Recommend A Good Tripod Head For Landscapes?

[princer7]

I am looking at changing my tripod head. Can you recommend a good one that would work with a Manfrotto / Bogen quick release? This would be primarily used for landscapes. I have a Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect (322RC2) and it works well for some things...just not landscapes.

[Daniel W.]

There are numerous tripod and head related threads that a search would bring up, but it mostly boils down to preference.

I know folks who like ball heads because they're versatile, but most of them have a separate pan-base too (probably one of the reasons the head you mentioned isn't entirely suitable).

Others like a geared head, because of dead-on-accurate micro adjustments. Others like the standard three-way head.

So here's the rec (and this is based on my preference) - Ballhead that suits your body/lens combo, with a separate panning base, in addition to a lucite hotshoe level.

[Shadow]

Depends on your budget, gear weight, etc. When shopping for my recently acquired head, I also wanted to stay with that Manfrotto system. Eventually, I realized that all the good heads were Arca Swiss compatible. It's a better system, is more solid and has TONS of accessories available for it. I went with the Acratech GP. Weighs 1lb. Not cheap, but it handles a ton of weight and has some very interesting features, including a Gimbal mode and marking for landscape panorama stitching use. I'd take this chance to switch systems before you invest too much money in the Manfrotto plate line. If you stay Manfrotto, something like the 498RC2 might work. (Assuming you'll use it with a center column, otherwise, the locking lever will likely clash with the tripod plate that you mount it to, as my 486RC2 does.)

Amazon.com: Manfrotto 498RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 488RC2: Camera & Photo

tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod 498RC2 - MIDI BALL HEAD W/ RC2

[jeffkohn]

You don't mention a price range, and the fact that you want to stay with the RC2 also limits your choices. What do you feel are the limitations of your current head that have you considering something new?

I'm not sure that you would really gain all that much over your current head if you got one the RC2 ballheads from Bogen/Manfrotto. I guess you'd gain a separate panning base if you went with the 498, and it's probably a little more sturdy. But it's still going to have some slop/creep, so if it's precision you're looking for you might be disappointed.

The better Bogen/Manfrotto heads use the RC4 clamp, the RC2 is made for smaller cameras/heads. For landscape, work my personal recommendation from the Bogen/Manfrotto lineup would be one of the geared heads such as the 410. I'd also choose the RC4 pan/tilt head over a ballhead in that price range. (IMHO if you really want to a good ballhead you should be looking at Markins, Really Right Stuff, Kirk, or Photoclam).