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11/12/2016 02:58:42 AM · #1 |
I've been using a ball head (Manfrotto 496RC) on my tripod for years, but saw someone using a 3 way head and it seems much more practical in use. What are the pros and cons of each and which one do you use? My options if I take a 3-way head are below.
//24h.pchome.com.tw/prod/DGBX1W-A9006F702 Manfrotto MHXPRO-3WG XPRO
//24h.pchome.com.tw/prod/DGBX1W-A9005XFY3 Manfrotto 808RC4
//24h.pchome.com.tw/prod/DGBX1W-A90053KVI?q=/A/63819 Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W
Message edited by author 2016-11-13 21:00:11. |
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11/12/2016 10:11:08 AM · #2 |
It largely depends on the subject and type of photography interests you.
If you are shooting video, or are looking for extremely cleaning panning, you probably should be considering a 3-way.
For stills of any type (landscapes, portraits, etc.), a ball head might be more suitable.
I've been using a ball head for over 10 years and it does what I need. The times I've used a 3-way, I found it a bit more cumbersome. The difference is loosening/tightening three different levers, as opposed to being able to keep one hand on my camera and the other on the ball adjuster.
Like with anything camera-related, buy the best you can afford. Even Manfrotto makes cheaper ball heads that will lose their grip over time. |
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11/12/2016 12:51:52 PM · #3 |
So long as you realize the limitations of a 3-way, and like Skip said are into video and smooth pans, go for it. My first tripod had a 3-way and it drove me nuts. I needed a head that is heavy on versatility, cause I like to shoot from all kinds of high and low angles...  
and a ballhead is truly the only way to go..coupled of course with a tripod that can almost go flat to the ground :-)
Message edited by author 2016-11-12 12:52:20. |
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11/12/2016 01:37:16 PM · #4 |
In general, 3-way heads work better for landscape photographers, especially those like me who level their TRIPODS up. 3-way heads on a leveled tripod allow for great ease of keeping to horizon square while you use tilt and rotation for framing the shot. Ditto for architecture and interiors, with the vertical orientation. With a ballhead, every time you adjust the ball you risk losing the horizontal level. The better ballheads DO have a separate panning adjustment, though, so at least once you have squared the tripod and the horizontal level you can pan easily enough.
On the flip side, if you do NOT level your tripod ordinarily, then the ballhead is a little less cumbersome for squaring things up, since you only have a single adjustment. The better ballheads have a second adjustment BTW, for friction. That is to say, you can set how much resistance you want with one knob, and when you slack the other one all the way off there's still some resistance to adjustment.
Do bear in mind that for both types of heads, panning does NOT work well unless you have leveled the tripod first. This is a significant concern if you are shooting panoramas.
The above is my perspective as a landscape and architectural photographer. |
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11/13/2016 09:01:54 PM · #5 |
I think I'll get stick with a ball-head. Thanks for the comments.
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11/14/2016 03:47:39 AM · #6 |
The few advantages of a 3-way may well be catered for with a ball-head system depending on your tripod. Mine has 2 horizontal swivel mechanisms, one at the leg-base, and one at the bottom of the ball-head.
the ball-head and tripod both have leveling bubbles as well.
So really only vertical swivel on a fixed plane that is not catered for.
It's more important not to buy a small ball ball-head, as the bigger the ball, the more predictable the movement, and the easier to get steady turns out of it.
My first tripod [till last year, when it got mislaid] was an all-aluminum 1950's 2way head tripod with one handle/fastener. I really liked using that, it resulted in much less vibrations than the current sturdy ball-head with a 150-600mm lens. I would have been a frustrated photog if I didn't like blurry images so much.
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