Whats your favorite type of Head?

[PictureBox]

This is officially the best thread I've read in a looong time!


pssst.... does that fact that I use balls make me gay? :lmao:

Of course not you just like the flexibility

 

[480sparky]

How come no one has mentioned beer?

 

[Overread]

Gah I'm glad this isn't a sports forum - there'd be balls everywhere

As for tripod heads I think its important to know what kind of work you will be doing, some heads are better than others for specific purposes and others are useless for others.

My views:
Geared heads - are fantastic for macro work; allowing you very fine controls in each of the 3 axis of movement without having to release the pressure from supporting the setup. They also don't suffer droop or shifting of the position either (common problems with many ball heads in macro work).
They are also good for landscape, buildings and any scene where you've time to setup your tripod and camera and where you don't have to track any motion.
They are hopeless for moving subjects however, since you can't release the pressure on any axis without having your hand on the pressure release the whole time - and even each pressure release only works for one axis so you are limited to one angle of motion.


Ballheads - about the most well rounded (see I make jokes too!!......what it not that bad!!) head type; allowing freeform control over the positioning of the camera. Upper level heads will even have built in panning bases (or these can be added separately) to aid in panning shots when you only want side to side motion. For most applications they won't show any drooping at all (I've only ever seen it with 1:1 magnification macro) and the upper range ones will, again, offer a more secure and strong hold. They have option that can support even exceptionally heavy lens and camera setups as well.

3-way heads - a little slower than your ballhead, but still able to quickly position the camera how you want it. Great for studio or landscape work; though a little less ideal for motion tracking (but not impossible, just not as easily controlled as a ballhead).

Gimbal - these are specialist heads for heavy telephoto setups (your 300mm f2.8 and longer) which allow for balancing of the setup around the centre of gravity. Thus allowing secure and easy repositioning and motion. These are almost the only heads suitable for this kind of work where you have lenses far in excess the weight of the camera; whilst other heads can do well (and there are one or two hybrid gimbal ballheads out there) these are the ideal choice.


In the end its all about choosing the right head for the right situation; ballheads being good generalists for most fields, whilst the others being more specific toward select areas of interest.

 

[Demers18]

Overread,
Do you like the word "whilst"?

 

[480sparky]

Overread,
Do you like the word "whilst"?

King's English.

 

[Demers18]

King's English.

I've just noticed He's used it in almost every reply I've read in the past day or so lol. Had to ask

 

[Overread]

Overread,
Do you like the word "whilst"?

I might possibly like using that word here and there. Though its normally 'therefore', 'further', 'in-addition' and 'furthermore' that I tend to notice that I use far to frequently; whilst I've never really noticed that I use whilst so often.

 

[Buckster]

Like Overread said, it's all about what's appropriate at the time. Most of the time I use one of my 3 ball heads. Sometimes, especially for macro, my 3 way geared head is better. And I like my gimbal for handling my 100-400 if I'm shooting it from a tripod.

 

[LittleMike]

I have the Manfrotto 410 Jr geared head and absolutely love it. I used to have a ball head, but often found myself wanting to make very small adjustments and not being able to. After playing around a little with a geared head, I decided it was the right move for me. With that being said, it completely depends on how you plan on using it. For example, a geared head would be horrible for sports, wildlife, or really anything that moves

 

[Geaux]

Anyone using a pistol grip ball head? I've debated that route for a while now.

 

[Overread]

Pistol grips ballheads are an acquired taste - some love them some hate them; I'm mostly in the latter camp.

My only problem with pistol grip ballheads is that most require you to keep your hand on the grip the whole time you want the pressure off. If you want to pan a scene whilst having access to the lens (eg manual focus correcting or zoom control) you are out of luck. In my mind a regular ballhead is superior, since I can release the pressure without having to take my hand off the lens for any longer than it takes to unscrew the pressure knob

 

[Destin]

Anyone using a pistol grip ball head? I've debated that route for a while now.

No, but I've used one when I assisted a wedding and I really liked it. It was manfrotto/bogen but I have no idea what model number.

 

[SCraig]

Ball head for general purpose, geared head for more precise positioning.

 

[ctfeet]

Balls. I prefer balls. I can work with balls. I can turn them, and move them, and position them ever so slightly to do what I want when I need to perform to my work to my liking. I can take the head and turn the head and move the head in my hands and when I have taken in my hands the feel I am looking for...I can capture and sieze the moment for something memorable.

The only problem with that thought is that when you are working the balls you can sometimes get undesirable drooping of the equipment. But with the three way the equipment will stay up for as long as you need it.

 

[j_mejia17]

No, but I've used one when I assisted a wedding and I really liked it. It was manfrotto/bogen but I have no idea what model number.

I just bought a manfrotto 322rc2 pistol grip ball head and can't wait to try it out. I guess I'll be able to chime in once I start using it. It was recommended by a good friend but I've never actually used one. I know I wouldn't use it for action shots but the quick adjustments was a big draw for me.