Tripod heads and QR systems

[wilhelm]

I've currently got a ballhead (a Gitzo 1377M), and un/mounting the camera on it, well, it takes a bit of time. Not to mention, I'm finding that the ballhead in general just isn't the right head for me and the way I work; they're difficult to level, and next to impossible for me to maneuver in only one direction at a time.

So I'd like to look into a 3-way head, or maybe one of those wild Ries double-tilt heads. And while I'm at it, it's probably also time to go for a quick-release system too. So my question: what heads and QRs do you all use, what do you like/dislike about them?

 

[roteague]

I have a Bogen three way head - I can't think of the model number off hand. The mounting and unmounting is very quick; I keep the mounts permanently attached to the camera. My biggest complaint with this setup, is that I can't tilt the camera up to take a shot of the upper reaches of a tree, for example.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I have a few heads--Majestic, Gizto G1570M, Tiltall, and a little Linhof ballhead for the small cameras.

I've recently been switching to all Arca-Swiss type quick releases and clamps. There are lots of options and sizes for different situations, and it's a good system. I've got a Wimberley C-30 clamp on my Tiltall, a Really Right Stuff lever lock clamp on the Gitzo head, and a small Kirk clamp that moves around on various flash grips and such, and I have 18 plates that I bought from a guy on eBay who goes by "fletcher28wu." His plates are of good quality, and they're cheap, and he'll give you a discount if you buy them in quantity (basically buy 5, get one free--e-mail him directly).

One downside to the A-S type system is that most of the clamps aren't designed to work with a head that has a large platform, like the Gitzo or Majestic, so the tightening knob might not clear the platform. One solution is to use a lever lock clamp, but these don't have as much force for use with a heavy camera (more than 15 lbs). I'm thinking of getting a Levelhead for use with the bigger cameras, since they have a built in A-S style screw-locking clamp, and they're also are really nice leveling heads that give finer control than a normal pan-tilt head. $500 seems a lot for such a thing, but I've tried it, and the construction is very sturdy, and if you consider the cost of a large A-S type clamp in addition to a leveling head, it's not quite as unreasonable as it might appear at first.

 

[wm blunt]

I recently purchased a Acratech ballhead to use with my viewcameras. Don't believe I will get used to it and it will probably be for sale soon. I have gone back to my Ries head which is much easier and quicker to use (for me that is). The Ries head is just about as quick to attach the camera as the QR plate I got with the ballhead. The Acratech head does weigh about half of what the Ries does but to me not that big a difference to put up with the hassel. Just my opinion.

 

[resummerfield]

I’ve been using the Arca-Swiss system for over a decade and I’m very satisfied with it under all conditions. My primary head is the A-S B-2 ballhead. This is a large rock-solid head with all three axis independently controlled, like a conventional pan-tilt head. It works especially well for the heavy cameras. I also use a smaller A-S B-1, a conventional one-knob ballhead, with smaller cameras and for quick action. Several manufacturers make an almost infinite number of matching plates, for almost every camera, which allows field-adaptations for every situation.

 

[sanking]

I use a three-way Bogen 3047 head on a Gitzo G 2200 with 5X7 and medium format cameras, and larger three way 3039 Bogen head on a larger tripod for ULF work. Both heads have two levels, one on the back and the other on the side.

For a couple of years I worked with a ball head with the 5X7 camera but found it really difficult to level the camera with the single level on this head.

Sandy

I've currently got a ballhead (a Gitzo 1377M), and un/mounting the camera on it, well, it takes a bit of time. Not to mention, I'm finding that the ballhead in general just isn't the right head for me and the way I work; they're difficult to level, and next to impossible for me to maneuver in only one direction at a time.

So I'd like to look into a 3-way head, or maybe one of those wild Ries double-tilt heads. And while I'm at it, it's probably also time to go for a quick-release system too. So my question: what heads and QRs do you all use, what do you like/dislike about them?

 

[roteague]

I use a three-way Bogen 3047

That is the one I have. I too shy away from the ballhead - I've found that it is too easy to get the horizon off balance, and nothing looks worse than an ocean scene where the horizon is tilting.

 

[jovo]

what heads and QRs do you all use, what do you like/dislike about them?

I, too, have the Bogen 3047 with QR. I use it for my P67 6x7, and OmegaView monorail 4x5 on a Manfrotto 3021 'pod. It's solid; additional QR plates are easy to get and not expensive so you can keep one on each camera you plan to use it with; it's reliable and seems indestructable. The only downside I've noticed is that it gets very stiff in cold weather necessitating some pretty firm pressure to adjust.

 

[Alexz]

I use Manfrotto/Bogen 329RC4. Works very well with relatively heavy gear, such as Canon EOS-3 + PB-E2 booster and 70-200/2.8L, holds rock solid even at steep angles.
Works fine for my Shen-Hao 4x5 as well.
Up until about a year ago I used 141RC - good for light equipment, very annoying once you upgrade to a heavier setup. Couldn't hold my Canon setup at any but zero angle tilt (always tend to creep up/down few mm no matter how hard will fill fix the handles).
Switching to 329RC4 was a real pleasure (and QR plate is much better for large and heavy cameras).

 

[photobum]

For me it depends on the size of the camera. 4x5/5x7 and 8x10 Deardorff's only go on the Ries tripod and head. It makes no sense to take a large flat platform and put a dinky Q-R on it. The Ries head is big, strong and stable. Why weaken it's attributes? Even the well respected A/S is small in square inches of contact area compared to the Ries head.

For small 4x5 (Horseman/Crown Graphic) I use the Gitzo 1276 head w/ Q-R. It seems OK but has vibrated apart with airline travel. I now carry screwdrivers and allen wrenches to repair Gitzo parts. If I did it again I would buy a A/S Q-R system

 

[Peter De Smidt]

I'm not sure what type of camera you have. For medium/small format, by far the best mounting plates are made by Really Right Stuff. These are for use in an ARCA style quick release system. You can buy special clamps that allow you to use the ARCA system on lots of different heads.

Here's another option, which is especially good if you have a field camera with two tripod threads on the bottom. Buy a used Gitzo rational series 5 head. These have a good sized platform, roughly 4" by 7" by memory, with a slot runing down the middle for the camera attachment screws to run. The slot comes to withing about 3/8" of the back of the plate. Using a jig saw, or whatever, cut out the piece of metal on the back of the slot. You now take the camera attachment screw and screw it a ways into the camera. It will now slide right onto the tripod platform. Tighten screw. This is fast, cheap, and very secure. If you have two tripod mouting holes on your camera bottom, this is even better. Use two screws. Slide them into the slot and tighten. Your camera will now not rotate at all. Note: it helps if you tilt the head platform foward a bit when sliding the camera onto it.

I've used the system I've just described with my Kodak D2 8x10. It works better than anything else that I know about.

 

[nworth]

I've found that the Bogen 3047 head works well with cameras up to 4X5. The built-in levels are a big help, and the head is quite substantial. For and 8X10, this head is marginal, though. One of its problems is that the quick release does not always grab the camera plate properly on the first try. With a big camera, that can leave you in a very difficult situation. A related problem is that it is not always obvious that the head has not grabbed the release plate. That cost me an $800 lens and repairs to my F5 recently. I mounted the camera, tugged on it to be sure everything was fine, and then moved camera, lens, and tripod rapidly. Despite the mild tug, the plate was not firmly seated. This doesn't happen often, but it happens often enough to be a concern. Wielding a big camera makes getting the alignment more difficult and increases the hazard.

 

[photobackpacker]

Wilheim,

I have used the Bogen 3047, the Slik Pro Ball head and now the Gitzo 1370 (now the 1570) Low Profile Head equipped with the Linhof Quickfix II. It is a good (but pricy) combination. I especially like the certainty of the Quickfix II latching mechanism. I was always a little tentative with the 3047 latching mechanism.

Truth be known, I still like the 3047 best of all. You tote an extra 8 ounces and 3 additional inches of length but it is a workhorse.

I have not forgotten to review the Slik. My mother taught me "If you can't say something nice, don't say nutin' at all." - Ok for 35mm - not an option for LF.

 

[herb]

quick release?

I was always nervous about my wooden cameras hitting the dirt via a quick release- you guys don't have any problem with that?

 

[Peter De Smidt]

I was always nervous about my wooden cameras hitting the dirt via a quick release- you guys don't have any problem with that?

Hitting the dirt is not good for any camera, but at least wooden cameras can be repaired fairly easily. My nikon FM cannot, alas.

Some quick release systems are less reliable than screwing the camera to the tripod head manually, but other are more secure. For example, the ARCA system is less likely to have a problem with roll film and smaller cameras than manually screwing down the camera, since the latter is often awkward to do, and the system I outlined above is more secure with large format field cameras. No method, though, is completely foolproof.

 

[Buster6X6]

QR plate

For about sixs months now I have been using Manfrotto 079 Tripod with 029 head. Good set up but I found because I can't fit my camera with the QR plate in place into the carrying box it has to be removed each time (PITB).Another problem the QR plate is positioned in place and tightened by hand it gets loose if I have to take more then one shot. With a 20lbs camera it is uneasy feeling. I really don't like small 3" plate holding my C1 and Fujinon 360 + film holder and dark cloth.Any suggestions?

Greg

 

[photobackpacker]

I was always nervous about my wooden cameras hitting the dirt via a quick release- you guys don't have any problem with that?

Hi Herb:

I have come closer to dropping a camera while trying to screw it on to the tripod than with the quick release. Mounting and unmounting will always be higher risk moments. I have made it a habit to lift the tripod up, just a little, by lifting the camera base to ensure they are well latched.

As a Minnesota shooter, there is another practical matter - for 4 months of the year, you want to work with warm gloves on. QRs allow that.

 

[voceumana]

I've used two Bogen quick release heads and can recommend each.

The 3047 is a good QR pan/tilt head with a hexagonal mount. I've used it on my Toyo 45AR. It has no problem handling field 4x5 cameras.

The Bogen 3057 is a very heavy duty head, suitable for even 8x10 view cameras. It's got an oversized base plate. It's an excellent view camera head, super rugged, and I highly recommend it.

I've NEVER had the head release the camera acidentally. The current heads have a lock release to help insure this.

I've also have a Ries J250 double tilt head, and like it a lot. It's not QR, but is quick to attach the camera. On this head the camera sometimes tends to try to unscrew when trying to pan the camera. I solved the problem by going to a 3/8 inch screw instead of 1/4. I also recommend 3/8 screw on the QR plates. It's just a better mount for a view camera.

Bogen also has the 3039 QR head, which is a machined version of the 3047, but it's pricey, as is the Ries. Approximate prices:

Bogen 3047 = $85
Bogen 3057 = $165
Bogen 3039 = $175
Ries J250 = $300

As for tripods, I love my Ries the best, though I have 2 Bogen/Manfrotto ones, too.

Charlie

 

[jp80874]

Wilhelm

Since you are considering changing the way you do things let me offer a different approach from those given so far. There is no right way, only the best way for you.
I don’t take the camera off the tripod and head. No quick release, no release at all.

At age 65 I don’t carry anything very far. I use a Toyota Highlander, a soft all wheel drive SUV with a lot of space in back. I carry the camera mounted on the tripod and simply lift it out of the car and set up the legs. Lenses and stuff are carried in a Tenba backpack, film holders in a small cooler or bag.

When I have to move the gear a mile or two from the car I keep camera on tripod and use a baby jogger http://www.babyjogger.com/index1.htm with 20” wheels, shock absorbers, 100 pound capacity and a parking brake. A little bungy cord keeps everything in place. It works on paths and fields, but not rock faces. My Doctor says that is just what he wants for me. My wife says go ahead Dear, try the big cliff.

I mount a Linhof Technikardan (4x5) on a Gitzo Student aluminum tripod with a Gitzo magnesium 3 way head. Sorry can’t find part numbers. Very light weight, adjustable and solid.

Predominately I use a R.H. Phillips Advantage (eight pound 1990s 8x10 version) on a Ries J 600 with a J 250 double tilt head. As was mentioned earlier I would like a little more up and down movement than this gives, but usually adjustment of the legs will take care of any need. The Ries really is a beautiful tool.

Good luck on your decision.

John Powers

 

[Richard D.]

I have used for some time the Manfrotto 3030 head (with both 4x5 and MF) and it has been entirely satisfactory. It uses the square Manfrotto QR plate, which some people claim is not as good as the hex, but I have never had a problem with it, with any camera, and it is easier to use than the hex. However, I have never had more than 8 pounds on it. I used to use Manfrotto's one-pound magnesium head, also with the square QR plate, and I loved it. However, it uses knobs instead of levers, so I eventually couldn't get them tight enough with my arthritic fingers.