Tripod head change

kim · Wednesday 27th December 2017, 17:35

I have a Canon 7d Mark 2 and have just changed my lens to a more heavy Canon 300mmf2.8 and find my current Manfrotto ball head inadequate. I would be grateful for any suggestions or recommendations which would be more suitable for my current set up. Many thanks, Kim

Geoff Pain · Wednesday 27th December 2017, 17:41

I've just upgraded from a 7Dmk2 to a 5Dmk4 and use a Canon 300f2.8 and use a Manfrotto MVH500AH Head and find it to be okay.

kim · Wednesday 27th December 2017, 17:44

Thank you Geoff, my current set up lacks smoothness and feels unstable, will look yours up.

johnf3f · Wednesday 27th December 2017, 21:00

Certainly not a cheap option but I would suggest a Gimbal head. The (pricey) Wimberley 2 is nice but more than you need for a 300 F2.8. Perhaps one of the smaller Jobu or Lensmaster models?

kim · Thursday 28th December 2017, 08:02

I have discovered that there is a branch of WEX in Manchester, I live near Chester so think it best if I go and try some out. Many thanks for your suggestions.

johnf3f · Thursday 28th December 2017, 22:11

Best policy - "try before you buy"!

kim · Tuesday 2nd January 2018, 20:26

It is becoming more difficult. Nowhere in the Northwest seems to stock them. Wex has lots of branches but they do not have them in stock. It is a bit of a pain to have to buy then return if not quite what was wanted.

LesR · Wednesday 3rd January 2018, 05:13

+1 for the Manfrotto MVH500AH Head, works very well with my Sony A77ii and Tamron 150-600 lens.

Stephen Mark · Thursday 4th January 2018, 00:59

I have the 500 and a 502 from Manfrotto and both are good but I use the 502 for my big Kowa scope. If you prefer a ball head then a sirui K30 or K40 should do just fine and they are about a third the price of a RRS 55 head.
Steve

kim · Monday 8th January 2018, 21:51

I went to Calumet (Wex Manchester) on Saturday and found them to be absolutely brilliant. I ended up with the Benro GH2 Gimbal head. They gave me a good discount too. Thanks for all your help, really appreciated.

johnf3f · Wednesday 10th January 2018, 01:09

Glad to hear that you are happy with your new toy - enjoy!

Whilst I find my fluid head great for my scope I much prefer a gimbal head for photography.

Let us know how you get on.

kim · Thursday 8th February 2018, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnf3f

Certainly not a cheap option but I would suggest a Gimbal head. The (pricey) Wimberley 2 is nice but more than you need for a 300 F2.8. Perhaps one of the smaller Jobu or Lensmaster models?

I bought, after your recommendation, the Benro Gimbal head, and am absolutely chuffed to bits with it. It’s an absolute pleasure to use. Thanks for your advice.

Wednesday 27th December 2017, 17:35	#1
kim Registered User BF Supporter 2018 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 29,947	Tripod head change I have a Canon 7d Mark 2 and have just changed my lens to a more heavy Canon 300mmf2.8 and find my current Manfrotto ball head inadequate. I would be grateful for any suggestions or recommendations which would be more suitable for my current set up. Many thanks, Kim
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Wednesday 27th December 2017, 17:41	#2
Geoff Pain Rural Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Stackhouse,North Yorkshire Posts: 2,121 My location	I've just upgraded from a 7Dmk2 to a 5Dmk4 and use a Canon 300f2.8 and use a Manfrotto MVH500AH Head and find it to be okay. __________________ Geoff http://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

Wednesday 27th December 2017, 17:44	#3
kim Registered User BF Supporter 2018 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 29,947	Thank you Geoff, my current set up lacks smoothness and feels unstable, will look yours up.
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Thursday 28th December 2017, 08:02	#5
kim Registered User BF Supporter 2018 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 29,947	I have discovered that there is a branch of WEX in Manchester, I live near Chester so think it best if I go and try some out. Many thanks for your suggestions.
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Tuesday 2nd January 2018, 20:26	#7
kim Registered User BF Supporter 2018 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 29,947	It is becoming more difficult. Nowhere in the Northwest seems to stock them. Wex has lots of branches but they do not have them in stock. It is a bit of a pain to have to buy then return if not quite what was wanted.
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Wednesday 27th December 2017, 21:00	#4
johnf3f johnf3f Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Wales UK Posts: 1,041	Certainly not a cheap option but I would suggest a Gimbal head. The (pricey) Wimberley 2 is nice but more than you need for a 300 F2.8. Perhaps one of the smaller Jobu or Lensmaster models?

Thursday 28th December 2017, 22:11	#6
johnf3f johnf3f Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Wales UK Posts: 1,041	Best policy - "try before you buy"!

Wednesday 3rd January 2018, 05:13	#8
LesR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK Posts: 904	+1 for the Manfrotto MVH500AH Head, works very well with my Sony A77ii and Tamron 150-600 lens.

Thursday 4th January 2018, 00:59	#9
Stephen Mark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Bern NC Posts: 383	I have the 500 and a 502 from Manfrotto and both are good but I use the 502 for my big Kowa scope. If you prefer a ball head then a sirui K30 or K40 should do just fine and they are about a third the price of a RRS 55 head. Steve

Monday 8th January 2018, 21:51	#10
kim Registered User BF Supporter 2018 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 29,947	I went to Calumet (Wex Manchester) on Saturday and found them to be absolutely brilliant. I ended up with the Benro GH2 Gimbal head. They gave me a good discount too. Thanks for all your help, really appreciated.
	BF Supporter 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Support BirdForum With A Donation

Wednesday 10th January 2018, 01:09	#11
johnf3f johnf3f Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Wales UK Posts: 1,041	Glad to hear that you are happy with your new toy - enjoy! Whilst I find my fluid head great for my scope I much prefer a gimbal head for photography. Let us know how you get on.

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