Choice of ballhead

[Zerstorer]

Hi, does anyone have any good ballheads to recommend for a budget of about ~$70.

Checked out the 308RC and 352RC at CP and the 308 seems to feel smoother and hence better IMO. However, I've just noticed that the 168 which has a higher load rating is going for a lower price. Anyone with experience with these ballheads care to comment? Also are there any recommendations for other brands such as Gitzo or Slik?

[erwinx]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer Hi, does anyone have any good ballheads to recommend for a budget of about ~$70. Checked out the 308RC and 352RC at CP and the 308 seems to feel smoother and hence better IMO. However, I've just noticed that the 168 which has a higher load rating is going for a lower price. Anyone with experience with these ballheads care to comment? Also are there any recommendations for other brands such as Gitzo or Slik?

i have the 168. good value for money but it does slip a bit after being tightened. I'm sure whether ballheads in that price range will not have <some> slippage even when tightened.... try b4 u buy.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by erwinx i have the 168. good value for money but it does slip a bit after being tightened. I'm sure whether ballheads in that price range will not have <some> slippage even when tightened.... try b4 u buy.

Hmm...how much load did you put on it? It's rated for 7KG I think compared to 4KG for the 308/352. I have both a digicam with numerous attachments and a film SLR with flash + telephoto as well. If even the 168 slips...then I probably can't trust the 352 or 308 as well.

[kh_drew]

Do you think the 168 ballhead with a 190DB can take an F4 mounted with a 300 f/2.8 and 2.0x converter? That's the heaviest config that I'm thinking of going into.

andrew

[erwinx]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer Hmm...how much load did you put on it? It's rated for 7KG I think compared to 4KG for the 308/352. I have both a digicam with numerous attachments and a film SLR with flash + telephoto as well. If even the 168 slips...then I probably can't trust the 352 or 308 as well.

It slips with a 300 f/4, at least mine does. For cheaper ballheads, might be a question of QC. So try before you buy....

[denizenx]

is 308 the only loose ball? i.e. no friction when loosened...

[Wai]

Quote: Originally posted by denizenx is 308 the only loose ball? i.e. no friction when loosened...

loose ball???

actually have some fiction is better...

like my Gitzo 1337M ball head, the fiction can be adjusted to suits the weight of the setup for fine movement, also a locking knob and a panning knob....

[denizenx]

pref I guess... I dun want to hold my tripod against the ball's motion.. one hand on lens one on the locking lever lor...

[Wai]

Quote: Originally posted by denizenx pref I guess... I dun want to hold my tripod against the ball's motion.. one hand on lens one on the locking lever lor...

then just unlock the ball lor..

[ninelives]

i am using gitzo, it is not very good if you are using a heavy lens. it creeps.

[Ian]

Quote: Originally posted by kh_drew Do you think the 168 ballhead with a 190DB can take an F4 mounted with a 300 f/2.8 and 2.0x converter? That's the heaviest config that I'm thinking of going into. andrew

An F4(s) with 300/2.8 and a TC is going to weigh at least 4.2kg and if you add flash it's going up to around 4.8kg or so which is by most peoples standards quite a hefty setup.

The only Manfrotto heads that will swing that load reliably are the 168 and 268 heads. The 168 head suffers from creep when tightning down and the hoirzontal axis is truly awful after a couple of year use. Both heads use the larger Hex series QR plates.

A more viable long term option is to look at better quality ballheads from the likes of Foba, Graf, Arca and Arcatech. The main drawback is cost as by the time you add a QR plate you'll be looking at a minimum of 500 and more likely 600+ SGD if purchasing new.

Also you'll need to consider suitable tripods, with a load rating of around 8-10kg, which rules out lightweights like the Manfrotto 55 and 190 series.

Just be glad your not planning to swing really heavy loads

[denizenx]

Quote: Originally posted by Wai then just unlock the ball lor..

that's what I asked lor... cos at CP most of the demo balls are still a bit frictiony after loosening so I dunno whether it's by feature or becasue they're displayed too long

so is the 308rc the only one that is totally frictionless after unlocking?

[kh_drew]

Quote: Originally posted by Ian A more viable long term option is to look at better quality ballheads from the likes of Foba, Graf, Arca and Arcatech. Just be glad your not planning to swing really heavy loads

Thanks for the input. I will probably bite the bullet and get an Arca Monoball or something in similar vein while keeping the smaller pan/tilt for times when I leave the 300mm at home

andrew