p.1 #1 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
I'm traveling and looking to travel very light. I want a photographic ballhead that can also double as a light duty panning head for a small GH3. Is there such a thing?
p.1 #3 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
Check out the Arca Swiss P0 ballhead. It is quite small lightweight and has the panning section above the ball. In this arrangement you don't have to level the legs just level the head with the in-built level and shoot.
I have the one with the Slidefix plate (smaller) but you can get one which uses full size Arca plates.
p.1 #4 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
I use one of the Actratech GP heads (well, GP-S in my case) for this. They allow you to flip the head over so the panning feature can be made level without having to futz with trying to level the tripod. I normally then mount the camera on an RRS MPR-CL plate to deal with parallax, and an L plate on the camera to allow for vertical or horizontal mounting.
p.1 #5 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
^ +1 to Richard's post. Another member here also bought that Acratech ballhead and reported back that the inverted head removes the need for a leveling base as well as providing the panning function. I'm the fairly new owner of a simple Acratech ballhead and it's beautifully made and finished and very light in weight. And it also works very well.
p.1 #6 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
If you already own a head you like, you can easily add a panning clamp. I've seen models from RRS and Sunwayfoto. I own the Sunwayfoto DDH-03N and like it a lot (very compact but smooth as silk). I simply level the ball and pan the clamp.
p.1 #7 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
rkgatteleport wrote:
I use one of the Actratech GP heads (well, GP-S in my case) for this. They allow you to flip the head over so the panning feature can be made level without having to futz with trying to level the tripod. I normally then mount the camera on an RRS MPR-CL plate to deal with parallax, and an L plate on the camera to allow for vertical or horizontal mounting.
Best,
rkg
(Richard George)
How is the motion on the panning? I was going to use it to also pan while shooting video on the GH3. Could you get a smooth pan with it? Is it dampened pretty consistently?
EDIT:
And I don't get it. What's stopping you from flipping ANY ballhead with a panning base upside down and making the panning level without having to mess with the tripod?
I just watched the video for the GP () and when you flip any ballhead and panning base all you'd have to do it remove the screw in the base of the tripod, screw the 3/8" part of the ball into the base of the tripod, and transfer the screw that you just removed from the base of the tripod into the now upside down base of the ballhead and connect that with the detached quick release clamp.
p.1 #8 · Any kind of a photographic ballhead that can actually double duty as a panning head?
The panning motion is fairly smooth, but I'd think maybe you need an arm to attach to the camera/head if you're shooting much video with it and want to pan...
There actually isn't anything to prevent you from turning other ball heads upside down other than the physical arrangement (few have a 3/8" threaded end where the clamp would go so you can screw it onto the tripod, you kind of need some kind of foot to spread the force on the tripod or the arrangement can be wobbly, etc). - if you got a spare, give it a shot :-)
Best,
rkg
(Richard George) fuzzybabybunny wrote:
How is the motion on the panning? I was going to use it to also pan while shooting video on the GH3. Could you get a smooth pan with it? Is it dampened pretty consistently?
EDIT:
And I don't get it. What's stopping you from flipping ANY ballhead with a panning base upside down and making the panning level without having to mess with the tripod?
I just watched the video for the GP () and when you flip any ballhead and panning base all you'd have to do it remove the screw in the base of the tripod, screw the 3/8" part of the ball into the base of the tripod, and transfer the screw that you just removed from the base of the tripod into the now upside down base of the ballhead and connect that with the detached quick release clamp....Show more →
