Tripod Ball heads

[Chris_Johnstone]

Well my birthday came around and I took the plunge and bought a Manfrotto 055PROB and a 222 head. Had the chance to use them today but I kept the tripod in the car as the light was sufficient (with IS on). MEssing about with it in the garden, it the combination seems ideal doe the weight of camera and lens combined. Initially I was sceptical that the head would hold in position with a 100-400mm at 400mm protruding right out but it has been rock solid.

The grip-and-move style heads are excellent and the 055PROB as some height on it so I cannot see me having any difficulties there. One minor criticisim is that if I want to position the head so that the lever for the joytick is at the front, so when I squeeze it my fingers engage the lever, the QR plate is sideways. The tripod mount on my lens is longways so overall the lens mount foot does not cover as much of the QR plate as it could. I could turn it sideways but then I'd have to use the head with the joystick to the side. All in all it seems very tight and secure anyway.

Quite heavy all in all but I guess that adds to its stability.

Chris

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Chris_Johnstone

One minor criticisim is that if I want to position the head so that the lever for the joytick is at the front, so when I squeeze it my fingers engage the lever, the QR plate is sideways. The tripod mount on my lens is longways so overall the lens mount foot does not cover as much of the QR plate as it could. I could turn it sideways but then I'd have to use the head with the joystick to the side. All in all it seems very tight and secure anyway.

Quite heavy all in all but I guess that adds to its stability.

Chris

i just screw the quick release plate on at 90 degrees to the position you have - thus when the grip is at the front the quick release plate is at the back - provblem solved - i realise this isnt how it is supposed to be positioned but ive been using it like that for over 2 years without a problem