Which ball head?

[Noah B]

Hey all, currently using a bogen 3051 tripod with the 3047 pan/tilt head. I'm looking into getting a ball head for my V8 deardorff w/ a 305 claron lens. Can you all recommend a ball head that would keep this camera setup secure? I don't intend on using any larger lenses and was looking at the 3055 ball head. Do you think this would be sufficient enough for my current setup?

[B.S.Kumar]

Many photographers do use ball heads for view cameras, but I've not been able to use one successfully. I tried using one with my Sinar F2, and found it very difficult to align and level the camera. In any case the 3055 doesn't get many encouraging reviews even with 35mm equipment:

http://www.naturephotographers.net/je0901-1.html
http://photo.net/learn/nature/ballhead

Kumar

[Marc B.]

I fought with a ball head for a couple of years (I'm stubbornly cheap), until getting a three-way head for my 4 X 5 Cambo.
I'll never use a ball head with it ever again. Are you sure you want a ball head for LF...and why?

[Brian Ellis]

I like ball heads and use them with all cameras except large format. I've had two Deardorff 8x10s. A ball head with a 12 pound 8x10 camera is IMHO a seriously bad idea. You can find one that will support the camera o.k. but making adjustments with any degree of precision and safety would be a bear. It's certainly possible, just not wise IMHO.

[Greg Miller]

Without getting into a debate over whether a ball head is appropriate for you, if you choose to get a ball head, the I would suggest looking at a Really Right Stuff BH55. I have used many ball heads, and (IMHO) the RRS is by far the best of the bunch.

[D. Bryant]

Take a look at a ball head like a Bogen 3038. Very large and heavy duty.

[Ari]

As others have stated, a ball head with a VC can be frustrating experience for some, not so much for others.
I can level the camera easily enough with a ball head; the problem arises when I need to make a small adjustment on one axis, it throws the other axis off, and I have to get out the bubble level...again.

There's a decent ball head from Triopo, the B-3, available here:
http://www.linkdelight.com/K8C-Triopo-B-3-Ball-Head-for-Gitzo-Manfrotto-Induro.html

I had the B-2, which was also very good, but has a slightly lower maximum load capacity.

[ROL]

I use ballheads on all my tripods and cameras, so I'm used to them (prefer, obviously). I've used the Acratech (http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=7) for almost a decade now on my 5X7 with no problems. They are about as light as you can get (if weight matters to you), running about the same in price as other serious heads.

[Kevin Crisp]

I love my Acratech head, and have used it on a lightweight 8X10 (Canham JMC) without problems. I think a DD 8X10, however, would be overdoing it.

[Kirk Gittings]

Mines for sale http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?87861-LF-Manfrotto-magnesium-ball-head

[Dan Henderson]

I will cast my lot with the others who have trouble using a view camera on a ballhead. When I shot medium format I bought a Kirk ballhead that is, in my opinion, second to none. If you are set on a ballhead, I recommend the Kirk.

But when I started shooting 4x5 with a Linhof, getting everything level and plumb was an onerous task for me. Sort of like trying to keep a marble centered on a piece of wood you are holding in your hands; you can do it but in the end is it really worth the trouble? So I bought a second hand 3 way head from KEH and am a lot happier. Except on the rare occasions that I get the MF out; then I switch to the good old Kirk.

[BrianShaw]

I haven't been able to work with a ball head and view camera at the same time... but some people seem to be able to do it.

[Kirk Gittings]

I think if you are coming from smaller formats and are used to a ball head you can use them fine. In my case I come from primarily using a VC and use even a DSLR like a VC and ball heads don't fit my MO. Even so I gave it a try a couple of years ago. The Manfrotto I have for sale is really first class but not for me.

[alexn]

I used to use a 3 way pan tilt for DSLR/MF however I bought an RRS BH-55 on recomendation of a friend and have not looked back. The only thing that I find difficult with it is leveling up my Kardan Super Colour. Monorail cameras and ball heads are not friends.I sometimes just mount the camera straight onto the tripod. Having said that, 98% of what I shoot is landscape, and so geometry is not really important. I just make sure the horizon is level... Verticals don't matter unless you're in the forest, in which case Its not impossible, just time consuming.. With my old fotoman 617 the ball was a dream.

[Alberto Bregani]

I was a very happy person with my ball head for my hasselblad
this one Manfrotto 488 rc4 - just great
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GW2YX2TNL._SL500_AA300_.gif

when i bought my 4x5 Shen-Hao i tried to take photpgraphs without getting nervous; i failed
Quite impossible to manage a 4x5 view camera on a ball head

so i bought this one Manfrotto 410 junior three-way head
http://www.photoportfolio.it/wp-content/gallery/corredo/410-junior.jpg

Now i'm a happy person again...
488rc4 for medium format
410 junior for large format
my two cents :)
CIAO|