Once I used a Wimberley gimbal I never wanted to use a ball head again! People say it’s only for long glass but I can use it with a 50 mm prime, point and shoot, camcorder, binoculars, anything. Now I want to try the Acratech pan and tilt with a leveling base.
I have experienced the same issues with the Ball Head. I now have a Flat Plate Head with my KingJoy C85 with the Leveling Bowl and locking shank. This works very well. If I need more movement I have a Gimbal Head that I use.
I switched from ball head to pan and tilt several years because my camera with 70-200 lens when tilted forward would slowly creep forward no matter how much I tighten it. I replaced it with a Manfrotto pan and tilt and it was brilliant until I had to tilt it almost 90° upwards. It won't tilt all the way up because the handle was in a way. It would tilt 90° forward all the way down but not upwards. So if I need to shoot where the subject (tall buildings) requires the tripod head to tilt all the way up, I've to install the camera backwards. Now I'm rethinking what ball head to get. I've Giotto MH1300-657 which is a hefty well made ball head.
I have never had a true ball head. When i started out i had 3 way heads, eventually moving to a decent manfrotto. I wanted something light and with decent control, after much research i settled on the Arca swiss D4 geared head. At the time there wasn't much choice in geared heads - only the Arca swiss D4 and cube and 2 from manfrotto. I chose the D4 as it was the lightest, the 2 manfrotto ones were way too big and bulky. I think a lot of people start out not knowing if they will enjoy photography so often buy cheap/ small tripods so they are easy to carry. Once they decide they enjoy it, they seem to upgrade to a better tripod but still with a centre column as it is what they are used to. My first proper tripod was an aluminium manfrotto 5 series tracker tripod. I only sold it as i needed something smaller to fit in a suitcase as i was going on holiday overseas and couldn't afford to keep both at the time. I ended up with a Giottos tripod again with a centre column, eventually changing to a Feisol and then Gitzo a couple of years ago when i needed a taller tripod. The last 2 have no centre column as standard, with the Gitzo i don't need it as it is well over 7ft tall with the levelling mount, head and camera on.
What is great about the Benro GD3WH Geared Head is its very precise framing, great for products and landscapes. Turn the knob and it moves incrementally and stops & locks right where you stopped turning-no fiddling. For faster movement, release gear engagement with the star, rough it in & release to re-engage the gear knob. Manfrotto also makes several geared heads at more expense. The Manfrotto 410 Junior is heavier for strength & durability, and Manfrotto's XPRO is lighter weight, but is nice with its lever release. Though if you're into Arca QR camera plates, you'll need to add an Arca-type adapter to the Manfrottos. The Benro GD3WH has the Arca mount built-in, seems more stable than the XPRO & is cheaper to boot.
Hey Sniper, I had no idea these kind of heads even existed until a couple of years ago. I got a Leofoto G4 that I use with a short and long rail attachment, depending on lens. It literally changed the way I make pictures altogether. Simply incredible. I'm not going back to ball heads ever! Cheers, Ray.
I've been using a geared head for about two years now. I recently got a new tripod that came with a ball head. I tried it just out of curiosity and I almost threw up lol
I have a Sirui L20 tilt head. I just love mine. I have a sirui ball head which i bought before the L20. But nearly always use the tilt head. I agree with your comments about ball heads. Great piece of kit.
I am seriously now looking at the Leofoto VH-30R which fixes the issue of having to do the hack you did to swap the clamp around and only $30 more. The other benefit is having the clamp for panos. I seem to remember and article of why having the clamp spin over the base could have benefits, but would have to try and find it again to remember the pros and cons. Anyway the one thing, which makes me a little wary is that a couple of people have said they have had corrosion issues with the washers under the levers and they are bespoke and not a standard washer. something to keep in mind.
Forrest Tanaka has a video about nodal rails and when to use them, and when not to. He says you don't need them in landscape photography, and his argument makes sense to me. Like other landscape photographers, I sometimes shoot panoramas handheld. It's good to shoot quite a bit wider than you need, so you can crop later to tidy it up. I'm happy to describe ballheads as carp. I have one somewhere, haven't seen it for years. Leofoto and Sunwayfoto have ballheads with the with the panning mechanism correctly placed, at the top. However, if you want multilayer.... I have been using levelling bases and video heads. You can choose to point the camera up or down and the horizon doesn't change as you pan. Shooting video is a good test. Adam Williams has a separate panning device he uses on top of the head. That works pretty well, unless you want to point the camera up or down to pan. I tried a Syrp Genie II a few days ago, it didn't want to talk to my camera. That should be pretty good when I sort that out. Actually, I got two of them with the accessory to add tilting using the two. I can use the two of them on separate tripods, or both on one tripod for multiple layers.
Depends on the quality of the ball head, we use Arca Swiss Z1's without any issues, solid ball head. Some Nikons come with built in spirit levels as a menu option, the hot shoe can be used to fix small spirit level if needed.
Good points. For video mode, the fluid head with a dedicated base leveler is certainly the most effective practical solution, and even keeping the smooth ball head under the liquid one just for those "angled" moments when a ball head is indeed more useful will do a job. I would suggest a 4-way cross-slide for fixing the balance issue. By the way, the Artcise fluid head looks so "transparent" because its sides have been cut off to lower the weight. Works smooth like charme!
That was certainly interesting. I moved in the opposite direction. In fact, I went for Vanguard GH-200 pistol grip ball head because I was getting more shots when time was critical but I wanted a tripod. I've heard that the ball tension erodes over time but I've not experienced. That said, I do sometimes use mount the lens rather than the body.
An enjoyable episode and it has made me ponder a few points, which you made. It may be semantics, but I have a couple of observations/questions. You say you cannot get a firm lock, with a ballhead, but you can with a ball base. Could this not be compensated by utilising the rail to centre the mass of the lens camera over the ball head and having high friction set on the ball? You are then effectively reducing leverage on the ball head. You state where you mount your camera, which is basically the principle I mentioned above, but you do not setup for nodal point, when you are doing your panos. Does this mean, you make your software work harder to fix parallax errors from not sitting on your nodal point? Do you consider the Benro better than the Leofoto? I am trying to decide a new tripod/head combo and I am torn between those two styles of heads. The Leofoto is simple, but more expensive than the Benro, but I feel the geared head may be the next step up in accuracy. I also feel, if we are talking the accuracy of which you refer to, then bubble levels are not as accurate as two directional spirit levels. Just how close is close enough? When it comes to the tripod, I'm thinking the RT90C may be a little too large for convenience and have spotted the ARTCISE AS88C, which sits between the 90 and the 80. Main difference is the leg section diameter, which sits between both sizes. I feel this would be a reasonable compromise between each.
Great video. To me the biggest problem of ball heads is you can’t fine-tune the position, because once you loosen the ball everything goes out of whack. So basically you have to nail the position in one move, AND overshoot the vertical position to compensate for the small forward droop when you tighten it, which varies depending on the lens weight.
I started using Gitzo ball heads over 50 years ago and have never had these problems. Maybe it is the heads you are using. I owned a studio for 32 years, but I used pan tilt heads for medium format and larger cameras. I am with you on raising center columns and try to never do that.
Blooming brilliant. I was looking at the LeoFoto VH20LR for a medium format press on a monopod. Have you compared others in this class? I like the ergonomics of the Promedia HM1 with friction tilt & lock?
A tip for using a geared head: I have a Benro too. When I'm making a pano, I do not level the tripod. Too fidgety and time-consuming, and not terribly accurate. I do not have a self-leveling tripod head mount (as demonstrated with the pan & tilt head in the video). Too expensive. I just attach a rotating clamp on top of the head, level that (using the gear controls), and then pan from the clamp (rather than using the panning control at the tripod head's base). The rotating clamp will also accommodate both an L-bracket (with or without a rail) and the foot of a telephoto lens without having to reposition the tripod or changing the orientation of the tripod head. Just rotate the clamp. (Which doesn't upset the leveling.)
That's what Adam Williams does. There are ballheads that pan at the top too.
11 місяців тому+1
@@oneeyedphotographerThe Benro VX in the video above has that feature. Just unfasten the smaller silver screw on the top and it will pan just fine thge same waay he shows the other head does at 6:47. He just ignores it on the ball head.
Thanks, great show. I use a similar setup, and if you can level your tripod with a leveling bracket, why on earth would you want to use a ball-head? Most of us only need to pan and tilt.
Pano heads are definitely better for panos; if your compositions are most commonly standard horizontal/vertical on level fields, then of course a pan/tilt will work better for you. The advantage of a ball head is its flexibility; flexibility that comes at the cost of easy consistency. All of that said, there is a huge range in the quality and performance of ball heads on the market. While the Chinese manufacturers have been able to do well on the legs market, the vast majority of their ball heads are just bad compared to RRS, or Markins. When it comes to ball heads tolerances matter. I don’t think you’d have the same frustrations with a BH-55 as you do with that Leofoto.
I'm all the way with you on ballheads. That Leofoto 2-way head is my favourite to use for landscape photography, the Benro 3-way geared head I mostly use at home. I find it too slow to use, not suitable for panos, and I get enough precision for my liking with the pan-tilt head. At home for macro and still-life scenes on my desk, I do like the small adjustments it allows but actually I find it not precise enough for real macro work because you have to apply a bit too much force sometimes. However I still find myself using ballheads frequently! Reason is, I have various mini-tripods and they come with ballheads. And then the flashes have ballheads... 😉 Still use my centre column though. Because it allows me to carry a lighter weight tripod and allows for easier height adjustment for my composition. So yeah, compromises, compromises...!
I found this while researching tripods and heads for my outdoor images. Thanks for sharing your insights, for I'd rather spend the money for precision and stability (especially when it comes to some of the windy sites I visit in the US Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming). I'm of the mind that if one is going to do it, then do it right the first time. These options fit the bill and though I'm aware of more than a few that still use a ball head, something along the lines of the appealing Leofoto head and base you displayed simply remove a lot of worries from the equation.
Thank you for reaching out. I will be in Wyoming,Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons September 2024. Also visiting Jackson Hole. All the best from Australia
@@SniperPhotography You're quite welcome. I'm browsing some of your other videos from over here as we speak, in fact. If you've not visited nearby Beartooth Pass (northeast of Cody, Wyoming on US highway 212), I highly recommend it, though you'll want to check to ensure it's not closed for snow (it is closed for winter beginning in October but often closes early). I saw my first grizzly bears there (after dark and on the road, unfortunately) after shooting sunset images at the crest. Enjoy your trip and be prepared for the crowds even in September (I must prefer shooting anywhere in Wyoming but there because of the crowds but that's just me lol). Merry Christmas, by the way.
Rightly so about the ball heads. I only used for space saving on medium format press on a monopod as a better the leaning on someone or a bench as I get random quick movement but hardly anything precise. Just ok. The Gitzo offset ball is ok but kinda bulky for its class. G1576
They certainly are.And that is why I use them. I also use them for balance.Been using these rails for years both professionally and for my private photography.
You can easily level a ball head so long as you use one with a bubble *above* the ball. So if you can't find a Manfrotto 222, perhaps try a hotshoe level. Done. It won't solve the pano need, but for someone regularly shooting panoramas there are dedicated heads that make that easy.
Ball Heads are the embodiment of imprecision, they are here just because they are small and lightweight. Every time you loosen that ball, your previous levelling work is undone. I recently bought a combination head which is basically a pan-tilt head that sits on top of a bowl head with a top plate that can flip 90 degrees for portrait. does everything a ball head can do but with much more precision.
I have 2 ball-head tripods. A big one, and a smaller one. BOTH are fabulous - I wouldn't own any other sort of tripod unless I needed one where a ball head tripod couldn't possibly serve my intended purposes. I can't even think of a "such as."
An update on where I am at. I have just received my ARTCISE AS88C and I am very impressed. I have been using a Benro travel angel (IIRC) for a number of years and was keen to buy a RRS tripod, but could never justify the cost. I have been running the Benro ball head, but replaced the clamp with the Benro Lever Release Panning Clamp. I have ordered the Leofoto VH-30R, as I prefer the ease of flipping the clamp around when clamping on the lens foot, when using the big lens. I should hopefully have this in a week or so. I use a rail, but with a sliding clamp. This better balances the lens camera setup. Now owning the new tripod, I am doubling down on the use of the Hot Shoe Level Three Axis Bubble Spirit Level over the bullseye spirit level on the tripod. The reason why I like this setup, unless you can get exactly over the centre of the bullseye, I don't feel it is accurate as the hotshoe mounted spirit level. If the tripod is low enough, it is easily achieved, but if you're running it fairly high, it makes it harder to get over the top. The only reason I don't like the three way level, is I run a GPS on my hotshoe, so I have to spend and extra 30 seconds swapping it around and ensuring I put it away and don't lose it. First world problem, but it still could be a problem if you forget to put it away and lose the spirit level. Thanks for this video, it has helped me find a solution, which is sturdy and nowhere near as expensive as RRS gear. Now to get out and try the new tripod and see how much better it is.
Hello Mark :) I appreciate your research and am going a nearly identical direction. May I ask which sliding rail parts and 3 axis bubble spirit you settled on, sir?
Anyone have experience using a 3 way like the leofoto G4 or arca Swiss d4, vs using a ball head like the arca swiss po monofix hybrid / or a ball head with an additional compact 3 way attached like the leofoto G2 ?
Nice review. I switched over to Leofoto this year, all in. went with the leveling tripod and a tilt and pan head (vh-30r). Field work is super straight forward compare to a ball head. And so far it has held up to trekking around the Cascade mountains, through rain and snow. Thank Glenn!
Hi Hank Thank you. Yes.The Leofoto Head is an outstanding piece of kit indeed. It is more precise with its movements and makes shooting so much easier. Take care
Been looking at vh-30r and the acratech 1160. Leofoto really strong price compared to the acratech. Glad I've stumbled across your review of the leofoto
It's funny, all the gear you showed I've been through as well. I landed on the exact same gear head as you did! I would never go back except in the case of extreme hikes where the gear head is too heavy.
I'm lost with all the parts needed for the Benro. If i understand correctly, I need the following: *3-way geard head (link in bio) *tripod body (which body do you use?) *the Neewer 20mm nodal rail (Amazon) *Benro shorty column Am I missing anything?
Good morning Teresa Ok.yes the 3 way Benro geared head is correct.The Neewer 200mm nodal rail is another. The Benro shorty column to suit the Rhino series of tripods.Also from Amazon. I use the Rhino series for most of my tripods. Hope this helps. Take care
Hi Glenn just wondering which way you place the camera on the Benro gear head as I can find 3 ways to do it, , one with the plate running in line with the lens, and 2 options with the plate running perpendicular to the lens, each seems to have its own advantage. Benro only tells how to load the plate on to the head
If you look at his ball head, it is fitted on a raised section of centre column, so will it not be as stable as his geared head that is tight to the tripod apex. So in reality any instability has nothing to do with the ball head. I use professional Vinten video heads and heavy duty ball heads and both are equal in stability if set up correctly and on strong tripod legs.
For me it's not about movement while taking the shot, it's about the droop ball heads tend to have, especially when using longer telephoto lenses (even using the lens collar mount). For me when I think I have my composition right and tighten the head, when I let go of the head the head droops ever so slightly. The other issue is getting level when shooting panos. Much easier to do with a bowl head tripod and a pan and tilt head.
Excellent work on the comparison between heads. I prefer using my gear head, but I still use a ball head often, especially when hiking and backpacking. That said, if I could only have one, it's going to be my gear head. You're right; even the best ball heads have a bit of drop (drift down), especially with heavier lenses. The gear head has zero! Great video! By the way, I appreciate the tip you gave me about the reverse grad a while back. I want to mention you in my upcoming video if you don't mind?
Hey Michael Good to hear from you. The reverse grad can save the day that’s fore sure. Yes.The 3 way geared head is at another level. I have been using the Benro since it become available. I just find these 2 heads so much better to use for the stability and the precision balance which i believe is super important. Yes,by all means you can mention my channel. I am about to do the same thing in the next few days. I will definitely be promoting your Chanel as well as a few others In my next video. The channels that i will be mentioning including your channel are all learning about photography and more so on how all their content is presented. Take care Chat soon.
Ive been using the exact setup with the tilt and pan head married up with the bowl and rail for a while now. Its the best way to get perfect levels even if your tripod isnt. Every since using this setup up I've had no problems with stitching any of my panos. Awesome video Glenn! Maybe one day we will bump into each other up in the Blue Mountains, I was up at Govetts Leap last Saturday morning before sunrise, rainy foggy and VERY windy lol Loving your content and how you present your videos Glenn... Take care!
Hey Shane Great to hear from you. Yes.Its the only way to go I believe. Can't beat the stability and level that you get using a system like this. Off to Sunset rock at Blackheath tomorrow afternoon for sunset. Cheers
@@SniperPhotography I took a trip up to Sunset Rock Lookout on Wednesday afternoon. Its truly a magical place even though the sunset wasnt spectacular its just heaven to be out in places like that, especially when you have it all to yourself :) Hope you ended up going there yesterday afternoon for sunset though MAYBE those storms mightve put a end to that trip.
@@SniperPhotography I thought so as it came across to us from the mountains, it poured down here too, crazy weather LOL Yes it is an awesome location thats for sure...
Yes You can.However the use of a centre column is not advisable with any type of head. Please see my other videos on why I don't use or suggest using centre columns on tripods. Thank you for watching.
I went the other way and no longer use anything except ball heads. So much faster to use and just as secure and durable if you have the correct ball head and know how to use it properly. (Note: I don't do video work)
First person I have found who agrees with me on ball heads, totaly useless for panos and almost everything else. I tossed my original ball head from my CF Benro tripod and fitted a pan and tilt. Far better. Then went a step further and bought some rotating arca clamps some slides and with a block of 25mm alloy made my own pano jig that has every adjustment I will ever need for about a quarter the price of a very cheap bought one.
The other thing that struck me is that its a pity the Leofoto VH 30R doesn't have a Swiss Arca mount at its base so that it has an option to have a clamp on your base for easy switching of ball head types. The Leofoto G2 does
Seriously mate, there’s nothing I hate more than ballheads. The trouble is that you have to adjust in two planes at once. Apart from that, I nearly lost my Bronica the other day because of a stupid ballhead. I’m looking for a half decent 2D head with a leveller under it. For some reason, the market is absolutely flooded with them at the moment.
Thanks for your comment. I use the Leofoto VR30 pan n tilt head and a Benro 3 way head.All with the Leofoto Tripod levelling base.Being a landscape photographer precision in the composition is critical to me. Thanks for reaching out. Cheers
@@SniperPhotography I’m looking at the smallest Innorel bowl head. I spent 25 years as a news cameraman and our tripods all had bowls and 2D pan/tilt heads (though I won’t need a fluid head this time). That’s what I’m used to so it should solve a few problems. I hadn’t seen Innorel until I saw your video so thanks for the tip.
@@thethirdman225 no problem. I use 2 Innorel tripods the RT90C and the RT80C both bowl fitted. As good as any tripod I have owned over the years. All the best.
Great review and great head concept. ua-cam.com/video/kSndKOUaCAo/v-deo.html How do you adjust the nodal point in the direction between your shoulders (left and right, not forwards and backwards from your perspective)? Do you have mark on your L-bracket and the slider? I have a Magic ball head combined with a panorama plate from Novoflex. Outstanding build quality. I had to make a mark so that I always position it centered with respect to the center of the lens/sensor. With my topical setup, I cannot do multi-row panoramas. With the head presented here I could.
Once I used a Wimberley gimbal I never wanted to use a ball head again! People say it’s only for long glass but I can use it with a 50 mm prime, point and shoot, camcorder, binoculars, anything. Now I want to try the Acratech pan and tilt with a leveling base.
I have experienced the same issues with the Ball Head. I now have a Flat Plate Head with my KingJoy C85 with the Leveling Bowl and locking shank. This works very well. If I need more movement I have a Gimbal Head that I use.
I switched from ball head to pan and tilt several years because my camera with 70-200 lens when tilted forward would slowly creep forward no matter how much I tighten it. I replaced it with a Manfrotto pan and tilt and it was brilliant until I had to tilt it almost 90° upwards. It won't tilt all the way up because the handle was in a way. It would tilt 90° forward all the way down but not upwards. So if I need to shoot where the subject (tall buildings) requires the tripod head to tilt all the way up, I've to install the camera backwards. Now I'm rethinking what ball head to get. I've Giotto MH1300-657 which is a hefty well made ball head.
I have never had a true ball head. When i started out i had 3 way heads, eventually moving to a decent manfrotto. I wanted something light and with decent control, after much research i settled on the Arca swiss D4 geared head. At the time there wasn't much choice in geared heads - only the Arca swiss D4 and cube and 2 from manfrotto. I chose the D4 as it was the lightest, the 2 manfrotto ones were way too big and bulky. I think a lot of people start out not knowing if they will enjoy photography so often buy cheap/ small tripods so they are easy to carry. Once they decide they enjoy it, they seem to upgrade to a better tripod but still with a centre column as it is what they are used to. My first proper tripod was an aluminium manfrotto 5 series tracker tripod. I only sold it as i needed something smaller to fit in a suitcase as i was going on holiday overseas and couldn't afford to keep both at the time. I ended up with a Giottos tripod again with a centre column, eventually changing to a Feisol and then Gitzo a couple of years ago when i needed a taller tripod. The last 2 have no centre column as standard, with the Gitzo i don't need it as it is well over 7ft tall with the levelling mount, head and camera on.
What is great about the Benro GD3WH Geared Head is its very precise framing, great for products and landscapes. Turn the knob and it moves incrementally and stops & locks right where you stopped turning-no fiddling. For faster movement, release gear engagement with the star, rough it in & release to re-engage the gear knob. Manfrotto also makes several geared heads at more expense. The Manfrotto 410 Junior is heavier for strength & durability, and Manfrotto's XPRO is lighter weight, but is nice with its lever release. Though if you're into Arca QR camera plates, you'll need to add an Arca-type adapter to the Manfrottos. The Benro GD3WH has the Arca mount built-in, seems more stable than the XPRO & is cheaper to boot.
Hey Sniper, I had no idea these kind of heads even existed until a couple of years ago. I got a Leofoto G4 that I use with a short and long rail attachment, depending on lens. It literally changed the way I make pictures altogether. Simply incredible. I'm not going back to ball heads ever! Cheers, Ray.
Like your thoughts Ray
I've been using a geared head for about two years now. I recently got a new tripod that came with a ball head. I tried it just out of curiosity and I almost threw up lol
You will never use a ball head again.
Thanks for your comment.
I have a Sirui L20 tilt head. I just love mine. I have a sirui ball head which i bought before the L20. But nearly always use the tilt head. I agree with your comments about ball heads. Great piece of kit.
I am seriously now looking at the Leofoto VH-30R which fixes the issue of having to do the hack you did to swap the clamp around and only $30 more. The other benefit is having the clamp for panos. I seem to remember and article of why having the clamp spin over the base could have benefits, but would have to try and find it again to remember the pros and cons.
Anyway the one thing, which makes me a little wary is that a couple of people have said they have had corrosion issues with the washers under the levers and they are bespoke and not a standard washer. something to keep in mind.
Forrest Tanaka has a video about nodal rails and when to use them, and when not to. He says you don't need them in landscape photography, and his argument makes sense to me.
Like other landscape photographers, I sometimes shoot panoramas handheld. It's good to shoot quite a bit wider than you need, so you can crop later to tidy it up.
I'm happy to describe ballheads as carp. I have one somewhere, haven't seen it for years.
Leofoto and Sunwayfoto have ballheads with the with the panning mechanism correctly placed, at the top. However, if you want multilayer....
I have been using levelling bases and video heads. You can choose to point the camera up or down and the horizon doesn't change as you pan. Shooting video is a good test.
Adam Williams has a separate panning device he uses on top of the head. That works pretty well, unless you want to point the camera up or down to pan.
I tried a Syrp Genie II a few days ago, it didn't want to talk to my camera. That should be pretty good when I sort that out. Actually, I got two of them with the accessory to add tilting using the two. I can use the two of them on separate tripods, or both on one tripod for multiple layers.
I meant to mention that the 20cm rail provides leverage to add to you camera movement. That could be your entire problem.
Depends on the quality of the ball head, we use Arca Swiss Z1's without any issues, solid ball head. Some Nikons come with built in spirit levels as a menu option, the hot shoe can be used to fix small spirit level if needed.
Good points. For video mode, the fluid head with a dedicated base leveler is certainly the most effective practical solution, and even keeping the smooth ball head under the liquid one just for those "angled" moments when a ball head is indeed more useful will do a job. I would suggest a 4-way cross-slide for fixing the balance issue. By the way, the Artcise fluid head looks so "transparent" because its sides have been cut off to lower the weight. Works smooth like charme!
That was certainly interesting. I moved in the opposite direction. In fact, I went for Vanguard GH-200 pistol grip ball head because I was getting more shots when time was critical but I wanted a tripod. I've heard that the ball tension erodes over time but I've not experienced. That said, I do sometimes use mount the lens rather than the body.
An enjoyable episode and it has made me ponder a few points, which you made. It may be semantics, but I have a couple of observations/questions. You say you cannot get a firm lock, with a ballhead, but you can with a ball base. Could this not be compensated by utilising the rail to centre the mass of the lens camera over the ball head and having high friction set on the ball? You are then effectively reducing leverage on the ball head.
You state where you mount your camera, which is basically the principle I mentioned above, but you do not setup for nodal point, when you are doing your panos. Does this mean, you make your software work harder to fix parallax errors from not sitting on your nodal point?
Do you consider the Benro better than the Leofoto? I am trying to decide a new tripod/head combo and I am torn between those two styles of heads. The Leofoto is simple, but more expensive than the Benro, but I feel the geared head may be the next step up in accuracy.
I also feel, if we are talking the accuracy of which you refer to, then bubble levels are not as accurate as two directional spirit levels. Just how close is close enough?
When it comes to the tripod, I'm thinking the RT90C may be a little too large for convenience and have spotted the ARTCISE AS88C, which sits between the 90 and the 80. Main difference is the leg section diameter, which sits between both sizes. I feel this would be a reasonable compromise between each.
Great video. To me the biggest problem of ball heads is you can’t fine-tune the position, because once you loosen the ball everything goes out of whack. So basically you have to nail the position in one move, AND overshoot the vertical position to compensate for the small forward droop when you tighten it, which varies depending on the lens weight.
Thank you
I gave away using ball heads over 20yrs ago.Never went back to using them.
@@SniperPhotography hola donde se consigue ese tripode y si se le puede instalar cabezal para arma de caza
I started using Gitzo ball heads over 50 years ago and have never had these problems. Maybe it is the heads you are using. I owned a studio for 32 years, but I used pan tilt heads for medium format and larger cameras. I am with you on raising center columns and try to never do that.
Blooming brilliant. I was looking at the LeoFoto VH20LR for a medium format press on a monopod. Have you compared others in this class? I like the ergonomics of the Promedia HM1 with friction tilt & lock?
I like my ball head but I appreciate your take on them and the reasons why. Gives me a better perspective
Your welcome
Thank you.
A tip for using a geared head: I have a Benro too. When I'm making a pano, I do not level the tripod. Too fidgety and time-consuming, and not terribly accurate. I do not have a self-leveling tripod head mount (as demonstrated with the pan & tilt head in the video). Too expensive. I just attach a rotating clamp on top of the head, level that (using the gear controls), and then pan from the clamp (rather than using the panning control at the tripod head's base). The rotating clamp will also accommodate both an L-bracket (with or without a rail) and the foot of a telephoto lens without having to reposition the tripod or changing the orientation of the tripod head. Just rotate the clamp. (Which doesn't upset the leveling.)
That's what Adam Williams does. There are ballheads that pan at the top too.
@@oneeyedphotographerThe Benro VX in the video above has that feature. Just unfasten the smaller silver screw on the top and it will pan just fine thge same waay he shows the other head does at 6:47. He just ignores it on the ball head.
Thanks, great show. I use a similar setup, and if you can level your tripod with a leveling bracket, why on earth would you want to use a ball-head? Most of us only need to pan and tilt.
Thank you
That’s exactly right.
Pano heads are definitely better for panos; if your compositions are most commonly standard horizontal/vertical on level fields, then of course a pan/tilt will work better for you. The advantage of a ball head is its flexibility; flexibility that comes at the cost of easy consistency. All of that said, there is a huge range in the quality and performance of ball heads on the market. While the Chinese manufacturers have been able to do well on the legs market, the vast majority of their ball heads are just bad compared to RRS, or Markins. When it comes to ball heads tolerances matter. I don’t think you’d have the same frustrations with a BH-55 as you do with that Leofoto.
Or a Novoflex Magic Ball
I'm all the way with you on ballheads. That Leofoto 2-way head is my favourite to use for landscape photography, the Benro 3-way geared head I mostly use at home. I find it too slow to use, not suitable for panos, and I get enough precision for my liking with the pan-tilt head. At home for macro and still-life scenes on my desk, I do like the small adjustments it allows but actually I find it not precise enough for real macro work because you have to apply a bit too much force sometimes.
However I still find myself using ballheads frequently! Reason is, I have various mini-tripods and they come with ballheads. And then the flashes have ballheads... 😉
Still use my centre column though. Because it allows me to carry a lighter weight tripod and allows for easier height adjustment for my composition. So yeah, compromises, compromises...!
I found this while researching tripods and heads for my outdoor images. Thanks for sharing your insights, for I'd rather spend the money for precision and stability (especially when it comes to some of the windy sites I visit in the US Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming). I'm of the mind that if one is going to do it, then do it right the first time. These options fit the bill and though I'm aware of more than a few that still use a ball head, something along the lines of the appealing Leofoto head and base you displayed simply remove a lot of worries from the equation.
Thank you for reaching out.
I will be in Wyoming,Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons September 2024.
Also visiting Jackson Hole.
All the best from Australia
@@SniperPhotography You're quite welcome. I'm browsing some of your other videos from over here as we speak, in fact. If you've not visited nearby Beartooth Pass (northeast of Cody, Wyoming on US highway 212), I highly recommend it, though you'll want to check to ensure it's not closed for snow (it is closed for winter beginning in October but often closes early). I saw my first grizzly bears there (after dark and on the road, unfortunately) after shooting sunset images at the crest. Enjoy your trip and be prepared for the crowds even in September (I must prefer shooting anywhere in Wyoming but there because of the crowds but that's just me lol). Merry Christmas, by the way.
New watcher! Great detail and great information. Thank you
Thank you David for your support here.
Take care
Cheers
I use a fluid drag video head, which is a pan and tilt head, but really smooth to adjust. And then I can use it to shoot video.
And it doesn't go sideways.
The MKIV canon has a built in level which I prefer for wildlife and studio stuff I use a fluid video head
Rightly so about the ball heads. I only used for space saving on medium format press on a monopod as a better the leaning on someone or a bench as I get random quick movement but hardly anything precise. Just ok. The Gitzo offset ball is ok but kinda bulky for its class. G1576
I no longer use ball heads. For video, I use a pan & tilt head and for stills I use a vanguard pistol grip head.
Imho rails are intended to use just to avoid parallax effect sir
They certainly are.And that is why I use them.
I also use them for balance.Been using these rails for years both
professionally and for my private photography.
You can easily level a ball head so long as you use one with a bubble *above* the ball. So if you can't find a Manfrotto 222, perhaps try a hotshoe level. Done.
It won't solve the pano need, but for someone regularly shooting panoramas there are dedicated heads that make that easy.
Ball Heads are the embodiment of imprecision, they are here just because they are small and lightweight. Every time you loosen that ball, your previous levelling work is undone.
I recently bought a combination head which is basically a pan-tilt head that sits on top of a bowl head with a top plate that can flip 90 degrees for portrait. does everything a ball head can do but with much more precision.
I have 2 ball-head tripods. A big one, and a smaller one. BOTH are fabulous -
I wouldn't own any other sort of tripod unless I needed one where a ball head tripod couldn't possibly serve my intended purposes. I can't even think of a "such as."
An update on where I am at. I have just received my ARTCISE AS88C and I am very impressed. I have been using a Benro travel angel (IIRC) for a number of years and was keen to buy a RRS tripod, but could never justify the cost. I have been running the Benro ball head, but replaced the clamp with the Benro Lever Release Panning Clamp. I have ordered the Leofoto VH-30R, as I prefer the ease of flipping the clamp around when clamping on the lens foot, when using the big lens. I should hopefully have this in a week or so. I use a rail, but with a sliding clamp. This better balances the lens camera setup.
Now owning the new tripod, I am doubling down on the use of the Hot Shoe Level Three Axis Bubble Spirit Level over the bullseye spirit level on the tripod. The reason why I like this setup, unless you can get exactly over the centre of the bullseye, I don't feel it is accurate as the hotshoe mounted spirit level. If the tripod is low enough, it is easily achieved, but if you're running it fairly high, it makes it harder to get over the top. The only reason I don't like the three way level, is I run a GPS on my hotshoe, so I have to spend and extra 30 seconds swapping it around and ensuring I put it away and don't lose it. First world problem, but it still could be a problem if you forget to put it away and lose the spirit level.
Thanks for this video, it has helped me find a solution, which is sturdy and nowhere near as expensive as RRS gear. Now to get out and try the new tripod and see how much better it is.
Hello Mark :) I appreciate your research and am going a nearly identical direction. May I ask which sliding rail parts and 3 axis bubble spirit you settled on, sir?
@@travisarmstrong1229 I bought the RRS sliding clamps, but I'm sure there are cheaper options out there now.
@@the_explorerist Thank you very kindly, Mark!
Anyone have experience using a 3 way like the leofoto G4 or arca Swiss d4, vs using a ball head like the arca swiss po monofix hybrid / or a ball head with an additional compact 3 way attached like the leofoto G2 ?
Nice review. I switched over to Leofoto this year, all in. went with the leveling tripod and a tilt and pan head (vh-30r). Field work is super straight forward compare to a ball head. And so far it has held up to trekking around the Cascade mountains, through rain and snow. Thank Glenn!
Hi Hank
Thank you.
Yes.The Leofoto Head is an outstanding piece of kit indeed.
It is more precise with its movements and makes shooting
so much easier.
Take care
Been looking at vh-30r and the acratech 1160.
Leofoto really strong price compared to the acratech.
Glad I've stumbled across your review of the leofoto
Your welcome
what is good legs for the Benro GD3WH 3-way geared head in Australia ?
It's funny, all the gear you showed I've been through as well. I landed on the exact same gear head as you did! I would never go back except in the case of extreme hikes where the gear head is too heavy.
Exactly Renee
Thanks for reaching out.
Cheers
I'm lost with all the parts needed for the Benro. If i understand correctly, I need the following:
*3-way geard head (link in bio)
*tripod body (which body do you use?)
*the Neewer 20mm nodal rail (Amazon)
*Benro shorty column
Am I missing anything?
Good morning Teresa
Ok.yes the 3 way Benro geared head is correct.The Neewer 200mm nodal rail is another.
The Benro shorty column to suit the Rhino series of tripods.Also from Amazon.
I use the Rhino series for most of my tripods.
Hope this helps.
Take care
@@SniperPhotography Awesome. Thank you.
Hi Glenn just wondering which way you place the camera on the
Benro gear head as I can find 3 ways to do it, , one with the plate running in line with the lens, and 2 options with the plate running perpendicular to the lens, each seems to have its own advantage.
Benro only tells how to load the plate on to the head
Just the way you described the placement.
I use both ways to good effect.
Take care
Thanks BTW I really enjoy your videos
@@patrickmeares3837 thank you Patrick for your support.
Take care
I just don't buy that a ball heads images are softer than geared/ pan tilt heads.
Absolutely agree. Most experiences of this are well used or cheap ball heads. But It's probably lost in his manuscript :p
Yeah, I do. In all honesty, I can’t find any reason to recommend a ballhead. That said, if it suits the way you work then go for it.
If you look at his ball head, it is fitted on a raised section of centre column, so will it not be as stable as his geared head that is tight to the tripod apex. So in reality any instability has nothing to do with the ball head.
I use professional Vinten video heads and heavy duty ball heads and both are equal in stability if set up correctly and on strong tripod legs.
For me it's not about movement while taking the shot, it's about the droop ball heads tend to have, especially when using longer telephoto lenses (even using the lens collar mount). For me when I think I have my composition right and tighten the head, when I let go of the head the head droops ever so slightly.
The other issue is getting level when shooting panos. Much easier to do with a bowl head tripod and a pan and tilt head.
Excellent work on the comparison between heads. I prefer using my gear head, but I still use a ball head often, especially when hiking and backpacking. That said, if I could only have one, it's going to be my gear head. You're right; even the best ball heads have a bit of drop (drift down), especially with heavier lenses. The gear head has zero! Great video! By the way, I appreciate the tip you gave me about the reverse grad a while back. I want to mention you in my upcoming video if you don't mind?
Hey Michael
Good to hear from you.
The reverse grad can save the day that’s fore sure.
Yes.The 3 way geared head is at another level.
I have been using the Benro since it become available.
I just find these 2 heads so much better to use for the
stability and the precision balance which i believe is
super important.
Yes,by all means you can mention my channel.
I am about to do the same thing in the next few days.
I will definitely be promoting your Chanel as well as a few others
In my next video.
The channels that i will be mentioning including your channel are all learning
about photography and more so on how all their content is presented.
Take care
Chat soon.
Hey Michael
When you can please check out my latest video.
I have taken the opportunity to mention you and your
channel.
Hope you like.
Take care
@@SniperPhotography I'm watching it now. Thank you, Glenn!
For a heavy and longer lens like 200-500mm, which tripod is better? Pl.
Look at the Innorel RT80C
Super strong carbon fibre tripod with spiked feet.
Ive been using the exact setup with the tilt and pan head married up with the bowl and rail for a while now. Its the best way to get perfect levels even if your tripod isnt. Every since using this setup up I've had no problems with stitching any of my panos. Awesome video Glenn! Maybe one day we will bump into each other up in the Blue Mountains, I was up at Govetts Leap last Saturday morning before sunrise, rainy foggy and VERY windy lol Loving your content and how you present your videos Glenn... Take care!
Hey Shane
Great to hear from you.
Yes.Its the only way to go I believe.
Can't beat the stability and level that you get using a system like this.
Off to Sunset rock at Blackheath tomorrow afternoon for sunset.
Cheers
@@SniperPhotography I took a trip up to Sunset Rock Lookout on Wednesday afternoon. Its truly a magical place even though the sunset wasnt spectacular its just heaven to be out in places like that, especially when you have it all to yourself :)
Hope you ended up going there yesterday afternoon for sunset though MAYBE those storms mightve put a end to that trip.
@@shanesmithphotography Hi Shane
The storm was huge here so no go.
But it is a great location.
@@SniperPhotography I thought so as it came across to us from the mountains, it poured down here too, crazy weather LOL
Yes it is an awesome location thats for sure...
can you use an adjustable center column with this kind of head?
Yes
You can.However the use of a centre column is not advisable with any type of head.
Please see my other videos on why I don't use or suggest using centre columns on tripods.
Thank you for watching.
Great Video... Do you have a link for the rail ?
Hi
Thank you for watching.
The rail can be purchased from Amazon.
It’s the Neewer 20mm nodal rail.
I highly recommend this piece of kit.
Take care
Which brand of
nodal rail head do you use?
@@barbarajirkovsky5678 leofoto
Many thousand thanks for an instructive and interesting video !😀
Your very welcome
I went the other way and no longer use anything except ball heads. So much faster to use and just as secure and durable if you have the correct ball head and know how to use it properly. (Note: I don't do video work)
Cheap BH'S will creep.. RRS is pretty good.... i dont have an issue even with a D850 and a 500PF.
because tripod needs a levelling base eighter built-in or under heads.
interesting solution .
No a ballhead is not categorically inferior to a two way tilt head. You just prefer it over a ballhead.
Hello, just have a quick question, how did you remove the center column on the Benro tripod? Thanks.
Hi there.
Very simple.Just undo the column and replace with the Benro shorty column.
@@SniperPhotography Pretty simple. Thanks for the reply.
@@KI6MIR it's the FRH34 from Benro
Cheers
Do you happen to have the model # of the shorty column. I tried looking for one and the one I found isn’t compatible with the Rhino tripod.
@@KI6MIR FRHN24 from Benro
I just bought a bullhead today. Came home happy. Saw this video......
Thanks Glenn, found this really helpful.
Your welcome
@@SniperPhotography I've duly purchased the VH-30R and I'm very happy it's the right call over the Rollei ball head I was considering. Thanks again 🙂
@@elementkid88 Glad to hear that.
First person I have found who agrees with me on ball heads, totaly useless for panos and almost everything else. I tossed my original ball head from my CF Benro tripod and fitted a pan and tilt. Far better. Then went a step further and bought some rotating arca clamps some slides and with a block of 25mm alloy made my own pano jig that has every adjustment I will ever need for about a quarter the price of a very cheap bought one.
Thank you
I have not used ball heads on any of my tripods for many,many years.
PS.. Wait till I do a video on never use a centre column on a tripod.
The other thing that struck me is that its a pity the Leofoto VH 30R doesn't have a Swiss Arca mount at its base so that it has an option to have a clamp on your base for easy switching of ball head types. The Leofoto G2 does
But you probably want to mount it on top of a levelling base, right? Which makes it less of a loss, I think.
I hate ball heads too. I have a geared head by Benro and a gimbal head for wildlife.
same here timeline 1:00 - 4:00 and I'd agree
Seriously mate, there’s nothing I hate more than ballheads. The trouble is that you have to adjust in two planes at once. Apart from that, I nearly lost my Bronica the other day because of a stupid ballhead. I’m looking for a half decent 2D head with a leveller under it.
For some reason, the market is absolutely flooded with them at the moment.
Thanks for your comment.
I use the Leofoto VR30 pan n tilt head and a Benro 3 way head.All with the Leofoto
Tripod levelling base.Being a landscape photographer precision in the composition is critical to me.
Thanks for reaching out.
Cheers
@@SniperPhotography I’m looking at the smallest Innorel bowl head. I spent 25 years as a news cameraman and our tripods all had bowls and 2D pan/tilt heads (though I won’t need a fluid head this time). That’s what I’m used to so it should solve a few problems. I hadn’t seen Innorel until I saw your video so thanks for the tip.
@@thethirdman225 no problem.
I use 2 Innorel tripods the RT90C and the RT80C both bowl fitted.
As good as any tripod I have owned over the years.
All the best.
Great review and great head concept. ua-cam.com/video/kSndKOUaCAo/v-deo.html How do you adjust the nodal point in the direction between your shoulders (left and right, not forwards and backwards from your perspective)? Do you have mark on your L-bracket and the slider? I have a Magic ball head combined with a panorama plate from Novoflex. Outstanding build quality. I had to make a mark so that I always position it centered with respect to the center of the lens/sensor. With my topical setup, I cannot do multi-row panoramas. With the head presented here I could.
See Forrest Tanaka's videos on nodal rails.
With you 100% Glenn :)
Ball Heads Fall Over.
Correct
They do.
Is the Leofoto VH-30R still made? Can't find it anywhere. Including Leofoto.
@@DLMVegas yes it is still available. Amazon does have it.
@@SniperPhotography Thanks much.......
I dislike ball heads with a passion, total waste of money
Well said.
Ball heads are Griel.