⚙️ THOUGHTS ON TRIPOD HEADS FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- Today I'm talking about one of the most boring subjects in wildlife and nature photography. Tripod heads. The gear we hate to buy... Sharing thoughts on tripod heads that I use day-to-day for my own photography and some of the reasons I've chosen them.
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My name is Will Goodlet. I am a wildlife, landscape and astro photographer working in the African Safari business. I spend my time exploring the dusty roads of Africa with my Land Rover, Basil.
I've been taking photographs for 40 years, first in Hong Kong, where I grew up and later to follow my dreams of a life photographing Africa.
#TripodHead #WildlifePhotography #Photography - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Who would have thought that something so boring was such fun! More please!
Fantastic presentation. I loved to watch it.
Really enjoy your delivery and excellent information. As a SA living in the UK, it nice to hear that you’re in SA. Was hoping to see some bird life behind you in garden. Could hear them and made me homesick. Thanks for the excellent video.
Hey Will great video, very informative. Thanks for sharing and stay safe!
Thanks. You too JC!
I I really like the way you are going in to detail, Awesome 👍
You have a gift for anticipating a question and answering it (even before it is asked). Amazing! Lucid and useful. Thank you.
Thanks glad to help Sreeni!
Veri informative and enjoyable video. Thanks, Stefano
Thanks for watching Stefano!
Brilliant content Will, thank you for making these videos!
Glad you like them!
really enjoying your videos Cant wait to use some of your knowledge
Wonderful to hear this, thanks Geri
Superb presentation. "Liked" and suscribed, and looking forward to many more of your very thorough presentations.
Thanks for watching Bob, great to have you here :)
Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful rely Will. Very much appreciated. Alun
Thank You. Very informative on various tripod heads , and its various issues.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video Will! Thank you for going over all the different types of heads you use. I learned a lot! :-D
Thanks Steve! Glad it was helpful and not too dull :)
Thanks Will, great Info and advise as usual.
Thank you Ralph :)
Thank you for explaining the difference between all the heads. Appreciate the show and tell of all the different heads
Thanks for watching Paul :)
Perfect timing for this video Will... As I have just started looking for a decent head... thanks again
Great, hope it helped in your decisions. Thanks for watching David!
A superb video, brilliantly explained, and so very useful to any photographer interested in stability, manoeuvrability, and ease of use in regard to the various tripod heads. You're a star. Many thanks.
Thanks so much Daniel! I was worried I would bore people to death - glad you survived it! ;)
Very helpful and interesting. Just in the process of deciding on a new tripod and head so great timing. Also thanks for reminding us all of your wildlife toolkit. Got it recently and would recommend it to anyone.
Hi Neil, thanks for watching and glad it was helpful. Some people are talking about the Flex shooter (which I haven't heard of - SA is about 20 years behind the rest of the world ;) ) Probably worth checking that out too - it looks interesting.
Thanks even more for you support with the Toolkit! Really helps me to fund these videos and software requirements!!
Picked up a couple of tips today. Thanks
Excellent!
Hey Will, yet another very useful video. Really enjoyed it and learnt a bit.
Thanks! Great :)
Very good video Will. One of the better ones I’ve seen about stabilization equipment. I don’t do video, but it was still nice to learn about this equipment. Thanks for making and sharing all this info. Most informative.👍👍
Cheers Terry, thanks for watching once again. Appreciate it and your kind comments :)
Hi Will, this was fascinating. I learned all new tricks for my old Arca Swiss ballhead.
Thanks Peter, glad it was interesting!
Very informative video and excellent presentation, (as always) thank you.
Cheers Fintan, very kind of you. Thanks for watching and commenting :)
Hi Will, Just wanted to let you know that your content and how you present is perfect. Thanks for all your hard work. Coming to you from central Canada.
Hi Richard, really appreciate this encouraging comment. Thank you. Hope it's not to cold there!!!
I wish this video had been available last year when I bought my gimbal. I’ve noticed a few wildlife photographers seem to be using fluid heads now. It was a superb, informative presentation Will, and should answer most people’s questions. Thanks for the top-notch videos you’re giving on TH-cam. You have a great presentation style, which makes your content easy to watch in addition to being full of learning-goodness 😀
Thanks Stephen, really appreciate the encouragement - I hope you are at least happy with your gimbal? Are you doing video as well?
@@WillGoodlet Hi Will - I do love the gimbal, and I hadn’t really thought of doing video when I bought it. It was the right choice at the time but I think a fluid head would have been a more flexible choice in retrospect. The worst thing about the gimbal is like you pointed out = it’s very hard to carry in a backpack!
I bought a Manfroto and since using it, I wish I had bought it first. I strongly dislike the ball head.
Awesome video. I really like hearing peoples educated opinion on gear. It give me a sense of direction when I’m looking into making a purchase. Since photography gear isn’t cheap, it’s good to know what the pros and cons are before the money is spent. Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much for watching Daniel, great to hear that you found it useful!
Terrific explanations. Thanks for doing this.
A great pleasure :)
Great fluent video on what would otherwise have been a very boring topic. I particularly liked how you went through the pros and cons where you obviously brought your own experience to bear and that kept it interesting. You could tell you’d used them all and tried to get them all to work in a variety of situations. Keep going!! Bruce
Hi Bruce, thanks for watching and making it through :) Thanks for the encouraging comment too!
Not at all boring. Useful information. Thanks for discussing the pros and cons of the various kinds of tripod heads.
Haha :) Thanks Paul! Glad you found it useful
You have to get the tripod level if you are using a ballhead too, if you want to pan. For this reason, I don't use one. There are two workarounds I know.
. Use a rotator between camera and head. This allows you to level the camera with the head, then pan.
. Use a levelling base between tripod and head. It's like having your bowl tripod base, (You said bowl, I heard ball). It also converts any plate to ARCA Swiss.
. Some manufacturers put the rotator at the top of the ballhead. I haven't used one, I expect they're fine.
I haven't used a camera-top gimbal. There are those electronically-controlled ones from DJI etc. They might not be good for wildlife, but I think they'd be awesome for landscape photography.
I have settled on video heads, with a levelling base where needed.
Thanks for watching and the great info. I sometimes use a levelling base too. Luckily, many of my pans are very tight with no horizon, so it's easy to correct them. For wider lenses though, it's much easier to use a levelling head as you say.
I haven't tried the electronic heads either. I do have a nodal head (nodal ninja 4) which I didn't show in the video - I use it for astro landscapes and it is invaluable.. Love it.
A superb description of the benefits vs limitations of various heads. Given I’m enjoying the video side of things, I will now avoid Gimbal!
Thank you for the pertinent explanations. For wildlife your channel is indispensable
Thank you! I am often a bit lost as to whether anyone will find these videos useful. Glad they have been.
Very nice and informative video. Thank you!
Cheers thanks :)
Thanks, Will: you are my 'go to guru' for technical stuff. One thing that is so important to me is the weight situation- both carrying around and aircraft weight limits (chance would be a fine thing!). I guess I must be a nerd as I watched until the end!
Thanks again Christine :) I am told by other commenters that the Flexshooter is ticking a lot of boxes for them - it looks good, although I didn't know about it.
Thanks Will, good skills. Very helpful. Keep safe.
Thanks Steve you too!
By far the best explanation I've ever heard of the ball head, gimbal, and fluid head. Wow! I learned so much! I had the privilege of being in your beautiful country in the late 1980s and got to tour Kruger Natl Park. I'll never forget it, but I wish I knew then what I know now. You've got a new like and a new subscriber!
Hi Hugh, thanks for watching and the sub! Welcome
I'm so glad you found the video useful. Great to hear that you visited Kruger - I'm busy planning another trip there right now :)
Yup! I'm a nerd. I didn't realise that the Manfrotto plate had become a sort of standard for video heads. I've been unsuccessfulylooking for Arca compatible video heads. Now I know why. I use plate adaptors on various heads where I cant replace the "plate holder" They work well with lighter lenses/spotting scopes but less so with 500 f4. as they twist abd become loose.
Hi, thanks for watching. I think (not that I have laid my hands on them) that some of the longer clamp adapters have two or more screw holes and because most 502 plates are used on video rigs, they also have two or more screws, or a screw and locating pin. This should prevent the twisting problem?
Thank you for the walk through Will. In my opinion like camera bags, you can never get by with just one tripod or head!
Haha sounds about right to me!
Great video. I had never thought of using a ballhead under sling from a tripod or super clamp (though the clamp alone weighs more than my gimbal!). I have just bought a 3 legged thing fluid head and am enjoying it immensely. No control over pan and tilt setting but happily works for me as is. Also it has an arca clamp so no endlessly changing plates. And for travel I use a Jobu micro gimbal that is like the Sidekick just smaller and lighter. Stay safe and well.
The benefits of lightweight Micro 43!! Thanks for pointing these products out to me
Thanks for this - very comprehensive.
Thanks Richard.
Great video, Will. Agree with Simon Bunyard re the newer Flexshooter ball head. Ive skipped on the traditional tripod heads and just ordered the new Flexshooter Pro from B&H. Its a game changer.
Yes they look pretty nice - shame I have such a large collection now!! Kind of stuck with it.
Thanks! This video helped me to save alot of money, I was about to buy gimbal head, but i will go for fluid head for wildlife now:)
Glad it helped in the decision:) thanks for watching!
Great comparison! At 10:38 - this is where I find the fluid gimbal from Gitzo, along with a levelling bowl, really delivers the best of both :)
Thanks Geoff, would like to try it! I think with heads, certainly in my case, they are a grudge purchase, and I accumulated a whole bunch looking for a 'value' option instead of buying one or two great ones. In any event, for most of my wildlife shooting the fluids are working well now and I like the ball the rest of the time.
Excellent information, Will. The Sidekick-type accessory seems like the most flexible and compact approach for stills shooters traveling by air though that approach would put even more stress on the stem of the ball head, I suppose.
Thanks Timothy! I am getting a lot of comments about the Flexshooter - I hadn't heard of it, maybe check it out too.
Thanks, Will. I sometimes find mounting a camera body directly on to the video head (rather than to a foot on a long lens) can be a pain as the body itself can foul the locking knob or the pan arm on my Benro head. On the other hand, I’m fine with the battery grip on my particular set up. Some of these things only come to light once you’ve lived with a head for a while. I just know I need to improve mine which is why I was watching this. Oh, and I also use mine for a spotting scope.
Yes, you are dead right on that, I forgot to mention it!
Thank you for a very practical discussion on the various types of Tripod Heads. I've been trying to talk myself into a Gimbal Mount for the past few months. After all, most of the 'cool kids' on the InterWeb have them. 😊 After a great deal of research and soul searching I've decided my Sachtler FSB-8 Fluidhead does everything I require of it. I've not found anything, with the exception of raising the height (without adjusting the tripod) I can't do with the Fluidhead. Plus, there's the video application. I use my rig with a Sony a6700 and Sony SEL200600G lens. For most wildlife and birds I use the Fluidhead without the Pan/Tilt arm. Just like a Gimbal I pan/tilt the lens holding the body with the one hand, and steady the lens with the other. My 'off hand' is used to zoom and focus. When balanced, with Drag and Counterbalance properly adjusted, the camera wil stay in position at the end of any pan/tilt. A big plus IMHO. All I can say is it works for me. If, I hadn't already owned the Sachtler FSB-8 I might have gone a different way?
I think you made the right choice. That fluid head is by all accounts excellent.
Another great upload and imparting of real world experience...... I know you have made a video previously about your "vehicle door" mounted system but was hoping to see some reference to it with "heads" you have or can use with it.
Hi, I use the doormount with all the heads in this video. The articulated arm on the mount has an arca profile so I can fit a clamp (made for the doormount) to the bottom of each head and change them very quickly. I keep three heads lined up on the back seat and just grab the one I need.
I'll try to put together a more in-depth video about it.
Hi Will. I know a couple of others have commented on them too but I use a Uniqball (same basic principle as the Flexshooter) and really love the way it combines the benefits of a ball head fluid head and gimbal whilst avoiding some of the downsides.
Thanks. Yep I am behind the times it seems!
No problem and still a useful video Will. With my Uniqball , as with most things, there are still compromises but overall it suits me.
Hi Will
I’ve had almost everything under the sun, but the best I have found for photography (not video) is the German FLM ball he’d. A superb bit of kit, silky smooth and precision built. Makes Manfrotto look like cheap tat.
Having said that, I am using a tripod les and less as inbuilt IS of Olympus cameras and lenses is fantastic.
Hi Ray, yes I think we all end up collecting a bit of tat at first and then settle on something decent with experience. I remember trying to persuade my sister when she started (she's a chef/food photographer/blogger) that she didn't need to buy a Canon 24-70 F2.8 ii at vast expense and just to get a tripod and use the 50mm 1.4 she already had! Wow was she resistant. No need to hand hold food shots in a dark kitchen! I think a lot of people think camera and lens before support.
Greetings from Finland. Thanks for the nice videos.
Thanks Benny! :)
Great topic,I found the Flexshooter Pro to be the most versatile head available,I am not affiliated with them,but after using Pro Media Gear,various models,Wemberley and Manfrotto the Flexshooter is the best of both.
Hello Will,best wishes mate,
Hi David, thanks. I haven't heard of them, they aren't available in SA, which is fairly standard for accessories. I shall have to do some research - it would be nice not to need so many heads. I doubt I would get away from the need for a fluid head though?
Very relevant Will - I use a Benro fibre tripod with an Acratech Panoramic head and leveler together with a Benro GHA "sidekick" gimbal. This facilitates all the angles of movement and is small enough for transportation. Thanks Will.
Hi Axel, thanks for this info - I'm lucky at the moment with Basil acting as my camera bag but I hope to travel lighter in future, so I'll check this gear out.
Thank you
You're welcome Natalia :)
Your videos are so relevant for someone who lives in a climate very similar to yours with the issues of heat, drought and flood. You are also demystifying South Africa for me and make me appreciate that I can walk pretty much anywhere I want in the bush I usually shoot in far north tropical Australia. Being stuck shooting from a car as much as it appears you are, for numerous reasons (safety & regulation?), is not for me. Cyclone season here now too. Thanks Will.
Hi David, thanks for watching. Yeah, it is a great thing to be able to walk around the bush. So hard to do here. More and more we are seeing the reintroduction of species into areas that were safe to walk. e.g. Lions , elephants and rhinos in Marakele (a really scenic hiking area). Now we can't leave the vehicle. I get why they do it, for tourism and also conservation, but it is not nice being cooped up in a car and unable to shoot the angles.
In Liuwa plains in Zambia, they have a rule that you can exit the car and stay within 10m - I was able to shoot from the roof and also the ground. I had a nice moment with a hyena walking past 1m away from me - not necessarily wise but I let it approach me in a squatting position and figured I could stand to change my 'threat' profile if I needed it to back off. It's a real liberation. It does get to me sometimes that we are nanny'd so much - I did spend some time up a tree after dark evading a hippo a while back too, It was scary but enjoyable too... Back in the 1900's people could go where they wanted. Even the 60's in Zambia - my mums dogs were eaten by leopard and my grandma chased up the drive by some lions - adds spice to life!
@@WillGoodlet big cats, rhino and elephants don't mix with unsupervised tourists I guess. I saw you evading an elephant in one video in the car. One rule for everyone I assume. Amazing what you can do with 400mm from the car. Very impressive. Hiking and 4WDing are huge here, you would love it. Take care and thanks.
That’s a very relevant video Will. I have changed through the different heads over the years too, and have concluded the fluid head is my favourite choice. My ballhead is on a shelf gathering dust, my gimbal is too but I hope to get it out if airshows ever happen again! The only issue with the fluid head, as you say is levelling it. No problem if you have plenty of cash but all gets expensive if not. I might have to sell my body, but doubt it’s worth much
Hi Andrew, thanks for watching it. Yeah, I doubt there are many who haven't got a collection of heads. My problem is I tried to buy cheap/value and ended up buying more than one.
Are the airshows in doubt due to covid or the crash a while back?
@@WillGoodlet Airshows were stopped by Covid. The crash had the effect of keeping the aircraft more distant from the crowd. However some Airshows are advertising this year so I hope! I am like you, buy cheap but not always worth it! I am planning to start a n aircraft photography channel this spring so might ask you to judge it if you are interested!
Hi Andrew, great to hear the airshows may be coming back and exciting news on the channel! Look forward to seeing it :)
Hey Will, another video full of great ideas, albeit not the most sexy subject. The cost of gimbals always put me off but I found a Yelangu A17 head from China at about a quarter of the price of a Benro (in RSA anyway) and so far it has proved to be smooth, well built and reliable. My largest lens is the Canon 100-400 with a 2x but I reckon it would also support the bigger lenses I can’t afford!
Cheers Steve. Thanks for the info on the Yelangu, it's great to see all these options appearing. It used to be a very niche option but its good to see some competition. We get very few of the options available in the US or UK over here. The retailers tend to stick to the well known brands whom they have relationships with. Import duties can also be prohibitive. I get very jealous when I see so many simple solutions on Amazon, or used hear at B&H and KES that I can't lay my hands on.
If I had six thumbs you would get them all up. Clear and concise as usual. Thank you sir.
Thanks so much Mike :)
Astrophotography tripods avoid the problem. Adjust the legs near enough right, use the bubble to level the ball mount, then use the fluid head bubble to level the platform. So easy.
Great video Will! was wondering if you've heard of the gitzo fluid gimbal head? sounds like a neat option as well
Yes I have! It looks very nice but expensive I’d guess. I haven’t used one myself.
That first spider shot was awesome! 🕸
Cheers Ray, I think it is a silver vlei spider from the indigenous forest near Magoebaskloof - can't wait to head up there for the channel (it's upside down in the pic tho' - artistic licence).
Not boring at all Will, excellent overview of the various options, their strengths and weaknesses. BTW if you hadn't mentioned the cyclone I wouldn't have known, the audio was fine.
Thanks Mick!
You should have a look at the flexshooter heads... interesting compromise between a ballhead and a gimbal head....
Yes they look interesting thanks for the suggestion - not sure how they will suit me because of video. But not available here and pricing in Rand probably prohibitive given the exchange rate.
Have you tried arcatech' s long lens head? You can use arca-swiss plate on it.
You deserved a million subscribers!
Haha thanks :)
As always a very informative and thought provoking video. I never thought of using a ball head in the ways you demonstrated. I personally use a Benro Gimbal head for wildlife using long lenses from 100-400 and 500 f/4. I shoot most of my video on an M50 with some M series lenses as well as with the 100-400 with EF-M adapter. Do you think a fluid head would be best for the M50?
Hey Martin, thanks for watching and the info here - I think we are in a lucky position as wildlifers. For video, we have such tight shots most of the time that levelling is not an issue.
I find that pans feel a little 'retro' to me, so I'm trying to use them less. The fluid heads really help when shooting tight B-roll when you need smooth movements for foliage, tilt-ups along roads - that kind of stuff, I like them a lot. For stills a gimbal is fine too. But you are doing commercial work, interiors, exteriors, buildings maybe people? Little different to me. You may find a fluid really good for that. Also any kind of product shot, plate of food on a table etc...
With the M50 IS, 60FPs you can pan reasonably well if you then slow down the video in post and stabilise it.
I have used a fluid head for long lens stills wildlife photography for around 20 years now and I swear by them. My old original manfrotto 501 is just about still serviceable and I use it on a very old tripod whenever I need support in ponds, rivers or other watery situations. I now have the Manfrotto 502 as my main head and a Benro S6 as an additional back up. I do own a ball head but am not a big fan having 'cut my photographic teeth' as it were, on the old standard 3 way head. The 3 way head is a great piece of kit, giving a good range of movement on 3 axis and is perfect for landscape, macro and most static subjects. It does fall short when it comes to moving subjects though.
As with most things in this life, tripod heads are subject to whims. It seems that so many newcomers to photography have an inordinate desire to emulate their TH-cam heroes and buy whatever equipment their favourite host is currently using in the hope that they may become better photographers themselves.
Well explained Will and you actually opened my eyes to some of the possibilities of the ball head which I hadn't previously thought of.
All the best.
Thanks for this Robert. Great to hear how you shoot. I prefer Fluids too - but if it's pure stills photography for landscape then I like the ball for compactness and easy use. I also have an ancient (and enormous) Manfrotto 3-way which I didn't introduce as there was a focus on wildlife. I like them, but this one is far too big for hiking.
The trouble I have is also shooting video, I pretty much have to do that now wherever I go - unless I take a break and shoot only for myself. So a fluid has to go along too.
@@WillGoodlet hi Will, I never shoot video so I don't have that issue.
My 3 way head is also ancient. It is coupled with a huge manfrotto triaut tripod which was bought around 1982 to support my equally huge Mamiya RB67. I'm glad I'm not carrying that lot around any more. It's probably the reason why my back and joints are in such a state. 😢
Will, awesome video. Thanks for sharing this information with us. I note you use a Manfrotto and Benro fluid head, any reason for one over the other?
Hi Quentin, I was actually trying them out - I've got a video on it but it is hyper-boring, not sure whether to inflict it on people!
@@WillGoodlet Thanks mate, I am watching it now. Will, you have a wealth of knowledge to share keep it up. Hopefully, We will be abler to catch up in SA when this Covid-19 in more controlled. Take care.
Awesome, Sunday just got better lol ... just off to get a Coffee!!!
Back and watched 😂..... Have you seen the FlexShooter ballheads, quite expensive but i like the look of them. Jealous of your FStopper bag ive had one on order for over a month now and im being told its down to importing into the UK due to Brexit? cant see it to be fair as ive had stuff shipped in since ordering it Via Ireland etc with no problems at all 🤔..... Great video well presented as always buddy, and yes, im a nerd.... lol
Thanks JP. No I haven't heard of it before - we don't get a lot of accessories imported here as we are such a small market, so we are often behind the latest gear. I just wanted to talk about what I use and why. All my bags were stolen (x 3) The Fstop is not big enough but it is a nice bag. I am going to get a couple custom made over here when I get a chance, the one thing we do have is some great makers of rifle cases etc... that can make stuff for cameras to spec.
@@WillGoodlet I've bought a 70ltr with all the gubbins kit one so hopefully that will be fine for my needs, have a look at that head, i'm trying to get over the fact its 450 quid then ill probably get one, i currently use the Gitzo tripod and fluid gimbal for my 300 and 600 but that ball head looks the business and is very compact...Custom made bag sounds great! hurry up and get one so when i come to SA i can pick one up lol 😂
Thanks Will. Good timing have just been trying to figure out how to stabilize my videos as I have been hand holding up till now and even with the in body stabilization on the R5 it is not perfect.
Hi, thanks for watching. Yeah keeping steady isn't easy - really hard hand-held. You can also do a lot to help by shooting a high frame rate, but you probably know that already?
I am shooting a 60fps at the moment and slowing down to 23.976 on the timeline which evens out a lot of the jitter.
@@WillGoodlet Thanks for the tip I will try that.
I have a Really Right Stuff ball head although it doesn`t get a lot of use .
Its on a Manfrotto Art 190 tripod which I`ve had for probably over 30 years .
Yeah, if you get the good stuff to begin with (unlike me!!) you can use it forever. I would have saved a lot if I had just bought a good ball at the beginning. I now have 3 useless balls, 1 OK ball and a good one.
I am lucky in that I can use the bad balls for attaching gopros and the like...at least
Very interesting, with the side to side tilt issues on the gimbal and fluid head, is it an option to loosen the lens foot sleeve and rotate the lens?
Yes sure - I do this most of the time. It’s just that some short lenses don’t have that ability
You didn't mention the Uniqball, or the newer Flex Shooter ball heads, that allow you to adjust the head for level panning, and then give you controlled movement in the horizontal and vertical planes, without the camera flopping to the side. These combine the best aspects of both the classic ball head and the gimbal head, without the problems inherent in either. The Flex Shooter is now the only head I take with me, for landscape and wildlife photography. It handles my 600mm f/4 as well as the Wimberley gimbal.
Thanks Simon, good to know - I've never heard of them before (I see they are not available here - like most things), I'll check them out.
Very interesting. Never heard of this ball head. Can it handle a Canon FD 800mm 5.6 L lens with Canon T90 body (total weight of 6.0 kg = 13.3 lb) ?? Thank you.
haha. Thanks again, ball head under tripod, never even knew you could do it... Another good video tried the upside-down ball head worked a treat :) im going to get a fluid head soon. Whats the best ball head you recommend for a all-round set up, Canon 6d mk2 with sigma 150 600..
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Hi Rick, thanks :) I've had my ballhead so long now that I am out of touch! There must be a lot of new contenders. I also see some of the guys have been talking about the flexshooter - that looks pretty awesome (but pricey!) The good news is that unlike cameras, heads will be with you for many years so it's worth making a good choice.
Thanks for the tips and tricks.
No problem!
@@WillGoodlet still going to RSA in July hope we can meet and shot together. Will go first to the Kgadagari first for two weeks then drive to Johannesburg
Hopefully by July things will be a lot better - although we are predicted to have a 3rd wave here around then, hopefully there will be a vaccine program kicking in by then.
@@WillGoodlet lets hope so
I on occasion use my gimbal head for shooting birds in flight but none of these manufacturers offer a suggestion for the fact that the fluids get soooo sticky in winter cold temperatures as to make the Gimbal unusable. They don't even answer my queries about a possible fix. Thanks for a great video as always.
Hi Larry, yeah I've read about that too. I did read somewhere about a special head or fluid change - obviously we don't suffer from nearly as cold conditions over here. But it's definitely an issue for anyone in colder climates.
If I remember, the topic was on older fluid heads and the fact that these were made specifically for use in cold climates and modern equivalents were unavailable? - I'll if I can find it again.
Hudson Henry persuaded me that a video tripod for landscape photography is a good idea.
The clearance for the battery grip problem might be solved with an arca swiss clamp adding to the height.
I've made my own modification to my gimbal to give me an adjustable drag, with a 'spring-loaded' function, so that it has adjustable friction, instead of the ON/OFF locking...this gives quite smooth tracking,
Good stuff. How does it work?
Very interested in your mod since I have a gimbal currently
Check out the Fanotec Eze leveller for use under a gimbal or fluid head!
Thanks Arnold, I had a look. I do have a levelling head but rarely need it.
Excellent content as usual Will. I've been toying with getting a fluid head, looking at the Manfrotto 502. Is the Benro worth the extra money? I have the Benro GH5C carbon fibre gimbal and it is a supberb head, strong light and smooth. I also have a Manfrotto 3 way head which is also very good, so I'm torn!
Hi Tristan - I'm copy pasting a response below - I haven't yet decided on it. Subject of the next video if you have time....? PS. I finally got my pin from google :) Was demonetised for a while too - boy did that make me grumpy!
That's a tough one and the subject of an upcoming video head to head. It will depend on your equipment and how important video is to you.
The Manfrotto has better and more consistent drag adjustment. The Benro tends to loosen and tighten in the pans (which is awful) unless it's above '7' in the 1-10 adjustment. For big lenses you would want 10 for video anyway. It also doesn't lock down as firmly as the Manfrotto despite being heavier and having more metal build and more expense.
But, the motion of the beginning and ends of the pans and tilts is definitely better in the benro. It produces better video.
The other advantage of the Benro is the adjustable counter balance, this makes it FAR better for large lenses and video equipment.
For 70-200 and 100-400 the Manfrotto is fine. If video 'sticktion' is not a big problem (primarily a stills shooter) the Manfrotto is my preference. For better video and 400-500-600mm lenses the Benro is my preference.
@@WillGoodlet thanks Will. For my needs it sounds like the Manfrotto will so the trick. I dont have any of the large lenses (yet!), using a combo of a 70-200 2.8 and the two Nikon PF lenses (300 amd 500, super sharp and light)
Thanks Will your up take has just made my mind up on whether to switch to a fluid head from a manfrotto 393...
which is your favourite out of the manfrotto and the benro fluid heads?
That's a tough one and the subject of an upcoming video head to head. It will depend on your equipment and how important video is to you.
The Manfrotto has better and more consistent drag adjustment. The Benro tends to loosen and tighten in the pans (which is awful) unless it's above '7' in the 1-10 adjustment. For big lenses you would want 10 for video anyway. It also doesn't lock down as firmly as the Manfrotto despite being heavier and having more metal build and more expense.
But, the motion of the beginning and ends of the pans and tilts is definitely better in the benro. It produces better video.
The other advantage of the Benro is the adjustable counter balance, this makes it FAR better for large lenses and video equipment.
For 70-200 and 100-400 the Manfrotto is fine. If video 'sticktion' is not a big problem (primarily a stills shooter) the Manfrotto is my preference. For better video and 400-500-600mm lenses the Benro is my preference.
Many thanks Will I'm primarily a stills photographer mainly with a r5 and 500f4ii so it sounds like the manfrotto is the way go👍🏻
Will another good video. Could not agree more with you on the Gimbal especially shooting from inside the car. The height of the camera then also makes it difficult. On other videos from you I do see you are using the Gimpro door bracket. However, are you using the ball head, fluid head or gimbal on the gimpro door bracket. I also find the gimpro door bracket a nightmare to deal with depending on the car model. What are other options for shooting from inside a car?
Hi Alpesh, I use mainly the fluid head on the Gimpro. But there is a clamp one can screw in the bottom of the heads. I have one on each of my heads so I change head very quickly if needed.
I think the newer brackets fit a few different vehicles. The original one I use was made for landrovers specifically, so it works really well.
If I didn't have the gimpro, I'd use a beanbag. I've also seen some nice brackets made in the US - www.eckla.de/en/eckla-eagle.html - I like that you can mount this inside.
Also, you can make things very simple! Two poles with padding arranged on top of the passenger seat and dashboard horizontally and strapped tight. Your camera bag fits on the seat underneath and you shoot out the left window braced on the poles.
@@WillGoodlet thanks
Another informative video Will. I guess the only way to mount a ballhead or any other head on car door is with a doorbracket of some sorts? Or do you have a few tricks up your sleeve? What about a video on the most common mistakes people new to nature/wildlife photography make. Just an idea.
Hey Izak, thanks for watching. I think there may be very heavy beanbags that have a screw thread that mounts a head? I'm not sure if I am imagining this or I saw it somewhere though! Alternatively, I have often though of mounting some kind of swing down arm to my roofrack and mounting the ball upside down to that. And then finally, if you don't want to use a bag or a door mount for wildlife there is always the belt loop or strap option. In my case I'd dangle a strap from the roofrack an hook it to the lens - but thats not for balls. Oh! I forgot, I've seen Hahnes Lochners landy has a rail mounted all along the side for clamping heads and lights to. Obviously, quite a radical decision to alter the vehicle like that :)
Thanks for the video idea! I know I make mistakes all the time - pot calling the kettle black as they say!?
@@WillGoodlet thanks. What is your thoughs on window mounts similar to the ones Vanguard and GPB makes?
I haven't tried them before. I guess they are ok for smaller lenses and camera systems?
Super
Thanks
Hi again .I would appreciate a video from you on settings and techniques for video on the R5 and the 100-500 if you have it. Thanks.
Oh haha, just answered your other comment! Yes, it's a fairly substantial topic, I wasn't sure if most people on here were mainly stills shooters. But I do have some info I could share on this.
@@WillGoodlet Wood be appreciated. It is very difficult to find information on videoing for birds when you are just beginning.
@@rentoulzz Ok I will see what I can do :)
Hey Will, I have a question regarding battery grips. I've heard some people say that knock-off brands aren't trustworthy and that they should be avoided. Do you have any experience with it and what are your thoughts? I want to get a grip and 2nd battery for my 7d ii but the Canon grips cost like 5x or more than some third party brands..
I've used two knock-offs and they have been fine. But I've also heard stories. Particularly of 3rd party batteries. A friend had a 3rd party battery catch fire in a 1D Mark iv but that was 5 or 6 years ago. I like the Meike grips and they have been good value for me.
@@WillGoodlet So you don't have problems with the connections of the grip or battery? The things I've heard are the connections can give problems causing the camera to lose power while shooting 🙈
Thanks, I will check the Meike grips out.
Not so far
Your still images always appear to be pin sharp. Do you turn off the image stabilising system on you cameras and lenses when using camera support in your Land Rovers and tripod and/or monopod. Thank you for the excellent videos. Alun
Hi Alun, generally I don’t unless I remember to at very high shutter speeds! Normally I’m just grabbing the camera to take advantage of a moment and leave stabilization on in case I have to hand hold.
Some canon lenses purport to have tripod sensing features so perhaps that is helpful
So, it’s our fault that this is boring?! 😉 well, I found it useful. Thank you 🙏
Happy to hear that!
Hi Will, I learn so much from you, thank you. And I must apologise I often forget to like a video after watching it. I haven't watched one yet I haven't liked. Cheers from the Flinders Ranges South Australia.
Thanks again Lisa, so glad to hear that! The Flinders look gorgeous!!
Excellent video. Sorry, but you do have security stops on the Arca Swiss type QR plates. I have 2 RRS QR release plates and do have the security stops at both ends to prevent your rig (camera and telephoto lens) from sliding out of the clamp. I have also flanges to put on the plate if needed. I have Wimberley MH-200 gimball head and I am very pleased with it fir my wildlife photography don't do videos though. I have an Arca Swiss ballhead B1 for my general photography and landscape photography. I understand that a Fluid head would be the right choice..but, thete tow points to consider with Fluid heads, the load capacity and the maintenance..I never used one, but cannot say much about that..really. For me, all these different heads are just tools in the box. each one has its own use.. Said that, great video and thank you very much for sharing your experiences with these heads and showing their pros and cons..this will help a lot of people in their choice for their type of photography they do.Agree with with, if I had to keep one head, it will be the Ballhead for its versatility Well done, Will.
Thanks so much for watching and more importantly for the extra details and experience in your comment, it’s very helpful for everyone! All the best, Will
@@WillGoodlet You are very welcome. Thank you.
thanks for informative video but here is an out of topic question if you wish :) do you have myasthenia gravis ?
No. I'm just blind in my left eye.
Will, my apologies if you’ve already answered this question, but have you considered the Gitzo 2-way Fluid Head (GHF2W)? It has fluid cartridges for smooth operation, allows the use of standard Arca-Swiss lens/camera plates, and doesn’t break the bank at a little over US$300. What I don’t know is whether it balances with a battery grip on the camera. Used with the leveling base and tripod that I saw earlier on in this video, that might make a solid setup that isn’t too difficult to pack.
Hi Philip, thanks for watching and the suggestion. No, I hadn't seen or heard of it. Normally, I shy away from Gitzo because there is often a massive markup applied here. But I see it is listed at $313 (but no stock). The only issue I see is the payload at 4kg is quite a lot lower than my needs. Thanks for pointing the option out!
Great point about the Gitzo head’s payload - I hadn’t noticed that detail. I have a different question though. What’s that support device on the door of your vehicle? You usually have that Benro or Manfrotto head attached to it. Is it custom manufactured?
@@ppierpont I have a video on it - it’s a Gimpro door mount made on SA.
th-cam.com/video/-b224uT-tVk/w-d-xo.html
I've been watching so many videos for such a long time on photography, kit and techniques etc, in an attempt to drive my own photography to the next level (I've been taking very average images since a boy!) - away from the technical towards the thinking, art and emotion. As a predominantly wildlife and nature photographer we are bombarded by kit updates and technical comparisons - it's really overwhelming. I watched your video on sharpness and was really moved by your thoughts on the art and emotion of photography (in ref to the elephant image you took). What if we could combine nature and wildlife with the same (non-constant scientific approach) to photography? Combine nature / wildlife with the art and expression of say Roni Horn, Eggleston or Winogrand?? Maybe too ambitious. I know one thing - we all just need to get out there, be empathic, really look... and tell a story from our own experience... it's that which is important I think.
Hi Kevin, yes I know and feel the same. The products and reviews bury everything else.
You've probably come across that famous quote by Wittgenstein - 'the limits of my language mean the limits of my world' and it strikes me as resoundingly true of internet search engines.
They aren't passive - but shape most of what we see and read - it's disturbing - placing products ahead of art and ideas.
It seems to me that there is a lot to nature photography and not all of it is actually about photography!
To be capable of producing great images - like the heroes of photography - well that would be something - but so is their inspiration to, as you say, 'tell a story from our own experience'.
With the fluid heads could you not level the camera by rotating the lens collar?
Yes sure but only in the lenses with collars.
tzur lisbona
לפני שנייה
will, thank you. you raised my problems exactly. got to the same conclusions. one note though: as we move to mirrorless, gear gets lighter. with time, I will immigrate and trade my beloved, expensive lenses to native mirroless mount. this means lighter heads. today I use a 2.7 KG system, might get to 3.2 with the grip. so, a manfrotto 500MH is the next purchase. don't like this firm too much, but they seem to be the reasonable price to value choice. hope it will do the job. thank u.
Hi Also I walk around for my videoing and a tripod is heavy so would you advise using a tropod or a mono pod. Thanks.
I very rarely use a monopod, so tripod mostly for me. I'd guess a lot depends on what you are videoing? I know some can video with a monopod successfully. Is it wildlife and birds? Of course, you don't want to have to cart all that clobber around if you don't need to!
@@WillGoodlet Thanks for replying. yes I photograph Birds in NZ mainly on a tidal beach with waders which move around a lot. I love the quality of the 4K on the R5 and the 100-500 gives a great zoom with the crop mode activated. It's actually amazing the clarity. Only problem is the stability with that level of zoom. Would you say that a light tripod and that fluid head you talked about would work just crouching on the beach. I can't test it first before buying. Thanks. I don't have far to walk just need to know if it will work in my situation before spending the money. Have you tried the R5 with a long lens for videoing and is it stable. I suppose with the crop factor on the 100-500 it would be around 700mm. The IBIS is amazing but not that good.
@@rentoulzz Yes, I use the R5 all the time with a long lens. 400 and 560mm mostly. I think that before your get a tripod and head, try to work with the frame rates.
There is an update that is coming out for 1080p at 120fps which is going to help considerably.
I should note, that the idea here is to record in high frame rates and then slow the footage down in production.
If you use a program like Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve (free) you can stabilise the footage further.
There are also tracking effects that can be applied in After effects (if you have the full adobe subscription) that can also stabilise the image.
If you want to show high quality footage of the waders in real time, not slowed down, then using a proper (preferably video not stills) tripod (it's easier to level but heavier) and a fluid head is the way to go. Tying elastic bands to the panning handle and using these to pan and tilt (pull the bands not the handle) will make the start and end of the pans very smooth.
Telephoto video usually is a bit of a pain in the butt, and requires a bit of care sadly!
Oh! before I forget - you need to have a care with tripod selection on the beach - salt and sand can ruin them fast. So research is key.
@@WillGoodlet Thanks Will. Great info. I am trying the reduction in frames rates after. Makes quite a difference. Wow the videoing is a challenge. I like it but!.
Great! Are you using Premiere Pro? Have you tried stabilising your footage in there too?
I use a Wimberly "knock-off" with my Canon 1D and 100-400L...all good thus far so feeling pretty smug about the money I've saved :D
Haha yes, it's quite a feat NOT to have accumulated a bunch of useless heads and made the right choice first time round ! :)
You can use a cheese cake plate or 2 to raise the height..
Hi Will! I have been trying to access your website, but it seems to be down for the last few days. Please check!
Nope it's working willgoodlet.com
Enjoyed your video very much, One other thing with camera flop on a ball head is you can also trap your fingers. Ouch !
Haha yeah, forgot about that! Thanks for watching Colin :)
Cheers from Washington State, do you have an affiliate link for Gimpro ?
Hi David thanks and cheers to you to. No I don’t have any affiliation sadly.
@Will Goodlet Thanks for letting me know, and please keep the great content coming....
You left out the best one - the Flexshooter PRO
I don't own one, and hadn't heard about it. I will look into it although I can't see them available in SA.
@@WillGoodlet Also not available in AU, I had to order one direct from the manufacturer. Built like a brick and works just like a gimbal except you can't pinch your fingers ! Fine for my Sony 200-600 but I am sure it will also be fine for a bigger 600 f4. The only thing it doesn't do is panning for panoramas since you can't independently lock vertical movement.
Have you tried it for video? That's my main limiting factor these days. Looks like a great stills solution especially for travel.