Question Re: Manfrotto head selection for tripod.

[Ext User(Rod Out Back)]

Folks,

I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to which
head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that had a
large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball head. It
looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying pressure to
the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a very quick
method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to be able to
find such a beast in the catalogue.

Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera is
under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take an SLR
with a large lens on it.

Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.

Cheers,

Rod.......Out Back

[Ext User(POTD.com.au)]

"Rod Out Back" <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote in message
news:mck4f.19029$U51.9464@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Folks,
>
> I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
> and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to
> which head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that
> had a large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball
> head. It looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying
> pressure to the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a
> very quick method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to
> be able to find such a beast in the catalogue.
>
> Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
> prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
> that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera
> is under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take
> an SLR with a large lens on it.
>
> Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back
>

Manfrotto 322RC2 heavy duty grip ball head

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2319?livid=liv2212

I am using this head with a 20D/Grip and 2.8 lens up to 200mm with no
problems.

The only issue I have is that when using a 200mm mounted direct, the
camera/battery grip hangs behind the head and the release lever does not
have room to move. This easy to get around though, by simply mounting the
grip's QR bracket backwards and putting the lever to the front.

At first it seems a little strange without the lever on the back, but you
soon don't notice it. As for the use of the head itself.... it's prob the
quickest and easiest head to position that I have ever used.

Cheers

Russell

[Ext User(Pete D)]

Hi Rod,

I use a Manfrotto 141 head with the 190D legs, I also have a fluid head
(RC-128) for use with video.

This setup is not the heaviest but works well for medium weight gear.

Cheers.

Pete

"Rod Out Back" <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote in message
news:mck4f.19029$U51.9464@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Folks,
>
> I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
> and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to
> which head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that
> had a large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball
> head. It looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying
> pressure to the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a
> very quick method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to
> be able to find such a beast in the catalogue.
>
> Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
> prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
> that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera
> is under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take
> an SLR with a large lens on it.
>
> Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back
>
>
>

[Ext User(kosh)]

Rod Out Back wrote:
> Folks,
>
> I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
> and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to which
> head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that had a
> large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball head. It
> looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying pressure to
> the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a very quick
> method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to be able to
> find such a beast in the catalogue.
>
> Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
> prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
> that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera is
> under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take an SLR
> with a large lens on it.
>
> Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back
>
>
>


Rod,

please find a link to the manfroto catalogue below.
with a video head.. sometimes you are paying for a fluid head... which
you don't need with a camera... otherwise, so long as it does
portraits... there is no other reason to not get a video head if it
suits you.

http://adeal.com.au/PDF/manfrotto_pdf/Manfrotto%20catalogue%202004.pdf

kosh

[Ext User(MD)]

"Rod Out Back" <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote in message
news:mck4f.19029$U51.9464@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Folks,
>
> I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
> and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to
> which head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that
> had a large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball
> head. It looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying
> pressure to the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a
> very quick method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to
> be able to find such a beast in the catalogue.
>
> Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
> prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
> that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera
> is under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take
> an SLR with a large lens on it.
>
> Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back

055 is an excellent unit, and comes with some weight to it - sturdy, but if
you are hiking in bush, might notice the extra weight.

I pair the 055 with a 141RC.
For video you can interchange head with a 128RC.

[Ext User(Rod Out Back)]

"Rod Out Back" <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote in message
news:mck4f.19029$U51.9464@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Folks,
>
> I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
> and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to
> which head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that
> had a large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball
> head. It looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying
> pressure to the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a
> very quick method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to
> be able to find such a beast in the catalogue.
>
> Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
> prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
> that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera
> is under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take
> an SLR with a large lens on it.
>
> Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back
>
>

Many thanks to all who replied to my query. I have decided to source an
055PROB DUO tripod, and a 322RC2 head. Weight isnt much of a concern for me,
and I have a smaller tripod here for the few times I might need to carry it.
The 055PROB DUO has a few features that appeal, as well as being very
sturdy.

Many thanks to Russell (POTD.com.au); the 322RC2 was the sort of head I was
looking for. As suggested by others, I might get another head at a later
date.

Any reccommendations for online stores for Manfrotto tripods? I have looked
at Photo Continental, Vanbar and Madsens so far. Vanbar seem to be the
better prices to date, but I have talked a mate into making some enquiries
in the larger camera stores in Brisbane to see if anyone can do a better
price. The Vanbar price is around $495 for this combination.

Thanks again to all who offered suggestions.

Cheers,

Rod.......Out Back

[Ext User(Rod Out Back)]

"Rod Out Back" <someone@IHATESPAM.BIGPOND.COM> wrote in message
news:mck4f.19029$U51.9464@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Folks,
>
> I'm working myself up to buying a decent tripod from the Manfrotto range,
> and have settled on the 055 model tripod, but am a bit undecided as to
> which head selection would suit. I vaguely recall seeing a ball head that
> had a large spring-loaded lever that maintained the friction on a ball
> head. It looked like the head could be moved\adjusted by simply applying
> pressure to the lever. Does Manfrotto make such a head? It seemed like a
> very quick method of getting the head set up for the shot. I dotn seem to
> be able to find such a beast in the catalogue.
>
> Anyone have any likes or dislikes in the Manfrotto head range? I would
> prefer a photo head, as I do shoot both portrait and landscape, but I see
> that some of the video heads are able to do this as well. Current camera
> is under a kilogram in weight, but I would prefer something able to take
> an SLR with a large lens on it.
>
> Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod.......Out Back
>


Folks,

I sourced a Manfrotto 055PRO DUO tripod and 322RC2 head from Teds Camera
Store in Brisbane city store for $445 (if purchased as a kit), along with a
carry bag for it all. Vanbar had the same unit for around $495, and I didnt
find anywhere else cheaper (online) than Vanbar.

I am VERY impressed with both the tripod, as well as the head. I still
havent tried it out in all poses yet, but it is amazing how flexible the
unit is.

As people have mentioned, the 055 tripods arent light, but this wasnt
intended to be a unit that I carried a lot. However, they have certainly
got a well thought-out and innovative design! Same goes for the head
design. Every time I think I have worked out all it's features, I find it
can do something else...

Many thanks to those who offered suggestions. I am very impressed with the
end result. For the first time, I own a tripod that is definately a keeper.

Cheers,

Rod.......Out Back