Has anyone used a Z Type Head? - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

07/02/2019 02:12:37 PM · #1

I've seen two of these Z Type Heads for sale online and I'm really unsure whether to buy one.

https://www.takealot.com/z-type-fold-tripod-ball-head-slide-rail-camera-camcorder-tripod/PLID53561620
https://www.takealot.com/z-type-head-aluminum-folding-plate-stand-holder/PLID51969374

I usually prefer to buy from shops so that I can see what I'm getting, but the shop I buy from doesn't stock them and I've got a voucher to spend at the site where they're available. So now I'm wondering whether it's worth risking the money or whether I should save it for something else.

To add to my confusion the two heads come from different suppliers and one is twice the price of the other. As I can't see them, how do I know whether the more expensive one is better quality?

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

07/02/2019 02:27:17 PM · #2

Just to clarify, I'm looking for something light and portable that I can put on a table or the floor because I hate carrying a tripod around and even my Gorillapod usually gets left at home. I would probably only use it for my Canon M50 mirrorless camera.

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

07/02/2019 05:42:10 PM · #3

~~They look like the same head to me.~~ Corrected. I must have clicked on the same link twice earlier, as there are some minor differences. Often I see the same thing some under different names at different prices.

I looked at one like that a while back and didn't think it would be very useful to me. Maybe if all you need is to stabilize the camera.

Message edited by author 2019-07-02 21:30:15.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/02/2019 08:25:33 PM · #4

That "head" is not really designed for tabletop use, I don't think. It's more for use on a tripod. You'd want to be sure you got a decent balance point out of it with your chosen camera/lens combo. I'd hate to trust it with a tele, but it might be ok with a normal lens. I don't really have any experience with this. I always used to use beanbags for this job :-)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/02/2019 08:48:59 PM · #5

I just picked up this mini-tripod at a second-hand store -- it seems pretty sturdy and the legs open really wide so I think it will be stable (haven't had a chance to try it yet). Only downside is it doesn't fit in my camera bag like my REI mini-tripod, which also has a Velcro strap which allows it to be attached to a post or rail for maximum stability.

This one (also in the camera bag) is cute but not very strong -- works for small P&S cameras ...

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

07/02/2019 09:27:39 PM · #6

I have one these on order: Lumapod, but it's a kickstarter project and it looks like the earliest I might have it is late summer.

P-A-U-L

Canon EOS R6

07/03/2019 05:55:37 AM · #7

I bought this one last week for use in the garden photographing the frogs. It has such a tiny footprint and holds my Canon 5D Mark IV with the 24-70 no problem. It is so small I just pop it into a side pocket of my small camera bag.

Neewer Portable Compact Desktop Macro Mini Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head

MargaretNet

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS

07/03/2019 06:27:58 AM · #8

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I have one these on order: Lumapod, but it's a kickstarter project and it looks like the earliest I might have it is late summer.

I looked at the video and I think it could easily be knocked over

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

07/03/2019 07:09:28 AM · #9

There are some nice looking tripods here, but I don't think they're smaller than my Gorillapod, so not really what I'm looking for.

I carry a small camera bag which only holds my camera with attached lens and spare battery, so anything else has to fit into my handbag. Thankfully Canon M lenses are small so it's easy to carry a couple around - a luxury I don't have with my 80D.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

07/03/2019 08:13:12 PM · #10

It turns out the head I've been looking at is a cheaper and smaller version of the Edelkrone FlexTILT head without panning capability.

For the price it might be worth the risk, especially seeing that the Edelkrone version doesn't seem to be available here.

07/03/2019 10:14:00 PM · #11

Originally posted by P-A-U-L:

I have one of those as well, though a minor variation with a twist lock instead of a thumbscrew for the center column. Very small, rock solid stable. Just doesn't go very high. Still bigger than a Gorillapod, though.

07/03/2019 10:18:00 PM · #12

Originally posted by marnet:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I have one these on order: Lumapod, but it's a kickstarter project and it looks like the earliest I might have it is late summer.

I looked at the video and I think it could easily be knocked over

I'll post a review once I get it. I travel a lot for work and compact size is important. I'm only putting a moderate sized mirrorless on it, not a full DSLR.