A big tripod HEAD thread

If you are considering a Ball head, I have recently purchased a Markins M20 which is the larger of the larger Markins ball heads. The smaller and lighter head is the M10. These South Korean heads are well finished with smooth panning and tilting capabilities with rather small size and weight with tremendous holding capabilities. The smaller head has a holding capability of 88 pounds and the larger has a holding capability of 99 pounds. The larger head is perhaps 2/3 the size of my Arca B1 Ball. Both heads are available with and without the Arca Type QR and are available in the R (regular version like the Arca B1) and the L (left which I purchased) version. I purchased the M20 (without the Arca type QR and purchased a Kirk 2 1/2" Arca Type QR with bullseye bubble level) but could have also used the M10 for my backpacking tripod to support my Linhof Technikardan 45S. This head is easily strong enough to support any of my lenses and Linhof Technikardan 45S or even any Leica R series camera and even the Modular Apo Telyt system up to and including the 800mm f 5.6 (had used this set-up on my Arca B1 and the M20 is supposed to be even stronger).

Both heads have been well reviewed. You can read a review at Nikonians at:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resou...kins/index.html

These heads can be purchased from Nikonians or from Markins America in British Columbia, Canada.

If you need more information let me know.

Rich

 

I use a Manfrotto 3047, which easily handles my Kiev 60, 88CM, 4x5 Speed Graphic, or 5x7 Century. So it should handle the Pentax fine. I prefer to be able to work in one dimension at a time when setting up a shot on a tripod, so have never acquired a ball head. Leveling with a ball head seems too hard. If I need to work faster I go hand held or use a prop or a monopod.

 

I work slowly when appropriate. I work quickly when needed. With the Markins heads or an Arca B1 Ball or similar tripod, once the tension is set adjustment is generally not an issue. I even use my Linhof Technikardan 45S and can align and keep lines parallel. The Technikardan does have 4 levels however, and I also align by the grid lines on the ground glass.

I can not really comment about the Gitzo Magnesium heads, though I have seen them, I have never worked with them before.

It is a matter of preference as to which type of head that one prefers. I have worked with an older Gitzo 3 way head. But, I have personally found that I prefer using a good strong ball. I have and have used 5 ball heads. A good strong ball head is generally quicker to operate and lighter than a 3 way head of similar holding power.

Rich

 

I use my B2 for 8x10. And Really Right Stuff (RRS) makes a perfect adapter plate for the Pentax 67. After having used the B2, I would never go back to a 3-way head.

 

Yes the B2 is expensive. I have never seen or handled one, but as far as I know it basically operates so that each "ball" operates separately for adjusting front/back and side to side movement.

Rich

 

The B2 has 2 concentric balls, with 2 separate controls for independent 2 axis control. I have found the single axis control ball heads to be difficult to use with heavy cameras. I've seen them on the used market in the $300 range.

 

I tend to agree with you... personally speaking, I've never been a big fan of them either.

My suggestion is for you to take a peek at the Manfrotto 400 geared head. I use this head with 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10. It's sure not the lightest head in the sky... but certainly a GREAT head!

Alternatively, as David has already mentioned, take a look at the Arca Swiss Cube! It's a work of art!

Cheers

 

Sam,

Look at my first post in this thread for the review of the Markins heads at Nikonians. No they are not inexpensive as an option. But, they can be ordered from Nikonians in Europe as an option.

Rich

 

This is really a very personal decision. I use an Arca B1 with quick release plates from Really Right Stuff for my 35mm and medium format equipment. This works very well. The movements are smooth, the head is extremely strong, and the mounting plates are well made. (I like the L-shaped ones which means that you don't have to drop the ball down into a slot on the head to do verticals.).

With large format, though, I don't like ballheads. (I haven't tried the ARCA B2, which is a hybrid.) I don't like them because I find it harder to get precise alignment. (This isn't a problem with the medium format and smaller cameras, although it might be the case if you do a lot of macro.) For large format, I much prefer pan/tilt heads. I used a Gitzo Rational Series 5 for flatbeds and a Sinar pan/tilt for my Sinar. (If you have a Sinar, I highly recommend their head. I don't really recommend the Sinar head for use with other cameras, as in that case you can do just as well for a lot less.)

So I recommend getting a ballhead for your Pentax. Then if you get a larger format camera, you can try it on that. You might like it. If not, get another head. You can pick up an older Gitzo Rational Series 5 for very little money. Mine is 30 years old, and it works great.

Ok. Regarding ballheads, I really like the Arca B1, but there are a lot of other options. In particular the new heads from Really Right Stuff look very well made. My advice is to find someone who stocks and Arca and try it out. Then try out some others and pick what you are most confortable with.

Good luck!

 

In that case... the 410 would most likely be sufficient. This is the head I currently use with my 4x5 and I quite like it over the large Manfrotto ball head I previously owned. But, Peter is right... it's a personal decision.

The 405 will hold more weight than the 410 but it'll cost you more too! BTW, on "that auction site," the 410 is selling regularly for a little under the $200 mark and the 405 for about $275 and up.

If I were in your shoes (and speaking from my experience) I'd go with a 410.

Cheers

 

Bilora makes decent products. As I recall, I had a Bilora Ball head at one time. But, they are not the equivalent to the Arca B1, Kirk, Really Right Stuff, or Markins heads.

You could probably mount an Arca type QR onto the Bilora if you wanted QR type of operation and move the QR to another head once you got a better one.

Rich

 

for such a small body... i have a big head too. the one i use to hold cameras is a 3047 and i use it for similar cameras, except the 5x7 century - i have a 4x5 cambo. for smaller camera (6x6) i'm starting to prefer the ball head because it is very quick to set up.

oh... all of my heads are equiped with QR... can't (won't) live without it!

 

Check out: http://reallyrightstuff.com/

For L plates, check out: http://reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/L_plates/index.html

 

Both Really Right Stuff and Kirk Photo offer a large supply of Arca type QR systems, camera plates, and L brackets. I have products from both manufactures; both are very good and each has special products, some may have better application for your needs.

Check this for the Kirk L bracket link:
http://www.kirkphoto.com/lbrackets.html

This is the general link for Kirk Photo:
http://www.kirkphoto.com/

Rich

 

I used an Arca Swiss B1 ball head with my Pentax 67 system and also with a Linhof Master Technika (though that was in emergencies, I prefer a geared head for 4x5). I think the Arca Swiss is a great head. I don't offhand know why you would want the B2 instead of the B1 though. The B2 has a 150 lb rated capacity, weighs almost three times as much as the B1, and costs close to twice as much. The B1, with its 90 lb rated capacity, should do fine with the cameras you mention but perhaps there's some feature the B2 has that I don't know about.