Lightweight/Traveling Tripod

[Kayaker72]

Hi Rick,

Very cool Arca-Swiss ball head. Currently, I don't take panning shots. Maybe I should. Actually, maybe I will now with a better tripod. But I am wondering, what would the double pan action gain you?

Regard the Markins, I am not seeing a screw....maybe I am missing something, but I am looking here:
http://markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q3T.php?req=Q3TSK

It was mentioned several times in the user reviews (3 on the first page) for the GT1542T on BH and I've found a couple of other references to Markins being one of the top brands (http://www.bythom.com/support.htm).

That said, I am pretty sure I'll end up with the RRS BH-30. I just haven't looked at all the ball heads enough to satisfy my various disorders ( ) and am busy getting ready for tonight. I think much of my debate will be between weight/performance and a little on cost. For example, RRS BH30 LR is 0.71 lbs at $275 and the RRS BH40 is 1.05 lbs at $375 and the Arca-Swiss Z1-sp is 1.3 lbs at $410. Giving 0.1 lb for the plate, the difference in the set up weight would be 3 lbs with the BH30 up to 3.6 lbs with the Arca-Swiss. But I like how the BH-30 is designed to fit within the Gitzo traveller legs and, ultimately, the BH-30 is rated for about the same weight as the GT1542T. All these trade offs....

[conropl]

...But I am wondering, what would the double pan action gain you?

Your tripod is rarely level... so you set your camera relitive to the horizon with the ball. Now the camera is at a different angle from the base of your ball head. Therefore, if you rotate the camera under the ball, then the camera changes angles relitive the the horizon constantly as you rotate. However, if you rotate above the ball, then the camera retains its orientation relitive to the horizon as you rotate 360 degrees.

Pat

[HDNitehawk]

Actually, maybe I will now with a better tripod. But I am wondering, what would the double pan action gain you?

These legs are lightest of the light. Pano's might be a bit more difficult using them. But maybe not.

The double action pano, the second pano has a level in it as well. Your ball can be slightly off, you can make all of your adjustment pivoting the ball head and get the top pano perfectly level. You can then have a nice level pano action from side to side that is level. Where if you are just turning the ball head from its lower pano, if the ball isn't perfetly level it will tilt your camera as you swing. All you would need with the double pano head for a single row pano is a nodal slide to move your camera foward and back.