I need a tripod head

What do you guys think of this head.

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1313427​526&sr=8-3

I've got the same one off Ebay, however it didn't say anything about Opteka (I've seen a lot of companies rebranding it) and the lever is smaller. It's okay for the price, holds steady and the plates look to be Manfrotto RC2 copies. The only gripes are there's no separate panning lock and no friction control, it can droop a little when tightening so make sure to hold the top plate when doing the lever up (only a real issue for macro work) and the plates were a little loose which I fixed by putting a couple strips of tape inside the clamping part. One of the main things I like about it is the bubble level, the Manfrotto equivalents don't seem to have that unless you spend a lot more.

I think that head is a waste of money personally. IMO you shouldnt be looking at any less than this for a decent starter ballhead: LINK

Cheap heads just have a lot of problems with drooping/sagging, or breaking. Or worse, dropping your precious camera and lens on the ground!

I ordered it cause its only 20 dollars. I barely use my tripod.

Mines lasted me more than 2 years I think and not had a serious problem with it, probably the best £20 I've spent on photography gear. Assuming that one matches in quality it will easily handle anything he wants to put on it. If you can increase your budget to the 498 and need those features that I mentioned the cheap one is missing then definitely get it, just don't rule out the cheap one based solely on it's cost.

I bought it, so far I'm happy

Downs Photography wrote in post #12940856
I ordered it cause its only 20 dollars. I barely use my tripod.

Then throw it out and get a beanbag. Tripods are to stabilize shots at slow shutter speeds, or to get amazing sharpness at standard speeds. A cheap tripod setup will not give you either because it will not give you the stability that you need. It's a waste of money and time.

A beanbag is rock solid and cheap. I've got an expensive tripod but always take a beanbag. It's fast and easy.

The head is plenty solid enough, much more so than a beanbag. If it can handle my 20D and 100-300mm f/4 it can take his 5DII or 40D and 70-200mm f/2.8.

$20. What a steal. I wonder how they can produce and ship it for that price.

tvphotog wrote in post #12967465
Then throw it out and get a beanbag. Tripods are to stabilize shots at slow shutter speeds, or to get amazing sharpness at standard speeds. A cheap tripod setup will not give you either because it will not give you the stability that you need. It's a waste of money and time.

A beanbag is rock solid and cheap. I've got an expensive tripod but always take a beanbag. It's fast and easy.

Agreed. It's almost certainly junk.

j.

Have you used it? I assume not so you're in no position to make assumptions. I've used it for over 2 years and it hasn't once let me down. I've heard of more expensive heads crapping out long before that, but I know that it's probably a one of so I don't assume they're all like that. I also don't assume that the £20 battery grip I've just bought is a load of **** just because it's cheap, I'll wait until it's delivered and I've had a chance to use it before making any conclusions.

You'll also notice that Downs has already bought it and is happy with it, so that's two of us versus some people that have likely only used expensive brand name stuff. So, let's wait a while and see if he comes back saying the top plate has come off and sent thousands of dollars of gear crashing to the ground.

Good for you. I'm happy - no, thrilled - for you and Downs.

J.

You're really not pulling off that sarcasm very well.

Now, ask me if I care. Besides that, it's hard without a sarcasm font.

J.

No, I doubt you do care, you seem far too narrow minded to.