Suitable ballhead for GT1541 / 1550 / MT?

Hey folks,

I seem to have a dilemna here. The cost of the recommended Markins is crazy, plus add on another 30% for shipping to NZ. There's also the downside of needing relevant plates to fit. I use a 5D II + 1D MK III plus an array of lens.

The other factor about the 1541 I don't like, is the lack of height. I'm 185cm (around 6' 1") tall.

Perhaps I should get a heavier tripod, Giotto MT-8350 - Only an extra 500grams, and has the extra height.

When I was living in the UK, I was very close to buying a Giotto setup, but backed out at the last minute. I'm heading back there in 5 weeks. The salesman had recommended one of the much cheaper Manfrotto 486RC2 I believe it was.

There's also the Manfrotto 190CX.. 055PRO4

Any suggestions welcome!

I love shooting landscapes, and quite often immerse myself in the water (probably not so good for the tripods... )

http://www.williamspho​tography.co.nz/

Probably rambling on a little above.

Probably swaying towards a cheaper 055PRO CX or 190 CX series.
Hopefully will make a decision tonight and order from USA.


Cheers!

So, what ballhead are you looking to buy?

No idea! LOL
The sad fact with New Zealand, most our stores don't stock any high end gear. I'd rather try stuff about, or have some really good recommendations.

I know many recommend the Markins, Q3T with GT1541, but the whole setup to be honest is a little expensive! I'd rather put it towards a new lens. Hoping to get a macro and 70-200 mid next year. Branch out a little

I see how budget is a big concern. Since you do quite a bit of landscapes, a good ballhead and legs is difficult to compromise. The Manfrotto Carbons are definitely a good choice. After buying several heads in the past, I spent more money going the inexpensive route. One thing that frustrated me with other heads is creep. By going the Markins route, you spend big but, buy once. You'll be happy in the end that you did.

Im curious as to why you haven chosen to go the ballhead route ?

I've only used a ballhead for the past 5 years - 488 RC0 with PRO 055B. Weighing around 3kg all up. Recently half of a leg fell off, and all of the joints have seized up. Definitely time to buy a new one.

Also found these newer Giotto Vitruvian series:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Vitruvian_VGR_C​arbon.html


Hey Paul, what would you recommend instead?
Some sort of solid pano head?
Geared?
I guess they're expensive and heavier?

Cheers

^I could recommend that one but, I never used it.

If you spend time in the water take a look at the Gitzo 1581OT (Ocean Traveler), even more expensive! Seriously though, I recently got a Benro traveler tripod and I'm impressed with it's quality, $323 with free shipping from China. It's a bit taller than the Gitzo 1541T too. Also take a look at the Photo Clam PC-33NS ballhead, $179 and excellent value for the money, it seems to be a clone of the Markins Q3T.

Feisol and PhotoClam might be your ticket Warren.

Thanks for the further suggestions. Although we have the money for the Ocean series, my partner simply wouldn't allow me to spend NZ$2000 on it. (to be honest, I should be treating her, after she won the NZ Geographic - Young Photographer of the Year award a few days ago)


Peter, where did you buy the setup from in China?
Cheers

Wazza wrote in post #11202986
Hey Paul, what would you recommend instead?
Some sort of solid pano head?
Geared?
I guess they're expensive and heavier?

Cheers

Well recently i asked my self the question i asked you, and i couldn't come up with a single reason as to why i use a ballhead.

I recently sold off my Markins M20 because it simply sat on the shelf collecting dust, i use Manfrotto geared heads both for my studio tripod and my location tripod.

Sure they aren't as compact as some of the ballheads (especially the Manfrotto 405) and for those hiking miles on foot it might not be the ideal solution as far as weight goes. Eventhough there are plenty of landscape shooters who use both the Manfrotto geared heads.

Personally i dont like the ballhead because its not precise. I often need to square things up, be it a portraits or a interior or a closeup shots of jewelry in these situations a ballhead is not the best tool.

The reason i started with ballheads was because of misstake i made years ago, which was the manfrotto 460MG 3-way head which is a disaster to work with. Thus i turned to ballheads and been using them ever since, and while i have managed to work with them i never liked the fiddling it takes to square things up.

Thank you Paul, really appreciate your thoughts.

JD: Looks like there's no Feisol available for NZ. There is Australia and the UK. Perhaps I could just deliver to UK when I'm there in a few weeks, however it's more expensive in Euros! Around 30% more
I'm emailing the USA site, to see if they can ship NZ.

Wazza wrote in post #11205543
Peter, where did you buy the setup from in China?

I bought mine from eBay dealer dc-stuffs, the listing expired yesterday. He may reinstate it. It's very confusing as Benro has just changed their model numbering system, but the Chinese vendors on eBay haven't caught up yet. What is for sale is a Benro C-286 M8, what you get is a Benro C2680T. Here's one for sale at $325.70 with free shipping. Here's the Benro site web page for the C2680T in a kit with a ballhead, ignore the ballhead but check out the tripod specs. If you decide to buy ask the vendor first if you'll be getting a C2680T if you order a C-286 M8. Below is a pic of the C2680T with the Gitzo 1541T so you can see the difference in size.

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