Steve'sDigicams

FaithfulPastor · Mar 21, 2010, 7:10 PM

I'm looking for a ball head for my tripod. The kind I'm looking for will have levers that have a have a lock in handle where the handle is an inch or two in diameter.

I have a ball head that uses small knobs that I just can't get tight enough to hold things in place. I would be open to a pistol grip, but that's not my favorite.

I'd really like a ball head with two or three levers that tighten and also serve to aim the DSLR. I saw one recently that had 3 levers that had large handles. I was not able to ask the owner of the ball head for the model.

But I instantly saw the torque advantage of a larger grip handle than the finger twist knobs.

Thanks!

gjtoth · Mar 22, 2010, 7:56 AM

I've been satisfied with the heads I've ordered from Amvona.

FaithfulPastor · Mar 22, 2010, 7:58 AM

Which model?

FaithfulPastor · Mar 24, 2010, 4:00 PM

Well, I purchased a Manfrotto Standard 3 way head. Model 808RC4. It says it's good for up to 17 pounds.

So I shot my test photo with it just to see how sharp I could get a photo. I used the 24-105 L Canon lens with IS turned off. I used the 10 second delay shutter, I shot the photo at 5.6 and used the tripod and shot it in RAW.

Woe.

TCav · Mar 24, 2010, 4:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaithfulPastor

... I'd really like a ball head with two or three levers that tighten and also serve to aim the DSLR. ...

That sounds like a Pan/Tilt head. Are you sure you want a Ball Head?

FaithfulPastor · Mar 24, 2010, 9:52 PM

TCav, you are right again. I did not go for a ball head, it was a Pan/Tilt. You have a most keen eye.

Thanks for reading my posts, I appreciate your comments very much.

Faithfully yours.
FP

mtngal · Mar 25, 2010, 2:26 PM

Not all ball heads are created equal. I've had several ball heads that don't tighten down but hate fiddling with a bunch of different levers, where I'd get one of them lined up right, only to have to re-adjust another one (the pan/tilt I have). I finally bought a relatively expensive, good quality ball head and have had no more trouble with camera droop or being able to tighten it down properly.

FaithfulPastor · Mar 25, 2010, 2:50 PM

So... Mtngal, which ballhead did you buy?

mtngal · Mar 25, 2010, 5:56 PM

Not the one I wanted, believe it or not. I wanted a Really Right Stuff ball head as I knew I was going to get their L-bracket and quick release plate. I ended up buying the basic Gitzo ball head because they were offering $100 rebate if you purchased both a head and a tripod at the same time. The head was cheaper than the RRS head to begin with, and add on the larger rebate and I couldn't turn it down. While I would have preferred the RRS head, the Gitzo works very well so I can't complain at all. Needless to say, I have more money tied up with my tripod set-up than most, but I love my set-up, it's light, easy to use, steady and perfect for my needs. I no longer have to worry about camera droop or the camera rotating because the bracket doesn't fit the camera right. The L-bracket makes it quick and fast to switch from landscape to vertical, without having to do major re-aligning.

Mar 21, 2010, 7:10 PM	#1
FaithfulPastor Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 656	Ball Head I'm looking for a ball head for my tripod. The kind I'm looking for will have levers that have a have a lock in handle where the handle is an inch or two in diameter. I have a ball head that uses small knobs that I just can't get tight enough to hold things in place. I would be open to a pistol grip, but that's not my favorite. I'd really like a ball head with two or three levers that tighten and also serve to aim the DSLR. I saw one recently that had 3 levers that had large handles. I was not able to ask the owner of the ball head for the model. But I instantly saw the torque advantage of a larger grip handle than the finger twist knobs. Thanks!

Mar 22, 2010, 7:56 AM	#2
gjtoth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 6,944	I've been satisfied with the heads I've ordered from Amvona. __________________ Gary ---- "The best camera is the one you have with you." <><~~~~~~~~~~~ Pentax K-70 ~ Panasonic FZ1000 ~ Panasonic ZS40 My Gallery -- Hebrews 13:3

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Mar 22, 2010, 7:58 AM	#3
FaithfulPastor Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 656	Which model?

Mar 24, 2010, 4:00 PM	#4
FaithfulPastor Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 656	Well, I purchased a Manfrotto Standard 3 way head. Model 808RC4. It says it's good for up to 17 pounds. So I shot my test photo with it just to see how sharp I could get a photo. I used the 24-105 L Canon lens with IS turned off. I used the 10 second delay shutter, I shot the photo at 5.6 and used the tripod and shot it in RAW. Woe.

Mar 24, 2010, 9:52 PM	#6
FaithfulPastor Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 656	TCav, you are right again. I did not go for a ball head, it was a Pan/Tilt. You have a most keen eye. Thanks for reading my posts, I appreciate your comments very much. Faithfully yours. FP

Mar 25, 2010, 2:26 PM	#7
mtngal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Frazier Park, CA Posts: 16,165	Not all ball heads are created equal. I've had several ball heads that don't tighten down but hate fiddling with a bunch of different levers, where I'd get one of them lined up right, only to have to re-adjust another one (the pan/tilt I have). I finally bought a relatively expensive, good quality ball head and have had no more trouble with camera droop or being able to tighten it down properly.

Mar 25, 2010, 2:50 PM	#8
FaithfulPastor Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 656	So... Mtngal, which ballhead did you buy?

Mar 25, 2010, 5:56 PM	#9
mtngal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Frazier Park, CA Posts: 16,165	Not the one I wanted, believe it or not. I wanted a Really Right Stuff ball head as I knew I was going to get their L-bracket and quick release plate. I ended up buying the basic Gitzo ball head because they were offering $100 rebate if you purchased both a head and a tripod at the same time. The head was cheaper than the RRS head to begin with, and add on the larger rebate and I couldn't turn it down. While I would have preferred the RRS head, the Gitzo works very well so I can't complain at all. Needless to say, I have more money tied up with my tripod set-up than most, but I love my set-up, it's light, easy to use, steady and perfect for my needs. I no longer have to worry about camera droop or the camera rotating because the bracket doesn't fit the camera right. The L-bracket makes it quick and fast to switch from landscape to vertical, without having to do major re-aligning.