ball heads

Sim · Feb 4, 2008

I'm thinking of biting the bullet and investing in a good quality tripod and ball head...

I'm planning on buying the Manfrotto Mag Fiber 055MF3 tripod ( http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/st...rtmentId=10408&categoryId=10453&itemID=145305 ) but I can't decide on a ball head.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Johnboy2978 · Feb 4, 2008

I have the Bogen 3021BPro legs with a 322rc2 ball head and really like the combination.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353324-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

I recently added a panning base for panorama work from Feisol:
http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm

Guess it depends really on what your needs/wants are though.

Bevel Heaven · Feb 5, 2008

I like the tripod I just bought. see my .sig below for model. Has built in ball head and quick release made by manfrotto / bogan. Love it and it was less than $150

Sim · Feb 5, 2008

Hmm sounds like maybe the tripod I was looking at is overkill.

I'd really like to do some long exposure photography, but aside from that I think it'd be pretty average use. Nothing fancy.

Bevel Heaven · Feb 5, 2008

this holds my camera with my 17-55 f2.8 lens mounted on the camera no problem, or my camera with the 70-200 f2.8 mounted on the lens no problem and the 70-200 is a monster. I searched for quite a while until I found a tripod to fit my criterium........ criteriun? er, specs. This was it.

HASHASHIN · Feb 6, 2008

i just picked up a manfrotto 190xprob and the 486RC2 ball head

holds my xti with battery grip, plus my 24-105L IS with no problems.

Silverbackmp · Feb 8, 2008

Love my Markins M10.

kundalini · Feb 8, 2008

Here is a nice little read for you by Thom Hogan on tripod advice. If you're biting, bite down hard.

I have a Bogen 488RC4 ball head and pretty happy with it. There are better though.

Don Kondra · Feb 9, 2008

I bought a Velbon a couple of months ago and am very pleased with it.

PH-157G head and Sherpa 550R stand.

http://www.velbon-tripod.com/sherpa.htm

~$150.00

Cheers, Don.

Sim · Feb 10, 2008

Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

Two steps forward, one step back. I feel like I may have been a bit too hasty when I decided to go with the Manfrotto tripod. The article you linked to says the same thing I've been reading everyone: Gitzo's the way to go -- at double the price the Manfrotto, of course.

kundalini said:
Here is a nice little read for you by Thom Hogan on tripod advice. If you're biting, bite down hard.

I have a Bogen 488RC4 ball head and pretty happy with it. There are better though.

The Markins M10 is looking very tempting. Silverbackmp, are using the full Markins setup, or did you get a Really Right Stuff Lever Quick Release Clamp to go with it?

MichaelT · Feb 10, 2008

I've used the 3251 Manfrotto with their 322RC2 head for a long time, and absolutely love the speed and stability. It's a bit on the heavy side, but in the portrait studio and on location it's a wonderful support. I also use a cable release to get the absolute best image possible.

Sometimes I get in a situation where I have to use a typical multi-section leg tripod and absolutely hate it. I've been spoiled by the 3251.

EOS_JD · Feb 10, 2008

THe 055MF3 is a great tripod. I bought the 055ProB and wish I'd gotten the carbon fibre model.... much lighter!

I gotr the 488RC4 ballhead and it's excellent in use but is quite heavy. Not sure what better ball heads there are but for me the combo is excellent...if just a little heavy.