When you’re shopping for a tripod, one of the decisions you’ll have to make is whether to get a panhead or a ballhead. But, what’s the difference? Which one’s better?
Well, here’s a quick summary of each type of head, along with some thoughts on which one you might prefer:
Panheads
Panheads work by controlling two hinges: one adjusts the vertical angle of your camera, and the other adjusts the horizontal angle.
The main advantage of a panhead is that they give you precise control of the camera’s position. They allow you to easily adjust your camera’s position in one direction, which makes them great for panning situations (such as shooting video).
However, panheads are typically larger (with long knobs sticking out that can easily get caught on tree branches while you’re hiking). It also takes a lot more time to position your camera on a panhead, versus a ballhead.
Ballheads
Ballheads work by securing your camera to a metal ball, which can move in all directions. To position your camera, you simply unlock the ball with a single knob, move the camera to where you want it, and then just lock in the ball with the same knob.
The main advantage of the ballhead over the panhead is that it’s a lot quicker to position your camera and lock it in place. They also don’t have any long knobs, like the ones you’ll find on a panhead.
The downside to a ballhead is that it’s more difficult to make precise adjustments of the camera’s position. Every time you unlock that ball, the camera will be free to move in all directions (whereas, with a panhead, you can adjust one direction at a time). But, most ballheads also come with a tension adjustment, so you can control how freely the ball moves when you unlock it.
Which is better?
Neither type of head secures your camera better than the other, so deciding between a panhead and ballhead is really just a personal preference. However, it seems like most nature photographers prefer the ballhead.
When I first got into photography, I started with a panhead (despite everyone telling me to get a ballhead). I’m a very precise person, so I was attracted to the panhead because of their precise control. I was afraid the ball on a ballhead would have a mind of its own and float too freely.
But, then I started to get tired of spending so much time adjusting the panhead to the precise position I was looking for. And, those big knobs kept getting in the way: they’d either get caught on tree branches while I was hiking or my camera strap would get tangled around them sometimes.
So, I switched to a ballhead and will never go back (unless maybe I get seriously into video someday). I discovered that my fear of the ballhead being too loose was exaggerated, since you can easily control the tension of the ball on most ballheads.
I also discovered that ballheads can be extremely useful in situations where you’re photographing a moving subject like butterflies or hummingbirds: just setup your tripod by a nice patch of flowers, but keep your ballhead loose, so when a butterfly or hummingbird moves from one flower to the next, you can quickly point your camera in a new direction.
Which do you prefer?
If you also have a strong preference for either type of tripod head, please share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below. Thanks! 馃檪
Or, if you’ve found a particular situation where one type of head worked better than the other, please tell us about it!
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About the Author: Steve Berardi is a naturalist, photographer, computer scientist, and founder of PhotoNaturalist. You can usually find him hiking in the beautiful mountains and deserts of Southern California.
I like a ball head. The pan/tilt handles would jam me in the neck. Now that I have “big glass” , I got a gimble head.
Each type of head can be useful. When I shot large format sheet film in view cameras the pan head was just right and I don’t think I would have enjoyed a ball head with those cameras. I still have a pan head on one tripod and a ball head on another. Both have RRS quick release clamps which I really like. The ball head is on a traveler tripod that I can easily backpack and I prefer its movement with my DSLR for all the reasons you mention– it’s quick,accurate and doesn’t get in the way. My larger tripod comes out in windy situations or when I need the extra height. I don’t like the pan movement as much as the ball head but it’s not enough worry to make me replace it. Yet.
I’ve used both. On my former main tripod I got a 3-way pan/tilt-head, but as I found the head to be “to slow” for me, I opted for a ballhead. At first I thought I would just stick with the 3-way head, but as I got used to the ballhead I now use, I don’t want to go back unless I really need the options that 3-way pan/tilt-head offers. Also if need to use the pan/tilt-head I need to use a different pair of legs as my main tripod don’t support the pan/tilt-head.
My reasons for use of the ball-head is what you’ve mentioned in your text.
The tripods and heads I use:
Giottos MTL-9251B tripod
Giottos MH-5001 3-way head
Redged RTA-428 tripod
Redged RNB-1 Ballhead
Ball heads are great as you explained. But when it comes to long range zooms (I use 800mm often) I definitely use a Panhead, a geared one though! At this zoom ranges, a fraction of a degree makes big difference and only a geared head let you manage this microadjustments.
Steve, I use a ball-head because of the size and convenience. However, I also do many panoramas. For panoramas I use a Nodal Ninja 3 MKII with a quick disconnect plate mounted on my ball-head. The ball-head makes leveling the pan-head very easy. The whole setup is relatively small, and it permits 360 degree and spherical panoramas to be captured.
Having used several models of pan/tilt head by manufacturers like bogen/manfrotto and indruo, and many ball heads including Bogen/manfrotto, Markins, studioball, I must say I greatly prefer the ball-head.
For my work, even using lenses up to 500mm, a good ball head is irreplaceable. My current favorite is the Markins Q-Ball Q20. It is perfect, and different from the bogen and studioball offerings i have used in the past, because if I adjust the tension on the main knob of the Q-ball, it allows me to move the camera around smoothly in any direction, and then let go of it. It just stays put, where other ball heads might sag or feel sticky in their movement, this is a godsend with any lens, big or small. When I am ready to move on, I lock the head and throw the whole kit over my shoulder and I’m off. I have also heard that the ball-heads by Arca-Swiss, Really Right Stuff, and Kirk Enterprises, are excellent.
I find that I could never operate so quickly, or with such precision, using a pan/tilt head. However, YMMV.
Yes I too use mostly big glass but I have found the Lensmaster RH1 gimbal great value and of simple yet robust construction.
Oil slick smooth.
http://lensmaster.co.uk/rh1.htm
For lighter wide angle & general purpose lenses a good quality ballhead with tension adjust knob is the way to go. Light, quick, But for longer lenses nothing beats a Wimberly or similar full gimble. Once you try one you won’t go back. Total finger tip control.
For about 8 yrs. I have used a Manfrotto pistol grip ball head. But just recently purchased a Manfrotto hydrostatic ball head. The pistol grip head had two short comings which I didn’t like; 1. It didn’t really hold stiff position when shooting w/ a long tele stretched out front….especially annoying for macro work. 2. I also didn’t like the fact that I had to use my right hand to control the pistol grip (being right handed) and could not simultaneously reach the shutter release button on the camera body.
So far I love the new hydrostatic ball head as it provides a rock steady grip on camera position.
Perfect timing regarding this article because I am looking to buy a new head for my tripod. But how about the Joystick style head??. Really want to get away from using the 3 knobs on the one I have now. Looking at the Manfrotto 327RC2 Joystick head. My budget is around $140 or so as this will be the last one I’ll buy for a while. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Great article Steve! I think a lot of it has to do with what you get used to. I have used a Manfrotto 322RC2 for about 7 years and I absolutely love it! I bought a new Manfrotto 498RC2 last December to use with a Gorillapod Focus and my regular tripod as well but I don’t hardly use it.
@ Charles Johnson – Great idea on the Nodal Ninja! I use that same one for shooting 360 virtual tours. I might try that!
@ Joyce Stevens – The 327RC2 is the newer model of my 322RC2. I have enjoyed using mine for about 7 years and I can’t imagine not having it! I hope this helps you decide!
My Manfrotto, which I’ve had for 15+ years, has elements of both. It has a ball head; but, it also has a knob that allows horizontal control when I want to pan without the other axes being affected.
How about some observations on various ball heads you have used?
Thanks
which one is good for panoramic photography