Ball head compatibility

[Dave A]

How would I know if a MANFROTTO MHXPRO-BHQ2 XPRO BALL HEAD will mount on a Vanguard Abeo Pro 283AGH Tripod ?

Dave

[loosecanon]

Well both have standard 3/8 inch threads.

Have you considered the xpro 3 way head - I find it is now my go to head - the lightweight adjustment lever arms and compact head is so usable with the adjustable friction separate from the positioning levers (which collapse for compact transport) make leveling etc easy. Whilst some on here don't like the Manfrotto quick release plate, I do.

[Mike Buckley]

A related issue is that I wonder if you are aware that once you purchase a Manfrotto head, it will not be compatible with the Arca-based products, which are the de facto standard for universal connectivity; you will be limited very often to using Manfrotto products that connect to your head. I have a Manfrotto head and wish I had known about that before I purchased it.

[Dave A]

A related issue is that I wonder if you are aware that once you purchase a Manfrotto head, it will not be compatible with the Arca-based products, which are the de facto standard for universal connectivity; you will be limited very often to using Manfrotto products that connect to your head. I have a Manfrotto head and wish I had known about that before I purchased it.

Thanks, I didn't know that Mike. I have the above stated Vanguard tripod with pistol grip so now that I know this a may go with the Vanguard BBH-100 ball head.

Dave

[Mike Buckley]

Make sure the Vanguard head is Arca-compatible. Otherwise, it may also get you into the same trouble. Many manufacturers officially state that their eqipment is Arca-compatible.

[Dave A]

Make sure the Vanguard head is Arca-compatible. Otherwise, it may also get you into the same trouble. Many manufacturers officially state that their eqipment is Arca-compatible.

Looks like it is Mike. From the Vanguard page, "BBH-100 ball head features a universal Arca compatible, 38mm quick release clamp system."

Dave

[Mike Buckley]

Yes! Go for it, Dave!

[rpcrowe]

I agree with Mike regarding the value of Arca Compatible clamps and brackets.

I have three tripods (including a table top model) as well as a monopod. All are equipped with Arca Compatible heads and clamps.

There are several advantages to Arca Compatibility (commonly stated as A/C), an A/C clamp can accept brackets or plates from any manufacturer that is producing Arca Compatible gear. I have a number of camera and lens plates from a variety of manufacturers (and some by unknown producers) that are all interchangeable with any of my tripod heads and A/C clamps. I even retrofitted my 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens with a KIRK manufactured tripod foot which can fit onto an A/C clamp.

One of the best advantages of A/C is the ability to use L Brackets on your camera. The L bracket facilitates the switching from horizontal to vertical orientation without having to hang your camera cantilevered over to the side. Therefore, you can actually get by with a somewhat lighter tripod and head since the weight of the camera/lens is balanced directly over the center of gravity of your tripod head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4iOxH5vyCo

There was a time when you had to purchase an L Bracket from either Really Right Stuff or Kirk Enterprises. This could get pretty expensive since most L Brackets are manufactured for use on specific cameras (so that battery compartment, Memory card access door sand door to the various cable attachments could be accessible). The L brackets ran in the neighborhood of over a hundred bucks each, a pretty expensive neighborhood if you needed to equip several cameras. However, lately China has begun selling A/C L Brackets on eBay for a small fraction of the RRS or Kirk prices. I purchased one for my Canon 7D-Mk2 and it works just fine. I paid less than twenty U.S. Dollars for this bracket.

Here are two different size ball heads with A/C clamps.



I use the larger one on my full size tripod and the smaller one on my table top tripod.

As with all products, some ball heads are better than others. I recently purchased a used German Manufactured Kaiser 6011 medium ball head with A/C clamp (not shown). This is a wonderful head but, was fairly expensive at $100.00 USD used. However, IMO this head is well worth the price. Some heads you need to really tighten down to ensure your camera will not move. I just have to finger tighten this head and my camera/lens is held solid as a rock. You have to take manufacture's specifications regarding ball heads with a grain of salt. My Kaiser head appears to be less solid than the Giottos head if you just read the manufacturer's specs. However, in real life shooting, the Kaiser is a lot more solid than the Giottos...

[ST1]

A related issue is that I wonder if you are aware that once you purchase a Manfrotto head, it will not be compatible with the Arca-based products, which are the de facto standard for universal connectivity; you will be limited very often to using Manfrotto products that connect to your head. I have a Manfrotto head and wish I had known about that before I purchased it.

Mike you could if you wished to convert your Manfrotto QR to Arca Swiss. I did so with my geared head.
I used this company but I'm sure there will be others

http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/mobi...de=M410LongF63


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[Rent]

In UK try SRB Photographic. ( Possibly abroad also )( no conection just satisfied customer )
Roy

[Mike Buckley]

That's interesting, Peter. I had never heard of it. Does the company make those for all Manfrotto heads?

[DanK]

Dave,

First, I agree about buying an-arca-swiss compatible head. I would do that rather than convert a Manfrotto head. I have the same conversion for a geared head that Peter referenced. There is no alternative for a geared head, but I wouldn't go that route for a regular head because it adds bulk and weight.

Second, assuming your tripod has a standard mounting screw, there is no reason to give preference to Vanguard's own heads just because you have a Vanguard tripod. Heads vary a great deal, and it is worth figuring out which ones best suit your needs. I didn't do that the first time, and I ended up paying the money to replace the first one I bought.

For example, one consideration is that all other things being equal (which they won't be), larger balls tend to operate more smoothly. However, larger heads mean more weight. For me, that was a real consideration; I haul my tripod around, often on my back, and every extra gram matters. So, I had to search for small, lightweight heads that move smoothly and that have a separate panning adjustment. There are some, but they aren't cheap. I ended up with Markins, which I love, but it cost me more than my tripod.

I don't know your preferences, but for myself, I would start by asking: how often am I going to shlep the thing on my back, or for a considerable distance? That will help figure out weight constraints. Then make sure that the head is rated for more than the maximum weight you will put on it. Pick some based on those considerations. Finally, ask folks here if they have had experience with them, read reviews, or both. I don't know whether it makes sense to purchase in the US and ship to Canada, but even if not, you can get consumer reviews for virtually any photographic equipment on the B&H website. It's a time-consuming process, but I think it is worth it.

Dan

[ST1]

That's interesting, Peter. I had never heard of it. Does the company make those for all Manfrotto heads?

Mike he makes lots of different items and has as section on the web site for Manfrotto conversions


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[Cantab]

I don't know whether it makes sense to purchase in the US and ship to Canada, but even if not, you can get consumer reviews for virtually any photographic equipment on the B&H website.

Dave, I ordered several items from B&H a few years ago and was pleased with the service and the shipping to Canada. They still offer free shipping to Canada for anything over $99. And with a bit of luck, the package will flow through customs with no duties being imposed. (I sometimes wonder if Customs sometimes can't be bothered with comparatively small and obviously retail shipments.)

The downside is the conversion rate for the Canadian and American dollars but that has improved recently so I'd definitely suggest comparing B&H prices (converted to Canadian dollars) with whichever Canadian retailer you usually use. For online purchases, I've sometimes used Henry's in Toronto.

[Manfred M]

Dave - I also buy a fair bit of my photo related stuff from B&W. Even with the exchange rate, accessories tend to be less expensive from the US than from the standard Canadian suppliers. Delivery is by courier (used to be Purolator, but my last purchase came FedEx, if I remember correctly). If I order something today, chances are good that I will have things in my hands no later than Thursday. B&W have an option where they take care of HST and brokerage fees, which is what I always use.

The only things I won't order are cameras and lenses as, with the possible exception of Canon, the Canadian camera reps will not repair gear that was not bought from an authorized Canadian dealer. Shipping back and forth to the USA for repairs is just too much hassle.

[odds]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4iOxH5vyCo

The video shows the kind of L-bracket that I avoid, at RRS-cost if need be. That L-bracket has friction pads! Friction pads (pastic, rubber, cork...) are evil :-) the bracket will eventually twist. All my L-bracket and lens plates must/shall have the anti twist ridge.

You are right about cheaper altenatives becoming available. I have been watching the sites of RRS, Kirk, Hejnar, Novo, Acratech and the whole lot for months to find a L-bracket for a Leica Q. A posting in the Leica forum pointed to MengsPhoto http://www.mengsphoto.com/ but the actual bracket is no longer listed. Meng's prices are a little tricky to find, but I downloaded the price list (PDF) and when I click on a product description in the PDF I can get to the corresponding product at a site called Gump Trade https://www.gumptrade.com Mengs or Gump may be wort checking out for low priced items.

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Odd S.

[Manfred M]

The video shows the kind of L-bracket that I avoid, at RRS-cost if need be. That L-bracket has friction pads! Friction pads (pastic, rubber, cork...) are evil :-) the bracket will eventually twist. All my L-bracket and lens plates must/shall have the anti twist ridge.

You are right about cheaper altenatives becoming available. I have been watching the sites of RRS, Kirk, Hejnar, Novo, Acratech and the whole lot for months to find a L-bracket for a Leica Q. A posting in the Leica forum pointed to MengsPhoto http://www.mengsphoto.com/ but the actual bracket is no longer listed. Meng's prices are a little tricky to find, but I downloaded the price list (PDF) and when I click on a product description in the PDF I can get to the corresponding product at a site called Gump Trade https://www.gumptrade.com Mengs or Gump may be wort checking out for low priced items.

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Odd S.

Sorry Odd; I will have to disagree with you on your list of "questionable" suppliers. My Kirk bracket is 100% machined aluminum and has NO friction pad at all. It fits against tight the camera body and is held in place by a single stainless steel screw.

I had a really good look at a RRS plate a few weeks ago, and while it had a few more "features" than my Kirk plate, again no soft materials.

[odds]

...I will have to disagree with you on your list of "questionable" suppliers.

Wow I did not realize my English was that bad.

I have brackets, rails, clamps and what not from RRS, Kirk, Wimberly, Acratech, Markins, Burzynski and a few more, I even have some real Arca Swiss stuff.

My point was this simple: no friction pads for me. I do avoid brackets/plates/rails with friction pads at all cost, even RRS cost. The L-bracket in the referred video has friction pads, clearly visible in the opening sequence.

The cheap Mengs bracket I referred to, had the anti twist ridge, but the bracket appears to be out of stock. Short of finding a dedicated L-bracket from my normal set of brands, I am still willing to try the Mengs if I can get my hands on one.

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Odd S.

[ST1]

Wow
The L-bracket in the referred video has friction pads, clearly visible in the opening sequence.
Odd S.

I wish my eyesight was as good as yours, I can see the L Bracket. But there's no way that I could see any friction pads

[Manfred M]

My point was this simple: no friction pads for me. I do avoid brackets/plates/rails with friction pads at all cost, even RRS cost. The L-bracket in the referred video has friction pads, clearly visible in the opening sequence.

You must have very good eyes, because even at high quality, I could not see that detail either.

On the other hand, I've been using Benro generic quick release plates on various camera bodies for about 8 years and have had to go back and tighten them on occasion. I generally leave my Kirk L-bracket on the camera all the time and the only time I use the Benro plates is when I shoot with longer lenses that have a tripod shoe on them.

The GumpTrade L-bracket seems to have the anti-slip elastomer you seem to detest so much...

https://www.gumptrade.com/14010000101.html