alternative to outdoorsmans and jim white panning heads

[creed_az_88]

I know that there has been similar questions to this in the past but...is there a panning head out there that compares and doesn't cost $300+? Do I have to buy the best to have a smooth and reliable panning head?

[twigsnapper]

The answer to your questions is yes there are panheads out there that compare and don't cost an arm and a leg. I have had the Jim White, Outdoorsmans panhead, Slik 707E and the Velbon 157Q. Right now I am using the Outdoorsmans pistol grip with the Outdoorsmans panning attachment. My backup is the Slik 707E. The difference between the high end models and the lower end stuff is mostly weight and smoothness. Do a little searching on Ebay and you can find one for cheap. If you like to spend your money local contact Amanda or Jim White, you might pay a couple bucks more but at least you know where the money is going. Manfrotto has a coupe good ones but I haven't used their stuff.

 

Velbon

 

Slik

[izquik72]

Wow thse are the excact heads I was going to post.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/139285-REG/Velbon_PH_157Q_PH_157Q_3_Way_Pan_Tilt_Head.html

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/508060-REG/Slik_618_717_SH_707E_2_Way_Pan_Tilt_Head.html

 

I am using the 700RC2 it has smooth panning and tilting

[jarheadhunter]

As stated above there are heads out there that are just as smooth. I have a velbon carbon tripod and a FHD-61q from velbon. I now use my outdoorsmans tripod and head for backpacking and when weight isn't an issue I use the Velbon. The FHD-61q is a great head and I almost prefer it or at least can't tell a difference between the two. The thing I like most about it is the outdoorsmans is so small it's awkward sometimes. The velbon is a little bigger and seems like it is easier to operate the pan and tilt levers and grab the handle if that's what you call it.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=895045&Q=&is=REG&A=details

[kwp]

Another vote for the manfrotto 700rc2

[creed_az_88]

Thanks guys. I will look into all if them.

[CouesWhitetail]

another one to consider, it's very smooth:

 

http://store.coueswhitetail.com/manfrotto-701hd-tripod-head/