Tripod ball-heads

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type seems
to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough. I was
considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?
2. There are several types of the head, and I have no idea which one
to get. I will just put on a Nikon D2Hs, without any fixtures put on
the camera base, if that's important. Some of them have grooves, and
one type is a flat circle. Please advise here.

Thanks!

DeanB

In article om, DeanB
wrote:

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type seems
to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough. I was
considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?
2. There are several types of the head, and I have no idea which one
to get. I will just put on a Nikon D2Hs, without any fixtures put on
the camera base, if that's important. Some of them have grooves, and
one type is a flat circle. Please advise here.


Just a guess, without looking at a picture of to what you are
referring: The "flat circle" mounts directly to the camera. The
"grooves" are for a quick-release plate which mounts to the camera and
then removes from the ballhead with a simple release mechanism (button,
thumb lever, etc.). Go for the latter. You'll quickly tire of
unscrewing the camera when you want to handhold if you go to the
former, not to mention possibly wearing out the threads with repeated
use.

--
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a
reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating
the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for
independence.
-- Charles A. Beard

"Mardon" wrote in message
30...
"DeanB" wrote:

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type
seems to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough.
I was considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the
camera dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.

(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2317?livid=80|
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can
only be bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I
had gotten the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing
spectacular. It's not that easy to keep the tension just right so that
the head is lose enough to be moved but will not fall over; at least
with a lines like my 180 macro or my 70-200. I've never used an
RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any better but from
what I've read, I suspect that it would.

My good ball-heads are Arca-Swiss and a Kirk, and with both of these it's
easy to set the tension 'just so' - especially the Arca. I haven't used the
RRS BH-55, but every other RRS product I have is excellent, so I'm sure
their ball-head is too and will handle tension control well.

I second the advice to go for a QR plate rather than use the screw to attach
and detach the head and camera. I feel the Arca-Swiss type QR system is the
best, and it is the most widely supported by third parties (like RRS,
Wimberley and Kirk) but there are other options too.


Peter

"DeanB" wrote:

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type seems
to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough. I was
considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the camera
dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.
(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2317?livid=80|
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can only be
bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I had gotten
the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing spectacular. It's not that
easy to keep the tension just right so that the head is lose enough to be
moved but will not fall over; at least with a lines like my 180 macro or my
70-200. I've never used an RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any
better but from what I've read, I suspect that it would.

On Mar 17, 11:54 am, Mardon wrote:
"DeanB" wrote:
Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type seems
to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough. I was
considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the camera
dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.
(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/.../pid/2317?livi...
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can only be
bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I had gotten
the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing spectacular. It's not that
easy to keep the tension just right so that the head is lose enough to be
moved but will not fall over; at least with a lines like my 180 macro or my
70-200. I've never used an RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any
better but from what I've read, I suspect that it would.

Yep now I look into it it seems that a slot-in adapter plate would be
good, no more fussing with the (very hard to see) screw hole on the
nikon. And the DPReview of the RRS 55 is fantastic.

On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:37:21 -0700, Ken Lucke
wrote:

In article om, DeanB
wrote:

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type seems
to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough. I was
considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?
2. There are several types of the head, and I have no idea which one
to get. I will just put on a Nikon D2Hs, without any fixtures put on
the camera base, if that's important. Some of them have grooves, and
one type is a flat circle. Please advise here.


Just a guess, without looking at a picture of to what you are
referring: The "flat circle" mounts directly to the camera. The
"grooves" are for a quick-release plate which mounts to the camera and
then removes from the ballhead with a simple release mechanism (button,
thumb lever, etc.). Go for the latter. You'll quickly tire of
unscrewing the camera when you want to handhold if you go to the
former, not to mention possibly wearing out the threads with repeated
use.

I'd even suggest the RRS L-bracket while you're at it. Makes life with
a tripod a lot easier.

He should just call RRS. They know what they are talking about.

In article , Bandicoot
wrote:

"Mardon" wrote in message
30...
"DeanB" wrote:

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type
seems to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough.
I was considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the
camera dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.

(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2317?livid=80|
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can
only be bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I
had gotten the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing
spectacular. It's not that easy to keep the tension just right so that
the head is lose enough to be moved but will not fall over; at least
with a lines like my 180 macro or my 70-200. I've never used an
RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any better but from
what I've read, I suspect that it would.

My good ball-heads are Arca-Swiss and a Kirk, and with both of these it's
easy to set the tension 'just so' - especially the Arca. I haven't used the
RRS BH-55, but every other RRS product I have is excellent, so I'm sure
their ball-head is too and will handle tension control well.

I second the advice to go for a QR plate rather than use the screw to attach
and detach the head and camera. I feel the Arca-Swiss type QR system is the
best, and it is the most widely supported by third parties (like RRS,
Wimberley and Kirk) but there are other options too.


And don't forget to check out the Benro knockoffs of Kirk ballheads -
they're as good for beginning with, and 1/4 the price. Check eBay for
"Benro"

--
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a
reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating
the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for
independence.
-- Charles A. Beard

Mardon wrote:

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the camera
dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.
(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2317?livid=80|
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can only be
bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I had gotten
the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing spectacular. It's not that
easy to keep the tension just right so that the head is lose enough to be
moved but will not fall over; at least with a lines like my 180 macro or my
70-200. I've never used an RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any
better but from what I've read, I suspect that it would.

I got the 488 RCO, which works great. It not only has the single knob to
permit you to loosen or tighten in one move, but also has a rotational
knob with degree scale, presumably for panoramics. Solid.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2307?livid=80|81&idx=83

Gary Eickmeier

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:30:21 -0700, Ken Lucke
wrote:

In article , Bandicoot
wrote:

"Mardon" wrote in message
30...
"DeanB" wrote:

Hello all, I want to buy a tripod head, and the ball head type
seems to fit the bill. Needs to be able to go portrait easily enough.
I was considering the really right stuff BH-55, and had 2 question:

1. Any opinions on this?

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the
camera dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.

(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2317?livid=80|
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can
only be bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I
had gotten the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing
spectacular. It's not that easy to keep the tension just right so that
the head is lose enough to be moved but will not fall over; at least
with a lines like my 180 macro or my 70-200. I've never used an
RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any better but from
what I've read, I suspect that it would.

My good ball-heads are Arca-Swiss and a Kirk, and with both of these it's
easy to set the tension 'just so' - especially the Arca. I haven't used the
RRS BH-55, but every other RRS product I have is excellent, so I'm sure
their ball-head is too and will handle tension control well.

I second the advice to go for a QR plate rather than use the screw to attach
and detach the head and camera. I feel the Arca-Swiss type QR system is the
best, and it is the most widely supported by third parties (like RRS,
Wimberley and Kirk) but there are other options too.


And don't forget to check out the Benro knockoffs of Kirk ballheads -
they're as good for beginning with, and 1/4 the price. Check eBay for
"Benro"


Having a Benro and a RRS ballhead (and having had an Arca Swiss),
there's no comparison. The Benros are good value because they are
cheap and attempt to work like the Arca or Kirk heads but they don't.
The biggest differences are in the ability to fine tune the drag and
the effort required to lock them. The Benros also require lots of
force to keep them from drooping with larger lens, even my Nikon
70-300 VR.

On Sun, 18 Mar 2007 09:58:46 -0400, Gary Eickmeier
wrote:



Mardon wrote:

When I bought my ball head, I was considering an RRS BH-55 LR
(http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html) but the camera
dealer talked me into a Manfrotto, Model 468MGRC5.
(http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2317?livid=80|
81&idx=83). It's my understanding that RRS stuff equipment can only be
bought direct, so camera stores do not sell it. I wish that I had gotten
the RRS head. The Manfrotto is OK but nothing spectacular. It's not that
easy to keep the tension just right so that the head is lose enough to be
moved but will not fall over; at least with a lines like my 180 macro or my
70-200. I've never used an RSS head, so I don't know that it would be any
better but from what I've read, I suspect that it would.

I got the 488 RCO, which works great. It not only has the single knob to
permit you to loosen or tighten in one move, but also has a rotational
knob with degree scale, presumably for panoramics. Solid.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2307?livid=80|81&idx=83

Gary Eickmeier


This has limited weight capacity and no drag adjustment. For the same
price I'd get a Benro. Notice is also says sturdy "all-metal
construction" and then tells you is has "phenolic resin ball"
(plastic).