lf-photo.org.uk

Anyone any thoughts on Ball heads - pref. the lighter ones - must be able to support a Linhof (and the broke photog that owns it!)
Thanks
Ian

Ian, personally I wouldn't use a ball head for LF work. There's nothing so sickening as seeing your precious lump of wood, taking a nose dive as you forget to hold it after releasing the clamp

I use a Manfrotto 410RC4 geared head, but if money is an issue, I have a totally minty condition 329RC4 head to spare. This is a superb head that allows you to unlock one of the three axes ata one time to adjust the levelling. It could be yours for £69 + p&p.

Hi Ian
I'm currently using a Manfrotto 115 3D head which is very light (600g) but still manages an MPP lump with ease. The stated capacity of this head is 5kg. I got it mint and boxed for £19 (inc. post) from eBay last month. There is only a 1/4" thread, so I had to buy a cheap (£2) 1/4 to 3/8 converter. As Joanna has said, you have to be carefull to hold the camera before releasing the locks on this head too, as they are either on or off (they are conical locks apparently). First time I used it I released a lock and the only thing stopping the camera taking a dive was my hand trapped under it. Ouch!!!!!

Thanks Jo - but I would prefer something without arms - will keep it in mind. I've been using ball heads for 20 odd years mostly with friction drives(?) on them which tkes care of the falling syndrome (mostly).
And Rob yours is light enough but I am using a Gitzo at the moment which is similar and suffers from not being an "over centre" type.
thank you both for the comments.
Ian

Ian Biggar wrote:Thanks Jo - but I would prefer something without arms

In that case, I would seriously recommend that you eschew the Scots/Yorkshire tradition of the overtight pursestrings and consider the 410RC4. I found that it has to be the best possible combination of size, flexibility and security available in any one tripod head. In fact, pricewise, a decent ballhead like the 468RC4 will set you back about £170, whereas the 410RC4 will only cost about £140.

One feature of the 410 is that, although it is a geared head, each axis also has a quick-release which allows you to move the head without having to involve large amounts of winding.

I second Jo's recommendation for the 410. Its a well-made and very user-friendly head that can be used with its geared movements or these can be disengaged for quick positioning.

I third Jo's suggestion! The 410 is absolutely brilliant for LF cameras - don't know why you're even considering a ball head!?!

.... because Simon - us Linhof users (who all have brains) actually know of which we speak. I will talk to you in braille when I see you next week.
I will also try ouy your 410 at the same time!!

Thanks Joanna.

Thanks Paul.

Ian

Hi Ian

I use a Manfrotto 468 hydrostatic ball head, which is superb but a bit heavy. I think ball heads are something you either love or hate, and I wouldn't consider swapping mine for a geared head of any description. It has now been replaced by the 468MG, which is apparently lighter and a more compact design but still supports up to 16kg. As you suggest, these have a friction lock to stop the 'floppy camera' syndrome. Unfortunately you'd be looking at a purchase price of around £150.

Lynne

I've got a 468 Hydrostatic I don't use - I got it for potentially taking the mass of the Sinar but found I'm not suited to ball heads - always prefered 3-way as less to lose when you unclamp it.

Open to offers for an as-new (used once or twice at most) Hydrostatic RC0 with spare plates...

Hi,

Speed Graphic have a Gitzo ball head on special offer:

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp? ... +Ball+Head

At £79.95


Steve

Andy - thanks - see pm
Steve - thank you - I forgot to mention I need a quick release. Ooops - sorry! Good price though.
Ian

Lynne - thanks - I will try to check them all out at Calumet this week.
Ian

Ian,

YHPM x 2

I've used ball heads for LF all the time, and would never switch to anything else!

I have a HUGE Uniloc ballhead for the big cameras - 8x10" to 12x16" - and a smaller Giottos which I use for everything from 35mm to 5x7". Well - most of the time I use the big one, unless I have a very good reason to reduce the weight... I can't remember the type number at the moment. But that one and the HUGE Uniloc are possibly the best value for money in ballheads.