Lightweight ball-head that allows angling

[AlfSollund]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a medium lightweight ball-head with a SA plate that allows to be angled as much as possible, and to be used for portrait format without L-bracket. Im only using 135mm and shorter.

I currently have a RRS BH-30 that is mechanically very good, but whenever I try to angle the camera for Aurora Borealis and similoar sky photographs the lock lever is in the way, so that its not possible to tilt the clamp/camera enough and tighten the lock level. Although one can readjust the lever by pulling it out and reposition this does not work good enough for me, and this apparent design flaw drives me nuts.

Any ideas?

[Greg D]

So your only complaint is that when the camera is dropped into the notch, it's in the way of the lever, correct?  If that's the case, one solution is a head that has a knob rather than a lever.  Not as easy to tighten, but not in the way.  I have a Giottos MH-1302 that I'm pretty pleased with. Similar size, weight and capacity to the RRS BH-30, but without the lever.  I've owned a BH-30 also, and actually felt the Giottos was a better head (and a bit over half the price of the RRS).  The clamp is not the best (the lock pin is annoying, but easy to remove).  And I would actually prefer a lever to a knob, but on the whole it's been great for me.  (I use lightish gear - heaviest camera Canon 50D, usually with 24-105 lens.)

[marcmccalmont]

Linhof Profi II
Used on ebay
Marc

[AlfSollund]

So your only complaint is that when the camera is dropped into the notch, it's in the way of the lever, correct? 

Yeah, you are correct. Thanks for advice.

[marcmccalmont]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LINHOF-PROFI-II-TRIPOD-BALLHEAD-MEDIUM-SIZE-BALLHEAD-/330671840449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfd93dcc1
Marc

[K.C.]

Any ideas?

An L plate really does solve this problem. Why resist using one ?

[AlfSollund]

An L plate really does solve this problem. Why resist using one ?

Thanks. It will partly resolve the problem for portrait shots. But for landscape format it will not help, and since aprox 95% of my shots are these I dont see the cost/benefit. Also the main problem is not being able to tilt enough without problems.

[Ellis Vener]

Can't you just rotate the ball so the lever is on the side opposite the knob? Or am I missing something? I don't have that head or that clamp but do have a lot of RRS gear.

[AlfSollund]

Can't you just rotate the ball so the lever is on the side opposite the knob? Or am I missing something? I don't have that head or that clamp but do have a lot of RRS gear.

Yes, for landscape mode shoots its always possible to find a position so that the lever is clear. But its rather irritating to have to readjust the head. In particular for Aurora Borealis shoots n minus 15 with gloves on (where I tilt the camera upwards a lot, and also readjust horizontally to follow Northern Light) i . As with all gear its pros and cons. The RSS head has low profile, and IMO this has some cons. For most normal shoots this will not be a issue.

Sample photo; http://www.flickr.com/photos/25078442@N05/6759251159/in/photostream

[Ken Bennett]

I don't shoot a lot of photos where the camera has to point up that high, but last week I was shooting some cityscapes in Charlotte and wanted to tilt the camera pretty much straight up. My BH-55 head has a similar problem, in that one has to line up the notch with the shot by loosening the panning lock and the main lock at the same time, then tighten everything without disturbing the shot. Somewhat frustrating at times, as was the lack of height of my 3-section Gitzo Series 3. Not complaining or looking for solutions, just pointing out that other heads have a similar issue.

[tsjanik]

Look at these:

http://acratech.net/

[AlfSollund]

Am I missing something or why can't you just rotate the ball 180 degrees so the clamp locking mechanism does conflict with the head locking control?

Eeeeh, because I don't want to take a photo in that direction . Sorry, please see answer above on the same question.

[Ellis Vener]

Eeeeh, because I don't want to take a photo in that direction . Sorry, please see answer above on the same question.

I deleted the message you responded to as I thought I had not actually posted my earlier comment. My apologies for wasting your time and concentration by posting a second time.

[Ellis Vener]

Hopefully this is a more useful suggestion: have you looked at replacing your existing clamp with a Really Right Stuff PCL-1 Panning clamp? http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=PCL-1&type=0&eq=PCL-001&desc=PCL-1%3a-Panning-Clamp&key=ait

Tha way you can tilt he head over all the way (portrait orientation) and then use the pan angle control on the PCL-1 to set your vertical angle without having to unlock the head. For what you are doing i think it will be more useful than an "L" plate and have good utility for your more general use.

[Scott O.]

It may be just me, but I can't imagine using a camera on a tripod without an L bracket.  It is such a pain to drop the camera into the slots to do vertical when you can just flip the camera with the bracket to do the same thing.  The L bracket also has the major advantage of keeping the weight of the camera centered over the tripod rather than hanging off to the side.  Anyhow, there are about a zillion heads out there so you will certainly find one which suits your needs.

[AlfSollund]

Thanks for answers so far. Lets forget the "L" and vertical format for the time being. The main issue is still to be able to tilt the camera enough backwards to be able to photograph the sky. Sorry if I was unclear on this .

Candidates among the zillion; Acratech Ultimate Ballhead, Markins Q3, Photo Clam Pro Gold II Easy PQR Ballhead (with panning head). Must be with lever-Operated Arca-Style Quick Release fitting the RRS camera plates I already have.

[Ellis Vener]

I have an Acratech Ultimate ballhead (older version with screw locking). What size camera are you using? I've never been very happy with it compared to Arca-Swiss heads.  I can see why you want a headthat tilts over. And given that you live in a cold climate I think I can understand the desire for a lever lock over a screw lock.

Have you considered using a Manfrotto Superclamp and short stud ( http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-2909-Super-Clamp-Short/dp/B00009R6BO/ref=pd_cp_p_3 ) and attaching your current head to it and clamping the rig  to a tripod leg or the center column?  That will solve many of your interference problems.

[K.C.]

You want to have fun in a cold environment use a super clamp. The handles break off. There's a reason gaffers (film sets) use maffers.

[AlfSollund]

I have an Acratech Ultimate ballhead (older version with screw locking). What size camera are you using? I've never been very happy with it compared to Arca-Swiss heads.  I can see why you want a headthat tilts over. And given that you live in a cold climate I think I can understand the desire for a lever lock over a screw lock.

Thanks for sharing info. Im using a Leica M9, and mainly wides. For Northern Light sometimes 28 and mostly 16mm. For other the longest in use is a 135, so the weight is not a issue, only usability. Do you have any specifics cons with the Acratech?

P.S. Im not claiming that my current RRS is a bad choice, only that Im a grumpy hard-to-satify customer 

[jfwfoto]

I have the RRS and have encountered the frustrating interference problem. One way to get totally clear is to put ball down in the slot and use the head like a gimbal mount. This is ideal for looking at the ground and useful for looking up at steep angles. We all want to keep that weight over the head which is why we buy those L brackets but the gimbal function is too good to pass up in a difficult situation. I try to have the tripod weighted and use mirror up when the camera is hanging out like this. It also is convenient to have the panning clamp in position as well. If you have not tried this, give it a shot and you might smile like I did the first time. The L bracket is required to shoot horizontal in gimbal mode.