Why would I need a ball head?

TristanP

I have a Bogen 3001BPro/3030 combo which have been great for my F717. So I have all my bases covered (and I'll be moving to a dSLR at some point), why would I need a ball head - something like the 484RC2? I do all sorts of shooting - macros, "studio", landscapes/panoramas, family stuff, astrophotos. Would a ball head make any of that easier compared to the 3030?

wholenewlight

>>Why would I need a ball head?<<

Because the "square" ones just don't work very well.<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/rolleyes1.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" > I crack myself up. . .

Seriously, ball heads are really nice because you only have one control (sometimes two) to move your camera in all 3D planes. and it's fast to get your camera adjusted where you want it pointed.

But the one 484 that you point to at B&H is pretty lightweight, even for your Sony. Especially for astrophoto stuff. I used to have that one and ended up using it for my flash unit. I would recommend at least the 486 if not one that is even more robust. While not necessary for the F717, the real "pros" (pros=lots of $$ to spend!) seem to like the wildly expensive arca-swiss models or the RRS models. That link has a nice ball-head tutorial.

If you like your 3030 combo (pretty much what I'm using), keep using it. If you need more support or want more speed and ease-of-use, then a ball head might be just the next purchase for you.

And here's another good article - this one by Nikon wizard Thom Hogan who says to get a hevy duty ball-head early in your purchasing - because you'll eventually want one anyway! Serious Support link.

gus

Because it is the best thing i have ever owned. Seriously they are fantastic.

You will have to try one to feel it.

ian408

You don't really need one. But you might want one based on the feedback.

Minimally a head gives you pan (left to right) & tilt (up and down). You can also find
horizontal and vertical tilt. For the most part, this is all you need.

What the ball gives you is convenience. Most use one control for the everything but
panning. A ball head is faster to level too (IMHO). A good ball head is a joy to use
because it makes handling the camera easier.

Hope that helps.

Ian

USAIR

They are very versatile one touch movement
This one works with 70-200f/2.8 IS L no problems...abt $105
Greater creative control...but they don't do everything
Use it most of the time

I still find my pan tilt works better for panos



Fred

Phil U.

USAIR wrote:

I still find my pan tilt works better for panos

Ah, but I think the best combo there is a ball head for quick leveling and then a pano swivel on top of it. I splurged and went with some RRS equipment. It was quite a bit of money so during the couple of days I was waiting for shipping I wondered if I had done the right thing. When I unwrapped everything and started to play all remorse was gone. It truly is really right stuff. I've enjoyed it everytime I've used it. The best part is that just by looking at the stuff you can tell it will last forever.

I couldn't be happier about an equipment purchase.