Lightweight travel ballhead

Hi guys,
I'm looking to replace my ball head - I need an arca-swiss compatible (and to be more specific, I want one that works with my peak design plate)

My priorities are first and foremost, weight (definitely needs to be less than 16 ounces, prefer at or under 8), followed by compactness & ease of use.

The load it will need to support is very low - a Sony A7R + a nFD lens (the heaviest of which is <11 ounces), so I expect total weight will be something like 26-28 ounces (~1.7 lbs). Add a couple ounces in case I thrown on a screw-on filter and I'm still looking at a sub 32oz/2lb total weight.

I'd like to stay around 200, but may be willing to go up around 300.

Any suggestions?

AnAcratech Ultimate is pretty light, but it's pushing your budget.

^ + 1. I had an Acratech Ultimate on my travel tripod and it was great. Then Acratech came out with an Ultimate GP which is the regular Ultimate with leveling base functionality built in. The range of motion is an amazing 40° and it weighs just under 1lb. but it completely blows your budget. Maybe go without lunch for a couple of days?

To be honest, I've been looking at the Arcatech even back when I was using my 6D.

I was hoping for alternatives now that I'm using a mirrorless system. I believe the Arcatech is 0.9 lbs, and I'd like something lighter...

shikhan wrote in post #17272006
To be honest, I've been looking at the Arcatech even back when I was using my 6D.

I was hoping for alternatives now that I'm using a mirrorless system. I believe the Arcatech is 0.9 lbs, and I'd like something lighter...

Most of the ballheads I've seen that are lighter than the Acratech are cheap, small, consumer grade heads made to (barely) provide adequate support for a point and shoot. There's more to tripod and ballhead performance than the manufacturers claimed support ratings. You could go with something like a Sirui K-20, which weighs the same as the Ultimate and costs about $130. The Induro BHL1 Low comes in right at or just under a pound and costs $200. Beyond that you could try the Adorama house brand of tripod heads: 3pod. The 3pod H5 comes in at right at a pound and only costs $100. I've never seen one in the wild nor do I know of anyone who has it though, so that would make you the guinea pig.

Have a look at the Triopo RS3 + a suitable Arca QR clamp (I use the Triopo GS-13-50). This head has a very smooth action and simply the best lockup of any ball head I have yet tried including a couple very expensive alpine models. Weight, including clamp, is about 14 ounces and it will hold (without creep) pretty much anything. Unfortunately my 3 series Gitzo Systematic tripod is a bit bendy to really test this little head properly but the RS3 is quite happy with out of balance setups of 17 lbs.
Oh yes I forgot the important bit - it's cheap, mine cost 40GBP including the clamp.

shikhan wrote in post #17272006
I believe the Arcatech is 0.9 lbs, and I'd like something lighter...

Well the smallest and lightest Acratech is the GP-ss and that weighs 0.85lbs and comes with their double speed knob clamp. The same head with their lever clamp weighs 0.9lbs. I've used their knob clamp and I don't like it, all my Acratech heads have lever clamps. My digital camera is also a Sony mirrorless but I use a number of film cameras too, some of which are a bit on the heavy side like the rangefinder in the pic above. The body and lens barrel of that camera are brass so it's not light.

The thing you get with Acratech is they're impervious to the elements, which is why I started using them in the first place. I'm near the sea so sand or sea spray or whatever just isn't a problem, because the designs are so open you can just run them under a faucet or shower head if they get mucky and they're good to go. You will not get that with most other ballheads. They're not cheap, but you spend the money once and you get something that will last a very long time.

Take a look at the RRS BH-30. It is small, light, easy to use, extremely high quality, and within budget:
http://www.reallyright​stuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id​.4106/.f

It is, however, over 8oz.

If you absolutely must have something under 8oz, then look at the BH-25:
http://www.reallyright​stuff.com/s.nl/it.A/id​.4103/.f

But this is really a bit on the small side and might not be as smooth as you'd like. It also lacks panning. I would suggest living with a few extra oz and getting the 30.

Both are rated to support more than enough for your setup. I have the BH-40, and it is an amazingly good head. RRS does not disappoint.

Look at the Sirui sx10 or Markins q3.

Sirrith - thanks, I forgot about RRS
Sonnyc - Haven't heard much about the Sirui before, I'll have to look into some reviews. I don't supposed you've tried it before?

shikhan wrote in post #17275498
Sirrith - thanks, I forgot about RRS
Sonnyc - Haven't heard much about the Sirui before, I'll have to look into some reviews. I don't supposed you've tried it before?

I have the Markins Q3 and a friend has the Sirui SX30, bigger than the sx10, which is a pretty beefy ballhead. The build quality is pretty solid and all the controls very smooth. It's priced very well too.