I currently have a 4x5 and giant Studioball head but I am unsatisfied with the d egree of precision afforded by the ballhead. It's floppy and a bit tough to leve l precisely. I am considering switching to a Ries double tilt or Gitzo 3-way pan head. The control levers on the Gitzo look like they might stick out too far an d get in the way while examining the groundglass. I'd appreciate comments from a nyone who has used either the Gitzo or Ries head. Thanks.
I used the 3275 head as my main 4x5 head for about a year but then i realized th at i was constantly adjusting the head to keep it level in either direction. For 6x7 and smaller it is a fine head, and maybe even for some small 4x5 field came ras, but otherwise i started to find it aggravating.
The Ries head is a great one. Fully recommended.
You really want the Arca Swiss B2 monoball. I haven't used the Ries, but all of the rational (2 way tilt + pan) I have ever used had slight "creep" after tighte ning them down, including the Gitzo 1570. The B2 has the convience of a true ballhead, but no floppiness and is easy to le vel both side to side and fore to aft as these axis are controled seperately. Ch eck the posts on the nature forum about the B2. It truly is great! (BTW: I do no t work for nor am I sponsored by Arca Swiss in any way.) The other alternative I would seriously look at, especially if you own a Sinar 4x5 is the Foba/Sinar pa n/tilt head.
I tried working (struggling)with the FOBA Superball for a while before realizing that there was really no rational reason to use a superball (or any ball head) with a (heavy)large format camera (where it is crucial to level quickly..and your movements are mostly axial). The Gitzo works best. If the handle is too long. switch the shorter side handle with the longer back one
The quick release is one of the desirable things about this head. It takes two motions to release this plate, one is to push in a button and the other is to move the lever the button is on in the opposite direction. I haven't been able to figure out how you could accidently release the plate and I have tried, the quick releases on most Bogens is a real weak point in my opinion but this is a big improvement. Also, to place the camera on the head everything goes into place with a definite release noise from the lever or else it doesn't go together at all. I have also put it through its paces with a 20+ pound monorail to check to see if there would be any movement or drift from the gears and found none. I could imagine smacking the head against a rock and breaking it in 2 or 3 pieces but otherwise mine has performed very well for me.
My friend has the same Ries A250 head that Mike has. My friend swears its Gods gift to tripods....in other words he likes it. He also has an 8x10. The few times I've used it, I too have been impressed. One note on the Bogen 3275. I use one (among others)for my smaller 4x5 camera and I have long felt it is one of the best bargains unknown to view camera users. For me, it has solved one continual problem I had and that was that I often forget to tighten knobs (eg: Bogen 3047) and the camera would do a nosedive. With the 3275 the camera is always locked down. The knobs are tricky and the level is impractical but otherwise I like it. I've never experienced the problems that Ellis has had. It's half the cost of a cheaper ball head. I've often felt that the ball heads are overrated for LF users and way overpriced.
Jeff, yes the 3275 (410) is a very interesting geared head. The head will probably handle a lot of 4x5 cameras. What really worries me though the flimsy looking quick release attachment. Is there any way to get the head with just a 3/8 or 1/4 screw and no quick release?
Just to be clear about my earlier comments. I shoot a lot of architecture so abs olute levelness is important to me. The amount of creep with the Bogen 3275 was very minor but was annoying. It was still better than almost all other 2-way til t + pan heads I have tried over the past fifteen years. Also I too wish it were availible in the non-quick release version as this is where I feel most of the creep came from. Graf Studioballs I found unacceptable since I had two of their heads pan-bases selfdestruct within a year.
You can't beat a Ries !! Simple as that.. I have a A100 with a J250 double tilt. I am on the small size weighing about 110lbs.. but when I lecture to groups on my workshops and chairs are limited.. I set up the tripod and head and sit on it !! What more can I say. GO RIES !
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