Ball Head - suggestions

Hello photographers,

I hope everyone is having a great 2014- Happy New Year's to all.

I am new when it comes to tripods and ball heads so I'm seeking suggestions. I searched the forum but would also like to see what others have to say...

I just got a Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 tripod and was wondering what are some suggestions on ball heads. I would like the quick release plate to be compatible (thought not 100% necessary) with my Black Rapids RS-7 strap.

I was thinking of sticking to Manfrotto as a brand - 055 magnesium ball head is a consideration.

My budget is around $300.00. Any inputs / guidance is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I would buy a really right stuff ball head. Many different options. I would recommend the BH-40 LRII. Even though it's 395 it is worth every penny. I own the BH-55 and love it. Buy once and never buy again

Tc202 wrote in post #16570562
I would buy a really right stuff ball head. Many different options. I would recommend the BH-40 LRII. Even though it's 395 it is worth every penny. I own the BH-55 and love it. Buy once and never buy again

thanks for the suggestion - something to look into and consider.

Don't go Manfrotto for the heads. There are plenty of better choices out there. Don't stick with the Manfrotto release system either. The Arca-Swiss style is better and more popular across brands.

I second the RRS BH-40 recommendation, I really like mine.

Alternatively there's Acratech and Markins, or Induro (cheaper).

I'm quite fond of the Markins heads.

The Manfrotto heads have received mixed reviews on this board, especially their quick release system. As others have said, you'll be much better off in the long term if you get a ballhead with an Arca-Swiss type of quick release. You have a good budget and there are plenty of good heads out there at that price.

Take a look at Photo Clam, Feisol, Sunwayfoto and Benro heads for example. The Sunwayfoto XB-44 has received good reviews and is within your budget (just), it also comes with a lever release clamp and a panning clamp for about $20 more. The base diameter of this head is 58mm and it has a 44mm ball diameter so it's a mid-size ballhead.

I went from Manfrotto to RRS and will never look back. Far superior in all ways!

Between 300 and 400 depending on the model, but Acratech has worked well for me.

http://acratech.net/

Colorblinded wrote in post #16570669
I'm quite fond of the Markins heads.

Will whole-heartedly second this. I have a Q3t on my travel tripod and an Q20 on my Gitzo series 3. My opinion is that Markins is a better, more reliable product than the comparible RRS heads.

However, I would definitely get an RRS lever quick release to put on the ball. I've ordered them from RRS and had them both sent to Markins, where Markins installed them on the two ballheads and shipped the completed items to me.

I also have the RRS monopod head with the same lever QR, and an RRS L bracket on each of my bodies.

Buy from the companies that make the best components to integrate with one another. Your Manfrotto sticks are perfect; match them with companies that make the best heads and the best quick releases. No matter how hard each company tries, they can't be the best at everything.

Thanks for all the great input. I'm looking into all the mention manufactures and I have a questions regarding the Really Right Stuff BH-40 LR with B2-40 clamp.

I noticed that this does not include a quick release plate. I look at the their Canon plates and saw that only an L-bracket is available. Is this my only option?

No, they also have universal plates. I have one like THIS. But they have MANY to choose from.

I use Benro and am very happy. Much more reasonable than the Really Right Stuff. I use the big older style Benro with a 500 F4.

tvphotog wrote in post #16572307
Will whole-heartedly second this. I have a Q3t on my travel tripod and an Q20 on my Gitzo series 3. My opinion is that Markins is a better, more reliable product than the comparible RRS heads.

However, I would definitely get an RRS lever quick release to put on the ball. I've ordered them from RRS and had them both sent to Markins, where Markins installed them on the two ballheads and shipped the completed items to me.

I have both a RRS BH-40 and a Markins Q3T. As long as the Q3T is working, I prefer that one. But my Q3T is not working at all in the cold, colder than about -5°C. I have used my BH-40 down to about -37°C without any issue. So in the winter, I only use the BH-40.

When it comes to the clamp, I prefer the Markins screw clamp over the all the RRS clamps, so i will never replace the clamp on my Q3T But this is just about personal preferences. I have both a lever release clamp on the BH-40, but I don't like that one.

based on your gear, a horusbennu lx-5 should easily do the job:

http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​3cbcef1138

I cant say I understand the really high end setups, especially since this $80 setup gets me really stable shots. Has fine tuning like advance heads as well.

Colorblinded wrote in post #16570669
I'm quite fond of the Markins heads.

Me too, I use the M10 with an RRS quick release Arca Swiss clamp. I found the Manfrotto head suffered badly from droop and its totally cured with the Markins.