vector3 -- , Oct 10, 1999; 10:06 a.m.
The toughest pan/tilt heads on the market seem to be the Bogen 3039,
Gitzo 1570 (Gitzo's largest low profile model), and Gitzo 1571(Gitzo'
largest standard model). Two more non-standard rational heads are the
Arca Swiss B2 and the Bogen 3263 geared head (which I think is also
known as the 400).
Due to my load requirements (and my plans for a future upgrade to
large format), I have to confine myself to these options for a tripod
head. However, I am not currently able to try out any of these models.
The Bogen geared head would be my first choice, followed by the B2;
but these heads are simply too expensive. This leaves me with the
Bogen 3039, Gitzo 1570, and Gitzo 1571. I'm really leaning toward the
1571 because the two other models have a restricted back tilt of only
20 degrees (the 1571 has 60 degree back tilt). I am however worried
that the 1571 will not be able to provide as solid a support as the
other two models.
Is there anyone out there who has used these models that can give me
some advice? Any negative comments about the 1571?
Thanks to anyone that can help,
Ellis Vener 
, Oct 10, 1999; 03:35 p.m.
How big a camera or format are you anticipating on mounting? If the 1571 is the newest version of the 1570 I'll vouch for it; I had one briefly before I switched to an Arca Swiss B2.
Nige Buddy , Oct 11, 1999; 07:12 a.m.
Not sure of model numbers but my Manfrotto 141RC tilt/pan head suffers from the ailment you decribe of not being able to tilt back very much. I discovered this while trying to point the camera at an eclipse recently. The remedy was to turn the camera 180 degrees and operate the vertical alignment from the front, worked fine.
vector3 -- , Oct 11, 1999; 09:14 a.m.
Yeah, that's what I thought I'd have to do for extreme back tilts if I got a Bogen head. The problem is, if your using a wide angle lens, the back handle of the head (which is now sticking out the front) can protrude into the image area. This wouldn't be a problem when reversing the camera on the Gitzo 1570, since its handle sticks out the side; but then again I could avoid the problem altogether with a 1571. However there might be times when I wanted to tilt the camera farther back than 60 degrees, in which case the 1571 would have the same problem as the Bogen. This is all making the 1570 look like the only real choice for unrestricted movement in a traditional high-weight bearence pan/tilt head. Any one know of an alternative I should check out?
Ellis Vener , Oct 11, 1999; 11:14 a.m.
You might checkout one of the heads from Ries Tripods.
Ellis Vener , Oct 11, 1999; 02:10 p.m.
I forgot to mention: Linhof and Foba also make some very fine pan & double-tilt tripod heads but they are probably at a price comparable to the B2 head.
Darth M , Oct 11, 1999; 03:35 p.m.
I'm a ballhead user but I seem to think that on some of the Bogen and Gitzo pan/tilt heads you can swap the various handles around which may get round the problem of the handle appearing in the frame when mounted on the head backwards and using a wide angle as some of the handles are shorter than others
