The benefits of ball heads elude me...

[jstraw]

...having never used one.

I can't imagine trying to position a camera any other way than one axis at a time. You ball head fanciers, what am I missing?

[KenM]

For LF camera's, they're not very useful. Smaller cameras (MF, 35mm, dig) benefit from them since using a ball head is very fast. But as the camera comes heavier, it becomes more difficult to set the camera properly. That, and ball heads are just not as stable (read: more flexible) as a three-way head.

[Ole]

I use ballheads for everything that doesn't require a concrete block (30x40cm)!

The advantage is that the tripod doesn't have to be exactly level, you set all axes at the same time - just set to a suitable friction, move the camera around in any direction, and lock the ball when you're satisfied. When you're used to it, it's really very easy.

[David A. Goldfarb]

A ball head has much greater strength for weight than a pan-tilt head or a gear head, and is more compact than a head with long handles. I've always preferred three-way heads, but one can get used to a ballhead. I find it helps to use a circular bullet level with a ballhead, rather than a cylindrical level, so the bubble corresponds more directly to the motion of the ball.

My favorite head is the Arca-Swiss B2, which has the strength of a ballhead and the control of a pan-tilt head. If only they made a smaller version, because one doesn't always need a head with a capacity of 150 lbs.

[vic vic]

well it depends ...
for example, if u wanna make a portrait session and be flexible then ball-head is great. personally, i think for general use ball head is good and is no problem for accurate placement with ease. but for much more precise placement three-tilt head is the best - especially the geared ones (like manfrottos). but it is slower to work with. manfrotto ball heads are very good and super stable too (if u choose the rite size for your camera size/weight). also, with some larget format cameras that can be griped comfortably, a ball-head is still very valuable - example - linhof master technika, even without the anatomic grip. try a tripod+ballhead optimal for your camera and u will see that it is not problem at all basically.

[MurrayMinchin]

I'm happy with mine just the way it is as it has lots of hair, a nice moustache, lime green eyes, and I'm used to the way the brain inside it works. I'd be worried about complications while switching to another head, but if you think it's worth the gamble to 'trade up' go for it!

Murray

[Barry S]

Good ballheads are much faster to use, lighter, and more compact. I use an Arca-Swiss B1 for my 4x5 Chamonix and it's a breeze leveling the camera. It helps that the Chamonix has a bunch of bubble levels, but I can't see the advantages of using a larger three-way head with a small view camera. With my 8x10 Deardorff, the B1 is useable, but a three-way head with protruding handles becomes a better match because of the ease of reaching the controls. Still, I'd prefer using a ball head if I could get a larger model (like the B2). I have no love for three-way heads that lose all tension when loosened and gear heads seem heavy and slow.

[Dan Fromm]

Michael, I've used heads, have never been comfortable with them. And I've never used a tripod head to level the camera. Instead, I use a ball leveler to level the tripod's pan axis and a three-axis head to pan, tilt, and roll. Can't imagine working without a ball leveler, but not everyone agrees.

I got into using a ball leveler when I was shooting movies, in that application they're necessary.

[DWThomas]

I do 35mm, d*g@tal and MF and I recently switched from a cheap pan/tilt head to a ball head and really like it for most things. As Ole implied, you can pretty much set everything with one motion. I can imagine though there might be some circumstances, perhaps with table top macro work, where the ability to independently manipulate each axis might be preferred.

DaveT

[Curt]

Yep, I like the ball heads too, I have a Linhof and a Leica, would like the Acratech, sp, but I have the two German ones. The Linhof is the larger of the two, perfect for a 4x5 field camera or an RB67. It have regular heads also, a Gitzo, Mamiya, Bogen 3047 etc.. I pick the equipment depending on the intended use. I think letter carriers like the bald heads most.:o