Sirui vs Benro Ballhead

Well I learned the hard way that my old Vanguard SBH 250 head is not Arca-Swiss. For the last 2yrs I've managed with it because I just used the plate that came with it. Well my Pro-Media L bracket arrived and it will not work with my Vanguard. So I'm stuck with a decision and my options.

What I currently have is a Vanguard AEBO 323AB tripod which came with the SBH250. I also purchased a Benro A297F (legs only), and then a Opteka GH-1 Gimbal head. The gimbal head is on the Vanguard legs since that tripod is much sturdier, and I use it exclusively for my birding with my Sigma 150-600. The Vanguard head is on my Benro legs for portrait work.

1. Do I attempt to sell my total Vanguard setup and replace it with a different tripod plus head setup?
   
2. Sell just the Vanguard head, replacing it with one that is Arca-Swiss compatible?
   
3. Benro or Siriu K30X ball head?
   

Don't know about a Benro head but I can tell you that my Sirui K-30 is excellent. I've not seen a bad comment regarding their ball heads... always highly rated. Buy with confidence.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #18131804
Don't know about a Benro head but I can tell you that my Sirui K-30 is excellent. I've not seen a bad comment regarding their ball heads... always highly rated. Buy with confidence.

Gotta agree with Ted. Never had a problem with my K-20, K-30, or K-40. Much better than the price might reflect. You won't be sorry.

If the Vanguard is otherwise to your liking, are you able to swap out the clamp?

sawsedge wrote in post #18132056
If the Vanguard is otherwise to your liking, are you able to swap out the clamp?

Well it does have an allen head screw. However that screw is not budging. I've tried loosening it, but quit when I felt things were going to break.

frozenframe wrote in post #18132209
Well it does have an allen head screw. However that screw is not budging. I've tried loosening it, but quit when I felt things were going to break.

You might want to heat the screw to loosen the adhesive they use hold the screw .

Just ordered the Sirui K30X from Adorama, should have it by the end of the week. I didn't want to try heating, as all I have is one of those butane torches, which may have worked but didn't want to chance trashing the head.

Thanks to those providing their input.

I moved from a benro ballhead to a larger sirui (k20x) and I think you will be very happy.

I think you will be very happy with the K30X, they are a great series of ball heads and the lockup is VERY good.
Enjoy.

frozenframe wrote in post #18140518
Just ordered the Sirui K30X from Adorama, should have it by the end of the week.

Good decision. Benro/Induro make good tripods, but Sirui heads are much better than Benro heads.

Yes I am very happy. The Sirui K30X is sweet, tight locking, no slip.

I just recently bought a set of CF tripod legs, and a ballhead. Based on my research, the Sirui ballheads are superior to the Benro, but my legs are Benro. I got the Sirui K-20X, which will be delivered on Friday, the legs arrived today. I can give you my take on the equipment after it all arrives if you're not in a rush to buy before Monday. PS - the legs were the Benro Travel Angel 9X Carbon Fiber.

heldGaze wrote in post #18149497
I just recently bought a set of CF tripod legs, and a ballhead. Based on my research, the Sirui ballheads are superior to the Benro, but my legs are Benro. I got the Sirui K-20X, which will be delivered on Friday, the legs arrived today. I can give you my take on the equipment after it all arrives if you're not in a rush to buy before Monday. PS - the legs were the Benro Travel Angel 9X Carbon Fiber.

Thank you for offering, but I received it last week. However it might be helpful to others that may be looking for a good ballhead.

Oh, my bad. I just skimmed the thread and didn't see you had made your decision. Have you had a chance to use it yet? I was debating between the K-20X and the K-30X, but chose the 20 because my legs are only rated to 22 pounds, and the 20 is rated to 55 pounds. So I figured it should be plenty strong for anything I'll use on these legs. I was thinking, but what about when I get a non-travel tripod? Well, I'll just get another head then, and the 20 is lighter and skinnier, so it should pair with these Benro legs better, was my thinking. I didn't have the legs on hand to measure the gap between them when closed, so I was concerned the 30-X may be slightly too large. I had to order that night as my Adorama bonus points were expiring. I got $119 off the legs and $71 off the head thanks to bonus points from Adorama purchases earlier this year.