Best Ball Head under $100

Im looking for a good ball head for my 30d, my heaviest set up will be the camera and a 100-400L. Trying to keep it around a $100 new or used.
Jamie

Manfrotto 488rc2

I fully agree with the recommendation of the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 as a great buy and great performer.

or it's little brother the Manfrotto 486RC2 (you lose the pan capability)

If panning is not a concern then take a look at the 322RC2. If you want the panning function the 488RC2 would be a good choice.

488RC2.

488RC2... I own and love this head. I use it on my tripod.

Dont get the 486RC2 unless you plan on sticking it on a monopod... I have both, and both are great.

Check the sig for details.

tripod/monopod? 488RC2 all the way
monopod only? 486RC2.

the 488RC2 is a great head.

Sounds good thanks!

gryphonslair99 wrote in post #2576733
If panning is not a concern then take a look at the 322RC2. If you want the panning function the 488RC2 would be a good choice.

I have the 322, which I specifically bought for shooting birds in flight. It's rated to hold 11 pounds and it does so with ease, and it locks into position when you let go of it.

I got this and this with the 30D and 400L on this ball head. You can pan with it, maybe not a perfect level panoramic head, but it's pretty smooth anyway.

Why does everyone like the RC2 plate over the RC0? I have the RC0 and it holds a lot more weight and works like a champ.

Chad McCan wrote in post #2582961
Why does everyone like the RC2 plate over the RC0? I have the RC0 and it holds a lot more weight and works like a champ.

The RC2 QR plate is a much better size and shape for 35mm SLR-sized cameras than any of the others. It doesn't overhang the bottom of the cameras much at all and thus doesn't get in the way when handling the camera off a tripod or monopod. I use the RC2 system with some fairly heavy lenses and never have had any problem whatsoever with it.

Another vote for the 488RC2 - with one consideration.

If you are trying to keep the weight down (like on a monopod), the 486RC2 is much lighter than the 488, and it is almost as nice. You won't get the controlled pan swivel with the 486.

Have Fun,

canonloader wrote in post #2578316
I have the 322, which I specifically bought for shooting birds in flight. It's rated to hold 11 pounds and it does so with ease, and it locks into position when you let go of it.

I got this and this with the 30D and 400L on this ball head. You can pan with it, maybe not a perfect level panoramic head, but it's pretty smooth anyway.

Canonloader Love the shots. They are great. My vote for the 488RC2 for panning was because of the originol posters desire to stay around $100.00. I have a specific panning attachment under my 322 between the legs and the 322. Makes perfectly level panoramics a breeze. But it was another $100.00+ to do so. I will take my 322 over a 488 anyday. But that is just my choice.

gryphonslair99 wrote in post #2583283
Canonloader Love the shots. They are great. My vote for the 488RC2 for panning was because of the originol posters desire to stay around $100.00. I have a specific panning attachment under my 322 between the legs and the 322. Makes perfectly level panoramics a breeze. But it was another $100.00+ to do so. I will take my 322 over a 488 anyday. But that is just my choice.

Same here, I'm in love with my 322. My tripod just gathered dust till I got it, now I use it all the time. But, with the kind of shooting I do, I don't need panning, and I have a 3 axis head if I ever need to use it.