Abstract: The invention relates to a tripod head having an inclination apparatus (2) having universal joint (5) and having a holding apparatus (100), which can be secured on the universal joint, for holding a camera, a pair of binoculars, a spotting scope or such an optical instrument with a removable disk (101).

Abstract: A tripod head (1) has a universal joint, which has a ball joint (3) which is swivelably and rotatably mounted in a bearing housing (2). The universal joint is arranged between connection points (4, 5) situated on oppositely facing ends of tripod head (1), one of which is connected or connectable with a camera and the other with a tripod or similar mounting. For restricting the swivelability of the ball joint (3) about a swiveling axis (6) running through its center, the ball joint (3) is releasably connectable with an axial element (7). The axial element (7) is arranged outside and adjacent to the ball joint (3), and rotatably mounted on the bearing housing (2) about the swiveling axis (6). On its end facing the ball joint (3), the axial element (7) has at least one friction element (8) for at least friction-locking connection of the axial element (7) with the ball joint (3). The friction element (8) is pressable on the ball joint (3) with a pressing device (9).