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  #1  
Old 17th May 2010, 05:43 PM
Richard S Richard S is offline
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Default Tripod heads

I am looking for a tripod head to be used mainly for 5x4, but occasionally for 35mm and MF.
It is something of a minefield and I am becoming confused with the different styles on offer. I have used a pan/tilt head up to now, and had intended to change to a ball head until I read about geared heads.
My LF camera is a Sinar F2 weighing about 4 kilos, so I need something substantial.
What are your views on the best solution ?
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Old 17th May 2010, 06:00 PM
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Les McLean Les McLean is offline
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I've used the Gitzo G1276 ball and socket head with 5 x 4, MF and 35mm for the past 12 or so years and found it simple to use and very solid.
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Old 17th May 2010, 06:31 PM
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Matt5791 Matt5791 is offline
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I use a Gitzo G1277M ball head mounted on some Manfrotto legs - I find a ball head to work very well for me, and it seems to be excellent with the Agfa Ansco 5x7" - which is really quite a heavy camera. The adjustment (friction on the ball) on the Gitzo is so accurate.
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Old 17th May 2010, 06:32 PM
JimW JimW is offline
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Manfrotto 029 here. Pan and tilt, and I dont have to risk upsetting one when I adjust the other-but this is for 35mm and MF. Best thing to do is to take your camera into a tripod shop and play. Only you will know precisely what you want, and what you need in a tripod head. Some are happy with a ball head(I have one for my large format) and some are happy with a pan/tilt. Why do you want to change? Get into that shop and before you spend money on something that isn't film and paper, and test out your reasons....
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Old 17th May 2010, 06:40 PM
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Trevor Crone Trevor Crone is offline
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I favour the Manfrotto 410 Jnr. geared head for 4x5. The fine geared controls give me the precision I require for leveling the camera.
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  #6  
Old 17th May 2010, 08:44 PM
Richard S Richard S is offline
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Default Tripod heads

Thanks for the fast responses.
I was thinking of the Gitzo GH2780 centre ball head, and my reasoning for a change was the likelihood of a ball being easier and quicker to set up than a pan/tilt. Although I take Trevor's point about the precision of a geared head, I am not sure that I need such accuracy, and I would still be using three separate adjustments.
I have read about heads from Really Right Stuff, other American ones and Arca Swiss, which although expensive are obviously high quality products.
Any experience of such exotica ?
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Old 17th May 2010, 09:51 PM
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I also prefer the Manfrotto 410 geared head for 4x5 it is so easy to level compared to my pan and tilt head, speeds up the set up process.

Neil
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Old 18th May 2010, 07:44 AM
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Another user of the Manfrotto 410 geared head here. I find it a bit slow (compared to a ball head) but very precise and solid.
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Old 18th May 2010, 08:46 AM
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I like the Manfrotto 410 so much I have two!
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Old 18th May 2010, 09:34 AM
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Ian David Ian David is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard S View Post
I have read about heads from Really Right Stuff, other American ones and Arca Swiss, which although expensive are obviously high quality products.
Any experience of such exotica ?
Hi Richard
Just to make things harder() ... you should also check out the Acratech heads - they are light but solid. I am very fond of mine.
Ian
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