Amvona ATH-A03, ATH-A04

[Stephen Martin]

So I've been looking at Amvona ball heads, based on others recommendations here on the forum...and their evident satisfaction with Amvona products.

Wondering about the benefits/disadvantage between the ATH-AO3 and ATH-A04...
http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/subcat&category_id=005d98b5d9469d6bce59bcb085d40961&offset=8

Looks like they are rated the same for weight, etc. However the AO4 has a quick release plate. Is there a disadvantage to this? Wondering if the AO3 is more secure because of its mechanism... I'm really looking for a ball head that is quite secure, even when walking around with the camera on tripod, on shoulder. The only thing that makes me leery about the quick release plate, is that it might not have a safety lock...

Thanks for any thoughts from the Amvona users out there...

[squiress]

The 3 is a typical copy of an Arca-Swiss ball mount with Arca Swiss plate and clamp. The knob clamp is very sound although this one doesn't appear to have a safety pin release. The 4 is the same with a Manfrotto RC2 or 4 plate mechanism (don't) remember which. And it is a quick release. On my Manfrotto mount with this plate structure there is a safety release. Not sure about the Amvona.

I like the knob plate clamp.

Stew

[Stephen Martin]

Thanks Stew! That makes sense... guess it comes down to preference, and perhaps the 03 perhaps being slightly more secure...

[squiress]

I checked my head. It's an RC4. This is a rather large plate on the negative side. The RC2 is closer to the AS plate, but I think the AS plate is smaller and would be less bulky on the camera or lens base.

Stew

[JohnJ80]

So I've been looking at Amvona ball heads, based on others recommendations here on the forum...and their evident satisfaction with Amvona products.

Wondering about the benefits/disadvantage between the ATH-AO3 and ATH-A04...
http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/subcat&category_id=005d98b5d9469d6bce59bcb085d40961&offset=8

Looks like they are rated the same for weight, etc. However the AO4 has a quick release plate. Is there a disadvantage to this? Wondering if the AO3 is more secure because of its mechanism... I'm really looking for a ball head that is quite secure, even when walking around with the camera on tripod, on shoulder. The only thing that makes me leery about the quick release plate, is that it might not have a safety lock...

Thanks for any thoughts from the Amvona users out there...

If you want secure, then look at any of the Arca Swiss compatible clamps that close with the twist knob. This would be the most secure of all.

I don't find the Manfrotto plates to be as secure. They are lever release plus the plates are not specific to the camera and are generic meaning they can twist.

J

[cfcRebel]

So I've been looking at Amvona ball heads, based on others recommendations here on the forum...and their evident satisfaction with Amvona products.

Wondering about the benefits/disadvantage between the ATH-AO3 and ATH-A04...
http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/subcat&category_id=005d98b5d9469d6bce59bcb085d40961&offset=8

Looks like they are rated the same for weight, etc. However the AO4 has a quick release plate. Is there a disadvantage to this? Wondering if the AO3 is more secure because of its mechanism... I'm really looking for a ball head that is quite secure, even when walking around with the camera on tripod, on shoulder. The only thing that makes me leery about the quick release plate, is that it might not have a safety lock...

Thanks for any thoughts from the Amvona users out there...Speaking from experience, I like the A03 better than the A04. The reason, when my Sigma 50-500mm is mounted on the A04, the QR didn't provide enough pressure to tightly lock the plate due to the weight of the lens and camera on a larger plate area. When shooting at 500mm, the slack is obvious. When i got the A03, it immediately resolves this issue. Its clamp tightens the slide-in plate perfectly.

[Stephen Martin]

Good to know that the AO3 can handle a large lens!

[bagtagsell]

I have the 04. It works fine, but it took me a week to trust it.