Looking for a new Ball Head

Red Bull · March 5, 2010

I could have sworn I made a thread about this a while back. Oh well. I need a new ball head for my Gitzo 2220 Explorer. The Amvona cheapie just isn't cutting it. My budget is around $100. Any suggestions?

Also, I seem to be missing the weight hook on my tripod. Is there a website that sells parts for Gitzo tripods? I remember seeing one a while ago but I can't remember it for the life of me.:scratch

ziggy53 · March 5, 2010

What is your heaviest lens and body combination and will that change?

Google for "gitzo parts" and see what you come up with.

Red Bull · March 5, 2010

My heaviest lens/body combination would be a 20D with the 70-200 f/4 L. I don't have the tripod collar for the lens.

rpcrowe · March 5, 2010

I would always...
I would always select a tripod head which comes with an Arca Compatible quick release system. IMO, the ARCA system is the best thing since sliced bread. I especially like using an RRS L-bracket with my tripod heads.

A hundred bucks is not a big price for most A/C equipped heads. However, I use a diminutive Adorama Flashpoint F-1 Magnesium, A/C ball head on my travel tripod and this head works O.K. with my 40D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. However, I chose the F-1 model because I was opting for the absolute lightest weight tripod setup I could get. I use it for general shooting which is usually straight and level.

See my 40D with 70-200mm f/4L IS lens mounted on the little F-1 head. BTW: I have my lens plate configured in this direction because it meshes best that way when I use my Kirk MPA-1 monopod swivel which incorporates an A/C quick release system.

If I were to desire a tripod head which could be used for close-up and or macro work, I would opt for either the F-2 or F-3 Flashpoints which are bigger and beefier. You often need a sturdier head for that type of photography because you might have the camera/lens positioned at awkward angles. I have not used the larger heads.

F-2: http://www.adorama.com/FPTH2.html?searchinfo=flashpoint+ball+head

F-3: http://www.adorama.com/FPTH3.html?searchinfo=flashpoint+ball+head

IMO: using a tripod ring with a 70-200mm f/4L lens is a good idea since:
The camera/lens never has to be placed hanging cantilevered over to the side when shooting in the vertical position. The tripod ring puts the center of gravity of the camera/lens directly over the tripod head. Naturally, each camera would have a different COG when used with the 70-200mm lens. That is where the different length lens plates available for A/C quick release systems can become quite valuable. You can adjust the camera/lens positioning on the plate so that the COG is directly over the lens. This provides more stability and can allow, if needed, the use of a lighter head.

The Arca Compatible quick release systems allow the use of a Really Right Stuff (or Kirk Enterprises) L-bracket which again increases stability because a non tripod ring equipped camera/lens doesn't have to hang cantilevered over to the side when shooting in the vertical configuration. There are quite a few additional advantages of the L-bracket, however the disadvantage is that the brackets tend to be quite expensive - even on the used market.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

Andy · March 5, 2010

Try the new BH-30 from Really Right stuff.

ziggy53 · March 5, 2010

Andy wrote:

Try the new BH-30 from Really Right stuff.

I think those are considerably more than the OP budget of $100, but otherwise a great choice.

kdog · March 5, 2010

The RRS BH-25 looks pretty good at $175, which isn't too much over budget, and come with a quick release clamp. Some day when I get too old and feeble to hike mountains my monster-gitzo/BH-55 setup, I'll probably go for one of those, and a light weight carbon tripod myself. (Probably not that far off either. :giggle)

DsrtVW · March 6, 2010

I had to buy a ballhead in a hurry when I lost a tripod and had a wedding to shoot and the Acratech I ordered was not going to make it in time. I went to a local shop and bought a Vangaurd SBH-200 for 59.00. I have been pleasantly surprised on its performance. I use it as a backup and when I shoot in photoblinds that have post to mount them on. For the money it performs superbly. Gets good reviews on the Adorama site. It is smooth and well built.
I put a different plate on it to work with my arca type plates.

http://www.adorama.com/VGVA31SBH200.html?searchinfo=Vangaurd+Ballhead

Red Bull · March 6, 2010

Thanks for all the advice. I like that Vanguard ball head a lot. I think I may go with that one since all the reviews were excellent.

Looking for a new Ball Head

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