Do you use a ball head or pan head?

[James Axford]

RRS bh-55 and the bh-40 ball heads
Use the 55 for my larger tripod and the 40 for my smaller one.
Can't comment on a pan, bit I know I'd never get one as I can use mine as one anyway. Very happy with both heads.

[Remorhaz]

I have a Manfrotto 190 PRO B Tripod and when I purchased it I bought the 460MG Three Way head which I mostly used for stitched panorama work. Having purchased my first DSLR about 9 months ago I gave in and recently (a few months ago) bought the 488RC4 ball head and switched to that and I'd never go back - the ball head is soooo much faster for adjustments and it has built in levels and degree markings for rotations to still allow me to do the panos.

[arnica]

I use Dietmar Nill head on my Dutch Hill tripod or my Manfrotto 190B monopod.
This is a very tough and stable head ! And I can mount another body on it as well.

I never did believe in overkill ... I guess that solves the problem of using 2 tripods.

[bigdazzler]

Manfrotto 322RC2 for me ..

[forjahwarrior]

I got a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with 322RC2 ball head from wifey last Christmas. After using a mates Manfrotto tripod (with pan/tilt head) and many less well made others, I couldn't get anything that was less quality. Both the tripod and head are a joy to use, though on the heavy side when hiking! One slightly frustrating shortcoming is the lack of pan control with the 322RC2. I knew about this prior and figured for the amount of filming I actually do, I'd take the more ergonomic option.

You can't beat the ease of adjustment using a good ball head (as long as it's rated to handle the weight of your setup). To combine that with the panning base of the 488RC2 would be spot on - you should be very happy with your knew head (though you don't get the fun trigger action).

[NikonUser]

I use a ballhead for my shorter lenses (12-300mm) and a Manfrotto 393 for my 500mm.

I need a new ballhead as I'm just using an old benro one so far.

Paul