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Considering a fluid head - A7Riv and Tamron 28-200

Started 7 months ago | Discussions thread
Joe Lynch Veteran Member • Posts: 3,185
Re: Considering a fluid head - A7Riv and Tamron 28-200

I've got two iFootage Komodo K5 heads, one on a monopod, one on some T7 legs.  I also have a 502AH on some aluminum legs, and a mechanical gimbal on yet another set of legs with a leveling bowl.  None are true fluid heads, all will work.  I don't use ball heads for anything anymore.  I rarely use the gimbal or the 502AH due to weight and bulk.  I've pretty much gone to the K5 on the carbon fiber legs with iFootage small leveling ball socket built in to the legs.   That setup is usable for video and stills with a 700 mm lens on a m43 body and a Tamron 500 mm lens on an A1.

If I had it to do all over again, I would still get the K5 head but would put it on some carbon fiber legs with a bowl.  I would practice a lot with that before going to a larger and heavier head that will give a little smoother movement at the initiation of the movement.  There is a lot of technique to learn when using the long lenses, no matter what head you get, at least there is for me.

In other words, you are 80% there simply by going to a good pan and tilt video head from a ball head without a large increase in weight or bulk.  Bowl head legs are a great convenience you might also want to consider.  You will need to practice with whatever you use with the long lens.

 Joe Lynch's gear list:Joe Lynch's gear list
Sony a1 OM-1 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 Pro Olympus M.Zuiko 300mm F4 IS Pro +5 more
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