Tripod Head for Digiscoping (2 Viewers)

[Mika1974]

Hello,

this is the first time I am using such a forum, but I really want to advance my Digiscoping skills. But I am still looking for the right tripod head, my cheap one does not get my pictures sharp :-C
Can anyone recommend me a good combination - I would even spend a little bit more on that. Has anyone experience with Manfrotto, Berlebach or Swarovski. I heard, that these should be quite good.

Thanks a lot for your help on this topic

Mika

 

[narawood]

Hi Mika,

I will not attempt a suggestion for a combination outfit but will recommend a head for your consideration; the Manfrotto 701RC2, 1.5 kg spring counterbalanced, payload 4 kg, sliding plate that allows quick horizontal balancing when attachments are added to the scope (digiscope adapters etc). A search on this site will provide further information.

I like this head, it is so controllable, it also reduces the likelihood of damage to equipment (especially when you momentarily forget to lock-off the tilt function). The only shortcoming (for me) is the lack of a secondary safety catch (included on the 700RC2).

I feel sure that others might agree that no matter the head or tripod employed; sharp pictures will not necessarily be ensured.

Out of interest, what scope\tripod\ head setup are you using at present?
Regards,
John

 

[birchall]

Hi,
I am also looking for a tripod for digiscoping. I have a Kowa TSN 883 scope, Slik masterclassic tripod and Sony DSCW70 Digital camera. I dont like the tripod and am seeking a better one.
I am almost a complete beginer to birding and digiscoping.
I tried to get photos of some Red Breasted Merganser today but by the time I attached the camera the birds had moved or dived. I find it nearly impossible to pan back on the target with the camera attached.
I read the following at www.birding.com/accessories.asp
"One of the best investments in tripod accessories is the slow motion control attachment. This precision device fits between the tripod and your spotting scope and gives very fine, precise adjustments in both altitude (up and down) and azimuth (right to left) directions. This is exceptionally convenient for birdwatching, nature observation and telephotography and also works nicely for tracking celestial objects like the moon and planets"

Can anybody offer any advice on this accessory such as trade name and where I can buy one. Advice on a suitable tripod and head would also be very welcome.

Birchall

 

[Neil]

The Manfrotto 501 or 701 fluid heads are very good. I use a Benro Ballhead. I've always used a ballhead. Neil.

 

[PaulJacobson]

Hi Birchall,

The slow motion control attachment sounds like a complete waste of money for anything except astronomy. I don't think most birds would be kind enough to obey the dictates of fine azimuth and altitude control. I doubt it's going to be of any help with the problem you describe.

What specifically don't you like about the masterclassic tripod? Some detail about what you don't like would help refine suggestions for something that might better meet your needs. If your dislike of the masterclassic is related to not being able to pan with the camera attached, then you might find that replacing the SLIK head (one handle pan and tilt designed for photography?) with a Manfrotto 701 series video head will help. SLIK also do a "field balance" head (pdf here) designed specifically for use with field scopes and large telephoto lens. Looks like it should be a great product but isn't particularly cheap.

cheers
Paul

 

[PeterL]

The Manfrotto 501 or 701 fluid heads are very good.. Neil.

I have just bought the Manfrotto 501 and can recommend this. I had a shock when I took it out of the box as it's huge, but once set up its a delight to use. There is a review on Andy Brights web site.

http://www.digiscoped.com/manfrotto701RC2.html#anchor_44

 

[Mika1974]

Tripod Head

Hi Mika,

I will not attempt a suggestion for a combination outfit but will recommend a head for your consideration; the Manfrotto 701RC2, 1.5 kg spring counterbalanced, payload 4 kg, sliding plate that allows quick horizontal balancing when attachments are added to the scope (digiscope adapters etc). A search on this site will provide further information.

I like this head, it is so controllable, it also reduces the likelihood of damage to equipment (especially when you momentarily forget to lock-off the tilt function). The only shortcoming (for me) is the lack of a secondary safety catch (included on the 700RC2).

I feel sure that others might agree that no matter the head or tripod employed; sharp pictures will not necessarily be ensured.

Out of interest, what scope\tripod\ head setup are you using at present?
Regards,
John

Hello John,

thanks for the quick reply. Right now I use a cheap combination I got at a small photo shop in our small town. I think it is a no name product, at least I do not see any special name on it (costs only 99 Euro
As we do not have big photo or optic shops in our town, I do not have the opportunity to select out of a big range. The photo and optic shop in our town offers just the Swarovski range. One is (as they told me) a Swarovski, but build from Manfrotto - also the head. The whole tripod is quite heavy and the head is also not very smooth. Then they also offer a Swarovski combination with a Swarovski head and carbon legs. The combination is very light, but also more expensive. But the dealer offered to me, that he could order the Manfrotto head for me - and also legs. So I can have a look at this. I think I will go for the Manfrotto head, as most of the birders in the forum are using this head and it will in my case be for sure a better equipment than my old one.
For Birding I us my old Swarovski At80 with the DCA and my (also not the newest) Sony. This is working quite ok as I can change between observation and taking pictures quite fast. The problem maybe is, as you said, not only the tripod head but also, that the Sony does not offer a Remote control.
Thanks a lot for your help.
I am looking forward to give you an update.

Mika

 

[Mika1974]

I have just bought the Manfrotto 501 and can recommend this. I had a shock when I took it out of the box as it's huge, but once set up its a delight to use. There is a review on Andy Brights web site.

http://www.digiscoped.com/manfrotto701RC2.html#anchor_44

Dear Peter,

is there a reason, that you bougt the 501 instead of the 701? Or is the 701 just
the latest model?

 

[rka]

Can certainly vouch for the Manfrotto 501 also. Very stable, very smooth operation. Good locking into position.

 

[PeterL]

Dear Peter,

is there a reason, that you bougt the 501 instead of the 701? Or is the 701 just
the latest model?

Andy Bright's review recommended the Manfrotto 501 as the best head with digiscoping in mind. I don't have much time to view products in local camera shops, therefore I use reviews and forums like this for recommendations and then purchase of the internet.

 

[birchall]

What specifically don't you like about the masterclassic tripod?

Hi Birchall,

The slow motion control attachment sounds like a complete waste of money for anything except astronomy. I don't think most birds would be kind enough to obey the dictates of fine azimuth and altitude control. I doubt it's going to be of any help with the problem you describe.

What specifically don't you like about the masterclassic tripod? Some detail about what you don't like would help refine suggestions for something that might better meet your needs. If your dislike of the masterclassic is related to not being able to pan with the camera attached, then you might find that replacing the SLIK head (one handle pan and tilt designed for photography?) with a Manfrotto 701 series video head will help. SLIK also do a "field balance" head (pdf here) designed specifically for use with field scopes and large telephoto lens. Looks like it should be a great product but isn't particularly cheap.

cheers
Paul

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the response.

What I dont like about the Slik Tripod is that it has hand screw tighteners for the leg extensions instead of the quick lock cam types. It takes me too long to tighten the six screws. I am a rasonably disiplined person but very ocassionly in my hurry to get birding, I neglect to fully tighten one of the six screws. This once nearly caused an expensive accident when one of the leg extensions slipped back up almost causing scope and tripod to overturn. I would feel far safer with the quick lock mechanism.
I bought the tripod mail order. Head and legs were attached together. I am not sure if head can be detached.
The one lever pan and scan head is great for general bird watching. When I attach camera the weight of the camera lifts the front end of scope, especially at the higher end zoom, resulting in line of sight missing target altogether or more usually just the head of the target remaining in view.

I think the accessory I mentioned would easily correct this problem.
I know it will never track a moving bird but think it could be useful to track say a gull or duck sitting in water and gently drifting due to current or wind.

Regards,
Birchall

 

[greg g]

Mika,
I use the 501 video head and like it, it is heavy for packing. I have read that the 503 is nice but even a little heavier, I have not seen or used the 503. For a small light-weight head the 3130 and Brunton TH-Micro are also nice.

 

[PaulJacobson]

Hi Birchall,

The head will screw off your masterclassic tripod, but if you dilike something as fundamental as the leg clamping system there is little point in pursuing that route. I personally use SLIK 500DX Pro legs which have the lever type clamps, but apart from the "field balance" head I mentioned I wouldn't recommend using SLIK video heads. I tried out the SLIK 504 QF II and it was a plastic affair and the landscape/portrait tilt mechanism tended to flex and vibrate in a strong breeze. My experience with manfrotto gear is pretty limited, but I'd bypass the 190Pro legs - which I've used briefly and seem far to light for the task at hand - and look at getting the 055 legs.

The SLIK 500DX legs are slightly below the 055's in terms of leg segment diameter, and build quality but are quite respectable and will take the Manfrotto heads with a 1/4"->3/8" screw in adapter. That said, if you are buying new it's probably worth going straight to a manfrotto head/leg setup.

For video heads take a look at those mentioned in this thread.

I'd definitely advise NOT buying the micro tracking accessory, until you have a new tripod and have spent a month or so of regular digiscoping sessions getting used to the new setup.

cheers
Paul