A photo head for your camera tripod can improve your photos in countless ways. By exploring the wide range of options available on the market, you are sure to find a photo head that perfectly matches your needs and your budget. However, it is important to remember that not all photo heads are made equally and that the quality of this accessory will directly impact the quality of your final product. If you are looking for a high-quality photo head made with durable materials and designed to withstand heavy use, take the time to read our article to learn more about these products.
Comparison Table
Top 7 Best Photo Head Reviews
1. Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head with 200PL Quick Release Plate
The XPRO-BH ball head is a high-quality and professional tripod head that, thanks to its magnesium construction, has great resistance to all the elements. Its simple design allows you to switch effortlessly between photography and video.
Despite only weighing 0.52 kg, it has the capacity to carry up to 15 kg of gear due to the UNI Safety Payload system on the mounting point. Its high precision is ensured by both its leveling bubble and triple locking mechanism. The Manfrotto Befree Aluminum Tripod and XPRO-BH Ball Head are an excellent combination for any photographer who wants great photos with outstanding stability.
2. Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Metal Tripod Head
This heavy duty metal 360 degree panoramic gimbal tripod head with standard 1/4″ quick release plate and bubble level will bring your camera to life. This 4 in 1 convertible quick release system allows you to use it as a handheld, overhead or panoramic mount, making it easy to capture stunning photos and videos with minimal effort.
From the smallest point-and-shoot cameras to large DSLRs and medium format cameras, this tripod head is compatible with most gear. It features an extremely strong construction that allows for effortless movement both horizontally and vertically, making it possible to quickly track moving objects for candid photos at sporting events or in wildlife photography.
3. Manfrotto X-PRO 3-Way Tripod Head
Manfrotto X-PRO 3-Way Tripod Head is designed to be extremely portable while still providing maximum stability. The head has a robust aluminum body that weighs only one kilogram, allowing you to easily carry it or store it when not in use. The IML Teflon® surface is scratch resistant and easy to clean.
You also have the ability to position your camera precisely thanks to this head’s three leveling bubbles, friction controls on all axes and angles, and UNI Safety Payload System. We’re proud of this product because it’s lightweight but durable, meaning no matter how much your gear weighs, you can trust it with peace of mind.
4. Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head
The Benro GD3WH 3-Way Geared Head is a sturdy and durable product that will allow you to take control of your camera with ease. This tripod head is made from quality materials and feels extremely well-made, so you know it’s going to last for many years to come.
While it has been designed to be a geared head that gives you more precision when shooting objects at a distance, it also works great as a ball head when the wider angle shots are needed and can be used with any telephoto lens that you might have in your bag when the need arises.
5. 3 Legged Thing AirHed Pro Lever Tripod Head
The 3-Legged Thing AirHed Pro Lever is a tripod head that was designed to support heavier cameras. It also features an easy-to-use detachable lever clamp that provides photographers and videographers with the ability to operate their equipment more quickly.
The AirHed Pro Lever is capable of supporting up to 40 kilograms thanks to its extremely sturdy aerospace-grade magnesium alloy ball head that provides additional stability. This tripod head has a panning range of 360 degrees, making it ideal for precise cinematography and tracking.
It also features a detachable lever clamp that can be attached to any device with a 3/8-inch-16 thread, such as a tripod or monopod.
6. Vanguard Alta BH-250 Ball Head
The Vanguard ALTA BH-250 is a multi-action ball head that features three independent knob adjustments. The micro adjustment fine tuning knob gives you total control over ball friction for precise adjustments when composing your images. Reposition your camera quickly, easily and accurately with the main locking knob which has an oversized lever for easy grip.
The ALTA BH-250 has durable aircraft aluminum housing which weighs only 20.4 ounces and features a 44-pound safety payload, 2 bubble levels for precision adjustments and a built-in safety pin to prevent accidentally releasing your camera. An oxidization anodized surface on the ball ensures it will remain scratch free and provide ultra smooth and precise movements.
7. iOptron 3305A SkyTracker Ball Head
The iOptron SkyTracker Ball Head comes with three in-built adjustments knobs that make it easy to achieve the desired angle and position. One of them is a panning knob, which allows you to make adjustments to your camera for a smooth movement across the sky. The second one supports both elevation and azimuth adjustment capabilities, while the third one enables you to rotate your camera vertically.
Regardless of whether you are looking for a ball head design or a quick-release plate, this product has all of them. This gives you the option to attach various types of cameras on it without compromising stability since it features a decent load capacity.
Buying Guide
What To Look For When Buying A Tripod Head
Before you look at the different features of tripod heads, you should know what camera and lens you will be using with your tripod. If you’re using a compact or mirrorless camera, you might be able to get away with a lighter or cheaper tripod head, but you’ll need a smaller lens on your camera to do so.
The head of your tripod must be stable and strong enough to hold the weight of a DSLR or any other heavier professional lens without making the tripod less stable or, worse, causing your camera and tripod to fall over and damage your equipment.
Which Type Of Tripod Head Is Best For Astrophotography?
How you answer this question will depend on what kind of celestial photography you find interesting. When you do most of your photography with a wide-angle lens, you need a good ball head. This is especially true if you are using a camera without a mirror. If you want to use long-telephoto lenses to take pictures of specific planets, you should buy tripod heads with gimbals. This will give you more control over how your subject is positioned.
Is A Ball Head Tripod Better?
Most camera stores have a tripod with a ball head, which is the piece of photography equipment that most photographers use. Even purists like them because they are simple and easy to use.
Not only are they available at a range of prices, but both amateur and professional photographers like them. Because they are balanced, they are better than any other kind of tripod that a wide range of customers can buy.
What Are The Different Types Of Tripod Heads?
Ball Head
Many photographers who are on a tight budget like to use ball heads, which are the most popular type of tripod head. They give you a lot of creative freedom because you can point your camera in almost any direction you can think of. When you use them, it can be hard to make changes that are both sensitive and correct.
Pistol Grip Head
The way that ball heads and pistol grip heads look is very similar. All of them have the same job; the only difference is how they do it. Instead of traditional locking mechanisms like knobs, pistol grip heads have a trigger that releases tension and then puts it back to where it was. Because of this, they are much easier to use than tripod ball heads.
Pan & Tilt Head
The pan and tilt tripod heads are a big step up from regular ball heads because they let you make finer adjustments with more accuracy. You will be able to control horizontal, vertical, and panning movements because of how they work. You’ll just have to get used to how big and heavy the new ball heads are.
Fluid Head
It’s easy to see how fluid heads are similar to pan and tilt heads in terms of how they work, and they have all the same benefits as those other types of cameras, plus the ability to change the level of friction as you move the camera around. Fluid heads are another name for friction heads that can be changed. This will help videographers do their jobs better because the images will pan more smoothly. The handles are also wide enough to give you more support.
Geared Head
Out of all the different kinds of tripod heads, the geared tripod heads are the most stable and durable. They use three different knobs to change the front-to-back tilt, the side-to-side tilt, and the panning. Their level of accuracy can’t be beaten, and you can make the smallest changes and put your camera in the exact right spot.
Gimbal Head
Photographers love gimbal tripod heads because they can steady even the biggest and heaviest telephoto lenses and professional DSLR bodies. Because of this, gimbal tripod heads are the best thing for a photographer to have when taking pictures of animals or sports. With these lenses, it’s easy to move your camera around and still get a clear picture of your surroundings. You don’t have to worry about annoying camera shake ruining your shot.
Panoramic Head
As its name suggests, a panoramic tripod head is used to take photos that look like they were taken by a pro with a mirrorless camera or DSLR. Because of this, you’ll be able to take a series of photos that can be put together to make a panoramic shot or even a 360-degree photo that can be used to make virtual reality effects.
Conclusion
The products on this list are just a small sampling of all the photo tripod heads available on the market. To help you in your search, we have provided you with some helpful tips that will point you toward finding the best photo head for your photography needs. Properly take into consideration what you expect from a photo head when shopping to make sure that you don’t end up leaving the store without your ideal product.