there're cheap ones around ~$30+ too. It gives the flexibility to change the camera to point to almost all angles with just one adjustment. With the usual pan-tilt heads, you may need to 3 separate adjustments.
mpenza and all: can a 390 manfrotto tripod that comes with a fixed pan head change to a ball head? Can i just change the centre column? How would u advise?
How good is the 390 tripod? Would anyone else recommend any other types?
it seems to be integrated from what Manfrotto website says and this means it can't be changed. as for changing the centre column, you have to check with Manfrotto whether they sell it for the 390.