Which of the Pricey Ballheads?

[MachIII]

Hi all,

I am trying to get a arca swiss standard ballhead to fit RRS L plate for 5D MKII. I am need experts to advice on my shortlisted candidates.
L plate from RRS for 5D MKII


1) Arca Swiss Z1
Cost: Approx USD$ 389.95


Arca Swiss Z1 Ballhead Review

Some bad news about Z1. I am not sure whether CP has such stock.
[url=http://www.tripodhead.com/Arca%20Swiss%20stem%20issue%20warning_for%20web%20 080527%20(final%20edit).pdf[/url]

2) BH-55 Pro (Full-sized ballhead with Pro)
Cost: Approx USD$ 415.00


Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead


3) Markins Q-Ball M20
Cost: Approx USD$ 390


Markins Q-Ball M20 Ballhead


4) Others (Please specifiy make and model)

What will be your pick or any other recommendation that can fit RRS L plate as it looks the best what i can find?

Can the plate offered by the three manufacturers fit 5D MKII?

Are there any retails that sell all three ballheads?

Thanks a lot.

[Headshotzx]

Hi, what lenses do you have?

I have personally tested the Markins Q3 and M10 before at John3:16 and found it to be very very smooth and easy to use. The friction control knob is easy to turn, and getting the sweet spot is very easy. I would think that an M10 would be more than enough for a standard 5D2 + medium sized lens (70-200 or 300). The weight rating is very good. Buy the M20 if you have longer lenses AND still want a ballhead (longer lenses are easier to use on a wimberley head, or on a tilt head on a monopod).

You might want to get the M10, and since you're gonna use the RRS L plate, get the RRS Lever QR plate that allows for faster mounting and dismounting compared to the knob types.

Cheers,
Zexun

[kitkai]

I don't know about you, but I cannot justify buying a head that is more expensive than the tripod, and I'm targeting Gitzo GT1531...

[Hacker]

Definitely the Arcaswiss or the RRS ballhead. The Z1 is very well made, and I'm onto my second one (with the Pano). Tried the RRS ballheads too, friends ordered both the 40 and the 55, both extremely well made.

[Randius]

Even though I own a Markins, if I have enough money, I will go for the RRS BH-40

[YSLee]

Personally I find the Markins close to the Z1. While there's a distinct difference it's not as big as say, the difference between the Z1 and the Kangrinpoche heads.

I decided on the Markins as it was cheaper, and the 4 to 6 reports I've read of those who had both a Markins and the RRS head claim that there is more droop from the RRS on locking. Given the price difference, it wasn't something I was willing to take a bet on.

[MachIII]

It seems that Araca Swiss and Markins have a tie.

However, in one of my link above, i discovered that the 2nd batch of Arca Swiss Z1 has manufacturer defects which can result in the release between the ball core and the head. I am wondering any one can share this?

Thanks a lot.

[PrimePhotog]

If I remember correctly, some guy at B&H told me the problem with the Z1 only affected some batches.The newer ones like mine work perfectly

[busywin]

you can try FLM TILT ballhead, good qaulity and performce very well. having panorama function.now I get two ballheads that having tilting function. one is FLM CB-58FT,one is SUNWAY PHOTO DBH-52.
FLM CB-58FT weight about 800g
SUNWAY DBH-52. weight 820g

both of them are very expensive, but perform very well