Which Ball Head won't scratch the Camera?

[danielyamseng]

I found out that the current Ball Head I'm using has scratched the Camera bottom over the time. It not only left the screw mark but the camera serial number as well as it's bottom.

I recalled that I was pretty careful mounting it on the camera but over the time, it left a deep scratch mark.

Thus, is there any good Ball Head that would not has this kind of problem?

[Shadowblade]

Use a quick-release system and L-plate.

[jhom]

What ballhead are you using. If you use a ballhead that uses a quick release system, the camera plate usually protects the bottom of the camera body. I would suggest you consider a ballhead that has an AS type QR system such as those from Markins, RRS, Kirk, AS, Wimberley to mention a few.

[ben_r_]

You should be using a quick release system for this and many other reasons. The Bogen RC2 platform is about the most popular. Check it out.

[Josh_30]

I have the Manfrotto 488RC2 and the surface that mounts against the camera is rubber, which should minimize scratching.

[SkipD]

Daniel - In addition to the above, one normally mounts a quick-release plate to a camera only once and leaves it there permanently. Thus, you wouldn't be creating all the rubbing motion that is what's marred the bottom of your camera.

[René Damkot]

I have the Manfrotto 488RC2 and the surface that mounts against the camera is rubber, which should minimize scratching.

And also impact stability ;)

I prefer an RRS L-bracket.

[danielyamseng]

Daniel - In addition to the above, one normally mounts a quick-release plate to a camera only once and leaves it there permanently. Thus, you wouldn't be creating all the rubbing motion that is what's marred the bottom of your camera.
That mean you only mounts it once and leave it there permanently?



René Damkot, that mean if I choose the rubber one, although it can protect the camera mounting but it's less stable?

That mean I don't have any choice beside just use the regular mounting ball head?

[Vascilli]

That mean you only mounts it once and leave it there permanently?


Yes, you simply unclip the camera from the ballhead with it on. Much faster and much less wear on the camera.

[René Damkot]

René Damkot, that mean if I choose the rubber one, although it can protect the camera mounting but it's less stable?

That mean I don't have any choice beside just use the regular mounting ball head?

Not quite:
The rubber on the RC2 plate will allow a bit of play.
I don't like that, and I prefer Arca Style plates. Most of those (at least the good ones) are all metal without any rubber / cork.

There are also plates formed to fit your camera, so theres no way they will move or twist. RRS makes nice ones, as do a few other companies.

As for the scuffing: a) I couldn't care less about it on my camera's and b) If the plate stays attached, it won't scuff the camera, or at least I won't see it ;)

[Jim G]

The RRS L-plates and normal plates for my cameras do a beautiful job. The regular plate scratched one time when I didn't tighten it enough, twisted the body against it and it scarred my 20D but I could care less, my fault anyhow :p

No way my L-plate is going to do that!