Which ballhead for 4x5 technika

[Willie Jan]

I am investigating for a ballhead for the use up to 4x5.
until now i saw the markins m10 which was reviewed nicely.
Has anybody some ideas which one to use and why.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think a ballhead with a view camera is an exercise in frustration. I've done it occasionally with my Gowland 4x5", just because it is more compact than a pan/tilt head, but a better option that's both compact and precise would be something like a Bogen mini-gearhead.

 

[Ole]

I've used a Uniloc head for years - for everything from 6x4.5 to 18x24cm. Works just great for me. It's strong, sturdy, easy to adjust, and (relatively) cheap.

 

[Amund]

I use a Kirk BH-1, couldn`t be happier, no problem with my 8x10" either.

 

[Willie Jan]

that uniloc looks the same like a gitzo 2227?

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

I agree with David...

While I've tried using a ballhead a few times, it's a pain in the... I now only use a pan & tilt head from Manfrotto and think it's just the thing for the exact adjustments required with large format.

joe

 

[photobackpacker]

I have to agree. A ball head is fine with 35mm and MF but when you are taking the time to level your tripod, levelling your camera seems to work better (for me) one axis at a time. This is probably dependent on subject matter and shooting style but I learned LF with levelling the camera as the first step.

 

[jjstafford]

I am investigating for a ballhead for the use up to 4x5.
until now i saw the markins m10 which was reviewed nicely.
Has anybody some ideas which one to use and why.

The Markins or the large, less expensive Manfroto will work. Each has a friction setting to help keep it from falling aside as you use two hands to get it close, then knock it back and forth gently with your fist to nudge into level, or finally go bezerk and punch the hell out of it.

IMHO, a pan/tilt head is just so much more graceful.

 

[Lee L]

I agree with most of the other posters that a ball head on 4x5 can be an exercize in frustration. I'd recommend the Bogen 3275 / Manfrotto 410 minigear head that David mentions. Levelling it is much more finely controllable than a ball head. It's also not that bulky or heavy for what it does, and the safety catch on the quick release is very nice.

Lee

 

[MikeK]

I am investigating for a ballhead for the use up to 4x5.
until now i saw the markins m10 which was reviewed nicely.
Has anybody some ideas which one to use and why.

I have been usiing a Manfrotto ProBall 308RC with my Wista with good success. It sits on top of a Gitzo Reporter Tripod and is a lightweight and stable combination. Making adjustments with a ball head can be frustrating but with two small bubble levels life became quite easy.

Mike

 

[Nige]

I'm using the 410 mini geared head at the moment and it's a pleasure to use. Will be buying one once the owner wants this on back.