Anyone using Fluid Head for still photos?

[Dicky109]

I'm relatively inexperienced when it comes to using tripods. Don't do video, only stills, usually landscapes/seascapes, slow shutter.

A couple of months ago, I bought an inexpensive tripod which came with a ballhead. While very happy with the tripod, I cannot say the same for the ballhead. Whenever I tighten it down, it slightly moves from where I have aimed. It's not in need of an adjustment, as after tightening, it holds fine. It's just the act of tightening that moves the ball. Additionally, with the small knobs, I find it clumsy to handle all the adjustments. I shoot m43 (OM-5) so weight and size are not issues.

With this in mind, I don't know if I should just look for a better ballhead or look at a different type. I've seen a few YT videos extolling the virtues of a fluid head and it makes sense to me, plus it appears easier to make adjustments. My budget is small and so I'm looking at low end, but competent solutions. One in particular I'm looking at is THIS Neewer.

Anyone with any experience with pros/cons on using the fluid head for stills?

Thanks

 

[Mike_d]

You need a better ball head.

 

[3Rotor]

I agree with Mike. A quality ball head can and will make your life a whole lot easier. I have been on a Leofoto kick lately and have 3 or 4 various sizes of their offerings. What kind of budget are your working with?

 

[ShipleyNW]

Depends on what you want out of a tripod. I'm looking for stable and level. I don't think a ball head is the best way to get to that. I put a screw-on leveling base on the top of my sticks and all I need from a head now is something that sticks straight up. You can make a ball head do that, but it's a little fussy.

Because of size and weight I went with a bare-bones pan/tilt head on that leveling base and that gets me all the adjustments I need. A fluid head would work the same way.

Pay attention to the way the quick-release mount is oriented on the head. Some of them are oriented along the lens axis, expecting to be mounted under a long lens or a nodal slide. Some are oriented along the camera base axis, expecting to be mounted straight to the camera. Some can be changed, some can't. Be aware.

 

[Dicky109]

Pay attention to the way the quick-release mount is oriented on the head. Some of them are oriented along the lens axis, expecting to be mounted under a long lens or a nodal slide. Some are oriented along the camera base axis, expecting to be mounted straight to the camera. Some can be changed, some can't. Be aware.

I appreciate you pointing that out, as coming from a ballhead, it's not something that I would have thought of. The Neewer fluid head I am looking at, is indeed set up along the lens axis, however, I keep a grip on my camera that has an Arca-Swiss base and requires mounting along the camera base axis. Are you aware of any accessore plates that would change that axis orientation?

 

[ShipleyNW]

I've never tried it, but when I was looking at pan/tilt heads I considered a nodal slide. Below is a link to a little 100mm (4") slide that could ride permanently on the head, then the camera would ride on the slide. I ended up buying a head that could be reoriented, so I never gave the slide a try. They make them in all kinds of lengths and configurations so maybe look around a little bit to see which might work best for you.

Amazon.com : 100mm Rail Nodal Slide Metal Screw Knob Clamp Quick Release Plate for Tripod Ball head Quick with RRS Arca Swiss Compatible : Electronics

Amazon.com : 100mm Rail Nodal Slide Metal Screw Knob Clamp Quick Release Plate for Tripod Ball head Quick with RRS Arca Swiss Compatible : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[paddler4]

Any head will have some amount of shift after being tightened. I think this is what is called hysteresis in physics (someone correct me if I'm wrong). In study macro work, I use a huge, heavy geared head because at macro distances, the sag has to be minimized. With a good regular ball head, tightening the head shouldn't cause movement, but there will be some downward shifting when you let go of the camera. With a good head and an MFT camera (light weight) that should be manageable. I use a Markins ball head for non macro work, and it works fine.

I don't have a fluid head, but I'm guessing that the impact would be to make the shift much slower to happen.

 

[Dicky109]

I so appreciate everyone's feedback and wanted to let you know after all this, I went for THIS Artcise ballhead that was recommended on another site, and it just came in. Haven't had time to try in the field yet, but just mounting it and trying around the house, I can tell it is so much better than what I have. Seems like it will fill the bill at a really good price of under $30.