Ballhead for Wildlife Photography, Does It Make Sense and Why?

My thoughts:
Ballheads are not an essential part of most wildlife photography however they can be extremely useful and versatile. They can be used in combination with side-mounted gimbal heads or improvised as a tripod-mounted gimbal in a pinch. One really useful application is to get super low when mounted to a ground pod, or flattened out tripod.
For more exclusive videos that take you behind the scenes and focus on editing techniques in photoshop specifically for wildlife, check out:
www.patreon.com/wildlifeinspired
Petapixels link that shows ballhead taken apart:
petapixel.com/2013/04/22/disa...
For a list of gear seen in this video see affiliate links below:
(These links cost nothing extra, but a VERY SMALL commission helps run the channel)
Robus RC-5558-3 Tripod:
B&H - bhpho.to/3DGHyDo
Amazon - amzn.to/3DzZP6O
Promedia Tomahawk:
B&H - bhpho.to/3J30OgY
Wimberly Sidekick:
B&H - bhpho.to/3LAMbDp
Feisol CB-50DC Ballhead:
B&H - bhpho.to/3qXlpgF
Amazon - amzn.to/3x6fF8l
Robus RTH-1050 Ballhead:
B&H - bhpho.to/3LBHPf9
Oben BC-139 Ballhead:
B&H - bhpho.to/3J30Qp6
Amazon - amzn.to/3J3FnfO
Sirui AM-223 Mini-tripod:
Amazon - amzn.to/3NIH4D3
Feisol CM-1471 Monopod:
B&H - bhpho.to/3DZmCYp
Amazon - amzn.to/3u515vy
Robus RCM-439 Monopod:
B&H - bhpho.to/3dWbjFS
Wimberly MH-100 monopod gimbal:
B&H - bhpho.to/3u2qBlp
Amazon - amzn.to/37dHuAk

[@stevethompson8154]

I changed to a leveling base and video fluid head for everything from night sky to landscapes to birds in flight. I do give up a little on the low angle but I still have my old ball head and will use it for low angle stuff along a shore line as a second head for star tracking

[@WildlifeInspired]

I may do a video soon on the Monfrotto head. I used it when I do video or hybrid shooting

[@dalloiselle7274]

I will try your ball head techniques before considering a gimbal purchase.

[@henrybrylowski1332]

Ok, your ballhead gimbal hack, is so simple and ingenious! Never thought of it and would have been useful on more than one occasion! 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤣

[@WildlifeInspired]

thanks!

[@Barbwb]

Great info! Thanks!

[@oldguyplaysbass6503]

Hey Scott! Just wanted to thank you for all your super informative and helpful content here on YT! I just today (just now) received my Robus RC-5558-3 tripod and Robus RTH-1050 ballhead ... OMG! I have owned nothing but super crappy tripods in the past ... I sort of plunged into the deep end ... both of these items seem extremely well made and work awesome. The friction control on the ballhead is nearly mind blowing ... Cheers!

[@WildlifeInspired]

I'm so glad you like it and appreciate the support. I try to keep it real.

[@candicehanson9587]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@hauer54]

Great info... thank you!

[@ForrestWest]

There's lots of good options out there. My older gitzo and gimbal head weighed 7.2 lb. My new Flexshooter Pro ballhead and Innorel rt80-c carbon fiber tripod weigh 5.3lbs. One silky smooth silver knob controls vertical, panning and locks everything off. It's lighter, simpler and so enjoyable to use even with my biggest 200-600mm lens. Very highly reviewed also! I kept the bigger setup for home and near vehicle use.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thats on the list soon!

[@timseward19]

Great idea with the ball head at a 90 degree angle, never thought of that, always learn something on your channel. Any thoughts on song birds in flight tips? Anyway, as always, another great job.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Tim!

[@NikCan66]

very interesting results

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks

[@ashfield001]

Another very interesting video, Scott. Thank you. May I ask, do you know of the FlexShooter Pro Ball Head? It’s a ball head in a ball head design and I’ve been running one rather then a Gimbal as its smaller and lighter. I’d be interested in your take or review of this product? Thanks again.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks !!

[@WildlifeInspired]

The flex shooter will have a review soon. I have never use it and to be fair I want to spend some time with it.

[@brandt_bennett]

I have a flex shooter pro, looking to pick up a 2nd. Love mine

[@ashfield001]

@@WildlifeInspired That’s great news Scott. Absolutely, use it for awhile. I’d like to know in your opinion if it can be a complete replacement of a gimbal head?

[@ForrestWest]

I love my flexshooter! 2lbs lighter than my older gitzo and gimbal head.

[@AlergicToSnow]

Why not a tilt head on a monopod? Must less expensive if you only use it occasionally

[@WildlifeInspired]

Tilt heads are top heavy and flop, I use a side mounted "gimbal" style from Promedia Gear or Wimberly

[@kimdunphy2009]

I bought a travel tripod years ago with a ball head before I had enough experience to have a good understanding of gear and I never got used to it. I have hauled it out a few times to use for moonrise shots. This video was helpful in understanding my frustration with the ball head but now I see I can adapt how I set it up to have some potential other uses. I resisting buying any more tripod accessories because I generally don't like having my movement constrained with a tripod setup. But I have to learn to work with it to get more of the shots I'm looking to make. Thanks, a few nice ideas here I can work through.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for the insight and good luck with it!

[@5smoothstonesproject740]

To get such clarity to your video are you using the Nikon D4? I really like your setup. Thank you for sharing your videos

[@WildlifeInspired]

Video is a Z6ii with 40mm lens. It's a great. Great. Set up for video. I think the best Nikon offers. Especially for indoor with lower light.

[@5smoothstonesproject740]

@@WildlifeInspired ok I notice I believe in your last video I thought you mentioned D4? But I love that blurred background. I’m a new beginner to the space and setting up my own. Again thank you. I have subscribed to your channel.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Go back a bit and see if you can find the video on my office makeover its not a great video but might find a few things there.

[@5smoothstonesproject740]

@@WildlifeInspired again thank you !!

[@19Photographer76]

Oben, I actually hate it!

[@MDanceInc]

I moved away from ballheads years ago...they are just terrible......

[@WildlifeInspired]

not the best dedicated set up for sure