Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

[DPRoberts]

This isn't another "Which head should I get?" thread; there are plenty of those.

I'm curious if anyone that has used both prefers a standard ball head over the pistol grip and why. I recently got to use a pistol grip and fell in love with it, but I know a large number of people opt for the regular ball. I'm guessing a higher max load and lower price are the reasons, but I figured it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jäger Wilhelm]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

I bought the pistol grip version, and now can't imagine using anything else. I just like the speed and control of moving from target to target.

Willi

 

[mdesign]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

As a hunter, I like the ball head for spotting game and glassing cover. Very handy and moves easily in any direction as I follow moving game or go back and forth comparing trophies.

 

[Jäger Wilhelm]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

As I think about this some more, I have also found out (to me at least)that the pistol grip works better with a heavier spotting scope. More positive control. I have the new 85mm Zeiss Diascope with the 20-75x eyepiece, and the whole scope weighs in at more than 4 pounds. I was just at the range 2 days ago shooting into a 20mph headwind, and felt I had a more secure hold on the scope by gripping the pistol grip with my right hand and supporting the scope with my left hand. Just my opinion.....

Willi

 

[geometro]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

+1 for the pistol grip here...at least for a spotting scope application: fast and secure adjustment.

The ball head is better suited for a heavier load: if one were to use the tripod as a rifle support.

 

[truth]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

I knew if I kept this pistol grip long enough I'd find a use for it. The thing is utterly useless for anything photography related.

 

[DPRoberts]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

Thanks for the help guys. Having used the pistol grip I can't imagine a better option, but I wondered if I was missing something with the regular ball heads.

Cheers

 

[CoryT]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

Actually the hot ticket for scopes with a reticle is the 410 Mini Gear head. Three axes gear driven with quick adjust release levers makes placing the reticle precisely on target very simple. The down side is it's not a lightweight part and uses the RC4 plate, which makes interchange between the ball and grip heads annoying. I machined off the excess and bolted in an RC2 QD pad so all my heads use the same plate. It's double the weight of the 322RC2, but fantastic to use.

Mini Gear Head

 

[TexIndian]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

I was into photography for years. For general use, a nice ball head was awful handy. But I fell in love with a geared head for stuff like close-up work. I still use the geared head when at the range. Even with the heaviest rig, there's no 'sag' after you get it where you want it.

 

[hypertex]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

I too was into photography and have found my ball head quite useful in the sport.
Mine is an Arca Swiss and can handle up to 40lbs. The nice thing about it is the ability to pan on a plane once set up. It's on the black tripod in the background. I believe the one Cory is citing is in the foreground

 

[pdice]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hypertex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I too was into photography and have found my ball head quite useful in the sport.
Mine is an Arca Swiss and can handle up to 40lbs.
</div></div>

I went a similar route. What I liked most was that I could find a setting where it was still stable, but if I push the scope i can move it to another spot. I felt the pistol grips were too imprecise.

 

[SCOTTx88]

Re: Manfrotto regular ball head vs. pistol grip?

I really like the pistol grip, have used it a bunch for camera work too.