Advisable to switch ballhead around different tripods?


terirapt

Senior Member
Aug 11, 2010
600
2
18
Hi,

I am new and looking for a good tripod with ballhead. I am thinking of getting a light travel tripod and another "heavier" one with horizotal column.

Is it advisable for me to just buy 1 ballhead and switch between these 2 tripods? Will it damage the ballhead if switched too frequently?

Thank you
 

I don't see why not. I'm intending to use my Sirui G-10 ballhead on my Weifeng (for travel) and Manfrotto 190XPROB. But I will not definitely get the Manfrotto Junior Geared Head 410 to fix on my Weifeng, because of weight and size.

Consider if the lighter tripod legs can take the weight of the tripod head, or even you.

Cheers!
 

I change 3 times of head..

(1) ... Weifeng head..

(2) ... Manfrotto 488RC4 head.. too heavy..

(3) ... Sirui G-10.. too small..

Then i change to a Carbon fibre.. now if feels good..
 

I don't see why not. I'm intending to use my Sirui G-10 ballhead on my Weifeng (for travel) and Manfrotto 190XPROB. But I will not definitely get the Manfrotto Junior Geared Head 410 to fix on my Weifeng, because of weight and size.

Consider if the lighter tripod legs can take the weight of the tripod head, or even you.

Cheers!

Previously I used a Weifeng with Manfrotto RC4 before.. weight was too heavy..

But too bad it spoilt and cracked after a week of my orange Weifeng legs.. after my my friend drop it...
 

Hi,

I am new and looking for a good tripod with ballhead. I am thinking of getting a light travel tripod and another "heavier" one with horizotal column.

Is it advisable for me to just buy 1 ballhead and switch between these 2 tripods? Will it damage the ballhead if switched too frequently?

Thank you

One ballhead to share betwwen two tripods is fine so long as you are careful when switching over. Before you do buy, you should ensure the screw thread of the ballhead matchs those of the two tripods.
 

Thank you to all :)
 

lower end and those small ball head some has a mounting of 1/4" thead (same as ur camera tripod mount).

normally tripod head comes in 3/8" thead, some comes with a thread reducer insert to reduce the size to 1/4" thread.

small tripod comes with 1/4" screw for mounting the head.

mid size to large size tripod comes with 3/8" screw.

those freebies tripod with head normally cant change head.


for ur reading

Basic guidelines on selection of tripod and tripod head
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384016
 

Last edited:
yes that is common......... its illogical to have 4 tripods for 4 heads (everything else being equal)

I have

1. regular Manfrotto ballhead for regular use
2. a pan/tilt head
3. a macro head with sliding rails
4. a Foba Superball ..... hey, thats not mine!
 

Hi,

I am new and looking for a good tripod with ballhead. I am thinking of getting a light travel tripod and another "heavier" one with horizotal column.

Is it advisable for me to just buy 1 ballhead and switch between these 2 tripods? Will it damage the ballhead if switched too frequently?

Thank you

i switch ard my RRS/Makins ballhead on my Gitzo/Sirui tripods quite often week in week out, i dun see any issues at all.. :)
 

I change 3 times of head..

(1) ... Weifeng head..

(2) ... Manfrotto 488RC4 head.. too heavy..

(3) ... Sirui G-10.. too small..

Then i change to a Carbon fibre.. now if feels good..

U meant to say u using a carbon fibre ballhead now? :eek:

is there any in the market?:think:
 

U meant to say u using a carbon fibre ballhead now? :eek:

is there any in the market?:think:

After I change my legs, which gave me a better ball head.

Thanks for giving me this idea ! Coffee on me next time..

I am now going to call up my friend to design a ball head, then send it to Finland to make the carbon fibre mould out. Woo hoo!

Anw, for rims yes they have Carbonfibre, by Wedsport, which cost USD 50,000 per piece.
 

can we give term "sharing a single ballhead with various tripod" as BALL WHORING:bsmilie::bsmilie:
 

Last edited:
Hi,

I am new and looking for a good tripod with ballhead. I am thinking of getting a light travel tripod and another "heavier" one with horizotal column.

Is it advisable for me to just buy 1 ballhead and switch between these 2 tripods? Will it damage the ballhead if switched too frequently?

Thank you

Not a problem to switch ballhead (or any tripod head) between different tripod. But you have to be careful when you screw it onto the tripod to prevent 'over-thread'.
 

With no offense whatsoever ... i've actually never heard of 'over-threading' where ballheads are concerned ... at least not the quality ones like AcraS, Fobas and the like.

Some higher-end Manfrottos, and possibly some other tripods - there may be a locking 'rings' or rather screw threads which elevate the screw-heads ever so slightly. Think of it as a 'floating' head with just three screws.
 

Hi,

I am new and looking for a good tripod with ballhead. I am thinking of getting a light travel tripod and another "heavier" one with horizotal column.

Is it advisable for me to just buy 1 ballhead and switch between these 2 tripods? Will it damage the ballhead if switched too frequently?

Thank you

While there is really nothing wrong to constantly switch ballhead with different tripods I shall give you some contrarian views to inject some fun into your thread.

When you have different tripods, they are obviously for different purposes. Similarly, different ballheads are optimized for different things, so theoretically there should be a right head for each tripod, or, several right heads (e.g. pan & tilt, gimbal, ball, etc) for one tripod, NOT several tripods for one head.

When you use different tripods for one head, it is likely that one will be undersized or oversized.

When you constantly remove your head, you will not be tightening so much that it is diificult to remove, thus there is a risk of it coming loose inadvertently.

Finally, why deprive yourself the opportunity to shop for another head?
 

I personally find no issues as I used to do that. But now my Markins M20 sits permanently on my Benro Carbon Fibre legs..