Manfrotto Camera Tripod Heads

Most tripods and tripod heads are interchangeable, but it’s often a good idea to buy the same brand head and tripod legs for no-nonsense compatibility. For instance, when you buy a Manfrotto head for Manfrotto tripod legs, you’ll be certain that your tripod legs and head will work together seamlessly. Also, all components of your support system will be backed by Manfrotto’s impressive warranties.

Choosing a Manfrotto Tripod Head

The first step in choosing a head for your Manfrotto tripod is deciding exactly what you plan to shoot. Tripod heads come in three distinct varieties: ball heads, video heads, and pan-and-tilt heads.

Ball Heads

If you’re looking for a still photography tripod head, you should consider a ball head. They’re easy to reposition and maneuver, so you can line up the exact composition and framing you’re looking for.

Ball heads move freely within a socket, and clamp in place. This means they can provide a 360-degree range of motion, with a camera mounted in both vertical and horizontal orientations.

Video Heads

True to their namesake, video tripod heads are designed for shooting video footage rather than still photography. These heads contain special features like internal fluid cartridges that make smooth camera movements much easier to achieve. Video heads are also more reliable for balancing and maneuvering larger camera rigs.

Pan-and-Tilt Heads

Pan-and-tilt heads work well for both still photography and videography. Separate controls for panning and tilting provide easier adjustments to your camera position one plane at a time. If you only occasionally shoot video, and you want to try tracking shots but don’t want to invest in a fluid video head, a pan-and-tilt head is a reasonable alternative.

Quick-Release Plates

A quick-release plate is a helpful system that makes it easier to take your camera on and off your tripod, without having to unscrew anything. Most Manfrotto tripod heads feature proprietary quick-release plates rather than the Arca Swiss-style found on several other brands.

Maximum Load Capacity

Whether you purchase a tripod head individually, or select a Manfrotto tripod with the head included, you need to pay close attention to the maximum load capacity rating for both the head and the tripod legs.

You can select a tripod head with a higher capacity than the combined weight of your gear, but you should avoid using a head meant for a smaller payload. If you overload your tripod head, you can experience balance issues and potentially damage the components of your tripod head.