Looking for a decent pan and tilt head

**gaweidert** · 12-29-2014, 10:44 AM

My wife got me a Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT with an SBH100 ball head on it for Father's day. Since then I added an SBH250 head but I have come to the conclusion that ball heads serve no purpose in life other than to frustrate the heck out of a photographer. Especially with heavy glass attached. Maybe after 40+ years of using a pan head I am just too old to adapt to the ball head concept. In any even they drive me nuts. So I am looking for a good pan head. This will have to support lenses up to my Tamron 300mm f2.8 and hopefully a Sigma 150-500 later this year.

I have narrowed my choices down to three:

1) A Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W3

2) A Vanguard PH-32.

3) An Oben PD-117.

Does anybody here have any experience with any of these? It will be used for outdoor and nature photography. Thanks for any input.

**blackcloudbrew** · 12-29-2014, 11:58 AM

I have the Manfrotto 804RC2 3-way head and really like it. I believe it does all the things that the MHXPRO-3W does although it a little lighter in weight and duty. I've used everything I own on it including my DSLRs, 645, 6x7, and even my large format 4x5 camera.

**csa** · 12-29-2014, 12:48 PM

" come to the conclusion that ball heads serve no purpose in life other than to frustrate the heck out of a photographer."

Oh boy, I just ordered a ball head to replace my new pan/tilt head!

**blackcloudbrew** · 12-29-2014, 02:24 PM

Well, somewhere between - 'the right tool for the job' and 'different strokes for different folks' - the truth lies. I have both but when I want to do my landscape (or studio) work, the 3-axis head is my personal choice...now.

12-29-2014, 10:44 AM	#1
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Looking for a decent pan and tilt head My wife got me a Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT with an SBH100 ball head on it for Father's day. Since then I added an SBH250 head but I have come to the conclusion that ball heads serve no purpose in life other than to frustrate the heck out of a photographer. Especially with heavy glass attached. Maybe after 40+ years of using a pan head I am just too old to adapt to the ball head concept. In any even they drive me nuts. So I am looking for a good pan head. This will have to support lenses up to my Tamron 300mm f2.8 and hopefully a Sigma 150-500 later this year. I have narrowed my choices down to three: 1) A Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W3 2) A Vanguard PH-32. 3) An Oben PD-117. Does anybody here have any experience with any of these? It will be used for outdoor and nature photography. Thanks for any input.

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12-29-2014, 11:58 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I have the Manfrotto 804RC2 3-way head and really like it. I believe it does all the things that the MHXPRO-3W does although it a little lighter in weight and duty. I've used everything I own on it including my DSLRs, 645, 6x7, and even my large format 4x5 camera.

12-29-2014, 12:48 PM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	" come to the conclusion that ball heads serve no purpose in life other than to frustrate the heck out of a photographer." Oh boy, I just ordered a ball head to replace my new pan/tilt head!

12-29-2014, 02:24 PM	#4
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Well, somewhere between - 'the right tool for the job' and 'different strokes for different folks' - the truth lies. I have both but when I want to do my landscape (or studio) work, the 3-axis head is my personal choice...now.