New Ball head for Chamonix 10x8

[ndwgolf]

Any recommendations for a ball head for my new Chamonix 8x10
I currently use a Sunwayphoto ball head for my Leica S
Thanks
Neil

 

[John Koehrer]

I'm not real fond of ball heads for LF cameras, I think it's a pain to get vert/horizontal/level lined up
when your'e dealing with something that large.
Something a lot of old timers used was a tilt plate, pics on the web and you could get one
made easily.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

You seem to be really blowing some scratch lately! If you want to keep blowing it, get a geared head. An Arca Cube is the top of the line. There is another that is a ripoff, but I have forgotten the name of it.

Ball heads are probably not the greatest idea for an 8x10. I have a Foba Superball which is probably one of the best ever made, fine for 4x5, but I would think twice about putting an 8x10 on it. It isn't that it can't handle the weight, it would just be a struggle to get it all leveled out with one hand while tightening it with the other.

 

[Mike Bates]

I used a Manfrotto 3039 head (which has since been replaced by the 229) for my Chamonix 8x10. It's a 3-way head that's proportioned very well for that size camera. I use it with the large 4x4 Manfrotto 030L quick release plate that's no longer available. It matches up well with Bogen 3046 legs for a sturdy setup I had complete trust in. Watch for good deals on that stuff used. They're quite a bit larger and heavier than most people want to use for medium format and smaller cameras, so the selling market is limited.

I think geared heads are overkill for field cameras. Just my opinion.

 

[ndwgolf]

Last night I was looking at one of these Gitzo G-1570M Rationnelle Magnesium 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head HERE But for the love of me I can't figure out how you would get it on and off the tripod without a quick plate..........does it mean you have to leave it on the camera all the time.
All the reviews are from people with LF cameras 8x10 especially and they swear by it.........I guess I am missing something

 

[ndwgolf]

I used a Manfrotto 3039 head (which has since been replaced by the 229) for my Chamonix 8x10. It's a 3-way head that's proportioned very well for that size camera. I use it with the large 4x4 Manfrotto 030L quick release plate that's no longer available. It matches up well with Bogen 3046 legs for a sturdy setup I had complete trust in. Watch for good deals on that stuff used. They're quite a bit larger and heavier than most people want to use for medium format and smaller cameras, so the selling market is limited.

I think geared heads are overkill for field cameras. Just my opinion.

Hello Mike thanks for the info on the Manfrotto head, I like the idea that it comes with its own quick release but on the photo the quick release plate looks kind of small for a 8x10 ??

 

[btaylor]

The Gitzo is my preference for 8x10 as well. Like many others I found a ball head difficult to manage with an 8x10. The Gitzo head is easy to use and has a large flat base to secure the camera with a standard 1/4 or 3/8 screw. I prefer not to use a QR plate, they don't have enough surface area, negating the large base of the head. To top it off, the Gitzo head is reasonably priced.

 

[ndwgolf]

The Gitzo is my preference for 8x10 as well. Like many others I found a ball head difficult to manage with an 8x10. The Gitzo head is easy to use and has a large flat base to secure the camera with a standard 1/4 or 3/8 screw. I prefer not to use a QR plate, they don't have enough surface area, negating the large base of the head. To top it off, the Gitzo head is reasonably priced.

How do you manage the installation of the camera?. Do you first put the head on the camera and then screw the camera and head onto the tripod or put the head on the tripod and then put the camera on the head when the head is on the tripod, are the locking nuts big enough to be able to tighten them by hand or do you need some sort of wrench??

Neil

 

[canuhead]

you attach it like any other camera...put camera on tripod head over the appropriate screw. tighten screw then off to the races...

I'm not sure I understand the problem...

 

[ndwgolf]

you attach it like any other camera...put camera on tripod head over the appropriate screw. tighten screw then off to the races...

I'm not sure I understand the problem...

Ive had loads of Tripods with various ball heads, RRS Gitzo Manfrotto etc etc. All of my tripod heads have had a Acra Swiss quick release type head so that you would have a base plate on the bottom of the camera and that snaps into the quick release of the ball head.........simple

If you look at the picture of the Gitzo, there is no quick release and from what I can see with the head already on the tripod it would be a nightmare trying to #1 line up the holes on the base of the camera with the 3/8" stud, and #2 once you do line it up, then how do you tighten that up, on some heads they have big enough locking devices that you can get plenty of leverage to do this by using your finger and thumb, on others you need to use some sort of a allen wrench.

Sorry if all that sounds long winded but looking at the picture below, it would be hard enough with a DSLR let alone a 8x10 camera .................hopefully I'm just missing something here

 

[canuhead]

I think you will find that many large format photographers don't use qr for 8x10 and prefer to attach directly to the tripod head. I use QR for 4x5 but not 8x10.

If you google that head, you will find a video that shows the underside of the top plate and that shld explain all you need to know about how to attach a camera.

 

[ndwgolf]

I think you will find that many large format photographers don't use qr for 8x10 and prefer to attach directly to the tripod head. I use QR for 4x5 but not 8x10.

If you google that head, you will find a video that shows the underside of the top plate and that shld explain all you need to know about how to attach a camera.

Fantastic, I will get it..........Yes I can now see the size of it (its frigging big) and I like that kind of knob locking device.
Thanks again........like they say a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth more

 

[canuhead]

while u can seek knowledge from the hive minds here and elsewhere, I strongly suggest making Google, your next few visits, to learn about LF equipment etc..

 

[ndwgolf]

while u can seek knowledge from the hive minds here and elsewhere, I strongly suggest making Google, your next few visits, to learn about LF equipment etc..

Whys that......whats wrong with asking questions here.........google doesn't answer back?

 

[canuhead]

there are only so many people who belong to these forums vs the entire photo community that don't. that's a lot of knowledge you're missing out on

 

[Mike Bates]

The Gitzo head is very nice. It will do a great job.

The included quick release plate for the Manfrotto 3039 (229) is rather small for an 8x10 in my opinion. That's why I replaced it with the larger 4"x4" quick release plate. Unfortunately, those larger plates are no longer made although you can still find them used.

 

[ndwgolf]

The Gitzo head is very nice. It will do a great job.

The included quick release plate for the Manfrotto 3039 (229) is rather small for an 8x10 in my opinion. That's why I replaced it with the larger 4"x4" quick release plate. Unfortunately, those larger plates are no longer made although you can still find them used.

Thanks Mike.
I've decided on the Gitzo above after seeing the video. I have asked my supplier in KL to get me one

 

[Alan Gales]

Ive had loads of Tripods with various ball heads, RRS Gitzo Manfrotto etc etc. All of my tripod heads have had a Acra Swiss quick release type head so that you would have a base plate on the bottom of the camera and that snaps into the quick release of the ball head.........simple

If you look at the picture of the Gitzo, there is no quick release and from what I can see with the head already on the tripod it would be a nightmare trying to #1 line up the holes on the base of the camera with the 3/8" stud, and #2 once you do line it up, then how do you tighten that up, on some heads they have big enough locking devices that you can get plenty of leverage to do this by using your finger and thumb, on others you need to use some sort of a allen wrench.

Sorry if all that sounds long winded but looking at the picture below, it would be hard enough with a DSLR let alone a 8x10 camera .................hopefully I'm just missing something here

View attachment 179980

Loosen that front handle to tilt the head to an angle. This will allow you room to get your fingers in there to tighten the tripod screw. It also makes it easy to see to line up the camera threads to the head screw. After your camera is attached then tilt the head back and level using a separate level like a cheap torpedo level.

I attach my Wehman 8x10 camera to my Ries head all the time doing this. It's fast and easy.

 

[btaylor]

Exactly as Alan says.
The Gitzo tripod screw is in two parts, you screw it in finger tight, then use the finger nut surrounding it to tighten the connection. Very secure. I tilt the camera forward slightly so I can see to match up the hole and screw. Another great feature is the screw at the front of the plate, if you tighten it up against the bottom of the camera you get additional security and anti twist benefits.

 

[ndwgolf]

Loosen that front handle to tilt the head to an angle. This will allow you room to get your fingers in there to tighten the tripod screw. It also makes it easy to see to line up the camera threads to the head screw. After your camera is attached then tilt the head back and level using a separate level like a cheap torpedo level.

I attach my Wehman 8x10 camera to my Ries head all the time doing this. It's fast and easy.

Cheers Alan

 

[ndwgolf]

Exactly as Alan says.
The Gitzo tripod screw is in two parts, you screw it in finger tight, then use the finger nut surrounding it to tighten the connection. Very secure. I tilt the camera forward slightly so I can see to match up the hole and screw. Another great feature is the screw at the front of the plate, if you tighten it up against the bottom of the camera you get additional security and anti twist benefits.

Cheers mate.....hopefully my supplier in KL can get me one

 

[gnuyork]

I use a FLM ball head with a tilt lock feature, but I only have a 4x5. They make different sizes, I'm sure one would work for 8x10, even mine would...I can't remember which but I think it's the 48...

Edit:

yes, it's the 48:

 

[btaylor]

I have an FLM ball head as well, and it does support even my Calumet C1. But for me, the Gitzo head is easier to handle with the 8x10 on it. YMMV!

 

[Alan Gales]

If the OP or anyone else is interested in FLM ball heads they should contact Ari. He is the North American distributer for FLM and also a member of APUG and LFPF. I've been friends with Ari for a quite a while on the two forums and my wife, daughter and I all recently had the pleasure of having dinner with him and his lovely wife. Ari is a great guy and very knowledgeable and easy to talk to.

http://www.flmcanada.com/contact.html

 

[gnuyork]

That's who I bought my FLM from. Ari was great to deal with.