where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
I have had my trusty old Manfrotto 190 tripod (silver) for 15 years I think and have tried different heads on it, but my current one has to go (one of these, won on ebay, hunk of metal type thing and I don't even have a boat)
I also have a Manfrotto monopod with a 234RC head with a 200 PL Quick release plate, At the moment my max camera/lens weight is app 6 Lbs. It would be handy to get another Manfrotto head with the same 200 PL Quick release plate
Any Ideas
Pete
If you can afford the Arca Swiss Z1 with a quick release (I like Really Right Stuff lever QRs), then get it. It's perfectly solid, th eelliptical ball means progressive resistance, and no flops. It supports a lot of weight, but is not heavy. I can't imagine a way to improve upon it.
As i always do, i recommend people buy the high end stuff, i personally use RRS BH-55, might aswell cash out for the good stuff the first time, or you will regret it later.
so my overall main suggestion is always, buy the expensive durable head first, or you'll just end up spending even more money trying out 5 of the cheaper ones,which will most likely drive you nuts, until you end up buying the good head in the end, and then ask yourself: why did i spent all that money on the other ones, when i could of just gotten the right head at the beginning.
The RRS BH-55 is the "other" head I've heard the most good things about. My Bro-In-Law is very fond of his, although as a Canon shooter you could choose to ignore him (he's got the Nikon 14-24/2.8, so he's a bit Nikon too).
If I had a $ 1000.00 to spend on a new Tripod and ballhead this would as you say properly be best that you can get.
Anyway I was more looking to get a smaller more suitable ballhead for my 15yr old Manfrotto 190, which is in great shape considered how long it has been used, even the smaller RRS-BH-40 is still more than I want to spend
Also I have staff discounts for Manfrotto, Slik and Gitzo: I am working in Camera Retail and have just started to build my P/T business shooting sports events, so I am not made of money OK, I still think that a lesser brand like Manfrotto makes a great product
So I am looking for a ballhead that is suitable for my smaller size 190 Monfrotto. Strong enough to handle my -D300/grip with my 70-200 2.8VR. I kind of hoping that some of you have had experience with the Manfrotto ballheads that are using the same 200 PL Quick release plate that I use with my Monopod
Thanks
Pete
There's "high-end" practical stuff and then there are "luxury goods.". ;)
Soap: That is like in BMX racing my Son has a nice highend Redline Racer at app 14.5 Lbs, they cost around $ 600 new, now then we have custom Crupi Racers that can get the weight down to less than 13 Lbs but you are now talking $ 2000 plus
Pete
I guess i can call myself fortunate, as in i dont find the amount i paid for my BH-55 to be much compared to what it gives me, im not rich either.
Ive spent a VERY long time saving up for the gear i currently own, suffice to say ive been working since i was 16, when i turned 18 i started to operate a truck mounted crane, at 21 i started to operate a bigger one, now at almoast 24 im operating a mobile crane, 250 tonne one, and all the time since i was around 18 ive been saving most of my money, because i dont spend it on clothes etc. like some people my age maybe would.
I also still live at home, albeit its in the room on top of my parents garage, its still cheaper than my own house or an appartment, so the only reason i as an advanced amateur photographer is running around with a 600mm on a wimberley head on my gitzo 5541 and my bh-55 on a gitzo 3541 is just that.
I dont own anything else, except an old crappy car, everything i earn is spend on Neeeeekon gear and accesories.
Ive chosen to live this way because, im not sure if i could say it this way, but id descripe it as taking my passion for photography to the next level. Also, as some of you might, i don't (yet) have a family i have to think about, if i did, i certainly would not spend (that much) on gear but rather on my kids, so i thoroughly understand why you'd want to try and get a cheaper one.
I guess this turned into a litle bit of a background story about me, call it my introduction to this forum if you will =), even tho ive been lurking around for a while.
Back on topic, i would very much suggest that if you have the possibility, go to a store and try em' out if you can, most important features in my mind is its fluid motion, when its locked its LOCKED, and that it feels solid.
That would proberly be the the best advice i can give, but im sure someone else must have some experience with heads from manfrotto etc.
So, excuse me for my long post, i guess im bored =).
I understand what you are saying and I can try some of the stuff at work but I hoped to hear from others that have used something that I was looking for, to how they worked, do they lock and lock after being used for a while
Pete
Pete - You can go for the Manfrotto 486RC2 - it's rather lightweight and supports uo to 6kg (+/- 12pounds) and it accepts Your plate 200PL
All Nikon DSLRs costs more than the Arca Swiss Z1 or BH-55. They're also cheaper than virtually all Nikon glass (35/1.8 and 50/1.8 not-with-standing) and they'll probably last forever, improve all your shots and make your life easier. I, like Demisthene, have worked for all my stuff. I'm just a lot older, but I'm always amazed that people who will recommend lenses that cost over $1,000, will balk at a tripod and head of equal price. In the US Gitzo is guaranteed for life and premium ball heads also have an incredibly long life, much more so than cameras and lenses. I'd part with virtually any lens before I'd give up my GT-2541ex and Z1.
Adamz: I have looked at that one, and it would get some more life out my old 190 tripod. I was also kind of looking at the Manfrotto 488RC2 it has more adjustments and slightly higher weight limit(same plate also). I have another larger tripod with a 3 way head, for that one I could see getting a better ballhead some day
Thanks Pete
Pete,
I love my 488, but I'd recommend the RC0 QR system instead of RC2. It's the hexagonal plate and it's easy enough to stick my camera on the head with my eyes closed (read: in the dark). Weight is an issue, like you mentioned, and some people complain that the standard RC0 plate sticks out so far they have to rearrange their bag to accommodate the extra camera height, but I haven't had that problem (there's also a slimmer RC0 plate available at B&H if it is an issue) and the weight isn't a big deal for me and my olympian physique.
I balk at the price because I don't grok what I get for it.
I totally dig what I get for the price of glass - throwing bad money after good is hardly an argument.
I have never had a photo where I said "damn - if only my tripod was better than my Manfrotto 3021 I paid $100 for used with head.
It all depends on what you do with your camera. When I shoot in my garden with my 200/4 macro, my percentage of good shots improves when I use a tripod. When I go hiking in local parks with creeks, if I have my tripod, I do long exposures. My perfectly serviceable Gitzo Cremalliere III from the 70s is a pain in the neck to carry (7 pounds), the pan and tilt head meanders and I simply don't use it. On the other hand, I carry my carbon fiber Gitzo with its perfect Arca Swiss ball head. My next purchase is an even lighter weight carbon fiber Gitzo with a smaller, lighter ball head. I don't know about you, but I can't hand-hold 1-2 second exposures. I also wonder how well you're going to like your 3021 after setting it up 10-15 times and carrying it for several hours. I'd rather have a GT0541 w/BH-25 w/QR that weighs 2 pounds, but if you want to be a beast of burden, knock yourself out!
I'll pay for another week in Spain over a composite tripod anyday. My 3021 far from slows me down.
Good for you, I prefer France and Italy. When I go there though, I'd rather take a rangefinder than a Nikon.
I need the siesta culture after lugging my heavy tripod and cameras!
;)
My point stands, though, there are real-world tradeoffs in buying an expensive tripod. The idea they give you /better/ photos is bogus.
We should just get richer and hire assistants!
Hi jonnyapple: I think that will be the head that I will try out, but I will get it with the 200 plate then it would be the same as the plate from my Monopod, just easier that way. I think the size of the 488 should be a good match to my 190 tripod
Pete
I've got the RC2 plate on my monopod (it's much easier to turn a monopod than a tripod or even a tripod head). It probably sounds silly or lazy, but being able to put the QR plate into the head in any of 6 orientations makes it so much more practical for me. But I should explain that I haven't yet had a reason to switch quickly between my monopod and tripod, but I have had reasons to want to quickly remove my camera and/or put it back on the tripod. So if that doesn't describe you, ignore me. This thread points out some of the tradeoffs we make. There's no 'right' option for every photographer. Not everyone can comfortably carry around their 3021 legs with a 488 ball head. Even with my aforementioned physique, there have been times when some carbon fiber legs have sounded pretty tempting.
Thanks jonny: yes we all have different needs and at times have to learn the hard way(like my waste of money ebay ballhead), but being that I have a 234RC head with a 200 PL Quick release plate on my monopod, I think it would be best to stick to the same 200 plate. I actual like the 234RC head on my monopod, with it mounted to the tripod mount on my 70-200 2.8VR it allows me to turn my lens(from horizontal to vertical) on the lens tripod foot and aim up and down with the one movement of the 234RC head. I find if my lens is mounted directly to my monopod that it restricts aiming on BMX riders riding towards me while jumping up and down
I rarely have to switch from tripod to monopod but it just easier to just have one kind of plate that is left on each camera and my longer lens, but I do switch from Monopod to none and back, that poor monopod sure gets abused some days
Pete
I agree, I use RRS clamps on my tripods and monopod. The QR investment is more important to me than the tripod or head investment. If I'm screwing in the woods, it's not going to be my camera to my tripod head!
No, if you're screwing in the woods, id find it odd if your tripod was involved.....
My point was not that a tripod may give you better photos because its expensive, but you don't want one that jumps around or moves in the wind either.
In any case, any tripod is pretty much better than none, however i used to have a cheaper ball head on one of my older tripods, over time it drove me nuts, so i just want to make sure Pete does not end up with a head that at some point hes going to regret getting.
Good luck with your new head Pete, hope you get one you'll be satisfied with :) and do make a brief review of the one you get, so other users in doubt may get help out of that.
Happy Shootin'.
I know what you mean and I might get a highend ballhead for my larger tripod, but for my Manfrotto 190 and what/how I use this tripod a 488 head will work OK. You know between eating, home, my son's BMX, payments to my EX, the 488 have to do
Pete
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