Looking for a new tripod head

[Deesk06]

Hi all,

This is my first post on this forum, so try not to rip me a new one just yet.

I am using a ball head currently on my crown graphic, and while I like being able to move it in any direction, its really not easy to do so. I unlock the ball head and I completely move my position, and making small adjustments is difficult.

I just ordered myself a Sunwayfoto GH-PRO II - its geared, but I am not sure how well its actually going to work with the weight its going to have on it. and I am not confident about it

Im interested to see what other people here use, as I am probably looking to order a few and seeing what I like best. I would like it to be geared, or at least easy to make small adjustments.

Thanks!

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I use a Manfrotto (formerly Bogen) 3025 three way head. It works similarly to a pan/tilt head, but is designed without handles and, more importantly, so it can be used like a ball head if desired.

I can loosen two, or all three of the lock-down knobs and easily position the camera like one would with a ball head, or I can loosen just one at a time and use it like a pan/tilt head. The absence of handles makes it compact and a bit lighter. It works fine for my wooden field cameras, even with longer lenses.

Do a quick Google search. There are lots for sale used for cheap.

Doremus

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio!
And you needn't worry about people being critical of newcomers. We try to keep Photrio a friendly and civil place that is welcoming. If you post consistent with that, but should go astray in any way, we will do our best to assist.

 

[blee1996]

It also depends on what kind of photography you do.

1) If you use your Crown Graphic is all kinds of photography that needs full 3D movement of the tripod head, then 3-way head or low-profile ball head.
2) If you do mostly landscape, you might only need pan and tilt (2-way head).
3) If you just want to level the Crown Graphic and do all the other movements in camera, then you only need a leveling base.

And independently if you want precision movements on any axle, find the geared heads.

 

[Paul Howell]

I shoot with a Crown, I use a bottom feeder ball head, have for years, and your right a geared ball head will provide additional find adjustments. Sort of ironic that the Sunwayfoto GH-PRO II will cost almost as much as decent Crown.

 

[eli griggs]

I like ball heads with 180⁰ bubble levels, camera mounted and once I have my basic composure just focus on the level bubble being centered.

It's fast and vertical and horizontal lines take care of themself.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I use a three-way pan and tilt head for my 4x5 and medium format cameras. That way, I can lock in 2 of the positions and just move the third position simply a little at a time. You really can't do that with a ball head.

 

[Jarno]

I came across some (used) oversized professional ball heads on eBay and that got me thinking, then I checked out Amazon and saw that they have some there which are maybe a bit less durable, but new and at half the cost.

ARTCISE Laagprofiel Camerastatief Kogelkop, 56mm Metalen Panorama Kogelkop Compatibel met Arca 1/4" Snelkoppelingsplaat voor Statief Monopod Slider DSLR Camera Camcorder, Draagvermogen: 40kg/88lb : Amazon.nl: Elektronica

ARTCISE Laagprofiel Camerastatief Kogelkop, 56mm Metalen Panorama Kogelkop Compatibel met Arca 1/4" Snelkoppelingsplaat voor Statief Monopod Slider DSLR Camera Camcorder, Draagvermogen: 40kg/88lb : Amazon.nl: Elektronica

www.amazon.nl

It's giant and quite solid on top of my beater Manfrotto 055
Could have done without the panning functionality though, you really need to tighten the screw or it will move, and I never ever use panning (because it is a lot easier to loosen the ballhead and point the camera another way, and obviously it'll only pan correctly if you have correctly leveled the tripod and then you do not really need a ball head anymore).
Not sure that a geared head would be easier to use or sturdier, the ball head I have is a really compact/stiff and sturdy unit, there simply isn't anything that can bend. But it'll depend on the tripod also, obviously. Quickly found out that the K&F carbon tripod was not up to the job, so now lugging around a 9lbs tripod rather than 1.5lbs

 

[Rick A]

I tried using a ball head with my 4x5, dumped it foe a 3-way pan head and never looked back. Ball heads might be okay with smaller formats and light weight cameras but IMHO are too awkward with large format cameras. I use a Benro HD3A for my 4x5 and 5x7 cameras, rated for over 26lbs sitting atop my Benro TMA37AL Long Series 3 Mach3 Aluminum Tripod.