For Christmas I got this nice new tripod head, except upon opening it I realized that it is a ball joint type, that can swing in all directions. It does seem like it could be good for video, except that it doesn't have a control arm for panning and tilting.

Does anybody else use one of these? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

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Sounds like you might be missing a piece. Which specific head is it?

The ball head is for levelling only. You still need a pan bar for panning and tilting, and your head should have come with one (or two).

That is, if we're talking about the same thing. Can you post a link or a picture? Did you read the manual thoroughly? If you mean that there is a ball joint in the middle of the head that allows for both panning and tilting, rather than how it attaches to the legs, well, they all do that.

Also, are you sure you have legs that can accept a ball head? They're different from the more common type that have a center column and a flat mounting plate where you screw on the head...

(This should be in the tripod forum. Perhaps moderators can move...)

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Adam
Proud owner of 8, no, 7, no, wait, now NINE Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."

This is what it is:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/291400141.htm

I guess it's not meant for motion but I may hot-glue an arm on it because it is much smoother than the regular crappy sunpak head.

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Proud owner of the world's only GS80 with a mic port!

Check out my company's website:
www.lowcostvideos.net

Yes, that appears to be a leveller only, designed to go between the tripod head and your camera (or perhaps between the legs and head, the way the Bogen/Manfrottos do). It is not meant to replace the tripod head, which is why it doesn't have a control bar. It makes leveling faster and easier but you can do that just by adjusting the legs, with a little more effort. And once it is locked into the level position, you won't be able to pan or tilt -- even if it wasn't locked in place and unable to move, once you did you'd quickly go out of level if it's between the head and the cam.

It's the wrong tool for what you need. If you go down to the tripod forum you'll see some recommendations for a better head to use on the legs you have, possibly. I think there is a thread that mentions using the Sunpak legs with a different head, or vice versa.

__________________
Adam
Proud owner of 8, no, 7, no, wait, now NINE Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."