OT - tripod head help

The other night when I was shooting the eclipse, I discovered my tripod head couldn't handle the weight of my 300mm f4L lens. It flopped back towards me when I had it in landscape orientation, so had to flip it into portrait orientation. I checked and my current head (manfrotto 222 joystick) max weight is 5.5 lbs. My tripod is a Manfrotto 3021BPRO with a max wt load of 15.4 lbs. I need your suggestions for what type of head would be best for heavier lenses paired with this tripod. Would like to keep it under $200. Thanks !

Wow! You're going to get as many recommendations as there are tripod head brands out there. Not sure if you're looking for a ballhead or a 3 way but I'm pretty sold on ballheads. Right now my only ballhead is a Markins Q3 Emile. It's a cute little thing and great as a lightweight head for my smallish travel tripod but I need something more substantial. After all the recommendations from just about every photographer I know I've narrowed my search to a Photoclam 44NS but I know a lot of the guys here are fond of Kirk heads and Acratech heads. Not sure about keeping it under 200 bucks though. Good luck with your search.

For your budget, I would recommend the Manfrotto 327RC2, with a much lower profile, better center of gravity and lighter weight.
A much more ergonomic experience compared to the 222 (and I've owned both in the past).

I would take a look at the Photoclam PC-36N. That should be in your price range and if you can afford $9 over you can get the NS version.

Oooo, sensitive topic Pam! We are all very passionate about the setup we use...

Ok then, I use this Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head with my 5D2 and a 70-200/2.8 IS II lens, and it's rock steady. Sometimes the grip heads don't hold all that tight, but maybe the latest model mentioned does. It's easy to set a ball head, just cradle with one hand and tighten the lever with the other.

Happy shopping!

Pam-

My thoughts would be to hold out for the right one rather than hold yourself to a pricepoint since an extra $50-100 can make a big difference.

Personally I have never really liked Manfrotto or Gitzo ballheads. Both make great tripods but their ballheads are lacking primarily due to their quick-release plate system.

I highly recommend a ballhead that uses the Arca-Swiss style plates. Kirk, Markins, Arca-Swiss, Acratech and Really Right Stuff all make highly thought of products that use the Arca clamp system. The Kirk BH-3 or RRS BH-30 both run about $250 and can hold about 15lbs and will work well with a 300 f/4 lens.

Of course going to the Arca clamp system means you will need to buy the Arca style plates and here is the sheer genius of the Arca-Sytem as both Kirk and RRS make customized plates for every camera body. The are rock solid far beyond the Manfrotto system. Plates run about $55 for a basic bottom one or over $100 for the fancy-schmancy "L" style. Personally the regular plate works great.

I know if you get the Kirk they give you a basic universal plate with the ballhead that is ideal for a telephoto lens that has a lens collar. I use that one with my Canon 70-200 f/4 (plus lens collar) and it is perfect. Then a $55 custom camera plate and you are in business for about $300. I know that is higher than you wanted to spend but it is also a significantly sturdier setup than what you have.

Hope that helps some and good luck!

Can't go wrong with Acratech or RRS. I use carbon Velbon legs and an Acratech head with an RRS quick release (I think RRS has the best quick release system).

RichieV

I've used a Kirk BH-3 for years and have never had a problem with it. I would also invest as suggested a few more $ and make a life time decision. Kirk also makes good on their products if you do have a problem.

+1 for Kirk. I have a BH-1 and a King Cobra. I think Todd has the BH-3 and loves it. Add "L" brackets and QR plates for big lenses to your budget.

Thanks so much for the great suggestions! I really appreciate your help with this.

Does your 300mm f4L lens have a tripod collar mount? or do you have to mount via the camera boday to the ballhead?

Yes Jody, it has a collar.

Definitely look for something in the Arca style quick release plate system. And if you go that route, screw clamps are far more versatile than lever clamps if you want to be able to use plates from multiple manufacturers.

I use an Acratech Ultimate as well and use it with a 4X5 camera and up to a 300 f9 or 400T f8 lens and with 35mm up to a 300 f5.6. The 400T is much heavier, at 1.5 pounds, it is by far my heaviest lens and takes the camera to a total weight of about 4.5 pounds with the weight nearly a foot from the mounting plate. In other words, it puts alot of torque on the head, but everything stays nicely in place. That said, today I would recommend the Acratech V2 over the original ultimate.

Pam,

Check out the Markins. I have the Q20 that I've used with my 300 f4, 120-300 & 500 f4. The Q20 may be a little overkill and more than your budget, but it really is a nice head. If you're planning on being in the Denver area you are welcome to test drive mine.

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/category.php?req=1

I used an old Graf Studio Ball head for years with excellent results. You can pick up a used one for $75.00 - $150.00. It's big, heavy and bulky but it can't be beat for the money.

Thanks,

I add a vote for a Acratech. I bought my GV2 for $180 used. I know that the Ultimate ball head can be found for around $200 on a regular basis... The best part of them is they don't trap dirt in the bottom of the head. It just falls out which is great for us Nature Photographers that play in the dirt from time to time.

Pam,

This would work well with your 300 f4. My buddy has one and uses it with his 300 2.8.

http://denver.craigslist.org/pho/2132623903.html

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I've got a lot of research and thinking to do before making a decision.

Anyone had any experience with this one or know someone who has? This seems crazy cheap but it certainly has gotten good reviews
http://www.photographybay.com/2010/04/07/vanguard-sbh-250-ball-head-review/

More reviews:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=666436&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews

I looked at the Vanguard heads at Englewood Camera a couple of years ago and was mildly intrigued. They seem to be pretty solidly built but I passed because at the time they wouldn't accept my RRS L-bracket. Not sure if that's change or if it's even a consideration. The only caution I would have is that usually with tripod heads, like lenses, you get what you pay for.

If you want to get some hands on, I know it's a drive for you but you can see them at Mike's Camera at Park Meadows or at Englewood Camera on South Broadway.

I know the price is a bit scary

Hmmmm...those reviews at B&H look mighty convincing to me.

Another vote here for the Kirk BH-3 and Arca Swiss plates and compatible heads. Nothing else approaches "universal" as Arca Swiss...
I have the BH-3 on top of some Fiesol CF legs and it's a great combo. I've used the BH-3 with a 400 f/2.8 (way over the rated weight of the BH-3) and it handled that combo quite well.

Pam,

If you're willing to go with a used ballhead, here's some to check out via KEH... I'm relaying ones that I've heard good things about. I've only used the Acratech Ultimate Head, which is excellent but above your $200 limit.

Via keh.com:
Benro B-3
Graf Studio Ball ($205)
Induro DM-23
Markins Q3 ($225)

A new Feisol CB-50D costs $170 and is rated by the company at 40 pounds. I *just* got one and it looks nice, but I don't have any field time on it. They're at feisol.net.

Photo Clam (funny name, but gaining traction on the internets) have a PC-36NS model that's $209. I'd spring the extra amount for a bubble level.

Most people do like the arca-swiss plate systems, once you get past the cost of them. But ballheads are personal and heavily argued over at times. That's the best slightly-informed recommendation I can give you.