Apologize ball head/pan tilt: Hi all I deeply apologize for beating a dead horse here for asking another trypod question.I have read many many posts on this subject but I finally...

wer224 Loc: Bergen county NewJersey

Hi all I deeply apologize for beating a dead horse here for asking another trypod question.I have read many many posts on this subject but I finally decided on one. I have a 7dm2 and my heaviest lens is the canon 100/400 including a Canon 600 exrt .the total weight of everything is close to eight lbs.the trypod I settled on the manfrotto mt055xpro3_3w. I just haven't decided on the pan/tilt head or the ball head ,I'm not sure the ball head could handle the long lens weight even with the lens collar on. b&h has both with trypod for $369. Any action shots will be hand held any static/portrait/panning would most likely be on trypod. any suggestions on the head choice would be a great help. thanks again for comments. Bill

Violameister Loc: michigan

I have both, but much prefer the pan head for almost all uses. It can do video, and helps keep the horizon level when framing shots. I guess I only use the ball head when I need the camera to be at a very odd angle.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I prefer pan and tilt heads for most,of my work,finer control. I have a ball head on a tripod I keep in the truck for a quick setup if I see some thing while driving and want to get a quick pic of it, otherwise I find a ball head to awkward to deal with.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

The choice between a pan head and ball head probably comes down to personal preference but the ball head that is included with the mt055xpro3 is rated at 22 pounds so that is not an issue.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I would go with a Gimbal head. My 2 cents.
This carbon fiber tripod can handle 25 lbs. I have it and love it with my 150-600 Sigma Sport.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822143-REG/Sirui_BSRT2205_T_2205X_5_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html

wer224 wrote:

Hi all I deeply apologize for beating a dead horse... (show quote)

Bill_de Loc: US

Of the 2 choices you gave I would prefer the ball head as it comes closest to hand holding as far as freedom of movement.

Any ball heads I have owned allowed you to lock the ball and loosen the lowest knob for panning. So, as long as the one you are looking at has this feature, I see no benefit to the pan head.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I just haven't decided on the pan/tilt head or the ball head ,I'm not sure the ball head could handle the long lens weight even with the lens collar on. b&h has both with trypod for $369. Any action shots will be hand held any static/portrait/panning would most likely be on trypod. any suggestions on the head choice would be a great help. thanks again for comments. Bill[/quote]

I much prefer the control of the pan tilt head. I tried ball heads and hated them. Like the control pf panning and staying level as I pan without hassle of trying to keep the camera level. Also going vertical and staying on track, camera again staying straight. I am sure there is a use for a ball head but I can't think of any that my pan and tilt can't do as well or better at. Panorama shots are so much easier and if doing any video it is a real plus as that is what video heads do.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Architect1776 wrote:

I just haven't decided on the pan/tilt head or the ball head ,I'm not sure the ball head could handle the long lens weight even with the lens collar on. b&h has both with trypod for $369. Any action shots will be hand held any static/portrait/panning would most likely be on trypod. any suggestions on the head choice would be a great help. thanks again for comments. Bill

I much prefer the control of the pan tilt head. I tried ball heads and hated them. Like the control pf panning and staying level as I pan without hassle of trying to keep the camera level. Also going vertical and staying on track, camera again staying straight. I am sure there is a use for a ball head but I can't think of any that my pan and tilt can't do as well or better at. Panorama shots are so much easier and if doing any video it is a real plus as that is what video heads do.[/quote]

The ball head is rated at 22 lbs so not a problem.

Bill_de Loc: US

rwilson1942 wrote:

The ball head is rated at 22 lbs so not a problem.

It also has built in levels and a panning mode, so it would pan just the same as a pan/tilt. The ability to pan easily with a decent ball head seems to be missed by some. I bet they read about this problem on the internet or didn't read the owner's manual. :) :lol: :)

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speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Violameister wrote:

I have both, but much prefer the pan head for almost all uses. It can do video, and helps keep the horizon level when framing shots. I guess I only use the ball head when I need the camera to be at a very odd angle.

I never had any issues keeping the camera level when using a ball head, even when panning. I do prefer my fluid head for panning in movies, but a ball head works great too!

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

Some of your choice should depend on what type of shooting you do the most. I shoot a lot of wildlife with the same camera/lens combo and greatly prefer the ease and speed of a ball head.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

wer224 wrote:

Hi all I deeply apologize for beating a dead horse... (show quote)

If you are following action in better light, I recommend a video pan/tilt fluid head. Having that light weight lens, you should mostly remain mobile and go with a monopod at most and forgo the tripod solutions IMO.