Non-leica mini ballhead - FLM?

[michaelwj]

So I received a Manfrotto 209 mini tripod from my in-laws for xmas. Very nice and very small.

But, I need a ballhead for it, and here is the question...

I'd love the Leica or an RRS 25 ballhead, but I'm not about to drop that sort of cash on a mini ballhead. Those are close to A$200 in Australia.
I've got a basic Manfrotto ballhead on my full size tripod, and I really don't like it, so I'm going to rule out the Manfrotto 496(?) that matches the tripod.

I'm thinking of an FLM CB 18 or 24 E. Does anyone have any experience with these? I did a quick search here and elsewhere, but came up dry.

I'm using an M6, the longest lens I can ever imaging using is a 90, the longest I own is 50, so it doesn't have to be overly sturdy.

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[DoxLeica]

Hi Michael,

This one is ideal! The tripod...when complete...is excellent as well!

Tripod-with-PH-353-Ballhead-For-Restoration-/371221356496?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item566e845fd0

John

 

[peter_n]

FLM have a good reputation for quality, but the ballhead may use a Novoflex-type clamp. I'd try to get a ballhead that has an Arca-Swiss type of clamp (or no clamp). The Arca-Swiss dovetail is by far the most widely used type of connection system with many manufacturers and good price competition.

Tripods/ballheads are simple devices but there's a lot of variety in the market and a lot of stuff is junk. FLM is most decidedly not junk so if you can get one at a good price see if you can buy one without a clamp then buy a separate Arca-Swiss type of clamp and put it on the top.

 

[michaelwj]

FLM have a good reputation for quality, but the ballhead may use a Novoflex-type clamp. I'd try to get a ballhead that has an Arca-Swiss type of clamp (or no clamp). The Arca-Swiss dovetail is by far the most widely used type of connection system with many manufacturers and good price competition.

Tripods/ballheads are simple devices but there's a lot of variety in the market and a lot of stuff is junk. FLM is most decidedly not junk so if you can get one at a good price see if you can buy one without a clamp then buy a separate Arca-Swiss type of clamp and put it on the top.

Thanks
I've decided to go no qr clamp on the mini. I don't like general shooting with the RRS clamp on my M6, so only attach it when I need it. With just the base plate, I can attach it to the camera with or without the clamp, so its just less to take. I use RRS clamps which I believe are AS compatible I also think the FLM system is AS compatible.
I can pick up the FLM for about 1/2 the Manfrotto 496(?) so I think it makes sense. I'll let you know when it shows.
Cheers,
Michael

 

[john_s]

The Arca style plate and clamp is the best way to go with a bigger camera, but on an M6 it spoils the balance of the camera to have the plate on it. I have one but don't like it much, but I have to admit it does really work well. The problem with a screw into the camera base type ballhead is that the camera generally works loose.

 

[peter_n]

I use RRS clamps which I believe are AS compatible I also think the FLM system is AS compatible.
I can pick up the FLM for about 1/2 the Manfrotto 496(?) so I think it makes sense.

Michael there is no dimensional standard in the Arca-Swiss types of clamps/plates. The North American manufacturers like Acratech, Jobu, Kirk, RRS & Wimberley are very very similar dimensionally. The SE Asian manufacturers like Benro, Feisol, Markins, Photo Clam, Sirui etc are also similar to each other but are very slightly different form the US manufacturers. It's a mess, to be honest.

Arca-Swiss have lost the market and have introduced a different dovetail system, the Slidefix. Similar in concept, different specs. They now sell their very fine ballheads with double-decker clamps that have the Slidefix dovetail at the bottom and the "old" Arca-Swiss dovetail above it. And those clamps are sealed to the ball stem so you can't get them off, and if you try you invalidate their warranty on the whole ballhead.

 

[john_s]

Michael there is no dimensional standard in the Arca-Swiss types of clamps/plates. The North American manufacturers like Acratech, Jobu, Kirk, RRS & Wimberley are very very similar dimensionally. The SE Asian manufacturers like Benro, Feisol, Markins, Photo Clam, Sirui etc are also similar to each other but are very slightly different form the US manufacturers. It's a mess, to be honest.........

I had no problems mixing RRS ballheads with clamps and Kirk plates until I got a RSS lever clamp. The Kirk plate is too loose to use. I Araldited a strip of brass (from a model maker supplier) to the dovetail of the plate and now it's ok.

 

[peter_n]

About two years ago RRS come out with a self-adjusting lever clamp design for their two main sellers - the 60mm clamps. I have both of these clamps, one on an Arca-Swiss Z1 and the other on a RRS BH-55. They securely connect with every single plate I have from about 6 different manufacturers, both US and Asian. They work pretty well.

 

[michaelwj]

Thanks for the info about clamp "standards". I currently use an RRS clamp and plate for my M6. It's pretty nice, but I don't like to keep it on. With the mini tripod and no clamp, I can use it with or without the RRS plate on the camera. At least that's the plan. I don't plan to have it attached for any great amount of time, so I'm not particularly worried about it working loose.
Cheers,
Michael