Topic: a good ballhead for Tilt shift lens (Read 11792 times)

erick.boileau · « **on:** February 24, 2010, 02:26:20 am »

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

Bart_van_der_Wolf · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2010, 05:24:08 am »

Quote from: erick.boileau

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

erick.boileau · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2010, 06:11:42 am »

I am not sure if I can mount a RRS clamp on Manfrotto

thank you

Bart_van_der_Wolf · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:17:53 am »

Quote from: erick.boileau

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

Jeremy Payne · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:27:14 am »

Quote from: BartvanderWolf

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.

marcmccalmont · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:56:28 am »

Quote from: erick.boileau

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

Luis Argerich · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2010, 09:19:28 am »

I found the Manfrotto 410 Micrometric head great fot TS lenses, the micrometric adjustment is really nice.

JeffKohn · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:04:34 pm »

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

K.C. · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:22:14 pm »

Quote from: Luis Argerich

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.

erick.boileau · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:25:19 pm »

thanks to all, I shall try to find one with an adapter for RRS plates

Kirk Gittings · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:43:24 pm »

Quote from: Luis Argerich

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.

tho_mas · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2010, 07:48:49 pm »

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
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
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.amazon.com/Manfrotto-3416-Level...d/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

Maybe you could keep your ball head and first try how the Nodal Ninja EZ Leveler might help you?

erick.boileau · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2010, 01:22:44 am »

I have a Gitzo leveling base

thanks

tho_mas · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2010, 05:26:40 am »

Quote from: erick.boileau

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).

erick.boileau · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2010, 09:01:00 am »

Quote

there is a geared Gitzo leveling base?

I have this one

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5692...eling_Base.html

tho_mas · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2010, 09:30:15 am »

Quote from: erick.boileau

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.

erick.boileau · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2010, 09:51:16 am »

I think I have better to go directly for a photo clam multiflex geared head it is 600 euro cheaper than a Arca Cube and maybe better

tho_mas · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2010, 02:57:18 pm »

Quote from: erick.boileau

I think I have better to go directly for a photo clam multiflex geared head 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.

rethmeier · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2010, 03:22:04 pm »

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.

erick.boileau · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2010, 03:49:37 pm »

ok I think I shall do it

thanks to all

Author Topic: a good ballhead for Tilt shift lens (Read 11792 times)

Jeremy Payne