Are ball head weight ratings reliable ?

[rjalex]

I did some math on the largest configuration my machine will probably reach:

Canon 40D / 740gr
BG-E2 / 290gr
2 x BP511 batt. / 150gr
Flash 580EX / 375gr
4 x AA batt / 100gr
70-200 L 2.8 IS / 1470gr
TC 1.4x / 200gr
RRS L bracket / 132gr
2 x RRS QR plates B2-40 LR / 222grWhich adds up to 3679grams, plus the strap let's round it to 3700 grams.

Given the above when I see that a ball load rating is for example 4000 gr. should I be nervous ?

In case of the RRS ballheads, passing from a 4kg load to the next model with an 8kg load means adding 200$ to the bill :(

Thank you for sharing your EXPERIENCE ! :)

Bob

[SkipD]

Some ball head manufacturers may rate theirs with higher numbers than others, even though the products may be equal in performance.

The important thing to know is how much creep you could expect with the ball at 90° from vertical and with a significant load on it. I have not seen any such ratings, however.

Would I buy a head that is rated virtually AT the weight of my equipment? Absolutely not, unless someone has tested that ball head for the off-vertical creep.

The ball head I use with similar loading to your plan is the Manfrotto 488RC2, and it is rated at 17.6 pounds. It works quite well. The 486RC2 (the little brother to the 488RC2), however, is rated at 13.2 pounds and exhibits a little creep with a nominal 8-pound load and the head positioned off to the side.

I would suggest that you buy a head with double the weight rating of the equipment you are planning to use on it. You won't be sorry if you do that. If you buy a unit rated just at your planned load, you could be sorry.

Larger ball heads will usually operate more smoothly and allow easier adjustment for friction (assuming you want to be able to move the camera on the head but with some friction in the movement).

[Jon]

^^^what he said . . .

[pturton]

The RRS BH-25 head that you are referring to is designed as a ultra-light travel/backpacking solution for short lenses and small bodies.

The BH-40 should easily support the load you describe. It also weighs more than twice as much as the BH-25.

[RichNY]

^^^what he said . . .
The BH-40 is a head and will meet your needs. I'd suggest looking at the Markins Q-3 or even M10 as a better or equally built lower weight and cost alternative.
http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/M10.php

For what you actually own you could even get by with the Markins Q-3

Weight of Head Max. Load Cost
RRS BH-40 479g 18lbs/8kg $375
Markins Q-3 .84lbs/385g 65lbs/30kg $269
Markins M10 1.09lbs/498 90lbs/40kg $339

[rjalex]

Thank you all for the great tips. I am now in that terrible state in which I am not anymore totally ignorant but still not expert :) So bear with a few more questions please.

a) What justifies the disproportionate load arating of the Markins vs. the RRS ?

b) I have a Manfrotto 488 ballhead (not the RC2, it does not have any QR but only ends with a threaded screw). Can I just add a QR plate on it ?

c) I really want the RRS L plate for my 40D with the BG-E" grip. I am not sure of which QR plate would fit it other than the RRS ones. And also want to be sure the plate fits the QR plate which I fit on the ballhead.

d) I am thinking about the Manfrotto 055XPROB legs. Are they in the same league of the rest of the stuff ? I am REALLY suffering minor vibration problems with my studio work.

A damned PUZZLE !!! Thank you Bob

[SkipD]

b) I have a Manfrotto 488 ballhead (not the RC2, it does not have any QR but only ends with a threaded screw). Can I just add a QR plate on it ?Bob - take a very close look at the top work of the 488 head that you have. If you can unscrew the top (the platform you fasten to a camera) and have a 3/8-16 male thread left, then you can merely screw on a 3299 adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/149686-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3299_3299_RC2_System_Quick.html) and you'll have a 488RC2. The adapter comes with one QR plate. You'll probably want extras so that you can leave them attached to each camera and lens that you would fasten to the tripod.

The 055ProB tripod (same as my 3021BPro) is fantastic all-round tripod and is quite sturdy. It is not a featherweight for hiking, but I carry it across my back with a "long strap" and find it very portable.

[RichNY]

b) I have a Manfrotto 488 ballhead (not the RC2, it does not have any QR but only ends with a threaded screw). Can I just add a QR plate on it ?

c) I really want the RRS L plate for my 40D with the BG-E" grip. I am not sure of which QR plate would fit it other than the RRS ones. And also want to be sure the plate fits the QR plate which I fit on the ballhead.

d) I am thinking about the Manfrotto 055XPROB legs. Are they in the same league of the rest of the stuff ? I am REALLY suffering minor vibration problems with my studio work.


Bob- I can't say for sure how they rate their load capacities but any of these 3 will meet your needs.

The RRS L plate is great; IMO the best way to go is to put a RRS lever on whatever head you use.

I'm really surprised to hear about you having vibration problems with your tripod which has a great reputation for being a stable platform. If your problem isn't head related I would consider sending it in for service- something is wrong and it isn't the legs being poorly designed for the task.

[rjalex]

The RRS L plate is great; IMO the best way to go is to put a RRS lever on whatever head you use.

I'm really surprised to hear about you having vibration problems with your tripod which has a great reputation for being a stable platform. If your problem isn't head related I would consider sending it in for service- something is wrong and it isn't the legs being poorly designed for the task.

Well sorry for misleading. The problems I describe are those I have NOW with a flimsy 50$ tripod :)

So my final recipe looks like the following:

Manfrotto 055XProB legs
Markins Q-Ball M10 with none quickshoe (RED :-) ) 310$
RRS B2 LLR II clamp 132$
RRS BGE2-L40 L plate for 40D with BG-E2 160$

Now I hope that these components from the different vendors (Manfrotto->Markins->RRS) fit with each other.

I am also not 100% sure that both sides of the RRS L plate fit directly in the RRS B2 clamp without any further hw.

And what if my Manfrotto 488 can be converted to a 488RC2 ??? :)

On the top of the 488 ball there is a small hexagonal srew which MIGHT enable me to unscrew it to accept a clamp. Here is a pic. Any suggestions on this ? See the picture below.

http://foton.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p1035569112-4.jpg

[NZDoug]

I wouldnt use a ball head in the original situation described.
Im not familiar with the RRS L bracket but I have had similar set ups with stroboframes come crashing down, snapping flash heads off, disfiguring zooms and bending camera lens mounts. Its not nice.:evil::cry::rolleyes:
I presume the RRS L is a flip bracket with off cam flash bracket.
The important thing is to have the centre of gravity at the tripod mount, that is, have the whole thing in balance.:p
Second thing is to really tighten it down, as wind or a slipping leg or something, like tripod slowly digging in mud or sand can creep an accident up on you.;)
I use a Manfrotto #136 pan head because
1) its got a big clutch on the pitch (up and down) movement.
2) its got a long handle so one has good leverage when wielding the mass.
3) its got a stopper, which can prevent the whole thing from swinging downwards if it goes out of balance. This has saved many long lens lenshoods.
4) it works as a pan head!!! :D

[RichNY]

I wouldnt use a ball head in the original situation described.
Im not familiar with the RRS L bracket but I have had similar set ups with stroboframes come crashing down, snapping flash heads off, disfiguring zooms and bending camera lens mounts. Its not nice.:evil::cry::rolleyes:
I presume the RRS L is a flip bracket with off cam flash bracket.
The important thing is to have the centre of gravity at the tripod mount, that is, have the whole thing in balance.:p
Second thing is to really tighten it down, as wind or a slipping leg or something, like tripod slowly digging in mud or sand can creep an accident up on you.;)
I use a Manfrotto #136 pan head because
1) its got a big clutch on the pitch (up and down) movement.
2) its got a long handle so one has good leverage when wielding the mass.
3) its got a stopper, which can prevent the whole thing from swinging downwards if it goes out of balance. This has saved many long lens lenshoods.
4) it works as a pan head!!! :D

Doug- The L bracket isn't a flash bracket like the stroboframe but rather a mounting plate that wraps under and on the side of a camera to allow it to be quickly mounted and removed from a tripod in either landscape or portrait mode. This keeps the camera 's center of gravity above the ballhead as opposed to having it lean off to the side in portrait mode. There is a great video of it in action on this page http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

[RichNY]

Well sorry for misleading. The problems I describe are those I have NOW with a flimsy 50$ tripod :)

So my final recipe looks like the following:

Manfrotto 055XProB legs
Markins Q-Ball M10 with none quickshoe (RED :-) ) 310$
RRS B2 LLR II clamp 132$
RRS BGE2-L40 L plate for 40D with BG-E2 160$

Now I hope that these components from the different vendors (Manfrotto->Markins->RRS) fit with each other.

I am also not 100% sure that both sides of the RRS L plate fit directly in the RRS B2 clamp without any further hw.

And what if my Manfrotto 488 can be converted to a 488RC2 ??? :)

On the top of the 488 ball there is a small hexagonal srew which MIGHT enable me to unscrew it to accept a clamp. Here is a pic. Any suggestions on this ? See the picture below.

http://foton.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p1035569112-4.jpg

Great final recipe. Both sides of the RRS L plate will fit directly into the RRS B2 w/o any further hw. See video of it here: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

I'm not sure what you mean about converting your 488? Are you asking if you can just mount a RRS plate and skip replacing the head?

[NZDoug]

Doug- The L bracket isn't a flash bracket like the stroboframe but rather a mounting plate that wraps under and on the side of a camera to allow it to be quickly mounted and removed from a tripod in either landscape or portrait mode. This keeps the camera 's center of gravity above the ballhead as opposed to having it lean off to the side in portrait mode. There is a great video of it in action on this page http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

THX for the link, Rich.
Ball heads really have to be reefed down tight when its carrying lots weight.
I still would go for a pan head in the original posters situation.
I have pan, 3 way and ball heads fro my 055C, along with 3 different types of feet, locking castor wheels, the 131DB cross arm thingy.
Each has its best purpose and I dress it for its occasions.
I use a Bembo ball head, and use it mostly when Ive strapped the tripod to my mountain bike.
Its the smallest ,lightest and less protrusive of all my heads.:D
If one head did everything perfectly, then there would be no other type of head.