Giottos MH 1000 Ball Head ???? (help)

Osprey Whisperer

BALL HEAD BEING RETURNED. THANKS ANYWAY.

Hello folks. I purchased a used Giottos MH 1000. Well it showed up today (UPS). I have a question regarding this ball head (and ball heads in general).


The condition seems pretty nice...although I really have nothing to compare it with since I've never owned / used one. The ball movement seems a bit dry/scratchy? Not so much unsmooth..but like a hollow aluminum ball...gliding over metal..in a rather scratchy/coarse way. (probably because it is). I guess I had envisioned it gliding smoothly like a greased silky smooth high tech ball 'n' socket. Ok..maybe it's not as bad as I made it sound LoL..but not super smooth. Think this is normal? Do you lubricate these things. (silicone spray perhaps)


Ok..guess maybe I had more than one question. LOL. The main question is regarding the ball and it's slot for 90*/right angle positioning. When I first toyed with the ball head it seemed to work fine. It would move down into it's cut out slot for vertical positioning.

I then slapped it on the tripod and put my heaviest gear on...to test. It seemed to work nicely (but what do I know). Then I tried to put the head pin down into the slot for a vertical shot..and all of a sudden the ball wouldn't go down to vertical/90*position.

Upon closer inspection I noticed a metal ring or collet that sits on top of the ball (between ball and main housing) had appeared. This ring was not visible when I first got the camera mount to swing into the notch for vertical position. Now there was a ring blocking the arm from moving down into the slot.


I messed with the ball head for a bit and did finally get this ring/collet to move to the open slot in it..so the ball / arm could slip down into the slot for vertical shots. I noticed if I open up all the tightening knobs (pan, ball, tension). and I spin the ball, this ring/collet moves very slowly. I have to spin the ball several times to get it to move a little bit. Tons of turns and I can get the ring to move from (let's call it open) position to (call it closed) position (blocking pin movement). This seems wrong. Do you think this is broken.


Do your ball heads have such a thing? Is this some sort of safety feature? I didn't get any direction (not that it was brain surgery). This I suppose could be a safety that prevents your camera from flopping down into the slot..and perhaps topping over the tripod? Do you think this is a flaw/defective head? I've got 14 days to return it ..so I'd like to figure this out soon.


Here are some shots to hopefully show you what I've tried to explain verbally.


Thanks for any help.


Giottos MH 1000 ball head:






slot in open position:






slot with ring partially closed:






slot with ring closed:

ballentphoto

A lot of people put an L-bracket for their cameras and that attaches to the top of the ball head via a quick release. They either unscrew/release a lever and turn the entire body and re-attach it. Look up Really Right Stuff or Kirk if my explanation is clear as mud You can also lookup Arca-Swiss style for some more ideas.

Osprey Whisperer

ballentphoto wrote:

A lot of people put an L-bracket for their cameras and that attaches to the top of the ball head via a quick release. They either unscrew/release a lever and turn the entire body and re-attach it. Look up Really Right Stuff or Kirk if my explanation is clear as mud You can also lookup Arca-Swiss style for some more ideas.

Thanks Michael. I was more wondering if this is a defective ball head. I'm familiar with the "L" brackets 'n' plates wallet emptying toys. I've always used tilt/pan heads..this is a new toy for me. Just doesn't seem right.

ballentphoto

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Thanks Michael. I was more wondering if this is a defective ball head. I'm familiar with the "L" brackets 'n' plates wallet emptying toys. I've always used tilt/pan heads..this is a new toy for me. Just doesn't seem right.

My understanding is that the more expensive ones are very smooth... Not sure about the other brands. It seems that the price is porportionate to the smoothness I do not own one, but have wanted to get a ball head once I take the plunge and get a nice tripod.

Osprey Whisperer

ballentphoto wrote:

My understanding is that the more expensive ones are very smooth... Not sure about the other brands. It seems that the price is porportionate to the smoothness I do not own one, but have wanted to get a ball head once I take the plunge and get a nice tripod.

I can live with the smoothness (or lack of) with this head. I got a hold of a heavy tank of a lens to slap on the head. It's actually a lot smoother than befoe with a light lens. Hmm It's pretty nice actually . Does have an ever so slight touch of creep/slip/settle though. It's the ring/collet that moves and blocks the ball pin that concerns me the most. Doesn't seem like this should be.

I picked the head up almost half the new price...so I took a chance. It works...works a lot better than my previous head, but still I believe there might be something broken/wrong with this head.


UPDATE: Ball head is being returned. I'll start the selection process all over again.