Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Ballhead vs Panhead for Big Eyes?

Hey fellas do you prefer a ballhead or panhead when employing a set of your favorite Big Eyes?

Advantages/disadvantages?

Hadn't owned/used a set of BEs before so trying to get some ideas. I've got the legs figured out (finally).

I'm all ears

I like a ball head that has separate controls for rotation of the base and adjustments to the ball itself. What I'll often do is leave the rotation control free and use the ball adjustment to lock the platform in place when I want the rig to be steady.

Pan heads are nice, but I would avoid those with long handles. Even better are fluid heads designed for use with videocameras, although they can get spendy. I had some time with a Sachtler fluid head when I was running big Nikon telephotos back in college and it was really sweet. Very smooth and very positive controls.

I run both, the ball is lighter and more compact for packing, the pan is more solid and easy to move. Both work well for the application.

I have owned both. Used both quite extensively. I prefer panheads. Better for slight adjustments/movement when glassing. You can also use the bridge of your nose to move laterally the panhead (when it is cold and you want to keep your hands in your pockets). Panheads are much much better for spotting scopes if you end up using the tripod with a scope. Again for slight adjustments when glassing. My buddy had both when using his 15X56's too - he also went with the panhead. I thought the ball head I used was also heavier if weight is an issue.

Three way pan heads here. I've used both also. to me it was tuff setting the tension on the ball head to use it like I wanted. It was either to tight and i would have to loosen it to move slightly or too loose and it would fall. Neither are acceptable when trying to grid. One thing I see alot of guys doing, is using the pan heads with the vertical adjustment handle towards their face, and they get frustrated with it gettin in the way.....TURN IT AROUND, easy fix! LOL

Thanks fellas....

Okay, for the guys liking the ball head, are there particular features you like on the ones that you are using?

Same for the panhead guys....

Haven't gotten a chance to head down to the proshop to take a looksy tho....

Jim White Head or Velbon PH-157Q

Don't think I need to say more than that.

I like Arca/Swiss and Really Right Stuff ball heads. Expensive, but I bought mine back when I had $3,000 worth of Nikon lens and camera hanging off of them. If you don't want to spend alot stick with pan heads, as cheap ball heads won't give you enough tension control and stability to be worthwhile.

I have a giottos that is silly light and works well enough when hauling it up a mountain. I like the pan head more, but when space and weight matter....I go ball.

Well fellas, went down to a local pro-foto shop for a quick T&A.

Just some observations:

Ball heads are definitely more compact as high_country mentioned. A draw back for me is the dual levers needed to adjust the ball friction and position (at least with the Manfrotto heads I tried).
As with the two levers, a bit on the small side too and wearing gloves makes it a big clumsy.

For panheads, a bit less pack-friendly due to the longer lever(s). That being said, when used in the reverse position (lever away from you)it isn't too cumbersome as I would have thought.

Gonna prolly buy one of each, for 40-50 bucks each it's going to be a good experiment to run.

Thanks again!

I use a small Manfrotto ball and the 701 HDV. I much prefer the 701 but it is heavier and I take it when I am guiding and know I will need the spotter and or Claw.

The bigger 501 plates are so much better than anything else that I don't know why I bother with the small ones anymore!

LOL. I thought I was the only person who does this!