singlerosa_RIP
Senior Member
My best is a Manfrotto 190CXPRO4. Benro B2 ballhead, Wimberley gimbal, old Nikon pan head. I'm more of an event shooter, but with warm weather coming, my new BIF combo will get proper field testing.
I use the Slik with a Jobu Jr. 2 gimbal/D7200/200-500mm. For $100 it works just fine...
Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (Black) 615-317 B&H Photo Video
Cheers, Don
The pan and tilt head is more suitable for video, I find them awkward for birding...
There are a number of gimbal heads in the $100 range, ebay is the easiest way to find them...
Cheers, Don
Have you tried the tilt head on a monopod at all? I can see how they wouldn't be flexible enough on a tripod for birding but on a monopod being able to tilt up and down would probably be all I'd need as most of the movement comes from twisting and turning the monopod itself. Having not used one at all though, I could be missing some obvious drawbacks though?
Since posting I did find the thread on cheap gimbal heads and they do look like a really good option.
I used a tilt/pan head in the studio for a short while and didn't care for it, purchased a ball head which I liked better but ultimately I didn't care for having two tighten knobs. Up/down and sideways..
I now use a Manfrotto Grip Action Ballhead in the studio for one hand locking and a gimbal for birding. The ball head I use for the odd panoramic shot.
Can't comment on a monopod, I need three legs
If I had to buy just one head it would be a gimbal. For static shots you do need to tighten two knobs to lock it down but the camera/lens is balanced and can be adjusted with one finger. You can concentrate on your composition without having to hold the weight of the camera/lens and worry about it flopping down if you loosen the wrong knob. DAMHIKT
Cheers, Don
All sorted now, thanks for all the information.......![]()
when i was looking for a new tripod to replace the Manfrotto compact ive got , which now permanently has the Canon SX50 attached i purchased one of these
Red Snapper RST-283 Alloy 3-Section Tripod
its not light but its light enough, i bought the version with the £30 ball head as well as the pan and tilt 3way head. for less than £90 all im well impressed, nice bag to carry it in as well. Holds ny D5200 and sigma 70-300 no issues, and when money allows i will be getting the version that converts to a mono pod as well as the better ball head
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and for the money you could buy 2 one for nice and other for kicking round the rocks and wet, oh it's not the lightest of things , but I'll take the extra weight any day over light and flimsy , i will be buying the more expensive ball head soon tho as I think it will be a better unit altogether than the one I have which is brilliant