Tripod - Grip/Ball Heads

[ema002]

I'm starting to look into getting a new tripod...the other day I saw someone using one that had a grip head that you just squeeze a handle and rotate the camera anywhere in the 180 degree sphere. I would like to get something like that, along with a new tripod base because the one I have is not very sturdy.

The main reason I am looking into the is because I would like to be able to take vertical pictures with a tripod, my current tripod head can't hold my camera in that position, it just rotates and points it downward. I need a grip head that can hold a relatively heavy camera/lens (my gear is listed below).

Any suggestions? I would like any info you can offer in the way of brands/models. Thanks in advance.

[zona5101]

take a look at the calumet quick grip head with quick release plate. i have that on a set of their legs 7500 legs. It had no problem holding it's position with a body and a100-300 f4 lens on a quick plate.

Calumet Quickgrip Action Head with 1/4-20 Quick-Release Plate - CK7033 - CK7033
head only $85us

head and tripod $170us
Calumet 7500 Large Tripod with Quickgrip Action Head - CK7500K -

[ema002]

Thanks, zona! Those look great...I'll look into them further.

[jdepould]

I'm not sure, one of my peers had a Manfrotto grip head (don't know what model), and it didn't hold up more than a year or two. He wasn't even using big glass. I'm perfectly content with my 486.

[dakwegmo]

I've been using this one for a year and a half without any problems.
Manfrotto | 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead - Supports 11 | 322RC2

It's not as solid as some of the ball- or 3-way heads I've seen, but I love how easy it is to recompose a shot. It's especially useful for getting in close.

[ddr]

hhmm.... this is interestting. but wouldn't a 488/498 manfrotto head be safer and it'd let u pan left and right too?

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by ddr

hhmm.... this is interestting. but wouldn't a 488/498 manfrotto head be safer and it'd let u pan left and right too?

that would be a ball head and not a grip head but I'm curious..."safer"??

[ddr]

ya that's not a grip head, but it feel more sturdy than the ones mentioned and u still retain the pan left/right ability which can help u recompose a shot