(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best tripod heads

i have manfrotto 055xb legs and a benro bh2 ballhead.

the ballhead's only single-action, so i have to unlock it if i want to rotate. i don't have a problem with this, but some people might. this combination is pretty stable, too. it holds my D700/mb-d10 and 70-200 VR1 no problems, nice and steady. the center post isn't perfectly stable when you extend it all the way, but they never are.

i wasn't out looking for the best tripod money can buy. you can easily spend a thousand or more on a tripod. i use a tripod once in a blue moon, and it's usually more to hold my camera than anything else. still, i wanted something rock solid, without breaking the bank. and this was the perfect balance for me.

i found it by shopping at my local camera store, and trying out what they had. i paid a little bit more than the amazon price, but i think it's worth it to try things out and then physically leave the store holding your purchase. my friends were pretty amazed that i found a tripod this good for under $250.

I'm a big fan of this ballhead. It's out of stock right now, but it comes back, and it's on ebay. It's as smooth as I could ask for and locks tight with no droop. I wanted arca swiss so I could use an L plate for verticals, and to standardize my mounting system across tripods, steadycams and gimbals.

For a tripod I have this one. It's beefy and is a perfect match for that ballhead, size wise. The added benefit with those tilting center columns is that you can put it out horizontal and do sweeping pans for a faux slider video shot. But, I don't much like it, on account of it's size and weight. I liked the Dolica better, it's light and easy to move around, fold the legs in to walk through a doorway, and my tablet holder fit on it's center column. These bigger ones, I'm always worried I'm gonna knock the leg off of someones end table or smash a door frame.

This is what I use -- Induro 8x carbon fiber tripod. Has a bubble level, optional spikes for the feet, super light, easy to carry and use and costs less than $300. I have a Kirk BH-3 ballhead on it which is also very good. IMO spend some money on a good ballhead/legs combo and it'll last a very long time; better than nickle and diming it and constantly upgrading to better parts. Just buy the right stuff and be done with it.

/u/steamknight563 - if you can stretch your budget by about $7, I recommend a [$59 Rode VideoMicro] (https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMicro-Compact--Camera-Microphone/dp/B015R0IQGW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20), along with a [$7.99 swivel ball/hot shoe mount] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WQRR0R6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) for your recorder, a [$13.99 hot shoe extender] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IYGKNIQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) to mount both the recorder & mic on top of your camera and a [$26.24 Sescom TASDR100 line attenuation cable] (http://adorama.evyy.net/c/60286/51926/1036?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2FSELN2TSDR100.html) to connect the Tascam DR-22wl to your camera, as seen [here with my Tascam DR-40] (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOxyCpwCoEramxFGZbonvkGqoY6KZGXLZ7AXOrjJyoRaV63-ztKBLgpQKVuDATjPA/photo/AF1QipOhNEqCsF1C1UxeHSMdbiZV0jNeP8KwXwUFwv5B?key=c0VmZVk4dC1laXlPb2tEQUVlYnlKT19oV09nTHVB).

The VideoMicro will improve your pickup over the built-in mic (as seen in [this video] (https://vimeo.com/146584593) from Mark Toal) and the recorder will give you the option of dual system sound.

If you haven't already, you might want to subscribe to /r/PanasonicG7 - there are some knowledgeable folks over there who can help you get the most out of your camera.

Hope this is helpful and good luck with your audio upgrade!

Agreed. I ditched Photomatix too because I didn't like how it rendered wood. For example, I shot a gorgeous library that was floor-to-ceiling oak and Photomatix made it look pinkish-red. I would spend hours trying to adjust wood tones in houses without making them look dead, and I don't like how it makes everything look sooty like there had been a house fire. That's a terrible selling point in my line of work. So I switched to LR and it is so much better.

My workflow is actually quite similar to yours except that I export from LR right into PS to make any edits (Ctrl-E). When I save the edits in PS (Ctrl-S) it automatically brings the new version into LR.

Also, do you know about merging brackets using (Ctrl-Shift-H) instead of just (Ctrl-H)? It skips the preview screen and expedites the process. I just learned about it a few months ago and it made such a difference for me I tell everyone that will listen or cares.

I'm sure you know about setting your lens correction in LR to fix distortion (I hope). I bought this leveler last November and it has all but eliminated the step of straightening photos. It goes between the camera and tripod and I just make sure the camera is level on 2 planes before I take the shot.

Hope these bits help you!

Edit: Wanted to let you know that I do a fair share of dodging and burning too. I have my Import settings locked to: Highlights all the way to the left, Shadows to the far right, Blacks at -40 and Whites around +15. I then select all photos and do a +10 dehaze. Then I adjust each photo's white balance, specific shadows and highlights as needed. On export I sharpen normally for screen.

Just bought an iOptron Skytracker (not the pro) and know that I need to buy a ball head adapter for me to mount my camera to it. Looking for alternatives to the $60 iOptron ball head, so I've found ball heads similar like:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5FMHMK?psc=1
So here comes the questions I would love for you readers to answer:

1. From the review people seem pleased, is this ball head fine or are there recommended better brands?
   
2. If I do buy this ball head will I need an adapter to screw in into the iOptron Skytracker?
   
3. Is his even compatible with the iOptron skytracker?
   
   Thank you again to all who respond!

Not joining the giveaway, as someone else can probably use it better. But welcome to the HTV Vive Master Race! Its hella fun.

Advice: get light stands like these: Light Stands

and ball mounts like these: Ball Joints

That way you dont have to drill your walls and can move the lighthouses as need be!

Hi /u/me_v3 - are you looking for something like a [$130 motorized pan/tilt head with wired remote control] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008T17W9O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008T17W9O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)? You would have to find a way to convert the wired control to wireless IP to control it from your phone or tablet.

Or you might consider this [$140 wirelessly controlled motorized pan head (no tilt)] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MRXS78/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005MRXS78&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).

With something like a [$20 ZMart remote] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FKY7F2C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00FKY7F2C&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for your phone, you'll have a remotely controlled pan head. With a wi-fi enabled camera like the [$598 Panasonic V750] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPZKQJS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HPZKQJS&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), you'll have a remotely controlled camera solution.

Or are you looking for something like a [$46 IP controlled pan/tilt surveillance camera] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LNZ1L6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003LNZ1L6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)?

Cheers,

Bill

Yes, I'm all about packing light and even the best sliders are still quite big (and expensive). A rotating head adds a very dynamic look with very little added bulk, one like this or a cheaper mechanical one like this.

How are you processing your stills into a video file? If you're using Lightroom, there's a very powerful plugin called LR Timelapse that can do pans and zooms from the still photos, as well as changing any of the color/exposure settings over the course of the shot.

I'm in a similar situation and I've made the mistake of buying a low quality tripod a couple of times. Each time I was never happy with the sharpness of my macro shots/landscapes. So I decided to take a chance and and recently bought an Induro BHD 3 Ballhead and Induro AT413 Alloy AT Series 8M Tripod The ballhead recently arrived and it is really smooth and easy to lock down. I'm still waiting on the tripod to arrive but I've read good reviews about Induro's new line of tripods so I'm hoping it will be worth while. Plus this gear costs a fraction of what the big names charge. Good luck with your gear hunt!

edit: Induro makes smaller tripods and ballheads that are less expensive. I just picked the monster rig so I could grow into it over time.

Not for the piano specifically, but for any top down knolled shots I use Manfrotto gear:

•244 Variable Friction Magic Arm with Camera Bracket

•TwistGrip Universal Smartphone Clamp

•496RC2 Compact Ball Head with Quick Release Plate

•055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod with Horizontal Column

•035RL Super Clamp with 2908 Standard Stud

Amazon is linked, but I recommend looking around before buying, as pro photo gear is usually on sale somewhere.

The only thing not listed is the lighting, but that’s because location/content determines the setup.

This is an awesome one, good quality for the price. If you want even something cheaper but still good check out this one. I have owned both and still use them, if you want value then these are the two you should look into.

These. I bought one for $85 and while it needed to be reassembled a bit, the head itself is pretty solid and pretty amazing for the price.

Depends on how hight the ceiling is at your friends...

If it is normal height, then something like these are the best from what I read...

https://www.amazon.com/FastCap-Support-System--144-Inches-3HAND5/dp/B000067S12/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467363597&sr=8-3&keywords=ceiling+support

the lighthouses can then be mounted on the supports with 2 of these

https://www.amazon.com/SUPON-Camera-Tripod-Holding-Monitor/dp/B00PICAE4C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467363860&sr=8-3&keywords=camera+mount+clamp


I personally bought 2 light stands similar to these because I have a heigher ceiling that the supports can reach
https://www.amazon.com/StudioPRO-Photography-Stands-Carrying-Studio/dp/B00HNZJLG4/ref=sr_1_8?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1467363968&sr=1-8&keywords=light+stand

and I mount the lighthouses on them with 2 of these...

https://www.amazon.com/Cullmann-Adapter-Camera-Screw-Capacity/dp/B00PGMCBP4/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1467364096&sr=1-2&keywords=cullmann+ball+head

It works, but I always fear someone running against the stands while playing , knocking them over. Much better should be the first solution, it also has a smaller footprint using less space than the light stands

I use light stands. They are taller and have a smaller footprint than normal tripods.

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https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Aluminum-7-Foot-Light-Stand/dp/B074VMTP68/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1535956111&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=light+stand&psc=1

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These should work fine.

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Also get a ball swivel. Like this:

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https://www.amazon.com/BESTEAM-Degree-Swivel-Tripod-Camcorder/dp/B01LWE9S9Z/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1535956180&sr=1-3&keywords=ball+swivel

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Note that you don't have to use the max footprint that a tripod can do. You can make it as small as you feel comfortable with. Mine are at like 1 square foot. They are out of the way in the corner so that's fine for me.

I have this paired with this head and I love it. very sturdy, easy to use, and adjustable.

I bought this combination. Works like a charm for my D7000 with a 80-400 Nikon lens.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rocketfish-65-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-RF-TRP65C-/180712772457?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item2a13521369

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-TS-1-TacShot-Release-Monopods/dp/B003U7SR0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314028177&sr=8-1

With the pistol grip and the carbon tripod, cost was around $100.

I gotta clarify, I need something I can get a whole city street with. I can't get the whole street with a 50mm. Not exactly sure how wide I need though.

For the tripods, the $80 fluid head is a Magnus VT-300. The cheap tripod could be anything under $30 like the amazon basics one and the fluid head is a $35 pangshi.

I have a few of the Dolica 62 in. ones. I use them for everything, and they meet my needs. FYI, search for them on Amazon for a much lower price.

On my main tripod, I swapped out the ball head for one of these, which is so much easier to work with.

https://www.amazon.com/Opteka-TS-1-TacShot-Release-Monopods/dp/B003U7SR0U/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1494523035&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=tripod+headpistol+grip

Does anyone know if this tripod will be compatible with this head? I'm looking for a new ball head with a quick release for this set of legs. Any suggestions?

can i use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DXE6J90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

with different tripod?