Posted by David McCall on 04/09/07 17:59

"Steve King" <steveSPAMBLOCK@stevekingSPAMBLOCK.net> wrote in message
news:k9SdnSkkh6HA54fbnZ2dnUVZ_vGinZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> Whether a fluid head performs satisfactorily is truly a personal
> preference. If you want smooth pan at telephoto extremes I haven't found
> anything under a few thousand dollars that is satisfactory. That doesn't
> mean that I don't use lesser expensive tri-pod head configurations from
> time to time, but they don't make me happy generally. Of course, cost and
> portability are sometimes even more important. As you are testing, pay
> particular attention to the ability to smoothly start and stop pans and
> tilts. Many cheaper fluid heads will pan just fine after you get them
> going. Unfortunately, jerky starts and stops call attention to
> themselves. Sometimes this deficiency can be overcome with operator
> technique. Sometimes not.
>
> Steve King
The built in image stabilization can sometime affect the starts and stops.
It might be best to turn off stabilization when trying to do smooth moves.

Too much "drag" can also be an issue with cheap tripods.
Sometimes the top of the tripod will twist a little as you pan,
then spring back when you end the pan.

Just a couple thoughts.

David

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