Tripod head question...

[The Survivor]

Ok guys, so I am going to invest in a new tripod; the Manfrotto 055XPROB.

The question is, what tripod head would you recommend. I am looking at a Ball head probably. At the moment my eye is on the Manfrotto 498RC2 or 496RC2. Any opinions on these two, which is best? Or do you have different heads in mind.

Cheers.

 

[BPR_MiK]

I have a manfrotto with a ball head and couldn't think of a better head.
You can lock them for panning and zooming and when running free they catch everything (if you are fast enough)
sorry I don't know what model mine is but it's light and folds very small

 

[Squidders]

Tripod selection depends greatly on the size and weight of the camera on top of it.

 

[brancho]

Tripod selection depends greatly on the size and weight of the camera on top of it.

This is very true the weight limit of the legs and head of your tripod need to be up to holding your camera.

It is also true that what you shoot has a part to play in head choice. Many landscape togs like the Manfroto geared heads.

 

[The Survivor]

Cheers guys. As I am not specifically a landscape photographer I was hoping for something that does afew things, including landscapes to some extent. It will primarily be used to hold my 4x5 camera.

 

[DavidJT]

If you mean 5" x 4" camera i.e. something like...



or



Then you need something really heavy, like a big Gitzo Studex pod with a chunky pan and tilt head. No quick release heads that I know of will keep a 5x4 stationary...



Heavy kit to hike with. Or you could follow the philosophy of Edward Weston...

"Anything more than 500 yards from the car just isn't photogenic."

 

[brancho]

Go to a shop and try that camera on some heads I think as I suspect as DavidTJ you will need something sturdy with good control over movement.

Cheers guys. As I am not specifically a landscape photographer I was hoping for something that does afew things, including landscapes to some extent. It will primarily be used to hold my 4x5 camera.

 

[Wayland]

As suggested, a tripod head is something that you really need to try in the flesh.

I can't get on with B&S heads personally but until you try them for yourself you never really know.