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> Tripod heads |
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#1
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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 ? |
#2
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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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#3
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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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#4
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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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#5
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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.
__________________
"To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which will never be seen again" Ralph Waldo Emerson. Timespresent Arenaphotographers |
#6
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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 ? |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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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-------------------------------------------------------------- Chris |
#9
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I like the Manfrotto 410 so much I have two!
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#10
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Quote:
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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