Ball Heads vs Pan/Tilt heads

**csa** · 11-01-2015, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

Earlier on in the thread you were sold on 3-way heads...

Well, you people have a way of changing my mind!

bertwert · 11-01-2015, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by csa

Well, you people have a way of changing my mind!

I wondered how I ended up with tons of lenses (actually six)...

This forum likes to manipulate minds

**csa** · 11-01-2015, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

I wondered how I ended up with tons of lenses (actually six)...

This forum likes to manipulate minds

Indeed it does!

**WPRESTO** · 11-01-2015, 10:05 AM - **1 Like**

Preference in camera equipment and technique is surely as variable as taste in automobiles. Until you try both a pan/tilt and ball head taking photos with your equipment of your preferred subjects, you'll never know which is better for you, and perhaps not then (I still use both, plus geared and heavy-lens cradle). Fundamentally, pan/tilt is slower, more precise, and perhaps a bit stronger at the same price-point; ball heads are quicker and more compact, possibly a bit lighter for the same load rating, but many of the highly regarded models are expensive, although I would add again, the Sirui K10 - K20 - K30 are bargains and worthy of consideration.

**UncleVanya** · 11-01-2015, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by csa

I know Leica & Acratech are out of my price range; but the equipment sure is beautiful!

EBay TiltAll cost me $80.

Kath · 11-01-2015, 03:39 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Preference in camera equipment and technique is surely as variable as taste in automobiles. Until you try both a pan/tilt and ball head taking photos with your equipment of your preferred subjects, you'll never know which is better for you, and perhaps not then (I still use both, plus geared and heavy-lens cradle).

Which is why I have a closet full of equipment that keeps evolving. You try something and sometimes later find it doesn't meet your needs. So you try something else. And, if you've done all your research and the planets are aligned, you get to say, Yes!

Despite a desire to be conservative in my spending habits, I have come to peace with the fact that I can jerry-rig things for only so long, then I need to get what actually works for me.

Have fun with your new gear!

**csa** · 11-01-2015, 03:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kath

Which is why I have a closet full of equipment that keeps evolving. You try something and sometimes later find it doesn't meet your needs. So you try something else. And, if you've done all your research and the planets are aligned, you get to say, Yes!

Despite a desire to be conservative in my spending habits, I have come to peace with the fact that I can jerry-rig things for only so long, then I need to get what actually works for me.

Have fun with your new gear!

You been looking in my closet?

**WPRESTO** · 11-01-2015, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by Kath

You try something and sometimes later find it doesn't meet your needs. So you try something else.

I no longer need something that's not working for me. So long as I think something else might be better, that's excuse enough to indulge. Consequently I have: one heavy lens cradle; one geared head; four pan/tilt head; AND discounting the tiny ball heads used to support strobes, counting only those at least strong enough to hold the K3 with 40mm f2.8, I have ten ball heads.

**UncleVanya** · 11-01-2015, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

I no longer need something that's not working for me. So long as I think something else might be better, that's excuse enough to indulge. Consequently I have: one heavy lens cradle; one geared head; four pan/tilt head; AND discounting the tiny ball heads used to support strobes, counting only those at least strong enough to hold the K3 with 40mm f2.8, I have ten ball heads.

Fire sale?

**WPRESTO** · 11-02-2015, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Fire sale?

I would be willing to sell several of my ball heads, but at what I would regard as a reasonable price, the shipping could be higher. BTW: My favorite is of course the Sirui K10. For a long time I used a Velbon magnesium head of very simple design - very light, locked reliably, but it was locked, or not locked, almost no progression. The largest/strongest head I have is an old Kaiser unit, purchased back in the 90's, long out of production SFAIK (Kaiser heads were never very popular in the USA). I also have a larger version of the Velbon magnesium head that is very strong (very large diameter ball), but is only marginally lighter than the Kaiser and the latter has a nice progressive lock, a friction knob, and a separate panning lock. A few of the other ball heads were bought with expectations that were disappointed, for example, a nicely designed, very compact, very light Giottos ball head that I purchased for traveling, but it was not quite strong enough and sometimes slips when a larger lens + camera is mounted unless I give the locking knob a very hard twist.

**csa** · 11-18-2015, 04:15 PM

Ok, I've narrowed my choice down to these two. Which would you suggest over the other, and why?

Manfrotto 498RC4 Midi Ball Head with RC4 Plate 498RC4

https://www.outdoorphotogear.com/induro-bhm1-ballhead-deal/

**WPRESTO** · 11-18-2015, 05:17 PM

Go for the Induro with an Arca-Swiss type "quick release.*" The Manfrotto plates come only from Manfrotto, and all of them will be exactly the same as the one that comes with the head. There are many different designs of Arca-type plates, all different sizes with many different designs of anti-twist rims. I can recommend the Sunwayfoto universal camera plate for your camera body (has a slotted guide for the mounting screw and a nice anti-twist rim). DO NOT go for the Manfrotto with it's one-design fits all base plate.

*The Arca-Swiss "quick release" mechanism is NOT quick, but it is more secure and convenient to use than the ancient 1/4 20 tripod socket thread. I will again recommend the Sirui K10 as an alternative to the Induro.

**csa** · 11-18-2015, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Sunwayfoto universal camera plate

So, which one is this, there are many Sunwayfoto products? This one is preferred over the ones that come with the Induro, Sirui, in what way?

**WPRESTO** · 11-18-2015, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by csa

So, which one is this, there are many Sunwayfoto products? This one is preferred over the ones that come with the Induro, Sirui, in what way?

The plate that comes with the Induro, indeed the Arca-type plate that comes with any tripod head, is a "general/all purpose" plate that could go on a camera base or equally on a small lens tripod foot. There are plates for cameras that are wider & shorter, more the shape of the base of a camera, with a raised edge that is slightly curved to conform to bottom edge of a camera below the screen. Give a few moments and I'll look up the exact Sunwayfoto plate I use on my Pentax bodies.

BTW: Several companies (Kirk in particular) make camera plates that are custom-shaped to fit precisely on particular camera bodies, Canikon and Sony, none for Pentax.

OK: The plate I use on my Pentax bodies is the "Sunwayfoto DPG-50 Universal Quick Release Plate" about $15. It fits snugly and doesn't interfere with the battery compartment lid, no rotation when turned to a vertical, and the dovetail plate is square so it will slide into the tripod head clamp in any direction. This means that the locking thumbscrew on the clamp can be oriented whichever way you find convenient - left under the camera base, right under camera base, backward protruding below the screen, or forward under the lens.

**csa** · 11-18-2015, 07:09 PM

Thanks so much for that detailed information! I certainly will order one of those plates!

I appreciate your help!

11-18-2015, 06:47 PM	#59
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Originally posted by csa So, which one is this, there are many Sunwayfoto products? This one is preferred over the ones that come with the Induro, Sirui, in what way? The plate that comes with the Induro, indeed the Arca-type plate that comes with any tripod head, is a "general/all purpose" plate that could go on a camera base or equally on a small lens tripod foot. There are plates for cameras that are wider & shorter, more the shape of the base of a camera, with a raised edge that is slightly curved to conform to bottom edge of a camera below the screen. Give a few moments and I'll look up the exact Sunwayfoto plate I use on my Pentax bodies. BTW: Several companies (Kirk in particular) make camera plates that are custom-shaped to fit precisely on particular camera bodies, Canikon and Sony, none for Pentax. OK: The plate I use on my Pentax bodies is the "Sunwayfoto DPG-50 Universal Quick Release Plate" about $15. It fits snugly and doesn't interfere with the battery compartment lid, no rotation when turned to a vertical, and the dovetail plate is square so it will slide into the tripod head clamp in any direction. This means that the locking thumbscrew on the clamp can be oriented whichever way you find convenient - left under the camera base, right under camera base, backward protruding below the screen, or forward under the lens. Last edited by WPRESTO; 11-18-2015 at 07:00 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Let's talk ball heads	wildman	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	23	03-28-2014 12:43 PM
For Sale - Sold: Manfrotto Ball Heads	crewl1	Sold Items	4	02-06-2013 09:39 AM
Ball or pan/tilt?	Raybo	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	21	01-08-2010 09:32 PM
Ball heads - what to look for	Squier	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	29	07-02-2009 01:47 AM
pan-tilt head vs ball head	raider	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	9	11-02-2008 09:13 PM

11-01-2015, 09:11 AM	#46
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by bertwert Earlier on in the thread you were sold on 3-way heads... Well, you people have a way of changing my mind!

11-01-2015, 09:15 AM	#47
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by csa Well, you people have a way of changing my mind! I wondered how I ended up with tons of lenses (actually six)... This forum likes to manipulate minds

11-01-2015, 09:46 AM	#48
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by bertwert I wondered how I ended up with tons of lenses (actually six)... This forum likes to manipulate minds Indeed it does!

11-01-2015, 10:05 AM - 1 Like	#49
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Preference in camera equipment and technique is surely as variable as taste in automobiles. Until you try both a pan/tilt and ball head taking photos with your equipment of your preferred subjects, you'll never know which is better for you, and perhaps not then (I still use both, plus geared and heavy-lens cradle). Fundamentally, pan/tilt is slower, more precise, and perhaps a bit stronger at the same price-point; ball heads are quicker and more compact, possibly a bit lighter for the same load rating, but many of the highly regarded models are expensive, although I would add again, the Sirui K10 - K20 - K30 are bargains and worthy of consideration.

11-01-2015, 01:58 PM	#50
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by csa I know Leica & Acratech are out of my price range; but the equipment sure is beautiful! EBay TiltAll cost me $80.

11-01-2015, 03:39 PM - 1 Like	#51
Kath Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portland, OR Photos: Gallery Posts: 737	Originally posted by WPRESTO Preference in camera equipment and technique is surely as variable as taste in automobiles. Until you try both a pan/tilt and ball head taking photos with your equipment of your preferred subjects, you'll never know which is better for you, and perhaps not then (I still use both, plus geared and heavy-lens cradle). Which is why I have a closet full of equipment that keeps evolving. You try something and sometimes later find it doesn't meet your needs. So you try something else. And, if you've done all your research and the planets are aligned, you get to say, Yes! Despite a desire to be conservative in my spending habits, I have come to peace with the fact that I can jerry-rig things for only so long, then I need to get what actually works for me. Have fun with your new gear!

11-01-2015, 03:50 PM - 1 Like	#52
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kath Which is why I have a closet full of equipment that keeps evolving. You try something and sometimes later find it doesn't meet your needs. So you try something else. And, if you've done all your research and the planets are aligned, you get to say, Yes! Despite a desire to be conservative in my spending habits, I have come to peace with the fact that I can jerry-rig things for only so long, then I need to get what actually works for me. Have fun with your new gear! You been looking in my closet?

11-01-2015, 03:51 PM	#53
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Originally posted by Kath You try something and sometimes later find it doesn't meet your needs. So you try something else. I no longer need something that's not working for me. So long as I think something else might be better, that's excuse enough to indulge. Consequently I have: one heavy lens cradle; one geared head; four pan/tilt head; AND discounting the tiny ball heads used to support strobes, counting only those at least strong enough to hold the K3 with 40mm f2.8, I have ten ball heads.

11-01-2015, 04:26 PM	#54
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by WPRESTO I no longer need something that's not working for me. So long as I think something else might be better, that's excuse enough to indulge. Consequently I have: one heavy lens cradle; one geared head; four pan/tilt head; AND discounting the tiny ball heads used to support strobes, counting only those at least strong enough to hold the K3 with 40mm f2.8, I have ten ball heads. Fire sale?

11-02-2015, 04:59 AM	#55
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Originally posted by UncleVanya Fire sale? I would be willing to sell several of my ball heads, but at what I would regard as a reasonable price, the shipping could be higher. BTW: My favorite is of course the Sirui K10. For a long time I used a Velbon magnesium head of very simple design - very light, locked reliably, but it was locked, or not locked, almost no progression. The largest/strongest head I have is an old Kaiser unit, purchased back in the 90's, long out of production SFAIK (Kaiser heads were never very popular in the USA). I also have a larger version of the Velbon magnesium head that is very strong (very large diameter ball), but is only marginally lighter than the Kaiser and the latter has a nice progressive lock, a friction knob, and a separate panning lock. A few of the other ball heads were bought with expectations that were disappointed, for example, a nicely designed, very compact, very light Giottos ball head that I purchased for traveling, but it was not quite strong enough and sometimes slips when a larger lens + camera is mounted unless I give the locking knob a very hard twist.

11-18-2015, 04:15 PM	#56
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Ok, I've narrowed my choice down to these two. Which would you suggest over the other, and why? Manfrotto 498RC4 Midi Ball Head with RC4 Plate 498RC4 https://www.outdoorphotogear.com/induro-bhm1-ballhead-deal/

11-18-2015, 05:17 PM	#57
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Go for the Induro with an Arca-Swiss type "quick release." The Manfrotto plates come only from Manfrotto, and all of them will be exactly the same as the one that comes with the head. There are many different designs of Arca-type plates, all different sizes with many different designs of anti-twist rims. I can recommend the Sunwayfoto universal camera plate for your camera body (has a slotted guide for the mounting screw and a nice anti-twist rim). DO NOT go for the Manfrotto with it's one-design fits all base plate. The Arca-Swiss "quick release" mechanism is NOT quick, but it is more secure and convenient to use than the ancient 1/4 20 tripod socket thread. I will again recommend the Sirui K10 as an alternative to the Induro.

11-18-2015, 05:54 PM	#58
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by WPRESTO Sunwayfoto universal camera plate So, which one is this, there are many Sunwayfoto products? This one is preferred over the ones that come with the Induro, Sirui, in what way?

11-18-2015, 07:09 PM	#60
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks so much for that detailed information! I certainly will order one of those plates! I appreciate your help!