Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: erick.boileau on February 24, 2010, 02:26:20 am
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I currently own a RRS BH-55 but it does not work for Tilt Shift precise adjustments
I'd like an Arca Cube C1 but it is very expensive
Which ball-head do you use for architecture and TS lens (with separate movements) ?
thank you
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I currently own a RRS BH-55 but it does not work for Tilt Shift precise adjustments
I'd like an Arca Cube C1 but it is very expensive
Which ball-head do you use for architecture and TS lens (with separate movements) ?
Hi Erick,
When I do architecture with my RRS BH-55, I do the final minute adustments with my tripod-legs (0.05 degree accuracy). When you position the legs with one exactly to the left or right, it can be used to achieve plumb-line accuracy. It's best to get the optical axis horizontal first, because that'll require a bit back and forth legs movement. Another question remains though; how rotationless was your sensor array mounted at manufacturing?
If you want really accurate control of the rotation axes for setup, another head like the Manfrotto 405 geared head can be used. You can probably mount your RRS clamp on the quick release plate of the geared head. When you buy a separate RRS clamp to always use on the QR-plate, then you wouldn't need to (dis-)assemble from your BH-55 so much. It's big and heavy, but very easy to adjust, and relatively affordable. If I recall correctly there is also a junior geared version that's smaller, but I haven't used it so I don't know how well that handles and I don't know its maximum load capacity.
Cheers,
Bart
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I am not sure if I can mount a RRS clamp on Manfrotto
thank you
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I am not sure if I can mount a RRS clamp on Manfrotto
Hi Erick,
I have bought a separate RRS B2 Pro clamp for such purposes. Like everything RRS makes, it's very well thought out. The clamp has a 3/8th" female threads and can thus be fixed to the Manfrotto QR plate which comes with a 3/8th" and 1/4th" scew on the 405 geared head.
Cheers,
Bart
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Hi Erick,
I have bought a separate RRS B2 Pro clamp for such purposes. Like everything RRS makes, it's very well thought out. The clamp has a 3/8th" female threads and can thus be fixed to the Manfrotto QR plate which comes with a 3.8th" and 1/4th" scew on the 405 geared head.
Cheers,
Bart
+1 ... I've got RRS clamps attached to Manfrotto and Giotto heads.
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I am not sure if I can mount a RRS clamp on Manfrotto
thank you
I have, just one counter sunk hole with a drill and your set
Marc
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I found the Manfrotto 410 Micrometric head great fot TS lenses, the micrometric adjustment is really nice.
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Short of the C1 Cube, the Manfrotto 405 and 410 geared heads are the best option I've seen. As you say ballheads like the BH-55 are just too imprecise. Depending on which Manfrotto geared head you get there are a few different options for mounting an Arca-style clamp. For instance Kirk makes some specialty clamps designed specifically for using with Manfrotto QR heads: http://www.kirkphoto.com/Specialty-Quick-R...Clamp-List.html (http://www.kirkphoto.com/Specialty-Quick-Release-Clamp-List.html)
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I found the Manfrotto 410 Micrometric head great fot TS lenses, the micrometric adjustment is really nice.
I too use the 410 and love it.
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thanks to all, I shall try to find one with an adapter for RRS plates
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I found the Manfrotto 410 Micrometric head great fot TS lenses, the micrometric adjustment is really nice.
I agree. I tried a couple of ball heads and found them really difficult to use for architecture generally and replaced all my tripods with Bogen 410 heads some time ago.
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I use a small set of tools and take whatever I need for the actual capture.
First a Gitzo GH3780QR.
It is very accurate to adjust (far better than any other ball head I've used by now).
http://gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo/heads/cent...l?code=GH3780QR (http://gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo/heads/center_ball?code=GH3780QR)
The nice thing of the Gitzo is it has 4 tubular levels (no bubble levels) and they are under the mounting plate - so you can always see the bubbles (even when the camera is mounted).
And they are way more accurate than a level cube on the hot shoe.
There is an adapter plate Gitzo QR to >Arca style OR: http://tinyurl.com/yke6ncy (http://tinyurl.com/yke6ncy)
But only slim Arca Style plates fit in the adapter (Kirk is too bold).
Actually the ball head will do for the most purposes.
However when I need high accuracy for leveling I mount a leveling base under the ball head.
I have these two:
http://www.nodalninja.com/products/ezlevelers.html (http://www.nodalninja.com/products/ezlevelers.html)
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-3416-Level...d/dp/B0000AE667 (http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-3416-Leveling-Base-Head/dp/B0000AE667)
I'd recommend the Nodal Ninja as it is lighter, smaller and much smoother to handle.
Or… if the shot will be quite straight, I just mount a Novoflex panorama q base directly on the leveling base:
http://www.neu.novoflex.de/files/panorama-q_650px.jpg (http://www.neu.novoflex.de/files/panorama-q_650px.jpg)
Maybe you could keep your ball head and first try how the Nodal Ninja EZ Leveler might help you?
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I have a Gitzo leveling base
thanks
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I have a Gitzo leveling base
there is a geared Gitzo leveling base?
The trick with the 3 screws of the leveling bases mentioned above is:
If you align the lens to one of the 3 screws, this screw will provide accurate tilt (geared!).
The two screws on the rear will provide lateral leveling (geared!).
Of course only within the maximum tilt angle of the leveling base (~ 8-10° for the EZ leveler).
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there is a geared Gitzo leveling base?
I have this one
(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/569209.jpg)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5692...eling_Base.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569209-REG/Gitzo_GS5121LVL_GS5121LV_Leveling_Base.html)
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I have this one
yes ... it is not geared. It's the same fiddly handling as with a ball head. The 3 screws of the EZ leveler provide very fine geared adjustments for leveling and tilt (again: only within the range the leveling base offers).
Of course you can use your Gitzo leveling base for rough adjustment and an EZ leveler for fine adjustment - it depends on what you shoot and the amount of tilt you want to gain.
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I think I have better to go directly for a photo clam multiflex geared head (http://www.tripodballhead.com/2009/02/photo-clam-multiflex-geared-head_23.html) it is 600 euro cheaper than a Arca Cube and maybe better
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I think I have better to go directly for a photo clam multiflex geared head (http://www.tripodballhead.com/2009/02/photo-clam-multiflex-geared-head_23.html) it is 600 euro cheaper than a Arca Cube and maybe better
well, that one will certainly solve all your problems very sophisticated.
Somewaht bulky maybe but beyond doubt the very best allround head.
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I use the Multiflex here in Sydney and is great.
I purchased it direct from PhotoClam.
$985 USD.
Make sure to order an extra large knob.
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ok I think I shall do it
thanks to all
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I am making 90% of my income shooting food with a tripod mounted Canon with a 90tse. for years I was nearly happy with the manfrotto 410, accepting a little wobble due to the design, but couldn't be bothered with a 405 or even a 400. When the Arca cube was released I was intrigued, but for four reasons didn't buy it:
1.) too expensive, it was more than 2000€, but now it is closer to 1300 for their anniversary. at that time I couldn't see a 2000€ tripod head being a good investment
2.) the knobs where too little, didn't feel comfortable with that
3.) the arca clamp is not very well designed
4.) not enough information could be found at that time (arca still has no website, I am refusing to buy a modern product that doesn't give me any kind of online information or support)
then multiclam ripped off arca's design with the multiflex, but improved on a few pieces like knob design and quick clamp, is was way cheaper then the arca and they even have a website!
delivery took less than 37 hours from Korea to Munich, but then it was stuck in customs for 10 days....
I bought a Gitzo 3541xls with a geared column for it and that setup really rocks. it is reasonably light, it is rock solid, goes up to more than 2m, and it is a pleasure to use. if you're working often from a tripod, it really is worth forking out for the best, I spend too much money and time on too many manfrotto and other maker's tripods and tripod heads (I must have up to ten tripods).
my recommendations:
tripod: Gitzo
geared head: Multiflex
Ballhead: RRS
anything less is not worth the savings
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I am already having a Gitzo GT5540LS with Gitzo leveling base and RRS BH-55 , BH-40 , + their pano kit
you say but then it was stuck in customs for 10 days I am also in Germany , how much fees did you pay for it ?
thank you
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I use the Multiflex here in Sydney and is great.
I purchased it direct from PhotoClam.
$985 USD.
Make sure to order an extra large knob.
Whoa, US$ 985, with small knobs ?
Looking at the PhotoClam website which shows animated movements, it already became obvious that the tilt in one direction is 0 - 90 degrees, which means that for movements close to level one needs to rotate the camera by 180 degrees when crossing the level position to the other side. That seems clumsy to say the least, especially for architecture when one would e.g. want to include foreground detail and elevated detail. Shooting subjects like food would be fine though, as long as one looks only downwards on a setup.
I am glad I got the Manfrotto 405 (each full turn of large sized handles is only 6.55 degrees of rotation, the least of all 3 geared Manfrottos) for 'only' € 339,00 (incl. all taxes). The 405 is rock solid, spec'ed for gear up to 7.5 Kg, and rotates from -30 to +90 degrees in 2 axes, 360 degrees in one.
Cheers,
Bart
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Bart,
it has add-on large knobs,to use with gloves.
They slip over the fixed ones.
That was the main complain with the Arca Cube,that cost $2600 USD and is now on "special" for $1600 USD.
The knobs on the ArcaCube are hard to use with gloves.
Cheers,
Willem.
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When the Arca cube was released I was intrigued, but for four reasons didn't buy it:
1.) too expensive, it was more than 2000€, but now it is closer to 1300 for their anniversary. at that time I couldn't see a 2000€ tripod head being a good investment
Wow, it was 2000 euro over there when it was released? I got probably the first one in N America and paid $1200 from Badger. That's an enormous difference.