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Top Picks: Tripod Heads for Landscape & Macro Photography RANKED!

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Tired of fumbling with your tripod head during those perfect landscape or macro photo moments? 😫 In this video, I'll take the guesswork out of choosing the BEST head for YOUR needs.
I've tested a TON of tripod heads in the harsh, unpredictable conditions of the Pacific Northwest, and I'm ranking the top contenders for both landscape AND macro photography.
We'll go beyond the basic ball head vs. geared head debate and dive into the real-world performance of various models.
By the end, you'll have a clear framework for evaluating tripod heads AND personalized recommendations based on your shooting style:
Are you...
- an adventurous backpacker who values lightweight gear?
- a macro enthusiast seeking ultimate precision?
- a versatile landscape artist needing both stability AND speed?
- Or a rugged seascape photographer battling the elements?
Don't waste another dime on the wrong gear! Watch this video, find YOUR perfect tripod head match, and unlock your creative potential.
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== CHAPTERS ==
0:06 Intro
01:30 Tripod Head Lineup
01:44 Ranking Criteria
03:27 Ball Heads
06:36 Inverted Ball Head
08:10 Geared Heads
19:49 Ball + Gear Hybrid Head
22:25 Two-Way Pan & Tilt
25:34 Pano Head
28:18 Final Ranking
28:49 Secret Accessory
31:58 Head Recommendations
34:48 My Favorite Heads
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== TRIPOD HEADS ==
BALL HEADS
RRS BH-30: bhpho.to/3XeWw0w
Acratech GXP-SS: bhpho.to/3ACrXsO
RRS BH-55: bhpho.to/4dA7K5g
INVERTED BALL HEAD
Arca-Swiss Monoball P0: bhpho.to/3XeWmWY
GEARED HEADS
Leofoto G4 Pro: bit.ly/3ytjl6R
Leofoto G4 (if you want to replace the clamp with the Sunwayfoto geared clamp): bit.ly/3WPzZaC
K&F Concept 3-Way: bhpho.to/4cGJz41
Arca-Swiss P0 Hybrid: bhpho.to/4dyxbo5
Arca-Swiss Cube: bhpho.to/3ACA1K4
Arca-Swiss D4: bhpho.to/3MioMJj
GEARED PANNING CLAMP:
Sunwayfoto Geared Pan Clamp: rb.gy/6nka3s
PANO HEAD
RRS PG-01: bhpho.to/3MhZxqt
2-WAY PAN & TILT
Sunwayfoto DT-03R: rb.gy/kkbzxt
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== PHOTO GEAR ==
Landscape Camera: Nikon Z8
Amazon: amzn.to/3RGCGYL
B&H: bhpho.to/3AAZ8gt
Wide Angel Lens: Nikon Z 14-24
Amazon: amzn.to/3KUfLp0
B&H: bhpho.to/3XcFdwZ
Mid-Zoom Lens: Nikon Z 24-120
Amazon: amzn.to/3XDFkm5
B&H: bhpho.to/4fVeVGW
Telephoto Lens: Nikon Z 100-400
Amazon: amzn.to/45BsR4a
B&H: bhpho.to/3YYuZBQ
Macro Lens for Nikon: Nikon Z 105 Macro
Amazon: amzn.to/4dEjP9c
B&H: bhpho.to/4dX4ZuC
Macro Camera: OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II
Amazon: amzn.to/3M1c3us
B&H: bhpho.to/3YZ8jBu
Macro Lens for OM System: OM M.Zuiko 90mm Macro
Amazon: amzn.to/3yH9cUf
B&H: bhpho.to/3YY9JMh
Camera Vest: Cotton Carrier G3
Amazon: amzn.to/45BsR4a
B&H: bhpho.to/4dSLaEU
Tripod: Really Right Stuff TVC-24L Mk2
Amazon: amzn.to/4c7JEOB
B&H: bhpho.to/4dT21r8
Tripod (Travel): RRS Ascend-14 Long
B&H: bhpho.to/4dW0C3e
Tripod Head: Leofoto G4 Pro
Leofoto: bit.ly/3ytjl6R
Tripod Head: Arca-Swiss P0 Hybrid
Amazon: amzn.to/4fIfXpN
B&H: bhpho.to/4dyxbo5
Magnetic Filters: Kase Revolution
Amazon: amzn.to/3yos6zn
B&H: bhpho.to/4dAiUaq
== VIDEO GEAR ==
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo
Amazon: amzn.to/3WV344e
B&H: bhpho.to/3YY9OQ5
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== SOCIAL ==
Instagram: / jameslphoto
Facebook: / jameslphoto
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*The Amazon links to the equipment I use are affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the channel, so I appreciate any affiliated purchases :)

Опубликовано:

5 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 29

@johnellsphoto Месяц назад

Exceptional, straight-forward critical analysis-in-depth, complete and comprehensive. Very insightful! Thank you!

@JamesLPhoto Месяц назад

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the review helpful and insightful. I strive to provide detailed and honest information, so it's rewarding to know it resonates with viewers like yourself. Thanks for watching!

@photosbyjosef 12 дней назад

Thank you for creating the very best tripod. Head video comparison on all of RU-vid

@ill4573 2 месяца назад

Thank you. Beyond informative! Your video nudged me in the correct direction. I appreciate your sharing your experiences. It makes it easier for others to wade through the sea of tripod heads available.

@JamesLPhoto 2 месяца назад

So many options out there. Awesome to hear that the video helped!

@dennismwallentin296 2 месяца назад

Excellent video 👍 It gives me the information I need to upgrade my present head!

@JamesLPhoto 2 месяца назад

Glad to hear that. It's comments like yours that are the reason I do this.

@juergenbaumann8817 3 месяца назад

Fantastic review, appreciate your systematic approach and worth the length, thanks :)

@JamesLPhoto 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you found the review helpful.

@yukonica4560 3 месяца назад

Nice video; good information based on actual ownership. I've owned a 405 for about 15 years. It's been reliable but I hate its ergonomics so it lives in the studio. Two years ago I bought a Sunwayfoto GH Pro-ii Plus. It is lovely to use in the field (accuracy over speed for framing landscapes) but has developed a tiny yet irritating lash in the gears. I think you were wise to return yours. Good luck with your channel.

@JamesLPhoto 3 месяца назад

I appreciate you sharing your experiences with the 405 and Sunwayfoto. It's a bummer to hear about the issue on the GH Pro-ii Plus, especially since it sounds like you enjoyed it otherwise. It's always tough when gear doesn't quite live up to expectations. And thanks for the kind words on the channel-stay tuned for lots more to come!

@rogalaphotography Месяц назад

You should explain that smallrig doesn't make the rotatable lens collar for Canon that goes on an L bracket.

@JamesLPhoto Месяц назад

Good to know. Each configuration is so individual. It's a shame that manufacturers can't standardize these things.

@mactheknife74 3 месяца назад

Great video, i bought the Athol rotating collar on the kickstarter release and its been fanstatic. Single downside is my Laowa Macro lens won't fit to my camera when the Atholl is attached. Soo. Ace for non Macro days. 😅. But for landscales etc its been fantastic.

@JamesLPhoto 3 месяца назад

You're absolutely right about the fit! It's a shame that the Laowa doesn't fit with the Atoll. Both the Neewer and SmallRig are a little tight but big enough for my macro lens, so they may be worth a try for you. Using them for Macro is a game-changer!

@Robert-R 3 месяца назад

Great summary of all the tripod heads. I've been considering the Arca-Swiss Cube, but the D4 looks like a potential option as well now after your review as I was concerned about not being able to make quick adjustments on the Cube. In an unrelated question, it looks like you have reflective tape on your tripod legs? I've been using a 3m reflective tape for mine, but the tape is a bit too stiff and tends to unwrap. Which brand did you end up using?

@JamesLPhoto 3 месяца назад

I'd definitely recommend trying to get your hands on both the Cube and D4 to see how they feel in person if you can. If you can swing it upfront, it might be worth purchasing both with the idea of testing them and returning one, assuming the store has a good return policy. As for the tripod tape, I'm sorry, but I can't seem to find the product link in my order history! It was almost a decade ago. However, I do remember that it was a highly rated glow-in-the-dark tape on Amazon. The trick for having it last all these years was definitely the clear tape on top to seal it in. I'd recommend trying that with whatever tape you choose.

@steviem8466 3 дня назад

All this goes to show, is that if you want to pay OTT money for a geared head, buy Arca Swiss, otherwise most of the others will do a reasonably good job.

@arnekoenecke6111 3 месяца назад

Has anyone tried the Colorado Tripod Company Aspen ballhead?

@JamesLPhoto 3 месяца назад

They produce some unique offerings that have some good reviews. From what I can tell, though, the Aspen is a ball head with a hollow ball to lighten the weight. Despite this, it's still heavier, larger, and has a lower load capacity than the Acratech GXP-SS I reviewed in this video.

@corey688 2 месяца назад

Since you made this video have you been able to try the Leofoto LH-40gr geared head / ball combo ?

@JamesLPhoto 2 месяца назад

That's an interesting option that I haven't tried. Theoretically, it should work like the AS P0 Hybrid since it is a ball head + gears above. So you can use the ball to get your rough composition and adjust the gears to fine-tune! Quick and precise. 716 grams isn't too bad for what you get. My only hesitation is that the product has been on the market for a while, and there has been an increase in quality over the last couple of years with Leofoto's products. I don't see it listed on their USA store so it may be more challenging to source. But if you pick it up, have fun with it, and I would love to hear how it works for you!

@corey688 2 месяца назад

@@JamesLPhoto I purchased the lh-40gr. It feels solid and smooth so far. Time will tell if I should have bought the g4 instead. Basically the difference is full quick movements of the ball vs dedicated up and down tilt of the g4.

@corey688 2 месяца назад

@@JamesLPhoto One thing I’ve noticed , and not sure if this is leofoto ball head thing or just on the lh-40…. When I lock the ball down it releases the fine tune drag tension adjustment on the ball. Then if you go to adjust the pan knob, inadvertently your finger touches the fine tune drag knob which is free flowing and will easily be moved. Then when you go back to unlocking the ball your previously set drag tension is different and could possibly be fully open ( if your finger inadvertently turned the dial tension knob that way ,) making your camera subject to falling down on a ball head that’s open with no tension. Bad design - or are all ball heads like this ? ( this is my first ball head )

@JamesLPhoto Месяц назад

That's great that you got the LH-40gr and it feels good in hand so far! As for the drag tension issue, it's definitely not ideal to have it reset when locking the ball. It seems like Leofoto was trying to make it easier to adjust the ball when unlocked, but it can lead to accidental adjustments like you described. Most ball heads don't reset the drag tension when locked, so it's not a universal issue. You could try contacting Leofoto directly to see if they have any solutions or if it's a known issue. They have good customer service. I hope you can figure out a setup that works for you.

@corey688 Месяц назад

@@JamesLPhoto it doesn’t reset the drag necessarily, but it loosens it to the point that it can easily be changed if you’re finger brushes up against it accidentally. I stretched over the knob a 1/2” o-ring , which helps to keep the drag knob from moving when the main knob is in unlock position. Seems to work for now, certainly better than without the o-ring.

@colintraveller 3 месяца назад

Ballheads are shite , Flatbase video head ...is a far better overall product

@JamesLPhoto 3 месяца назад

Video fluid heads are great to use if you don't mind their size and weight. Henry Hudson is a big fan. However, for hiking or situations where precision is important, you're probably better off with something else.

@colintraveller 3 месяца назад

@@JamesLPhoto I've never watched his channel if he has one or even know who that chap is his name is unimportant to my POV . Am simply stating my user experience of having used BH's and VH'ds. . BH'ds is a fking shite product simples and badly designed . Waste of money they are !!.