Unfortunately, they seem to be very camera-shy. Still, I shall persevere.

Normally I shoot the 300 hand-held. But video really does need a stable platform, so the Gimbal will be getting more use. I'm determined to get some footage of a singing Nightingale this spring.

I thought it might be something like that except I thought maybe you were shooting back yard birds. But the barn owls sound much more exciting. Hope you succeed in getting some really good shots of them.