Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Alex MacPherson on November 12, 2010, 02:49:31 pm
-
I shot in studio for the first time last week with my Hasselblad 553ELX/P30.
I was using my Manfrotto 322rc ballhead which I use for my dslr but I found it terrible when trying to keep the body level. I hated it.
Any suggestions from the Hasselblad users here?
-
I used to use a Manfrotto ballhead for years and it was mediocre at best.
About 10-12 years ago, I simply said the heck with it and went with an Arca-Swiss B1 ball head. Never regretted it and with a Really Right Stuff plate, it makes using the head easy. I now have a couple of them.
I've tried others including the Giottos. None were as durable, solid or locked-down as well as the Arca.
I mainly used this system on a 500EL/M and up to the 350mm. It always has worked well.
Alternatives to the Arca head would be the Really Right Stuff, Kirk, and Markins heads.
In any case, I still use the heads today and use the Manfrotto sticks, both metal and carbon. The Arca heads will outlast most tripods, in my opinion.
-
this gitzo off center ballhead is the one i like best. big huge nob, quick, smooth, heavy duty gitzo quality.
works great with an rz67, so it should work well with a hassy.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/170928-REG/Gitzo_G1576M_G1576M_Ball_Head_with.html
-
I am skeptical of getting a ballhead for a medium format camera like the Hasseblad V.
If I want to switch from portrait to landscape orientation. I just remove the back and
reposition it.
What would be the advantage of a ballhead over a 3-way or a geared head?
-
What would be the advantage of a ballhead over a 3-way or a geared head?
Speed. It's the only reason. Open up, move, lock down, shoot.
With a 3 way head it's: find the right knob, turn, turn, next knob, turn, turn, etc.
That would drive me nuts.
But, if 100% precision is more important for you than speed, then...but you know better than me what you need.
-
I have a 501CM and use a Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod plus a Manfrotto 410 head. I've found it sturdy enough for my needs. It's also easy to unlock it and quickly go from a landscape to portrait shot. You just need to fine tune it a little after that.
-
I have 500EL/M with digital back and use Slik single action panhead (pistol grip) Also have Arca-Swiss B1, but Slik is better.
-
My ballheads are collecting dust after getting a 410. I first got one for the camera-stand and loved it so much I got one for my tripods.
I don't use it for LF but it's my head of choice for 35mm and V's.
-
Arca Swiss Cube!! It is not cheap, but once you use it, it will not look anything else.
-
I agree that the only really satisfactory solution is the Arca Swiss cube for MF. The Arca clamp on this head is not great so I swapped it for a Really Right Stuff screw clamp (they do a little kit for this purpose) and I use a Really Right Stuff L-bracket which is permanently fixed to my camera.
The whole sits on a Gitzo 1530 without a centre column.
The only other thing I would recommend is the RRS telephoto support bar if you use long or heavy lenses.
:)
-
My vote goes to the Manfrotto 410's bigger brother, the 405. It beats any head I've ever used hands down and it's a joy to work with.