UKC

Little Miss Lemming keeps hastling me about what I want for Christmas and I'm leaning towards the idea of a new head for my tripod.

At the moment I have a Manfrotto 055XDB tripod with a 804RC2 head, which I got for Christmas many moons ago. The tripod is perfect for my needs but only gets used a couple of times a year for specific projects in low light or slow shutter stuff or night time city scenes. Stuff like that.

I like my tripod but I find that the three knobs a bit fiddly and at times a pain in the arse when I want to adjust the camera a fraction here or there. With all this in mind I would appreciate any recommendations for a replacement head for my tripod.

Also would it be worth selling the 804RC2 head or is it so common that nobody would want it?

Cheers

In reply to The Lemming: I bought one of these 3 years ago to use with the same tripod you have. Been a great purchase as it is very easy to adjust. Not to everyone's taste though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-322RC2-Heavy-Duty-Grip/dp/B000JLK5PK/ref=...

Yes I would sell the 804 if you are not going to use it. Should get £25 for it on eBay

In reply to The Lemming:

I've got the same tripod as you and find this head really good: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002PWHOYG/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=1039382598...

Almost the same, cheaper, but without the panning facility: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-494RC2-Ball-Friction-Control/dp/B002N5CV8...

In reply to The Lemming:

I use a Manfrotto 352RC ball head. It won't take a super heavy set-up but seems sturdy and grippy as long as you are being sensible. I very very rarely use my tripod, but I am glad, when I do, that I have this head. The model may have been discontinued by Manfrotto but look at pictures of it and find the new equivalent. I have interpreted your OP to mean that you are after a ball head. Sorry if that is incorrect.

In reply to The Lemming:

Blatant last ditched bump.

In reply to The Lemming:

I bought one of these last week: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-MBAG80N-Tripod-Replaces-MBAG80/dp/B002DTQ...

Tripod, fitted with a D7000, fits into the bag without the need to seperate them.

In reply to MJ:

Good shout. I'm after something like that as well.

Cheers

In reply to The Lemming:

Word of caution, there isn't much room to spare. It might be a good idea, to take your own camera/tripod/head combination to a shop to see if it fits.

In reply to The Lemming:

If you want something fancy have a look at the manfrotto national geographic series NGEH2 hydrostatic ball head:

http://www.justforcameras.co.uk/National-Geographic-NGEH2-Expedition-Hydros...

Its very nice and goes nicely with the NGET2 carbon tripod.

http://www.justforcameras.co.uk/National-Geographic-NGET2-Expedition-Carbon...

Way too much tripod for myself; really should be selling it.

Hope this helps,

N.

In reply to The Lemming:

Nowadays, pretty much any ball head that will take Arca style plates should be good and that's what you want.

I have a spare Markins head (a Q10 I think or maybe Q20) knocking around my loft somewhere if you're interested...

In reply to The Lemming: So, when asked what you'd like for Christmas, the answer is "Well, you could give me a little head"? I like it! I hope you get what you ask for!