Fluid Heads VS. Ball Heads

There are advantages and disadvantages to both fluid head and ball head tripods. Cody Nelson, goHUNT's Optic Manager, breaks down the differences between the two and why you may use one over the other.

For questions please comment below or you can reach Cody directly:

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[TexpatOTG]

The only place I use a ball head is on my monopod. I use it in locked off shots to adjust camera angle on the stick ... otherwise gimbal or fluid head is the best choice for me. Good show, and Happy New Year

[JT-xfej]

Wow, I had no idea hunters used Photog gear. Very interesting and pleasantly surprised at the overlap and learning something new!

Was researching pros and cons of different camera mounts after being very undecided whether to upgrade anything considering going back into photography (having always been told BALL MOUNT IS GOSPEL but my fluid mount was always fine???). I randomly typed in “ball head vs fluid head mount” and here I am.

Very fucking cool and I appreciate the highly knowledgeable info that, while it maybe doesn’t apply directly to my exact interest, finding out this whole other use DOES clarify a lot. Thanks!

[johnnagy]

Most ballhead have a friction control knob that you can adjust so your camera or scope will not "flop" over when adjusting the scope or camera

[geoffsmith]

Why is it people will "feather in" with a pan head but every time I see a ball head demonstrated it is loosened all the way off so it flops over?
Have you tried just releasing a bit of tension off the ball so it can pivot but still holds?
I am using 15x70 bins and the ball holds the weight fine.
I also find the handle on the pan gets in the way getting my face into the bins,

[dannymcneal]

I just purchased a Nikon COOLPIX P1000 for wildlife and moon photography, some of which I plan to do during hikes in the wilderness. The P1000 is a beast, and with the lens extended to the full 3000mm, it is VERY front heavy, and there is no current way to balance the camera on a tripod as you would, say, with a lens mounted device. I currently use a carbon fiber pan head mount on a Velbon tripod; however, when I get the focus point set on my subject and tighten up the head, it always dips down when I release it, so I’m having to set the focus point above my subject, hoping it will settle at the right spot, which most of the time it doesn’t—lots of wasted time readjusting. Will a ball head mount work for my needs? Is a good one stable enough to stay where I tighten it? Thanks in advance for a reply, and I enjoyed your video!

[Aaron-ckgk]

Prefer ballhead as it can pull double duty as a platform for my arca rail equipped rifle as well, take the spotter out and clamp the rifle in. Makes a pretty solid rest for a lot of different shot angles, even with a smaller ballhead.

[mst]

fluid heads all the way...kinda sad how its so hard to find a good fluid head tripod on amazon

[olofssonwarren]

its simple a ball head is for photos and a fluid head is for video so you think of how your going to use it that day and decide whats more appropriately for the use.

[Masked_atatsuki]

Which tripod and head is best suited for a Celestron Regal M2 100ED?

[it_is_what_it_is_brotha]

Hey Cody, after listening to you on Jay Scott I have one stupid question with modern-day technology why is it that we don't have binoculars that can do a 10 to 15? If only the eyepiece on a spotter needs to move for the zoom why has this not made its way into binos so we don't have to make the decision over 10, 12, or 15?

[Hundert]

Thanks for this video. Could someone please help me. Which full size tall tripods are better value than the Celestron Regal premium tripod for my Celestron Ultima 80 spotting scope please. I definitely believe the pan head is my preference over the ball style. Thanks very much guys.

[jsgll...godgunsliberty]

Why is your Video Titled “Fluid Heads” vs “Ball Heads” and you refer to them as “Pan Heads”, for those of us that may be a bit green in this area it could be a bit confusing, but nice quality video. . .
Myself I would never buy a Ball Head especially by Vortex or Leupold they do glass not TriPods and they are way overpriced in most all retail stores with out the precision or quality except the name that is stamped on them, do your research You Tubers, look at ManFrotto tri pods and companys that specialize in Tri-pods and such and save yourself hundreds of dollars . . .nice try, just my 2 cents for all you who dont really know. . .Peace

[dylangintherofficial]

So dont buy a ball head pretty much hehehee