Tripod head for Hasselbad & Rolleiflex

Auroraua · Aug 19, 2015

I have decided on a Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 tripod head.
But I can't decide upon a head. I am not too sure about the ball heads, think I find them finicky, I want a leveler to be on the head, that is for sure. and I guess it´s actually on the tripod head you hang a bag if you need to (important as it can blow a lot in Iceland). Why do a lot of people seem to prefer ball heads?
What heads are you using and do you recommend any special ones?

BrianShaw · Aug 19, 2015

I find a ball head to be very useful for both Hassy and Rollei when using waist-level viewer. They can be very quick to level and frame with. With almost any other kind of camera (or those cameras with prisms) I find a 3-axis head more effective.

Barry S · Aug 19, 2015

A ball head for the Hassy is much faster and easier to use than a 3-axis head. The caveat is--cheap ball heads are miserable. I've used an Arca-Swiss B1 for a long time and it still locks down as easily as the day I bought it. Arca-Swiss, RRS, FLM, Acratech, Kirk are quality brands.

frank · Aug 19, 2015

Much prefer a ball head.

Mike Evangelist · Aug 19, 2015

They are a bit expensive, but your budget can handle it, the Really Right Stuff bullheads are fantastic. http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Be-...nopod-Heads/Really-Right-Stuff-Ballheads.html

Richard S. (rich815) · Aug 19, 2015

I've used the classic Arca-Swiss B-1 head for years with my 500CM and SL66 systems. Can be had used for a quite reasonable price these days.

4season · Aug 19, 2015

I have the previous version of that tripod and it's pretty good. I use this short center column a lot:

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/24329.1108711.56.76814.0/055XSCC/_/Shorter_Centre_Column_for_the_new_055_series

Arca Swiss B1 seems optimized for a heavier camera like the Hasselblad or Rollei SL66 and works very well there. With a lightweight camera, not as much. B1's ball is elliptical, which counteracts the tendency for the camera to flop sideways when the tension is released. For a lightweight twin lens reflex, I might choose a smaller head.

Some of today's Chinese ballheads are pretty good: They seem to have discontinued it, but Vanguard used to offer a near clone of the B1 done on a smaller scale, and it works great with my mirrorless cameras. And for smaller cameras and my travel tripod, I have a Joby Ballhead X.

MattKing · Aug 19, 2015

I like my Manfrotto 054 head - works well with my RB67 and my C330, and is easy to use with my 35mm cameras. You need to choose the one that matches your quick release needs.

Tripod head for Hasselbad & Rolleiflex

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