advantages and disadvantages off center ball head

[tobotech]

what is the reason for considering one of these?
The advantages and disadvantages off center ball heads?

example ball head:
http://www.amazon.com/Gitzo-G1375M-Magnesium-Off-Center-Ball/dp/B00013J8TA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1255637463&sr=1-5

In addition to thumbing through the tripod/head sticky, I've been searching for over 30 minutes for this and could find no suitable answer.

thank you

[RPCrowe]

Some of the disadvantages are when using a camera/lens without a tripod ring in the vertical position:

1. it is hanging cantilevered and unbalanced over to the side

2. the camera tends to twist on the tripod screw due to the torque from the weight of the lens

3. when you switch from horizontal to vertical position (or the reverse), you need to completely re-frame your shot

I recommend a ball head with an Arca Compatible quick release and an L plate for your camera. Ball heads with AC quick releases are manufactured by several companies. The best L plates are made by Really Right Stuff and Kirk Enterprises.

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

[jr_senator]

I don't think, if given a choice, I would buy an off-center ball head because I know next to nothing about them and the ball looks small. However, I was given a Gitzo off-center ball head and it's really a decent ball head. Something I read, "This unique head design allows unsurpassed positioning freedom by offering a range of movement impossible with conventional heads".

[jacobsen1]

gitzo makes great legs and crappy heads. Almost every "awesome" tripod setup I've seen, especially with their legs, has a kirk, RRS or acratech head on them.

And if you're spending this much money on a head (or considering it). Don't do it unless you have a L-bracket and good clamp already. RRS can hook you up with something that can go on about any ballhead, so start there. That clamp can then go on a new better head later. I say this because a lever clamp is ~$100 and a L bracket ~$150 so if your budget is only ~$200, save the next $50 and start there. It's a MASSIVE difference when you can instantly switch from vertical to horizontal w/o moving the head and or legs.