Best TRIPOD HEAD for WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY | Ballhead vs gimbal vs video head [photo friday] 

Going beyond a simple gear review to a heart-warming story of story-telling to little kids and inspiring the next generation to feel what it is like to be content with the simplest things in life! Just amazing to see your good works Morten. Thank you for another amazing video.

Thank you, Morten. Always a pleasure having a coffee with you ;). I own the Leofoto LH-55 Ballhead which is a fraction of the cost to the reallyrightstuff and I love the 55mm dia ball. What I find is that the actual stem (the neck from the ball to the swiss arca mount) is much thicker on 55mm ball heads and that is my real reason for going so big. There are of course many other options and choices but in general I like optimizing stability over light weight even when travelling. Good gear pays you back.

I could listen to you talk about just about anything for however long :) . You just have a way of telling your stories and explaining things. Can't wait for the next one!

Great video as usual. I'd just like to add that a geared head can be best for many forms of macro photography. The problem with even the best ball heads is that if you frame a macro subject, close to 1:1 or greater, and then take your hand away, the whole thing droops causing the framing to change. So you end up having to try and position the framing over what you want, when so it droops, it droops into your desired position. Whereas with a geared head this doesn't happen as you don't have to touch the camera and lens, and so you get perfect framing. It's especially successful using live view. This droop is not caused by the ball head slipping as many people think, so cannot be solved by getting a better ball head. What causes it is slight flex in the lens, the tripod to camera attachment, the lens tripod collar etc. At normal distances this isn't noticeable, but the higher magnification, the more this effect occurs. It was a revelation when I used a geared head, because it makes the framing so much easier. The main drawback is that geared heads are not good all round tripod heads and can be flower to frame your subject. In other words it is a specialist thing for when you are framing small subjects on a tripod. Having a lens with a tripod collar is also much better for this type of photography.

Please keep at it Morten. I look very forward to watching your videos. I recently returned from a trip to Ireland and the wildlife there is all around you, all the time. I had a great experience with a Robin, while I was getting a photo he started jumping around my feet and I just had to set the camera down and enjoy his company.

Workshop for the children sounds great. Very valuable for them.Brilliant.Fiend of mine has just finished a three year degree in Experimental Archaeology. He has just started do some children's workshops around similar ancient skills on a small scale.

Would have subscribed twice once I heard you talking so passionately about being involved in primitive skills and teaching.

These videos are what got me into Wildlife photography. Keep up the good work Morten!

Yeah ok, no way I’m watching a 30min video about tripod heads. *watches a 30min video about tripod heads* I like your style dude, super helpful video. Thank you.

Apart from the technical part, what a joy to hear you talking so passionately about that stone age thing!

I absolutely love your enthusiasm and desire to share your knowledge and experience. The world needs more people like Morten Hilmer. Thank you.

Imparting your experience and time is much appreciated.

The Manfrotto video head has a friction/balance adjuster to stop it returning. I do have one, but I use it very little for photography, but a lot for mounting a telescope on for bird watching.

To heck with the coffee, the cameras/lenses & tripods are the good things I'm envious of!

Morten, I think it is wonderful that you are passionate about teaching young kids about how people used to live! I am sure they will have an experience they will take with the for the rest of their lives!! I would LOVE to see video/photography of your interaction with the children!!!

You're just a big kid at heart - I get much joy out of watching your videos, thanks.

Great video Morten! Interesting to hear you take on all the different heads and possible combinations and hacks. Personally, I prefer a video head for all my wildlife photography. I have the Manfrotto MVH500AH. It is smaller and more compact than the one you have, so it is easier to travel with. I do shot quite a bit of video and it is perfect for keeping the camera absolutely still. But I also prefer it for still photography. One reason being that I often photograph owls in low light conditions. Therefore, I need a longer exposure to get enough light to keep the ISO down. The MVH500AH is perfect because I keeps the camera and less totally locked in on the subject so you can avoid all shake, etc. So I use my video head for everything I do. For landscape I just pop on a small ball head on top of the video head and I works great. Thanks again!

I got to about 2:20 in and realized that I needed to refill my coffee... After a short pause, I was right these with you sipping my cup of coffee. That for sharing a cop, and lots of great video content with me.

Coffee time 👍😉

...dear humble Morten, never say sorry for this kind of LOVELY videos, we have to be so grateful about them and share with all the audience the TRUTH of your experiences and of course, parts of your life not related to photography which makes YOU be YOU... so THANKS for this one. See you out there....

I can listen to you talk all day...absolutely love your videos and stories within them.

I paused your video and made a cup of tea for myself 😉 love your video and love your mug, Morten.

RRS prices are going through the roof, just bought myself a Leofoto LH-55 ballhead and all I can say is, "wow, wow, wow! Extremely well built and sturdy. 10 years guarantee and... a at least a third of the price of the BH-55!!!

It's neat to see you fired up about teaching the kids. Sounds like you'll have more fun than the kids. Good job.

Morten your passion is infectious, I could listen to you all day, the children could not have a better teacher, I look forward to seeing your next video cheers my friend.

Hey Morten. I use the same Manfrotto Head with the same disadvantage of having a different quick release plate, so i took a MENGS CL-120 Arca Base and adapted it onto the Manfrotto plate. Now the problem is solved and it works fine for me. Alex

I position my gimbal head on the right side, as well. It works!

Morten, Have you not yet picked up a Wimberley sidekick? - Great compromise between the ball-head and gimbal especially when you are travelling. Good run-through of different options, now days I'm always pushpin to find lighter and smaller solutions as well, however nothing beats the big systematic for long lenses. Keep up with the videos, Cheers, Tom

I agree - if one head, than a ballhead. I own a Linhof Profi IV since 93 - it looks horrible, or let say very used, but still works perfect!

I used to switch from still to video a lot. I put a dove tail plate on the bottom of my fluid head. I could lock down my ball head and slide the video head on it. "Stacking my heads". It's not perfect but it got me through. Thank you.....

I saw this pop up on my notifications last night and started to watch the video; I was in so pain because I'm ill. So glad to watch it now!!!

Coffee or no coffee, I found this a very helpful video. Thank you.

I might be a couple of years late to the party however I totally enjoyed the passion you put into your video. Great insight on the tripod heads then the excitement of your planning for the visit of the young children. Your planning to be in costume, relay a story, hands on art work, and an amulet they make and keep, those can make lasting memories. I’ve always thought if out of a group of children or adults if I can make a small lasting impression, inspire even one to to open their thoughts for the future it’s a success. Wonderful

I have thought a good deal about swapping between quick-release plates, and the only answer I can think of is to have a custom clamp on your head that would let you stack a CINE plate on top of an Arca plate (for example). The clamp would basically be compatible with one type of plate, but would let you leave a second plate screwed onto the bottom. The second plate wouldn't need to get clamped to, but it would let you put a smaller plate on beneath and not require swapping. That is when a good chunk of money goes over to your local machinist, and you get yourself a custom head. haha

If you're willing to lose pan/tilt resistance adjustment, you can get the MVH500AH fluid head and the Kirk replacement top plate that converts it to arca swiss style. The clamp on the Kirk plate also rotates, so it can be used with L brackets and long lenses. It should also make it possible to balance long lenses. You could also probably keep your fluid head and make a new top plate pretty easily with a sturdy piece of aluminum with an arca style clamp attached to it. If it's built the same as the MVH500AH, there are just 4 bolts that hold the whole top plate on.

Hi Morten i know im a bit late to the table but you should hav a look at the sachtler fsb8 head i use it for 600 lens for video and as a gimball perfect for both . it will ballence and stay put no problem . its also the best built and smoothest head iv evey felt thanks ;

God bless you for kindness and sharing of your wonderful presentation.

AS always love watching your videos, having my coffee 2. Love your little personal story at the end with the kids. Don't forget to take a photo with your outfit on.

For super telephoto nothing beats a Gimbal for birds or wildlife and even greater for video for smooth tilt and follow pan. When shooting from my vehicle I will shoot stills using a bean bag. But for videos and stills I and my fellow photographers with me use my 3 diy window mounts and Gimbal heads for wildlife or birds in refuges.

That sounds like an awesome day foe the kids.

Hi Morton... Around 24:00 you are asking for a quick mount solution for the manfrotto plate against arca swiss... my suggestion is to just screw a cheap arcaswiss mounting plate on the manfrotto plate. This way you can leave the manfrotto plate on the head and just attach the arcaswiss plates to the preattached mounting plate.

I am well set up in the Manfrotto camp. For my gimbal I just fitted an adapter plate system. Simple, same on my 502 video head.

Morten, don't ever apologize for the length of your videos. You are always helpful, interesting and a great story teller. It would be really great if you could film the upcoming experience with the kids and post to RU-vid, (with the parents permission of course).

Watching your videos, I always have ready my cappuccino coffee. Thank you your videos are very informative.

Morten I started to follow your channel because I wanted to learn something about wildlife photography. Its not that I don't learn anything, far from that - but I keep coming back not because of the photography. I keep coming back because you are so passionate, honest and so very open in all your videos an there is something warm and magical about them for me. Thank you for that and please keep it up. On a side note, heavy coffee drinker here as well, I just wondered what coffee brand do you personally prefer :)

I’m glad I stayed and listened to the rest of your video. It’s good to know you are so multitalented! Thanks for the advice about tripod heads as well. I just bought the Tamron 150-600 and I want a different tripod head. I’ll probably buy the gimbal head to accommodate that lens. Otherwise I have a collection of ball heads including 2 inverted ball head designs.

Hey Morten. I didn't read all the comments in case somebody already suggest that but for your video head maybe you can try and fit permanently on to the head this : iShoot 3950MFT Clamp Adapter Converter for 39mm Arca-Swiss Fit Camera Quick Release Plate for Manfrotto Gitzo Tripod Fluid Head, (35-40$ at Amazon) to avoid the extra plate in the collar of your 600mm...

What a smashing bloke ... Respect

Hi Morten, Thanks for the great video. You asked, so... The solution to the incompatible quick release platform on the Manfrotto head is to buy a different brand of fluid head that uses an Arca-compatible design. Or, in some cases it's possible to replace the platform on Manfrotto heads with one that can accommodate Arca. I've done that with an older Manfrotto ballhead, but don't know if it's possible with the head you have. Kirk Photo, Hejnar Photo, RRS, Wimberley and some others make replacement Arca platforms. A third possibility is an adapter... One side fits the Manfrotto, the other provides the Arca platform. Adapters aren't my favorite solution because they add a little bulk, weight and create another connection that might loosen at the wrong time. When I've had to use one, I've drilled and tapped it for a second fastener and used string red Loctite to make it as permanent and secure as possible. The "thing" right atop your tripod is called a "leveler" or a "leveling platform". I use them, too, on both my tripods that I use with gimbals. They are very helpful if you frequently move the tripod, for quick re-levelling. They add about 1 lb. weight, but are worth it IMO. There are levelers like yours, designed to replace the plain plate in the top of a systematic style tripod (no center column), with the handle protruding below. There is also a style that works on top of a center column, where the release handle or lever is off to the side. A bonus with the Gitzo levelers I use is that they have a lever in the side to lock the head in place, making head seaps easy without need for any tools. I've got one tripod set up with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead and a Wimberley Sidekick gimbal adapter, which you mention but didn't show. The advantage of that is that swapping back and forth between large teles with a tripod collar and smaller lenses is as simple as using the adapter in the ballhead for the big lens or removing it to use the ballhead alone in a more normal manner with smaller lenses. That tripod is my pimary one, that has gone out with me on virtually every shoot for the last 20 years. I have another, identical tripod (with leveled, etc.) set up with a full size gimbal like your Wimberley WH-200 (but a different, less expensive brand), which is dedicated to use only with long telephotos with collars. The Sidekick provides tilt axis, same as full size gimbal... But the ballhead to which the Sidekick attaches provides the panning axis. I've often used it with a 500mm that weighs close to 8 lb. and occasionally with even heavier lenses. I've seen people using Sidekicks regularly with 600mm like yours, though Wimberley recommends heavier lenses be put on the full size head, instead. Weight of the Sidekick and heavy duty ballhead is about the same as your full size Wimberley head alone. Some other full size gimbal are now offered that she'd a little weight either with skeletonized design or carbon fiber construction. (Beware, though, some of the cheaper ones are just metal covered with a layer of carbon fiber for appearances, that actually weigh more.) I use both gimbals often with 100-400mm zoom, 300mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4 lenses... Plus camera and grip, sometimes with extenders, flash and flash bracket. 10 lb.+ is no problem. Occasionally I have even used with 600mm and 800mm, too. Another small benefit I discovered with the Sidekick is that since it's a side-mount, with smaller lenses I can use it to put my camera into portrait orientation and don't need an expensive, bulky L-bracket on my camera. I just have a fitted Arca compatible bottom plate on it instead.

When it come to wildlife, the gimbal head, hands down, especially when you have a 500mm lens or higher.

Nice Demonstration of Tripod heads but Specially I liked the last part of your discussion about your planing for kids ... Our future generation ... That is admirable. Cheers!!

Inspirational, like the mix between tech and passion for nature

"You know that feeling when you are having something nice..." LOL!! I had to put your video on pause and make myself an espresso after your comment. :D

I'm with you on which side of the camera to put the wimberly knobs. I also was told I have them on the wrong side and just had to chuckle and say "no, I don't" and explain why. Funny thing is I could see the recognition in their eyes, but they kept doing it on the other side because it's how some famous photographer does it. Ooh well, to each they're own I suppose.

Yes I don't know why it is so HARD for Nikon and Canon to put an arca swiss on their telephoto lens.No Brainer.Good review Morten 👍👍

Thanks for a good and helpful video Morten

The Wimberley Sidewinder works well with that ball head. I’ve even used it with my 600 f/4. Not ideal, but doable. Works much better than mounting camera body to my gimbal. BTW, I mount long lenses on the same side as you.

Thanks Morten for all the great advice. I hope you really enjoy your weekend & have a wonderful time being a caveman.

Your adventure on Monday sounds fascinating. I'm sure the children will have fun and hopefully learn about living with and in nature. When I was in my teens I wanted to run away to the woods and build myself a shelter and live in nature. The only thing that kept me at my parents house was my electric guitar! :-)

I forgot to say, that your pictures and films are outstanding! Great Job! Im following you since months.

When you actually take a cup of coffee as he said it 😁

Roy Cardiff I have my COFFEE ready keep up the good work

Ah you just mention ball head as bh55. Once again I didn’t wait for the end...really cool that you wild craft food and work work with kids and do flint knapping.

Fantastic explanation of a nuanced difference between the uses of the heads. Really informative, thanks Morten. Enjoy the kids workshop!

Very helpful, thank you

Hey Morten, I have the same problem and I resolved it by attaching an Arca-Swiss Clamp to my Manfroto Plate and that way I can switch without having to use two different styles of plates..... Great Video as always!!

Great comment regarding arcade compatibility

Best in-depth explanation I've seen, thank you, sir!

I can confirm your comments regarding the Arca ballhead & the Gimbal I have both. I used the Wimberley Gimbal for sports photography it was perfect (I was using a 400mm f2.8). Though for birds in flight I much preferred the mobility of handholding though with age this has converted me to Olympus away from Canon simply because of the weight & the mobility of the lighter lenses.

I feel quite lucky that we have a few different nature loving people here in Denmark, whether it's you, Morten Hilmer or someone like Morten D.D Hansen - because you both manage to reach out to people with your enthusiasm, and that can really make a big difference regarding the choices they make when it comes to nature. Hopefully we can come together and preserve the beautiful nature. :) Have you ever interacted with Morten D.D Hansen? You have different backgrounds but you seem to share a mission of getting people into nature. :)

pff why do i like this videos so mutch? keep on doing this!!!

Love your personality and all of your videos keep it up man

You're a good man, Morten. Have fun playing Stone Age Man for the children!

Exactly the video I was hoping for! It's a really tough question and can be a bit expensive to get the right one. 👍👍😍

Yes, the best for long lenses but not versatile are fluid video heads. And if you choose a ball mount you save the weight for the beloved leveler. I use my Sachter fluid head for 25 years and never wanted to change, very smooth panning and vertical changes. Counterbalance works for me OK. In the meantime there a versions compatible with Arca plates which I miss. Still poor prizing but it lasts a lifetime in every environmental condition. TV teams around the world share this experience.

I'm the same way with my Gimbal head. It just makes adjusting the zoom on my 200-500mm easier without obstructions.

I shoot the wildlife at Rodeo Drive... I think I need a video head to track their movements and not lose them. And yes, I got a coffee right before hitting play :D

I’m lucky that I don’t carry my tripods, either the car or my mobility scooter carry it for me so I can have the extra stability an aluminium one gives me. All my digital cameras have L brackets as I like Arca Swiss attachments, but I use a pan and tilt head for my Bronica. I have a side kicker gimbal head which I find a lot easier with my difficulties. My two smaller heads are Manfrotto and I adapted my ballhead myself to Arca. My gimbal is an old Benro, in fact all my heads are old and if you look after them and keep them clean, all the screws tight and sensible machine oiling they last forever. I do have another larger ballhead I keep on my monopod that can hold a larger weight, but I rarely use it to be honest. As always a superb video Morten, thank you!

Thank you for the video. The tip for how to use a ball head with long telephoto lenses saved me some money. I did not realize it could be used like that, and was already hunting for something new. I will give the ball head a second chance. With my "lightweight" micro four thirds lens, being off-center won't be a problem. P.S. Those ideas for a stone age activity with children sounded like fun!

@23:50 suggest to fix a long arca swiss clamp adapter on the manfrotto plate

Great video as usual,my girlfriend thought I was getting ready to go out for dinner but just came in and I'm watching this,so think I'm in trouble.lol.😂

Coffee time with Morten! great to see this style of video again mate. Thanks for the advice, I'm on the search for a nice head for my 500mm!

Great vid Morten... thank you for sharing and hello from Jamaica

Actually I do with a monopod, I walk around with my 6D and the 150-600 Contemporary on it and it work great, buuut when I have to stay at the same place (for birds for exemple) it's not that confortable because I can't rest my arms, so i'm in the market for a tripod. This video helped me to know that I dont need an expensive gimbal, I'll probably go for a sturdy tripod + ballhead who supports enough weight! Thanks ;-)

Morten, you're an inspiration. Don't ever stop being you. Another fantastic video. Thank you.

Excellent review of tripod heads. I was excited about the BH-55 until I discovered the cost is between US$400 and US$700! (I am not sure why there is such a price spread). Keep the great videos coming.

I’m actually in Denmark right now in Sønderborg. First time here and it is so beautiful! Love your videos Morten. I’ve learned a lot!

Hello there dear Morten, was Waiting for you to upload a Video, oh wait a 33min video, ok let me first make a coffee for this BRB.

I’ve been using the same rrs head for years. Works great in all weather.

I screw a RRS B2-LLR-II: Lever-Release Clamp onto the Manfrotto plate to solve the video head problem you mentioned. So the Arca Swiss lens foot always stay on my long lenses and there is no need to change the foot in using different tripod heads.

you are an awesome person

Lovely video. Thanks for sharing

You asked about how to make the Manfrotto fluid video head Arca-Swiss compatible. Manfortto makes a spacer to fit between ball heads and a tripod, which seems to have designed to use with some geared heads. I have mounts a spacer on the Manfrotto video head plate, and then mounted an Arca-Swiss clamp to the spacer. Now the Manfrotto 502 is Arca-Swiss compatible.

great video, love it 📸

Thanks for your in depth review of these Tripod heads. Your review helped me choose which one to finally purchase. I appreciate your time and expertise! Best wishes for continued success.

I use an arca swiss plate permanently on my video plate. That works great.

Regarding your Manfrotto head, I just permanently mount an arca swiss base plate to the manfrotto plate and never take it off. You can buy them on Amazon pretty cheap.

Whoops! I did not realize this was 4 years ago Friday!

Next time I have to remember to make coffee first. 😂 In regards to the Wimberly, I will often bring my RRS nodal rail with the arca mount so I can mint the camera in the forward position. I'd rather take that combo then using a large ball head-esp with a big lens.

I have an old single handle Slik pan and tilt (Slik M310 Master Deluxe Tripod, big heavy aluminum head and leg supports, almost like a video tripod, from the 70s) that is amazing for leveling by using both the pan and tilt while using the rotation of the attachment plate at the same time. It is really fast to move, and locks with a single twist. That said, with a really heavy set-up (Nikon D3s, 200-500mm lens, and a 2x converter). I often have to tighten it while above the image, and let it then "fall" to where i want it. This may be due to the fact that it is a single handle, and does not have a dedicated lock dial.