Mamiya 7 - best tripod head?

[Doc W]

I am looking for a head for my Mamiya 7. I tried using the same head I use for my 4x5 but it is too big and doesn't allow access to everything on the bottom of the camera. I don't need anything fancy and i don't want a ball head.

Any suggestions?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have been very happy with the lower cost solution of buying the Induro tripods and heads rather than the big brand equipment. Almost as good at a much cheaper price.

http://www.indurogear.com/

 

[Doc W]

I said I don't want a ball head but that may be a prejudice acquired with larger cameras. I open to suggestions on ball heads too. I do need to be able to set the camera horizontal or vertical.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I do not want or trust my 4"x5" cameras and lenses or my 500mm lens on a ball head so I bought the PHQ-1 tripod head.

http://www.indurogear.com/products/induro-phq1.aspx

The also have a similar head that can handle 35 US Standard pounds [15.9 kg] instead of 25 US Standard pounds [11.4 kg].

 

[Doc W]

I do not want my 4"x5" cameras and lenses or my 500mm lens on a ball head so I bought the PHQ-1 tripod head.

http://www.indurogear.com/products/induro-phq1.aspx

The also have a similar head that can handle 35 US Standard pounds [15.9 kg] instead of 25 US Standard pounds [11.4 kg].

That's a beauty. I should have mentioned I have a limited budget! I will probably go second-hand if I can.

 

[john_s]

I have found that the Really Right Stuff and Kirk plates good in that they have an anti-rotation lip on them. Also I have found that plates with cork or rubber pads tend to allow movement. If protection for the camera base is wanted, maybe a very thin layer of rubber would reduce the tendency to move. At least one of the firms mentioned has an L-shaped plate for the Mamiya 7, or alternatively and maybe better long term, a general L-shaped plate so it can be used on future cameras. Downside might be lack of access to the base plate for film loading.

 

[David Allen]

I have been very happy with the combination of a Manfrotto 056 head:

http://www.technikdirekt.de/Zubehoe...YJss_0DLcxFKOWXrHspbwi8EaNrz-0AXKEaAsoa8P8HAQ

on the original series Manfrotto 055 tripod.

Both have served me well for night photography for more than 10 years.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

 

[John Koehrer]

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...zlar-Germany-Ball-Heads-Are-they-still-around

I replied to this thread, it's at the bottom.