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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Tripod Head
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04/09/2010 12:38:26 AM · #1
I have to replace my tripod and head soon, and was hoping to get some input from some of the more experienced users. I will most likely be purchasing a lightweight, small, carbon fiber tripod and am trying to figure out what head to get. I have had the Manfrotto Pistol Grip ball head for the past several years and am hoping to get something quite a bit lighter. I am thinking just a regular ball head will do, but I do like the idea of a separate pan function for the few panoramas that I do. Does anyone out there have extensive experience with a head with those features, such as the Manfrotto 468mg ball head?

My second question is regarding the manner in which the camera is attached to the tripod. I currently have a head with a quick release. The 468mg, as well as numerous other heads, do not have that feature. Is it really necessary or worth it? I have always enjoyed the convenience of the quick release. However, I honestly do not keep the qr plate on my camera at all times. I attach it only when I am specifically using the tripod, typically leave the camera attached to the tripod while I move around my location, sometimes for hours on end, and then remove the qr plate when I am finished.

I would appreciate any and all advice from people that have used various tripod configurations.

Thank you,

Scott
04/09/2010 01:02:05 AM · #2
Good call on the carbon fiber tripod. I love mine. I highly recommend the Really Right Stuff tripod heads. I have the biggest (heaviest) one and it's AWESOME! They are pricey, but it will be the last tripod head you ever buy. I've always been disappointed with every tripod head I ever bought until I bought the RRS head. I have the BH-55LR: //reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/02.html
04/09/2010 01:17:11 AM · #3
You can also get sliding plates and other RRS adapters that work great for Panos, I do not have any of the heads or plates but we had a local club member doing a Pano presentation and he had all their plates and it was pretty nice set up. The system seems like one you could never out grow and the quality appears to be good, it is pricey though.
04/09/2010 10:26:50 AM · #4
Originally posted by DelRioPhoto:

Good call on the carbon fiber tripod. I love mine. I highly recommend the Really Right Stuff tripod heads. I have the biggest (heaviest) one and it's AWESOME! They are pricey, but it will be the last tripod head you ever buy. I've always been disappointed with every tripod head I ever bought until I bought the RRS head. I have the BH-55LR: //reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/02.html


Their stuff definitely looks nice, but why are they so pricey? Are they really twice as good as everything else out there? And what about a quick release plate? I assume that is what the LR stands for. Have you used tripod heads without them before? Is is really cumbersome, or does it not make much of a difference, if you only use it occasionally?

Thanks.
04/09/2010 11:29:17 AM · #5
I've used my old crappy tripod without qr plates before. It was pretty annoying, but maybe that's just me. I use an acratech GV2 now and it's glorious. My only complaint is that they should've made the knob some shape other than round to make it easier to leverage it.
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