Bobbo
Well-known
The cheap Bogen 486RC2 living on my 3001 pro is ticking me off. I need a new ballhead.
I'd like something with an Arca-type QR mount and enough dampening I can use my D90 with a set of bellows and a 105mm lens for closeup work or a 180/2.8, 80-200/2.8 or 300/4 lens (I don't have such lenses now, but want them in the future) without wanting to throw it out the window. No big 300/2.8 lenses for me, and I doubt I'll have anything bigger than a D700 or a Hasselblad/250mm combo in the future.
My price requirement is under $200. Used is OK with me. I'm not a brand snob, so whatever works in my price range is fine.
So, fire away
.
--Bob
I'd like something with an Arca-type QR mount and enough dampening I can use my D90 with a set of bellows and a 105mm lens for closeup work or a 180/2.8, 80-200/2.8 or 300/4 lens (I don't have such lenses now, but want them in the future) without wanting to throw it out the window. No big 300/2.8 lenses for me, and I doubt I'll have anything bigger than a D700 or a Hasselblad/250mm combo in the future.
My price requirement is under $200. Used is OK with me. I'm not a brand snob, so whatever works in my price range is fine.
So, fire away
.--Bob
ChrisN
Striving
Let's see how long this post survives.
"ONE! TWO! FIVE!"
I really like my Acratech, I got it used for about $100. It's like this one except no bubble level.
http://j.mp/vLgzUz
I really like my Acratech, I got it used for about $100. It's like this one except no bubble level.
http://j.mp/vLgzUz
TXForester
Well-known
Bruin
Noktonian
Look for a used Markins Q3 or PhotoClam. RRS is probably out of your price range. The Korean makers really offer a lot of bang for the buck.
Robert Lai
Well-known
I use the Markins. It is really, really solid! It is rated for 80+lbs. I bought it when I found out that my cheaper ballhead could not keep my Nikkor 300 f/4 AFS + motor driven F3 stable. This is on a Gitzo 1530 carbon fiber tripod.
For something less demanding the Linhof small ballhead has been very versatile for me. It has only two controls: one large knob for lockup, and a small screw for panning lock. It is only rated for 15lbs, but it is entirely adequate for most jobs. It is mounted to a junky set of aluminum legs that I first got 25 years ago.
For clamps, I use the Wimberley Arca Swiss types. Very solid, less expensive than the others, and they have a security system when used with their plates that prevents the camera from sliding out if the knob is not fully tightened.
For something less demanding the Linhof small ballhead has been very versatile for me. It has only two controls: one large knob for lockup, and a small screw for panning lock. It is only rated for 15lbs, but it is entirely adequate for most jobs. It is mounted to a junky set of aluminum legs that I first got 25 years ago.
For clamps, I use the Wimberley Arca Swiss types. Very solid, less expensive than the others, and they have a security system when used with their plates that prevents the camera from sliding out if the knob is not fully tightened.
peter_n
Veteran
I third the recommendation for the S. Korean ballheads. I use Linhof, Markins and Arca-Swiss heads and briefly used a Photo Clam. The best small head is the Markins Q3T or Q3 and the best value is probably a Photo Clam. The PC-36N is just under your budget at $189, and the PC-40N is just over at $219. Try to stretch for the PC-40N; a bigger ball diameter will be smoother and will deal more comfortably with your 300mm.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Sadly, there's not much substitute for spending the money. When you try heads like Arca-Swiss and Novoflex, you see where the money goes -- especially when it comes to decades of hard use. Yes there are cheaper heads that are good too (I have a 30-year-old Kennet/Benbo head) but they're never as smooth and nice.
Because Frances covers tripods and heads at photokina, I get to handle quite a lot of them. She rates Novoflex highest (and uses them, as I do), but if I could persuade myself I really needed another head, I'd buy the 'baby' Arca-Swiss (photokina 2010).
Cheers,
R.
Because Frances covers tripods and heads at photokina, I get to handle quite a lot of them. She rates Novoflex highest (and uses them, as I do), but if I could persuade myself I really needed another head, I'd buy the 'baby' Arca-Swiss (photokina 2010).
Cheers,
R.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I'm really fascinated by the Acratech. I see you have the "Ultimate'" and that seems to be the one I want. Apparently they don't come with a QR plate included? Or do they? Either way, I think there is one in my future.
I have an inexpensive eBay special ball head. I could recommend it to the OP, as it is really quite good. The name is on the box, though, and not on the head itself. Unfortunately I can't find the box. I'll keep looking. It has a separate small knob for adjusting the tension, and a larger one for locking it. That way you don't have to start all over adjusting tension every time you loosen it to move it. If I can come up with the name, I'll post it.
However, I can't get the Acratech off my mind. It kills me that it costs more now than my Leica M2 cost new (in 1960, though). Gee.
Ye Edit: The model number is "FT6665H PRO Fluid Drag Ball Head." I bought it from Lumiertech_com and have emailed for the name of the head.
Ye Update: It is called a "Fancier. Here's a link:
"http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fancier-FT-6665H-Fluid-Pro-Camera-Tripod-Ball-head-/180638557616?pt=AU_TripodsMonopods&hash=item2a0ee5a5b0#ht_1859wt_1165
And the seller has already emailed back and says the brand is "WeiFeng." So I imagine it is a product marketed under more than one name.
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majid
Fazal Majid
I would recommend against Arca-Swiss. I had an Arca-Swiss B1 that "froze up" once too many, and irreversibly to boot, so I switched to the Acratech and never looked back. It doesn't have the elliptic progressive damping, but the open design is more resilient, not to mention the dramatic weight savings. I haven't tried Markins ballheads but I have some of their plates and leather wrist straps, which are all made to the highest standards.
