Tripod Head vs. Camera/Lens Weight

I am looking to buy a new tripod head (just bought a new Gitzo aluminum tripod last week). Manfrotto makes a couple I'm interested in, and one is perfect for my needs--except it has a maximum load of 8.8 pounds. I need a pan/tilt head because of forearm tendonitis, and this head is super easy to use. Each handle adjusts by squeezing it and moving it into position then to fine tune the position, the handle is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise.

My concern is the weight limit of 8.8 pounds. Currently my heaviest combo is a D610 (or a D7100) with a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. I'm sure the weight limit will be okay for this combo, and I doubt I'd go too much larger in lenses with the exception of possibly a 300mm f/4 at some point. Should I be concerned about the weight limit? Any pro's or con's I should consider?

Again...I need a pan/tilt head. I've tried other types, but they set off my tendonitis.

Here is a link to the first head I'm considering: Manfrotto XPRO Geared 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head MHXPRO-3WG B&H Photo

And here is B&H's stock photo of it:



The other head I am considering is a different Manfrotto model with a maximum load of 17.6 pounds: Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head MHXPRO-3W B&H Photo

My Manfrotto fluid head (128RC) is rated 8.75 lbs and is absolutely fine with my Tamron 150-600 which is 4.3 lbs. Feels like it could support much more. So far all my bird images have come from that combo.

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII is less than 3.5 pounds and your D610 weighs in at just over 1.5 pounds.

That puts you almost four pounds under the limit. Seems to me you're good to go.

Amazon.com : Vanguard SBH-300 Large-Format Magnesium Alloy Ballhead with Two Onboard Bubble Levels : Tripod Heads : Camera & Photo

Vanguard... I was blown away by the quality of this for the money. 70#... I replaced a $300 Manfrotto with this...

I have no experience with pan and tilt heads. They look a little complicated to use compared to the ballhead. Will you use it for video or still photography?

The weight ratings are generally for vertical load sitting in the centre. Any off centre moment will add. For example if a lens is 2kg and you support it at its centre of gravity, then the load is 2kg. Now if the lens is front heavy and the mount is off centre, then the load increases (one can calculate it from the off set from centre and the unbalanced load). When you are panning you may not always have the load balanced. So in general from factor of safety point of view to use at least twice the load rating.

Same considerations are there for the load rating of the tripod, except that you add the weight of the head to it.

One thing to be particular about when using tripods is the spread of the legs. In general try to spread them enough so that the tip of the lens lies within the circle circumscribed by the three leg tips. That will prevent the tripod from tipping over.

If the cheap ballhead on my Dolcia can hold a 70-200 mounted by the camera, I'm sure this beast can too.

gqtuazon said:

I have no experience with pan and tilt heads. They look a little complicated to use compared to the ballhead. Will you use it for video or still photography?

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It's for still photography, Glenn. I've only ever used this pan/tilt style head so I don't even have to think when I move the camera's position. The store had an older Gitzo head, but because it had knobs, my arms tired after adjusting the head a few times.

aroy said:

The weight ratings are generally for vertical load sitting in the centre. Any off centre moment will add. For example if a lens is 2kg and you support it at its centre of gravity, then the load is 2kg. Now if the lens is front heavy and the mount is off centre, then the load increases (one can calculate it from the off set from centre and the unbalanced load). When you are panning you may not always have the load balanced. So in general from factor of safety point of view to use at least twice the load rating.

Same considerations are there for the load rating of the tripod, except that you add the weight of the head to it.

One thing to be particular about when using tripods is the spread of the legs. In general try to spread them enough so that the tip of the lens lies within the circle circumscribed by the three leg tips. That will prevent the tripod from tipping over.

Click to expand...

Thanks! This is info I want and need to help make an informed decision. Flipping the head vertically does put a lot of weight on the head's plate because that part of the head becomes vertical. Should that be a concern?

FredKingston said:

Amazon.com : Vanguard SBH-300 Large-Format Magnesium Alloy Ballhead with Two Onboard Bubble Levels : Tripod Heads : Camera & Photo

Vanguard... I was blown away by the quality of this for the money. 70#... I replaced a $300 Manfrotto with this...

Click to expand...

This looks like a very nice head, Fred, but I need one that has arms or levers rather than knobs. My forearm tendons tire from activities that use the fingers, and this type of head looks like it requires the fingers to loosen the tighten the knobs. Heads with arms/levers can be easily changed using more of the palms to grip. Repetitive motion (such as playing a musical instrument) aggravates the condition. Thanks for sharing though because I'm sure the info will help others who are searching for a head.

Yes, I didn't realize the issues with your hands... but just for info... that head, rather than use the knobs to lock-down the head hard by twisting the knobs to full stops, (which you certainly can do)... it uses friction knobs... IOW... you adjust the friction knobs... and you don't twist them to a hard lock-down... but the friction adjustments allow the head to move, subject to the amount of friction... IOW, it adjusts to where the head is very stiff, but rather than unlock the knobs, the head can be moved by grasping the camera and moving it thru the friction resistance... Once setup, (the knobs have numerical markers) you can move the head, with both hands without having to loosen the knobs...

Hark...your first choice seems to be the one to go for. Looks perfect for your situation.

fotojack said:

Hark...your first choice seems to be the one to go for. Looks perfect for your situation.

Click to expand...

The first one is easy to change camera position, but the second one holds 17.6 pounds (same as the tripod I think) and it costs $60 less than the first. I am still waiting for the store to get the second one in so I can compare them. That will ultimately tell me which will work better. That first one is VERY impressive though and is a brand new design!!! Who knows...I still might wind up with it!

I have two Manfrotto 329R heads. Love them and can be found on ebay under $100.

If you are curious here is a link to the specs on the 329R Click HERE

This says it will support 19.8 pounds, has levels at the top and base.

You just need to losses those black handles and move the head position and lock it down, very fast and easy.

Ruidoso Bill said:

If you are curious here is a link to the specs on the 329R Click HERE

This says it will support 19.8 pounds, has levels at the top and base.

Click to expand...

I appreciate the link! After I read your first comment, I searched for info but couldn't find it. Thanks!