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stupid girl question (ballheads)

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Cathy

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I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
 
If you get a Gitzo tripod, I'd recommend getting one of their ball heads as well as they're designed to fit together. I have a G2220 (explorer) and a G1275M ball head and they look and work great together.
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
A quick-release system (plate, adapter) makes it much more convenient and fast to set up your tripod on location. You don't have to settle for a particular manufacturer's quick-release system. Many ballheads come without a quick-release system. You can then choose what best fits your needs - e.g. Arca-Swiss-type (such as Really Right Stuff brand), Bogen-Manfrotto, Slik, Stroboframe, etc.
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
Some times huge is better! You'll realize that some day.

You get one of those new cheap o's and mount the camera and watch the shaking going on thru the lens. A very slight wind and it's good by shooting for the whole day with any of your telephotos.
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
I recommend you get the ball-head that works for you the best, not just the manufacturer's ballhead. A well-designed tripod, such as most Gitzos, will work with any ballhead.

For example, the gold-standard for ballheads among professionals is the Arca-Swiss. This will fit the Gitzo tripods well. For a high quality, light-weight ballhead, there is nothing like the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. This will also work well with the Gitzos.

For example,
Vinnie said:
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
A photographer may have several tripods and ballheads depending on his or her needs. For example, having a less than 5-pound tripod/ballhead for hiking and travel versus a 10 pound tripod/ballhead for studio and local use. It depends on one's needs.
bigwad said:
You get one of those new cheap o's and mount the camera and watch
the shaking going on thru the lens. A very slight wind and it's
good by shooting for the whole day with any of your telephotos.
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
It's not a stupid question at all. Choosing a camera support system is a very important decision.

My suggestion is not to skimp on the ballhead. Get one that operates really smoothly, and that will hold more weight than the heaviest camera/lens combination you currently own, since you will add to your kit over time. Ballhead contenders would include: Kirk, Linhof Profi II, etc. Don't know about the Markins.

If your budget permits, get an Arca Swiss-type quick release system. The Really Right Stuff clamps, plates, flash arms, etc. are beautifully made, extremely secure, and a joy to use. They are not cheap, but they will work flawlessly and have good resale value.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com

You can save a bit on clamps by using Newtech Machine, but I would stick with RRS plates. Kirk and Wimberley make competing systems. IMO, avoid the QR systems provided by the tripod manufacturers.
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
I hate ball heads. It seems that every time I want to do a vertical composition, the tightening knob is in the way. I will concede though, that they are compact.

--
Tuktu Sijuktei
'Please tell me if the lens cap is on.'
 
Many years ago, Leica made one called "Heavy duty Ball Head" They were light and would hold a heavy camera. You might find one in a large camera store's used department.

I personally use a Linhof Light-weight Pro with a 3-way pan/tilt head. It performs almost the same function but is extremely rigid.

phrog
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
Cathy,

I would highly recommend the Kirk BH-3. It is the little brother of the Kirk BH-1, both of which are Arca-Swiss types. I have the BH-1 and would have bought the BH-3 if it had been available when I needed a ballhead. I don't have any huge lenses yet and so the BH-3 would have been perfect because of its lighter weight. Check out both here: http://www.kirkphoto.com/ballheadbh3.html
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
The tripod and head ranks ahead of the lens when it comes to getting sharp pictures. Thus it is a very important decision to make.
Catchlight said:
My suggestion is not to skimp on the ballhead. Get one that
operates really smoothly, and that will hold more weight than the
heaviest camera/lens combination you currently own, since you will
add to your kit over time. Ballhead contenders would include: Kirk,
Linhof Profi II, etc. Don't know about the Markins.

If your budget permits, get an Arca Swiss-type quick release
system. The Really Right Stuff clamps, plates, flash arms, etc. are
beautifully made, extremely secure, and a joy to use. They are not
cheap, but they will work flawlessly and have good resale value.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com

You can save a bit on clamps by using Newtech Machine, but I would
stick with RRS plates. Kirk and Wimberley make competing systems.
IMO, avoid the QR systems provided by the tripod manufacturers.
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
gitzo tripods are fine, but they 're expensive. i recommend the hakuba hg-6230c carbon tripod, light but sturdy at half gitzo prices (japanese made) and the kirk bh-3 ballhead, as steady as a arca yet lighter, smaller and much cheaper...i had the acratech but sold it in favor of the kirk, it's just more robust and steadier and smoother...as to the plate, u'll need one to attach to the base of the cam...kirk comes w one, but if u like a custom plate, buy from acratech or arca, they have one customized to ur camera albeit at a price...the arca (kirk) type plate is very tight, once u use it u don't want to try anything else...good luck
-----------------
EMS said:
I would highly recommend the Kirk BH-3. It is the little brother
of the Kirk BH-1, both of which are Arca-Swiss types. I have the
BH-1 and would have bought the BH-3 if it had been available when I
needed a ballhead. I don't have any huge lenses yet and so the
BH-3 would have been perfect because of its lighter weight. Check
out both here: http://www.kirkphoto.com/ballheadbh3.html
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
So far I have used the generic plate that came with my BH-1 and have been very happy with it. A custom one for my camera would be better but I since I don't have any really heavy lenses, the one that came with the ballhead has been great.

Cathy, you may want to look at the Bogen 3021 Pro tripod. It is aluminum but is very sturdy and easy to set up and take down. It is a little heavier than the carbon fiber Gitzos but MUCH cheaper, usually around $130. I have loved mine. The weight is around 7 pounds with my tripod and Kirk BH-1 ballhead. If you get the BH-3, your rig will be even lighter.
deevee said:
EMS said:
I would highly recommend the Kirk BH-3. It is the little brother
of the Kirk BH-1, both of which are Arca-Swiss types. I have the
BH-1 and would have bought the BH-3 if it had been available when I
needed a ballhead. I don't have any huge lenses yet and so the
BH-3 would have been perfect because of its lighter weight. Check
out both here: http://www.kirkphoto.com/ballheadbh3.html
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Buy the best you can afford the first time. Read this article:
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
I just replaced my Bogen with Gitzo's and they are great. Here's my two setups:

1. Gitzo g1128 tripod with an Acratech Ultimate ball head. This is light (3.6lbs) and I use it when hiking, works great!

2. Gitzo g1410 tripod with a Kirk BH-1 ball head. This is heavy (11lbs) but very, very stable.

I use arca swiss style quick release plates by Really Right Stuff. Someone mentioned having to flop a ball head to shoot vertical, that's what L plates are for. These allow you to leave the ball head upright and put the camera vertical. I have a picture of this on my pbase site, but they are down at the moment. There's a lot of choices out there, just buy the best you can and avoid buying 3 or 4 tripods in the long run.

--
Equipment list in profile.
Save the Skunk Train!
http://www.pbase.com/digifan
 
If you go with a quick release system, be aware that if you own any telephoto or zoom lenses that have a tripod ring, you will have to buy a quick release plate for each of them as the plates screw onto the lens or camera body. If you get a ballhead with the standard 1/4 inch screw, you can attach it directly to your camera and/or lenses. It's not as secure from the standpoint of rotating when you don't want it to but it's a lot cheaper.

Another alternative is to get the Q-top from Ideesign available from B&H or Adorama. It's a very clever quick release system which fits on 1/4 inch standard tripods and ball heads. It's a lot cheaper than a bunch of QR plates.
auroraproject said:
Buy the best you can afford the first time. Read this article:
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
I just replaced my Bogen with Gitzo's and they are great. Here's my
two setups:
1. Gitzo g1128 tripod with an Acratech Ultimate ball head. This is
light (3.6lbs) and I use it when hiking, works great!
2. Gitzo g1410 tripod with a Kirk BH-1 ball head. This is heavy
(11lbs) but very, very stable.
I use arca swiss style quick release plates by Really Right Stuff.
Someone mentioned having to flop a ball head to shoot vertical,
that's what L plates are for. These allow you to leave the ball
head upright and put the camera vertical. I have a picture of this
on my pbase site, but they are down at the moment. There's a lot of
choices out there, just buy the best you can and avoid buying 3 or
4 tripods in the long run.

--
Equipment list in profile.
Save the Skunk Train!
http://www.pbase.com/digifan
Click to expand...
 
Anybody please have any comments on the Bogen Quick Grip Action ballhead like the 3265G? I'm supposed to be getting one for my birthday. Should I get a different one and would this approach be good for Cathy?

Jim
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
--
Jim Reid
 
Cathy, Not at all a stupid question. I've also just begun to climb the tripod/ballhead learning curve. Here's a link to the Really Right Stuff web site that discusses ballheads, tripods, QR plates, etc. Yes, they're trying to sell the stuff they make and carry but it's a very good site for general info none-the-less.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/qr/index.html

You can also try the question over at Fred Miranda's site (and do a search - there was just a long discussion regarding tripods, heads, etc, on the Canon forum). Some folks over on the FM site either own or have ordered Markins heads so you might want to ask for opinions.

I ended up going with a used Acratech ballhead (light, strong, easy to clean) but still need to order plates. I'll prolly go with an L plate from RRS and lens plates from Willoughby (www.tripodheads.com) or RRS or Kirk. (So many choices and decisions - expensive, too).

As for a tripod, I'll need to replenish my bank account before I go with either a CF Gitzo or Hakuba. For now, I'll have to keep lugging around my Bogen 3021.

Good luck!
Cathy said:
I'm looking into getting a new tripod setup. I want one to fit me
and not this huge hand-me-down I've got. So far I've found Gitzo
tripods + Markins ball head looking good. My question is all the
extra stuff they have listed..like plates and quickshoes..do you
need these or do they come with the ballheads? Is there anything
else that I might need? I'll use it mostly for location portraits
with my D60.
--
Cathy P_
Click to expand...
 
Just stupid boy answers :-)

Anyway, I have the 3265 grip ballhead and I love it.

I use it on both a monopod and tripod. It is rated for 5.5 Lbs, but I usually have my Bigma 50-500mm and 10D on it weighing in at 5.8 lbs, you may want to add an ounce or 2 for the battery. It works great for my needs.

Overall, it is a matter of personal taste.

Kevin
 
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