Gitzo ball heads recommend ?

Hi Kevin. I guess budget rears it’s head as a first question. I must admit I wasn’t impressed with the Gitzo head I bought. It failed mechanically after a fairly short while.

I replaced it with a Sirui which I’ve been very pleased with. I mainly use it for landscapes and Astro but I’ve had my 500mm on it at times with no problem.
 
I have a GH3382QD. It’s stable, doesn’t creep and is pleasant and smooth to use. The arca base seems very compatible with the plates and L brackets I’ve used it with. I’m not entirely persuaded it’s any better than the Manfrotto head I used previously - certainly not in terms of order of cost, but it’s a fair chunk lighter. My only gripe is the pan head adjustment screw isn’t captive (it can be undone completely) and thus I lost it on its second outing, but at least you can get all the spares!
 
I use a Kirk BH-1 on my 5 series Gitzo. Such a solid combo for anything i have thrown at it. I use it for landscapes but have had longer lenses on it a few times as well. Locks down solidly. Loads of good quality ballheads but do you gave a price range and what will it be used for?
 
Sunwayfoto has a good selection and are very good.
 
If you want a Gitzo ball head, as per title, then that's fairly easy. The new centre-ball heads are really very good, no caveats, and way better than all their slightly wacky Gitzo predecessors, and Arca-Swiss compatible. Small, medium and large - take your pick.

If you're just after a good ball head, then Steven's questions are relevant ;)
 
Just to take up to a 300 lens and a macro lens not to bothered realy of the brand ? as I already have a gimble head I had my old manfrotto tripod and head stolen a couple of weeks back ?
 
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I use the Gitzo GH3382QD Series 3 Centre Ball Head and have found it to be really good, no problems with it at all in the year or so I've had it.

Their older ball heads were not so good and they knew that. I spoke to Gitzo and they said they had to up their game with the ball heads as they found people were buying their tripods then putting a RRS ball head on it.

From the ball heads I tried/considered at the time, I narrowed it down to the above of the RRS BH-55, I went for the Gitzo in the end as it was easier to get (no import costs, quicker) and haven't regretted it, looks nice too :)
 
I use the Gitzo GH1382QD Series 1 Centre Ball Head,I have had it for over a year and used it for landscape pix.It is still smooth and works great.
 
Arca-Swiss P0.
 
cruso said:
Just to take up to a 300 lens and a macro lens not to bothered realy of the brand ? as I already have a gimble head I had my old manfrotto tripod and head stolen a couple of weeks back ?
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Which 300? A 300 F2.8 or a small zoom?

On the lighter end have a look at the Sirui K20X with the K40X at the heavier end.

However if you want a really light head that will cope with anything then see if you can track down a Triopo RS3. They seem to be out of print now, or at least very difficult to find. I put an Arca type clamp on mine and it is quite happy with the longest/heaviest EF lenses available (well not a 1200 F5.6 but my 800 F5.6 is fine). Be advised though the RS3 has only one control so lockup is all or nothing is all directions! Also my Gitzo GT4542LS seems a bit bendy with this head - no I am not being sarcastic:cool:
 
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