What tripod and Ballhead do you have?

[RADCOM]

I've finally managed to get a half decent tripod A Gitzo GT2930EX but I am having a hard tme choosing a ballhead. It's really odd that we don't really make anything like that in the UK

[tived]

You are going to want to order this one from http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Item...head55&key=cat BH-55, its better then the Arca Swiss B1

Henrik

[Xcel]

I just got myself a second hand Benro C-259 Travel Angel, carbon fiber tripod. Love it so far, build quality is great with a nice load capacity of 12kg. Folds up nicely to 37cm and weighs only 1.58kg including the B-1 head.

[itznfb]

For hiking I use a Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 / 498RC2. For epic stability I use an Induro 6M A-413 / BHD2.

If I didn't have a problem paying $500 for a ballhead then I'd get the RRS BH-55. I just can't see paying that much when my $200 ballhead holds a 600mm w/2x TC perfectly stable while on the side of a highway with semi-trucks buzzing by...

[Janno]

I'm more than happy with my Manfrotto CXPRO4 and Markins Q3 combo
holds 5D and 70-200 rock solid, while weighing just a hair over 2 kilos


...my point being that you seriously must consider Markins alongside with RRS and others
They make a wide range of extremely high-quality ballheads, choosing the one that suits your needs should be a breeze

[kinghong1970]

i use a gitzo GT 1550T + Photoclam PC-30 for my travels.

i use a Feisol CT 3440 + Wimberly II for my birding

i also have a markins Q3 head.

feisol legs are fine... gitzos are great but they are expensive... but as for heads, photoclam is very very nice...

[RADCOM]

Thanks for the replies, it seems there is a lot of good kit around since thom Hogans tripod review. I should ask what ballheads to avoid. Has anyone used the giottos 1301-652 or radsnapper RSH-12 ballheads? I can't stretch to acratech or really right stuff heights unless one of my friends in the US brings one over

[tived]

For hiking I use a Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 / 498RC2. For epic stability I use an Induro 6M A-413 / BHD2.

If I didn't have a problem paying $500 for a ballhead then I'd get the RRS BH-55. I just can't see paying that much when my $200 ballhead holds a 600mm w/2x TC perfectly stable while on the side of a highway with semi-trucks buzzing by...

Its a very nice ball head, and it has good load capacity. Its a replica of the Arca Swiss B1, with a twist :-)

whether you can use it with a 600mm lens is a good question, maybe a mirror lens, but i think you will be struggling with a 600mm f/4 lens and a 2x extender at dusk or dawn.

Never the less its a really nice ball head for the money, and not everyone uses a 600mm f/4 lens and if they did, they probably wouldn't be asking for this kind of advise here in a mainly computer related forum (though we are yet to have XtremePhotography.org :-)

However, I do love your raptor shots! very nice, but what this 500mm lens and 1000mm lens? (by the looks of your out of focus area it looks like a mirror lens, as you can see little donuts in the highlights!)

to the OP, bottom line is how heavy a load are you planing on using, and then get a ball head that can take a bit more load then that, to be on the safe side.

Its one area I wouldn't save money on, as the stability of your tripod and head, is vital for good sharp images.

I also use a Manfrotto 3-way head 410 and when i start piling up the weight it starts to give in a bit. very frustrating if you are using macro or a very long lens (and I only have 300mm f/2.8 LIS as my longest, with 2x extender, and that is a small lens in a birders eyes!, where 600 and 800mm is King)

all the best

Henrik

[itznfb]

However, I do love your raptor shots! very nice, but what this 500mm lens and 1000mm lens? (by the looks of your out of focus area it looks like a mirror lens, as you can see little donuts in the highlights!)

The OOF area generally gets a bit distorted from the teleconverter. A lot of the 500mm shots are a 300mm f/4 w/1.7x TC. Some are with a 500mm f/4, and the 1000mm shots are 500mm f/4 with 2.0x TC. The 1.7x and 2.0x TC are great but they destroy bokeh.

[nuclearjock]

I've finally managed to get a half decent tripod A Gitzo GT2930EX but I am having a hard tme choosing a ballhead. It's really odd that we don't really make anything like that in the UK

Entirely depends on what you're going to be supporting on the head. The BH-55 is an awesome head, but might be a bit overkill for your needs. I have a nikon 400 f/2.8 VR as well as a 600mm f/4 VR and both of those lenses never get mounted on a ball head period. For large loads, a gimbal is the way to go.

RRS makes a monopod head (MH-01) that can hold up to 70 lbs., and is less than $300 including the clamp. If you're only looking at supporting a mid range zoom, you can get away with something smaller. In my opinion, RRS makes the best support gear hands down.

[RADCOM]

Wow nuclearjack you have some serious photographic kit there are you a professional or a very serious enthusiast?

[Movieman]

Oh the comments I could make on the title of this thread!

[Holy_COW]

Gitzo GT2941 tripod (4-section) with G1378M ball head.

Love em!

[BeastHouse]

I bought a Manfrotto 055XPROB + 808RC4 3 way head around October. I love it. Its just the right height and as solid as a rock. People say its too heavy, but I am used to carrying heavy gear so I don't mind. Perhaps if I were doing a several day trek I would take a lighter one but for day trips, this is fine.

[[XC] leviathan18]

Manfrotto 055XPROB

Induro BHD2 Ballhead

[Darakian]

Joby Gorillapod Focus with the Ballhead X
Very versatile combo, but I do wish it was a little taller.

[4hams]

I just picked up a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 combo tripod and head.

I love it. It is a little heavy for some people but that does not bother me. The fact that I can set this up in so many different configurations is fantastic.

http://www.vanguardworld.ca/index.ph...4-219-622.html

[silverphoenix]

I just picked up a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 combo tripod and head.

I love it. It is a little heavy for some people but that does not bother me. The fact that I can set this up in so many different configurations is fantastic.

http://www.vanguardworld.ca/index.ph...4-219-622.html

Cool I was set on the 055CXpro, until I got a lightening deal for the Alta Pro 283CT with the Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2 054 Head, awesome combo.

My other pair of legs is a GorillaPod ZOOM SLR with X ballhead.

[4hams]

I am leaning towards getting a mono pod for hiking with?

Any suggestions or am i better off just taking the tripod?

[tived]

Recommending something to someone else is really hard without knowing the constrains and expectations of that person.

To me, its about image quality. I know its going to hard and heavy to hike with alot of camera equipment, and often other people i know will leave their tripod back in the truck. They are also the people, when you get to the top or destination, who complains about not having their tripod or when you get back and go over the the photos from the hike they go, oohh how did you take that photo, with all the water going milky.....ehh, i used my tripod and slowed down the shutter speed. Or you get the comment, your images looks so much cleaner then mine, how did you do that, we were standing side by side..ehhh, I had my camera on my tripod, and used the lowest suitable ISO speed.

Are you getting the picture - hint hint

So, look at your gear, how heavy is it? look at the tripod that will carry the heavies kit you are likely to shoot with, and then get one that can handle just a bit more. Look for carbon fibre or similar, which can also survive being in water without rusting.

When hiking, get all the legs together or just have one leg extended and use it to help support you as you walk/hike ;-)

Monopods are great if you are shooting in plenty light with a heavy lens... we do that alot with both bids or when shooting fast moving sport...but with landscape, I would use a tripod any time all the time....YMMV

thanks for listning

Henrik

I am leaning towards getting a mono pod for hiking with?

Any suggestions or am i better off just taking the tripod?

[tived]

Oh the comments I could make on the title of this thread!

Movieman,

Your constrains are admirable ;-)

[Holy_COW]

I am leaning towards getting a mono pod for hiking with?
Any suggestions or am i better off just taking the tripod?

You're planing on using the monopod as walking stick??
It wont last long, monopods and tripods are not tough enough to hold a person weight as a walking stick, you will end up damaging it.


If you're looking for low weight, the fiber carbon ones have become accessible now.

When I purchased my Gitzo Legs (non carbon fiber, basalt line), they were ~$550 and carbon fibers where over $900, now carbon fiber are ~$500
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...keywords=gitzo


P.D.
If you plan to buy only one tripod/monopod, remember the monopod always needs a person holding it, and monopods "help" but are not 100% stable.
Long shots (eg stars, moon light, etc) with shutters of seconds will came out blurry on a monopod.

[4hams]

No no not to use as a walking stick but to add to my equipment. I just purchased a very nice tripod (look back about 3-4 posts) and I thought that maybe a monopod would be nice to have for when out hiking on the Bruce Trail.

By the replies I am thinking maybe it would just be a waste of money and I should just stick to the tripod?

[tived]

stick to the tripod :-)

[itznfb]

You're planing on using the monopod as walking stick??
It wont last long, monopods and tripods are not tough enough to hold a person weight as a walking stick, you will end up damaging it.


If you're looking for low weight, the fiber carbon ones have become accessible now.

When I purchased my Gitzo Legs (non carbon fiber, basalt line), they were ~$550 and carbon fibers where over $900, now carbon fiber are ~$500
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...keywords=gitzo


P.D.
If you plan to buy only one tripod/monopod, remember the monopod always needs a person holding it, and monopods "help" but are not 100% stable.
Long shots (eg stars, moon light, etc) with shutters of seconds will came out blurry on a monopod.

A good monopod is plenty sturdy enough to use as a walking stick. I've been using my Manfrotto monopod for probably 10 years as a walking stick/climbing tool. I abuse the hell out of that thing and it still functions flawlessly like the day I got it.