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Thread: best lightweight head

  1. #1

    best lightweight head

    I have a used Kirk Industries ball head #1, which is pretty good, but heavy and a little clunky. I use a Technikardan 4 x 5, which weighs 7 lbs without lens. Weight and strength are more important to me than cost. Any recommendations?
    Thanks

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: best lightweight head

    Friends don't let friends use ball-heads with field cameras. Leveling an LF camera on a ball-head drives me insane.

    Get a sturdy plate head that you find not too heavy.
    When I grow up, I want to be a photographer.

    http://www.walterpcalahan.com/Photography/index.html

  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Re: best lightweight head

    I'm very happy with the "Ultimate".

    Acratech's are strong and light.

    http://acratech.net/home.php?cat=1

  4. #4

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    Re: best lightweight head

    I'll echo Walter's comment: "Friends don't let friends use ball-heads with field cameras."

    I'm much happier with a 3-way pan & tilt head. If the weight of the head is not an issue, the Manfrotto 410 geared head is the cat's meow. When I'm backpacking and weight is critical, I like my Manfrotto 3437. I find it supports my Tachihara or Shen Hao PTB quite nicely. Both of those cameras weigh about four pounds sans lens. I'm not sure it would be adequate for your Technikardan.
    Never is always wrong; always is never right.

    www.LostManPhoto.com
    www.MarkStahlkePhotography.com

  5. #5

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    Re: best lightweight head

    I concur with Mark about the pan-tilt head.

    My favorite head, and the lightest one I researched is the Linhof 3-way leveling head (#3663). Less than two pounds. The only problem is that you pay for that light weight. Sure is sweet using it, though.

    John Clark
    www.johndclark.com

  6. #6
    Director @ Images Argentiques sultanofcognac's Avatar
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    Re: best lightweight head

    I use my Arca Swiss Z1 for my 4x5 and 8x10 view cameras and the Manfrotto 410 for my Shen Hao. . . neither do I have a problem with.
    Are we truly creative, or simply too lethargic to become pedestrian?

  7. #7
    Leonard Metcalf's Avatar
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    Jun 1999
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    Re: best lightweight head

    I can't stand anything but a ball head. I use a linhof and love it dearly. It easily supported my technikardan, and now my ebony 45SU with some large pieces of glass way out on front. Provi II

    Never was one for using the level though... So if you love perfect alignment then a pan tilt would be a better choice. Something with micro adjustments seems to be the best choice, despite being the most expensive.


    Len Metcalf

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  8. #8

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    Re: best lightweight head

    I use an Acratech GV2 head with my 2kg Ebony. It is very light, and looks very small, but it does the job well for me. No problems. Acratech also provide a free repair service should anything need adjusting, although I haven't needed to use it. A ball head takes a bit of getting used to after a pan and tilt head, but I like it. The RRS BH-55 heads are very nice - stronger but also heavier and more expensive.

  9. #9

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    Re: best lightweight head

    Quote Originally Posted by J D Clark View Post
    I concur with Mark about the pan-tilt head.

    My favorite head, and the lightest one I researched is the Linhof 3-way leveling head (#3663). Less than two pounds. The only problem is that you pay for that light weight. Sure is sweet using it, though.

    John Clark
    www.johndclark.com
    We have a new demo for sale on our web site factory store:
    www.hpmarketingcorp.com

  10. #10

    Join Date
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    Re: best lightweight head

    Concur that the Linhof 3-way leveling head is the best head made for 4x5s. It would be a bit overwhelmed by an 8x10 but your Technikardan would be a perfect match. $$$ but worth it.

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