Ball heads

IanC

IanC

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Ian
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So I think I'm going to buy the benro tortoise 24c legs but have been put off from buying the accompanying gx30 ball head because a review I read said that it suffers from slippage whilst using larger lenses.

So, just wondering if you can recommend a robust ball head please? Ideally compact, for travel and hiking. Will be taking a 50-400 tamron as the largest lens plus an A7RIII
 
When I bought my Manfrotto, it came with an Xpro ball head. I don't really know much about different tripod mounts and whose is best as I don't use them very much, but I can say that the Xpro ball head holds my D850 with Sigma 60-600mm lens on it and it seems reliable enough as between them, they weigh nearly 3kg.
 
I have a Benro IB2 ball head, not overly large or heavy.
Seems robust and stable also has the very useful friction control.
 
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I have one of these that I'll be posting in the classifieds in the next few days if you're interested:

www.manfrotto.com

055 aluminium 3-section photo tripod, with horizontal column

The solution for precise, stable framing and shooting. The 055XPRO3 tripod is ideal for photographers and videographers looking for more flexible shooting. Thanks to its versatile 90° centre column mechanism, it can be extended horizontally or vertically in only a few seconds.The horizontal...
www.manfrotto.com www.manfrotto.com

It's as new because it's only been used a couple of times. The box is a little tatty, but it will be half the above price.
 
ShinySideUp said:
When I bought my Manfrotto, it came with an Xpro ball head. I don't really know much about different tripod mounts and whose is best as I don't use them very much, but I can say that the Xpro ball head holds my D850 with Sigma 60-600mm lens on it and it seems reliable enough as between them, they weigh nearly 3kg.
Click to expand...
I should have said, I'm after an arca swiss style head, not the manfrotto levers
 
Sky said:
I have one of these that I'll be posting in the classifieds in the next few days if you're interested:

www.manfrotto.com

055 aluminium 3-section photo tripod, with horizontal column

The solution for precise, stable framing and shooting. The 055XPRO3 tripod is ideal for photographers and videographers looking for more flexible shooting. Thanks to its versatile 90° centre column mechanism, it can be extended horizontally or vertically in only a few seconds.The horizontal...
www.manfrotto.com www.manfrotto.com

It's as new because it's only been used a couple of times. The box is a little tatty, but it will be half the above price.
Click to expand...
No thank you
 
When I was into macro using a EOS 5D mk1 and EF180L Macro I bought a used RRS BH30 which was superb on my early Benbo tripod, whilst I would not recommend the Benbo which is a bit of an acquired taste, I loved the RRS ball head and would happily buy another but this time a BH55 to go under my 54 mono rail.
 
Another one I have used with no issues FLM CB-32F II
Markins are a good brand, used their M10 and they also make a smaller traveller type Q3-TR
 
To add to the suggestion from @tijuana taxi , I've been using a FLM CB-32F head for several years, and once I had properly read how to use the tension control, I found it excellent..

I can't speak for the clamp as I fitted a Novoflex quick release clamp to mine (because I like using it), but I'm very pleased with the head.
 
myotis said:
To add to the suggestion from @tijuana taxi , I've been using a FLM CB-32F head for several years, and once I had properly read how to use the tension control, I found it excellent..

I can't speak for the clamp as I fitted a Novoflex quick release clamp to mine (because I like using it), but I'm very pleased with the head.
Click to expand...
The tension control is slightly confusing at first, maybe the translation from German.
My daughter has it now and she certainly puts her gear to the test.
Might want to look at their tripod range too, again that has stood up to the challenge.
 
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tijuana taxi said:
The tension control is slightly confusing at first, maybe the translation from German.
My daughter has it now and she certainly puts her gear to the test.
Might want to look at their tripod range too, again that has stood up to the challenge.
Click to expand...
Yes it's good kit, but the legs are now made in China, which may or may not make a difference.

The tension control works the same way as my decades old (but the new ones look identical) Linhof Profi Ball III, which I have never had instructions for and never understood.

But having worked out the instructions for the FLM, I suddenly realised this was also how the Linhof worked !
 
I've had a Markins M10 for over a decade and it performs like it did on day 1 - superbly. They do a newer version now but if used is of interest you can still pick them up.

Here's a review of it. I can only imagine the newer version is at least as good.
 
My favorite ball heads are still the UniqBall UBH35 and UBH45. I've had them since they were first released (my UBH35 is a prototype, mine do not have the cross clamp). Next favorite is the Arca Swiss P-0. I have the one without a quick release and added an aftermarket arca swiss clamp on top... funnily, Arca Swiss's clamps aren't great for use with universal arca swiss plates/(non)standard.

The advantage both of those have is they can be used as a leveling base and still allow top panning. The UniqBall allows pan and tilt after leveling, and it is a great universal head for both long lens use (wildlife) and general use (landscape). But the P-0 is quicker/smaller/lighter/cheaper.

If salt/sand and general abuse is a concern, then AcraTech makes some very nice open heads... The GXP is designed to function as a traditional ball head, as a leveling base (panoramic head), and as a side mount gimbal. But IMO the side mount gimbal function isn't very good with heavy kit or on a smaller tripod (like Nikon D5 and 500/4 size/weight)... but for smaller kit and occasional use as a gimbal it is good.
 
My 3LT tripod came with their Airhed Neo 2.0 and I've got no complaints with it. It holds my X-T30 and Fuji 100-400 lens without moving.
 
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