Thanks, Drab.

aslightdelay said:
This is going to sound like a dumb question, but since I have no idea, I'll ask anyway. If I buy a ball head, can it be used on both a monopod and a tripod, or would they be different types/serve different purposes?

Can you use a tripod head on a monopod? Yes.

Do I personally see the point? No.

I find a simple pivot head to switch from landscape to portrait orientation to be all I need on top of a monopod. Any other direction of movement I tend to accomplish by leaning the monopod. IF I want to tilt to an extreme angle I align the pivot with the intended angle of movement and add it so that I don't move my camera's center of gravity too far away from the base of the monopod.

This behavior is based on my opinion that the entire point of a monopod is to be light, simple, and always with you. Adding a tripod head of any decent size can quickly double the weight of your monopod.

It's for this reason, also, that (in response to the OP) I bought a CF monopod long before I splurged and upgraded my tripod.

YMMV.

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but since I have no idea, I'll ask anyway. If I buy a ball head, can it be used on both a monopod and a tripod, or would they be different types/serve different purposes?

I bought several tripods for my students and had to get three different brands because there were not enough in local sotck to get all the same brand. The budget was small so these are each "inexpensive".

The best was a bit surprising - A Sunpak 3300. It has all the features we need, ball head, pans easy and is quick to set up.

The Manfrotto 7303YB is OK, but a distant second. It can't pan and is more difficult to set up...and Manfrotto has absolutely the worst customer service department I've encountered.

The third, and by far the worst, were two Velbon's...I think Velbon in Korean for "I got you sucker!" These lasted less than a week before they fell apart.

I bought two more $79 Sunpack 330's to replace the Velbons.

Snake

Got the ball head today. The legs come Wednesday. I'll give everyone an update come... Saturday? Maybe?

The ball head is a bit heavy but very sturdy, much sturdier than the comparably priced Giottos and much more well made than the comparable Manfrottos.

Thanks for the clarification heartyfisher.

Bean bag for photgraphy.. http://www.birdsasart.com/blubb.htm http://www.vertexphoto.com/BeanBag.aspx

But you really don't need such a fancy ones.. However you do need solid beans in the bean bag as the squishy ones atr not as useful for photography purposes..

I traded a D2XS with a 180mm f/2.8 for a bag full of magic beans once :)

Alphanikonrex,

I would assume that the beanbag is used to weight the tripod further. The heavier the tripod, the more sturdy it sits on the ground. Many tripods that I saw when I went hunting last weekend also had hooks at the bottom ends of the center columns from which to hang your camera bag and weight down the tripod. This will make it so if you press the shutter, that the tripod will not move as much. Or, if you're using timed delayed exposures or using an off-camera shutter release that the mirror itself will cause less shake in the tripod... All techniques to get a crisper image...

That is, if my hunch is right.

How exactly does a bean bag help steady the camera? I've always heard of them being used for photography, but I never figured out how they're used.

Poor?! My first tripod only had two good legs. I duct taped the broken leg together in order to at least have a tripod. Boy did I look professional when I showed up to weddings :^)
I think I still have that poor thing somewhere.

Oops, double post, forums acting up again :^(

Poor?! My first tripod only had two good legs. I duct taped the broken leg together in order to at least have a tripod. I think I still have that poor thing somewhere.

I fully agree with whats been said here regarding getting a good tripod.. Its one of the most overlooked photo accessory by the new photographer. I just would like to suggest that a little home made bean bag helps a lot as well .. really cheap and effective.. :-) yeah I was a poor student for a long time :-) lol! did you see my home made star-burst filters :-)

NikoDoby is right on this one, typically the more expensive ones come with two separate locks, one for the ball and one for panning. The problem is that typically the difference in price between that and the one with just a lock on the ball is upwards of $150USD+.

I pulled the trigger. It'll be here by Wednesday at the latest, here's for hoping it'll be here on Monday. I went for one of the lower-end Induro ballheads (SA-23) that I can upgrade later, if I so choose. Looking forward to it, I'll be sure to post some follow ups for anyone else interested in tripods and Induros in specific.

I don't have any personal experiences with Velbon but I have heard the quality doesn't match the price. You can't pan a camera while it's on a ballhead. You have to first "release" the ball move the head freely and then lock it back in place. I believe some of the more expensive ballheads do allow the base to spin independent of the ballhead.

The problem with a dedicated panning head is that it is very bulky and it's not something you want to lug around with you on a hiking trip. You've got those big "handles" sticking out of the head in different directions. The only reason I'd say get a panning head is if you are only going to be using it for video.

I am very interested in the velbon model Robb Mann linked us to. This looks very promising!

NikoDoby- would your recommended head fit on this? Also, does that head allow panning? I dont see any lever one would grab to pan the camera. I am new to this tripod stuff though.. haha

I've got the SLIK PRO 700DX titanium alloy tripod ($99 on Amazon) with the SLIK 800 Ballhead. This tripod is a tank, large, heavy and sturdy. Its great for studio and landscapes, if you plan on carrying a tripod around long distances get something lighter like the carbon fiber SLIK PRO 614 DX ($245 on Amazon) I also have that and love it. I also heard great things about Manfrotto and especially the pricey Gitzo.

I've got the SLIK pro 614 carbon fiber tripod (twist lock legs) and the SLIK titanium pro 700dx (leg locks) <--heavy and stable. Get a lightweight carbon fiber one if you plan on traveling/carrying it a lot. Also get a good ballhead, the trigger release ones are great but larger in size. I've also heard great things about Manfrotto and especially the pricy Gitzo.

BTW this is the ballhead I use on my tripods http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-14-2.html

I've got that same ballhead (I think it's the same #) it's ok but I much prefer using the stuff I've already mentioned. My biggest complaint with the manfrotto quick release plate is that it has a bit of give on it.

The tripod is good just watch out with those snapping leg locks. They can hurt if you ever get pinched by one :^( They also tend to get loose after a while but you can tighten them back up with a socket wrench with no problems.

I was thinking about this setup.. wont be getting anything till the holidays but I'm trying to plan. Thoughts?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000UMX7FI/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009R6MQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

I dont plan to carry it all the time.. but just for photo trips for night shots and long exposures... occaisons basically.. would anyone recommend this setup?

Go for it Kellen. Stop thinking about it so much already :^)
You can repay us for the advice by posting up some your photos taken from your new tripod.
Or how about you just give us some calculus tutoring ;^)

Good luck Kellen

I think I'm pulling the trigger on the Induro legs and an Induro ballhead that I can later replace if necessary. Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it a lot.

I agree Niko, the best tripod is the one you use. Always makes my pictures better.

Kellen the RRS BH-25 is a bit smaller than the SA23 head you first mentioned. It's about 3" tall where the SA23 is about 4". I forgot to point out that the BH-25 isn't a quick release. The BH-25LR comes with a quick release clamp but cost $30 dollars more :^(

If you tried out the Induro and you like it, then don't let any of us tell you differently. Like I said tripods are very personal and what works for someone might not work for someone else. If the Induro has what you like then just get it.

You can always replace the head on the Induro when you have more moola. Most tripods have a 3/8"-16 screw to mount the ballhead to the tripod. The specs on the Induro A313 says you'll be just fine for future ballhead updates. So just go ahead get the Induro and start taking pictures already :^)

Best Buy actually sells the Velbon El Carmagne Carbon Fiber tripod for $199 - I got mine for less because the manager thought it had been discontinued. (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8307405&type=product&id=1173577949568) The 3-way pan/tilt head weighs more than the entire rest of the tripod, but once you take it off you have a lovely 3/8" stud that will accept any standard tripod head. I teamed mine up with an Acratech V2 for a super light weight, strong medium-use tripod. I can mount my D700+70-200 with no vibration whatsoever.

The Carbon Fiber tripod itself is easily the equal of Induro, and better in quality than the cheap Adorama CF ones.