It's easy to be inspired in photography, but sometimes you need some photography exercises to regain that creativity. Think about the time you will spend with its legs to adjust the level! Landscape photographers, for example, and portrait photographers as another example, would likely choose a pan head over a ball head, specifically for the greater level of control they offer. The quick-release plate in the ball head lets you easily switch from hand-held to tripod without wasting time. Now, you don’t have to worry about the jitter when panning. I started with this pan head tripod: Horizon 8115 2-Way Heavy Duty Tripod. So instead of a pan-head, you can rather go for a “pan & tilt” head tripod for eg: Manfrotto 509HD. The Fujifilm X100v is the latest in the X100 series of compact cameras. Disadvantages of a Pan Head Tripod. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 I is pushing eight years old, but for budget-minded photographers, it represents excellent value in 2021. Because ball heads are so simple and intuitively designed, they're easy to operate. It's called a ball head because there is a ball inside the head that allows you to move your camera. The complexity in design limits the speed of operation. Additionally, the G-20X has Sirui's unique locking mechanism that allows you to apply unparalleled locking force, even with heavy loads (up to 44.1 pounds). With literally hundreds of models on the market, though, choosing the best ball head for your budget and needs can be a confusing process. With the ability to make such quick adjustments, a ball head is a perfect choice for sports photography, wildlife photography, and active portraiture in which your subject is on the move. Does this new version improve on its predecessors? Price: $199. Vanguard's collection of heads include ball heads, pan heads and grip heads. You certainly want something that's easy to use, but be sure that the ease of use doesn't come at the expense of poor build quality. (You also get 2-way heads with just panning and forward/back tilt). There is absolutely no point putting a big heavy video head for instance on a flimsy set of tripod legs. If you are not interested in the multiple angle option and you want to restrict your camera movement to two axes, then… Unsurprisingly, the answer to that question is this - it depends. Benro B2. That means that unlike the ball head, in which one adjustment requires adjustment to all, with a pan head, you can individually adjust each. Be sure to choose a light-weight model if you are a traveler. In this guide, I offer a quick rundown of both types of heads and outline their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. Tweaking the friction to the right amount will provide you incredible control over the pan-movements. A ball head is a simple device that's essentially a ball in a socket, as you can see in the example above, the Sirui G-20X. The head usually consists of 3 control points/knobs: friction control, pan control, and lock mechanism. Additional levers to move the mounted camera. A pan head is very bulky and heavy making it difficult in travel and transport. Plan ahead. Photography & Filmmaking Gear News & Reviews. In contrast, pan head tripods are made for video recording. True 10-bit vs 8-bit + FRC Monitor | What is the difference? Jump straight to: 5 things to look for in a tripod ball head; The best ball heads for tripods in 2021 They also have a complete line of top-quality tripods as well as heads for videography, too. Full Frame vs APS-C Cameras | What do you need? A decent ball head or 3-way head gives solid support for shake-free shooting, but they can be a frustration when you need to make precise adjustments. In the case of the Sirui G-20X, it's rugged metal locking knob provides a solid grip for making adjustments and is built to resist wear. However, with this quick release plate, you can save your time when you want to attach or detach your camera with the tripod. The head is precision-built to offer the smoothest of operation and vibration-free shooting. } Pan heads are complex, and setting it up for a shoot can take time. A ball head on a tripod is what allows you to attach your camera quickly (and securely) to the tripod. That means that when you loosen the screw to make an adjustment to its positioning, you're moving and adjusting it on multiple angles and planes. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. These tripods are portable and lighter in weight. It is always safe and secure under strict control. Fancy ball heads also tend to offer smoother panning movement, and will likely also have better quick-release mechanisms on their tops, often based on the universal Arca-Swiss mount standard. I call this accessory the Double Bubble Camera Level. In this Printique metal print review, learn why this might be the best metal print I've ever gotten. Guides » Comparisons » Tripod Comparisons » Ball Head vs Pan Head Tripods | How are they different? For example, the Sirui G-20X has separate adjustment knobs for locking, friction control, and panning. BMPCC 6K vs Nikon Z6 | Which one is a better video shooter? Also, a ball head is more compact and travels easier. The Panasonic G85 might be a few years old, but it still has the specs and features to make it a highly useful camera. Before we get to the list, though, a little background would probably be helpful fo… If you usually photograph subjects that are on the move, a ball head is the way to go. Due to the simplicity in the mechanism, the ball head lets you track the subject and shoot a picture quickly. A pan head tripod is what you need if you are a vlogger or a short term movie maker. Leveling ball to level the camera without moving tripod legs. If you are planning to capture flying birds or athletes, things will be difficult with a pan head. The pan control, however, lets you pan around left to right without tilting the camera. fill: #000; 3 Legged Thing. A blend of a photographer, a movie lover, and now a writer. A nice pan-head tripod provides you smooth control over the panning and is much sturdier than a normal ball head. When I bought my Star Adventurer, I unscrewed the Pan Head from the tripod and directly attached the SA to the tripod. Friction control or tension control makes sure that your camera is not wobbly when it is not locked. Naturally, this much more precise level of adjustment is a bonus for photographers that don't need to adjust their camera shooting position all that much. Pan heads, like the Manfrotto MHXPRO-3W X-Pro shown above, are a little different from ball heads in that they are more complicated to use, but offer more robust load capacities and a finer level of adjustment and control. In this long-term Sony a6100 review, learn all about its features, specs, price, and more. Pan and tilt heads come in various types, then there are ball heads, pistol grip heads, panoramic heads, fluid heads, video pan heads, geared heads and not forgetting the wildlife photographer’s favourite- the gimbal head. Advantages of a Pan Head Tripod. Pan-tilt heads let you rotate the head through just one plane at a time (horizontal, vertical, and tilt). Sign up to get weekly photography gear news and announcements in your inbox. Pan heads can be used for panoramas, but suffer from the deficiency that the axes of rotation normally do not go through the entrance pupil of the lens and thus can give rise to problems with parallax. Another feature that sets some ball heads apart from others is their build quality. Either way, be sure to do your due diligence when selecting a tripod head. Ball Head vs Fluid Head Tripods | How to choose the right one? 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