In the old days, landscape photography was my passion, and loved the RRS products. Now I take photos and make videos of my Macaw parrot family, and based upon how fast they move from second to second, most of the time I am hand-held, even for video! Thanks for sharing this information!
Great video, Richard. I went through the same process with ball heads and ended up with the Acratech Long Lens head and their new nodal rail with the locking quick release lever. Landscapes are so much easier now.
I thought it was y fault that I didn't know how to use bullheads. I really hate them. I am on the market for a new one. My DSLR and lens are heavy, hard to get a straight shot and the flop is annoying.
I still have three ball heads but for my video business where I record live theatre, concerts and dance shows with multiple cameras I use gear heads and pan heads on the static cameras. With these heads, it is easier to get more precise and effective framing. Ball heads are very effective, if you need a quick set up.
I agree with your applications using a ball head is a quick setup. For my landscapes the Acratech panorama head is also fast to setup and move around, that's why I also moved away from using a gear head.
Tripod heads are a very individual choice and one type does not suit everyone, and there are so many to choose from. Personally, I like ball heads and don't have a problem with gear flop, because I take extra care when using them. Sunwayfoto makes a beautiful (but expensive) ball head with the locking lever plate clamp, with screw adjustment on the opposite side, since not all Arca Swiss plates are exactly the same size.
SunwayFoto and others have quick release clamps. I think RRS has Some ballheads and geared heads rotate top and bottom. Sunwayfoto and Leofoto have. "weak." I don't need the reminder I have AML Leukaemia.
I left the RRS BH-55 ball head behind years ago, primarily due to shooting more panoramas. I switched to the Acratech Panoramic Head if I am hiking very far, or the Manfrotto MVH500AH video head if not hiking as far. The Manfrotto MVH500AH is my preferred choice. I also use a RRS level base for my RRS Versa 34l Tripod, along with a RRS nodal rail. It is best to establish nodal points for lenses being used that are 70mm or less (full frame).
I've been using ArcaSwiss P0 for a number of years. Perfect for panos with the inverted ballhead. Expensive, but compact and very reiable.
In the old days, landscape photography was my passion, and loved the RRS products. Now I take photos and make videos of my Macaw parrot family, and based upon how fast they move from second to second, most of the time I am hand-held, even for video! Thanks for sharing this information!
Great video, Richard. I went through the same process with ball heads and ended up with the Acratech Long Lens head and their new nodal rail with the locking quick release lever. Landscapes are so much easier now.
One of the best bits I have purchased.
Informative, thanks Richard!!
I thought it was y fault that I didn't know how to use bullheads. I really hate them. I am on the market for a new one. My DSLR and lens are heavy, hard to get a straight shot and the flop is annoying.
The flop is not only annoying, but can damage your equipment.
Have never looked back since getting my geared head.
@@jerryinsc Its a Manfrotto.
I still have three ball heads but for my video business where I record live theatre, concerts and dance shows with multiple cameras I use gear heads and pan heads on the static cameras. With these heads, it is easier to get more precise and effective framing. Ball heads are very effective, if you need a quick set up.
I agree with your applications using a ball head is a quick setup.
For my landscapes the Acratech panorama head is also fast to setup and move around, that's why I also moved away from using a gear head.
Thanks Richard!
Tripod heads are a very individual choice and one type does not suit everyone, and there are so many to choose from. Personally, I like ball heads and don't have a problem with gear flop, because I take extra care when using them. Sunwayfoto makes a beautiful (but expensive) ball head with the locking lever plate clamp, with screw adjustment on the opposite side, since not all Arca Swiss plates are exactly the same size.
SunwayFoto and others have quick release clamps. I think RRS has
Some ballheads and geared heads rotate top and bottom. Sunwayfoto and Leofoto have.
"weak." I don't need the reminder I have AML Leukaemia.
I left the RRS BH-55 ball head behind years ago, primarily due to shooting more panoramas. I switched to the Acratech Panoramic Head if I am hiking very far, or the Manfrotto MVH500AH video head if not hiking as far. The Manfrotto MVH500AH is my preferred choice. I also use a RRS level base for my RRS Versa 34l Tripod, along with a RRS nodal rail. It is best to establish nodal points for lenses being used that are 70mm or less (full frame).
I agree with everything. Take a look at the Acratech Adjustable Nodal Rail with level release.
Acratech Heads are awesome .. I Like yours
I use the FlexShooter, it replaced my RRS gimbal, also great for panoramas
Great Video >> I am Learning Panos at the Moment so very interesting >> Subscribed
How about a stepper on the base so you do not need to count the numbers on the base?
I have used this type of device before and it's fine. Now I just look at the scale and rotate the base by the same amount each time.
What software are you using to stitch multi level panoramas?
Right now I'm using Photoshop and Lightroom.
Hey Richard... what are your thoughts on the Platyball Elite Head?
I haven't used it, sorry.
Hmm $1700 for a head vs $500. Why does a cube of aluminum need to cost that much?
Gear heads have a lot of gears and assembly. They are very complex. Also if you get sand or water in it, you need to send it in for cleaning, $s.
I think you forgot to ‘put the links below’
Thanks for pointing that out. 😄