Tripod Head Choice

[Wildbear]

Hi Guys,

I have a manfrotto 055XBPRO tripod, canon 40D and the biggest lens I will be using is either a canon 100-400mm or a tamron 200-500mm.

What head would you recommend for all round wildlife photography? Looking to spend around £50-100.

Look forward to any replies,

Mike

[Geoff F]

Just got the same set up as you, except I'm using the 70-300 plus extension tube. I went for the Manfrotto 322RC2 heavy duty ball grip which cost £75.

Works OK. Sometimes there is a slight initial drop of the fully extended lens but only fractional. After that it is steady. I found the quick release lever was good for single handed use but positioning of the camera plate was critical. When the lever was directly behind the camera it got in the way during focusing and at 90 degrees I found moving it around was a strain on my wrist. But half way between, with the camera plate at 45 degrees everything works well.

I certainly wouldn't recommend getting anything lighter and cheaper than this.

ps. I find that a carrying shoulder strap attatched to the tripod lifting lug works well when walking any distance with what is a rather heavy set up. And it keeps getting heavier all the time!

[BillyPilgrim]

Might be worth considering the Manrotto 393 long lens bracket. This is a gimbal type head so you get the advantage of your camera and lens being 'weightless' and ease of operation.

It works like a dream, especially if you are photographing moving subjects and will probably out perform any standard, heavy-duty head. The disadvantage is the physical size of the thing. Its a bit big. But then gimbal heads have to be.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Just got the same set up as you, except I'm using the 70-300 plus extension tube. I went for the Manfrotto 322RC2 heavy duty ball grip which cost £75.

I hate my 322RC2 grip on a tripod - fine on mono, though I prefer a standard two way head, and use the 100-400 collar for the portrait shots.

Having siad that my daughter loves her grip which she uses for wedding
photography on tripod (and not strong wristed either).

I guess I am so used to the two way thing from scoping - but you spot
and lock and it NEVER moved / drops with the camera.

Often I just rest the camera on the scope !!!!

There are many that use the 100-400 without any support all the time!!

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Wildbear

Hi Guys,

I have a manfrotto 055XBPRO tripod, canon 40D and the biggest lens I will be using is either a canon 100-400mm or a tamron 200-500mm.

What head would you recommend for all round wildlife photography? Looking to spend around £50-100.

Look forward to any replies,

Mike

Blimey Mike!
Up to ONE HUNDRED POUNDS on just a tripod head?!
The alleged "credit crunch" no affecting you then?!

Doug

[Leif]

I'm not sure I would not recommend a gimbal head for general nature photography. Unfortunately good ball heads cost good money. Pan and tilt heads seem to offer better value, esp. Manfrotto.

There is also the Redsnapper ball head that a friend/collegue bought and which he says is very good.

[Wildbear]

Hi Lief,

Funnily I did see these on ebay and wondered about them, as I have also heard good things about them.

Black Rabbit,

What credit crunch, my Ferrari is still powered by super expensive fuels "I wish" !
I just want to choose and get the right one first time if possible, so if it costs but does the job then so be it. So what if I have to cancel my wedding in September to pay for it, I am sure my fiancee would understand

Mike

[Chris_Johnstone]

I use a 222 head with the 100-400. Solid enough but it adds a good 12 inches to your setup height.

Chris

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Wildbear

Hi Lief,

Funnily I did see these on ebay and wondered about them, as I have also heard good things about them.

Black Rabbit,

What credit crunch, my Ferrari is still powered by super expensive fuels "I wish" !
I just want to choose and get the right one first time if possible, so if it costs but does the job then so be it. So what if I have to cancel my wedding in September to pay for it, I am sure my fiancee would understand

Mike

Gday Mike.
You've given me an idea!
You're getting married in September - I'm getting married in 3 weeks!
I will ask my very understanding fiancee if she'd mind me getting my tripod gold-plated this week.
She'll be fine about it I'm sure!!!
Cheers
Doug

[Wildbear]

Rabbit,

Gold no good, think about sunlight refraction........scare all the wildlife away.

I might cancel my 3 week asia honeymoon for a week in Bogner Regis and buy some new lenses, sure she will understand.......not...... These woman are so selfish.....

Mike

[Geoff F]

I thought King George's last words were something about Bognor!

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

I thought King George's last words were something about Bognor!

But Pagham harbour is next door and that compensate a bit.

Actually it is more accurate to call it "Butlins Bugnor" ??

[Wildbear]

Hi Guys,

I went for the redsnapper TB -12 Ball Head, had it now for a few weeks and find it fantastic.

So I can highly reccomend them

Mike

[BruceP]

I would suggest a 3 way pan and tilt head with your budget.

The problem with ball heads is that the cheaper ones don't lock up properly, so before long you will be wishing for something better. If you really want a ball head then save up a bit longer.

Gimbal heads are well out of your price range, but if you buy a good quality ball head in the first place then you can buy a Wimberley Sidekick at a later time if you decide that you need one, which makes your ballhead into a gimbal head.

Good luck with your choice

[geordie graham]

I have a Manfrotto 393 Gimbal type head (£103 ) on a Manfrotto 055 tripod on which I use a Pentax K10D and a Sigma 50-500 and it is brilliant.I also know of other people who use the same head with larger heavier lenses ( Sigma 500 f4.5 and the Sigmonster 300-800) and they also think the head it brilliant.

Graham

[DrNickBurton]

I have the 808RC4

Manfrotto MN808RC4 Tripod Head (MN808RC4) - Warehouse Express

It's a fantastic head - solid as rock, complete with spirit levels, and reassuringly heavy.

That said, I kind of agree with the comments made above re: using this kind of head for wildlife work. Perhaps it would be ok if you had something extremely long and heavy mounted on it, aimed at something that would be unlikely to move for some time (a nest?). For anything that moves, I guess a ball head would be better.

[jacqui]

I use a 40D with 100-400 lens and I generally hand hold, but I do have a Manfrotto 190cxpro3 tripod and Hydrostatic Ball Head which holds the lens, fully extended, perfectly and is fairly lightweight.