Tripod Heads

[Dustin Wilcox]

I busted my tripod head the other day and must now upgrade before the coming season. I was curious as to what models folks have been most happy with. I have always used a ball mount, and think I am going to go with a head that has a handle and better pan options, given that I shoot more video than stills, and I have an el'cheapo tripod for the still cam if I want to use it. I have a solid trusty set of carbon fiber legs, so weight of the head is not so much a factor. While there are a lot more expensive brands and models, I would like to get something with decent build quality without spending a fortune, and am guessing (despite my last one breaking) sticking with a cheaper Bogen is the best option, unless someone can convince me otherwise. I have never used any head with a handle and thus am struggling between opting for a single handle such as the 701 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...n_Imaging_701RC2_701RC2_Video_Fluid_Head.html
or one with the three-way handle adjustment like the 808
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...maging_808RC4_808RC4_3_Way_Pan_Tilt_Head.html
Based on your experiences which options have yielded the best results for you?

 

[Jeremy Jones]

Ill tell ya....I use a Manfrotto head. which has 3 different handles....Very Smooth operation!! About 100 bucks or so....But definitely worth the price...IMHO

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Ill tell ya....I use a Manfrotto head. which has 3 different handles....Very Smooth operation!! About 100 bucks or so....But definitely worth the price...IMHO

Do you know which model? Is it the older 3030?

 

[Jeremy Jones]

Its the 804RC2

http://www.adorama.com/BG804RC2.html

I can't believe adorama has for 60 bucks.....Supposedly!
I bought mine for around 120 dollars or so.

 

[John Wetter]

This past year I upgraded everything to the RC2 heads... I am extremely happy I did it. Now I can put any camera anywhere. I have the pistol grip head and some fluid video heads. Everything is RC2 though. Loving it.

 

[Laura Duchesne]

Jeremy... excellent choice. I, too, am a big fan. Last year I got the [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Manfrotto 190XProB Tripod with 804RC2 Head Kit and am absolutely pleased with the smooth operation and sturdiness. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a good tripod head.
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[Jeremy Jones]

Jeremy... excellent choice. I, too, am a big fan. Last year I got the [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Manfrotto 190XProB Tripod with 804RC2 Head Kit and am absolutely pleased with the smooth operation and sturdiness. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a good tripod head.
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Thanks Laura! I had to step up to a sturdier head from the ball head I use on my Monopod. Just wasn't cutting it when I'm shooting Lightning!!

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

I had the older 3030 and frankly... I hated it. Way too much time to get everything (all 3 knobs) set. Ended up getting the Bogen 486RC2 ball head and love it. No problems with my 20D+70-200 although I'd be weary putting anything larger than a 300mm on it.

 

[Christian Neumann]

The Novoflex MagicBall would be an excellent choice!
Demo video:
http://www.traumflieger.de/desktop/videos/video_magicball.php

 

[John Gnuechtel]

Using a Davis & Sanford FM18 here. Bought it last spring, and I'm very happy with it so far. Really easy to adjust and very dust-resistant so far. I've had it out for storms a few times, but I've gotten the most use out of it shooting video of autocross, where it has done a fine job of giving me smooth panning to capture fast lateral motion. I anticipate it being with me for a long time.

 

[Greg Campbell]

Here's a deal! http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/734271/0?keyword=tripod#6659504

<Er... Nevermind, the link has gone MIA.>