Question about ballheads

Okay, here's a bit of a twist on the "I'm trying to buy my first real tripod setup" question:

The older I get, the weaker my hands are. Just how easy are ballheads to tighten, loosen and adjust? And which ballhead system would be best for someone who occasionally needs one of those special tools just to be able to open a jar of #$%@$# pickles?

jgrussell wrote in post #6360355
Okay, here's a bit of a twist on the "I'm trying to buy my first real tripod setup" question:

The older I get, the weaker my hands are. Just how easy are ballheads to tighten, loosen and adjust? And which ballhead system would be best for someone who occasionally needs one of those special tools just to be able to open a jar of #$%@$# pickles?

manfrotto 488rc2 has a big know for tighten for tightening and loosening.

My 488 series ballhead has a large, rubber covered knob. Very easy to turn and tighten/loosen.

You're going to run into much the same problem with any head style. But the bigger the ball head the better it'll hold without massive applications of force in tightening the screw. Don't fall for the "squeeze lock" jobbies like the Manfrotto 322RC2 - they require more hand effort just to squeeze the handle. They have their purposes (I have, and use, one, but won't be the answer to your problem.

I like an Arca compatible quick release

IMO, the Arca Compatible quick release is the way to go.

I use a Giottos MH-1300 with a MH-657 quick release system but, there are multiple other brands available.

The reason I like the Arca compatible QR is that it can use a Really Right Stuff L-plate which IMO is the best way to attach your camera to the tripod head. However, if you are always going to use lenses with tripod rings, the Arca Compatible head is not quite as important.

Most good ball heads have three adjustment knobs.

1. controls panning
2. controls the pressure on the ball so you can adjust it
3. opens and closes the ball

You don't need to screw down the knobs very tight on a good ball head. I have arthritis in my thumbs and have no problem adjusting my Giottos head.

jgrussell wrote in post #6360355
Just how easy are ballheads to tighten, loosen and adjust?

Very. A child could (and actually has) work my Kirk BH-3 for example. With a quality head, tension will do most of the work, unless you have an insanely heavy setup. Anyone who needs to "screw down" their ballhead using a cheap head, or using a head that is too small for their setup.

jgrussell wrote in post #6360355
And which ballhead system would be best for someone who occasionally needs one of those special tools just to be able to open a jar of #$%@$# pickles?

Arca Swiss. Really Right Stuff, Kirk, and Markins are safe bets. They are pricey; but you are paying for quality and ease of use.

I have a gear-head, Bogen / Manfrotto 410. One does not need to lock or unlock at all, just turn knobs. Sturdy as hell and a bit over $200.

jgrussell wrote in post #6360355
Okay, here's a bit of a twist on the "I'm trying to buy my first real tripod setup" question:

The older I get, the weaker my hands are. Just how easy are ballheads to tighten, loosen and adjust? And which ballhead system would be best for someone who occasionally needs one of those special tools just to be able to open a jar of #$%@$# pickles?

Not sure how much you want to spend but the Really Right Stuff BH-55 is very easy to tighten and loosen. It also has friction control and if its set right, you won't have to monkey with the main knob at all. With it tensioned right I can hold my 40d and 100-400 at a extreme angle without it dropping....Jeff

The action on my 488RC2 is excellent. Though the rubber grip does like to come slightly off-track sometimes.

gary88 wrote in post #6361634
The action on my 488RC2 is excellent. Though the rubber grip does like to come slightly off-track sometimes.

i had that same issue on the first one i got. returned it to amazon and they sent me a new one and its perfect, doesnt come off the knob anymore.

You guys are all terrific. You've put my mind at ease: I don't mind spending the money for quality, but spending money for something it would turn out I couldn't use would annoy me seriously. Now off to review all the stickys etc. about tripods and monopods and QR plates and...

Thanks!!

Another +1 for the Giottos heads ... mine is a MH-3300, similar to RP's but a bit larger ...

My former head, a Velbon, had to be tighter to hold (and even then it did not hold as well ... it was smaller). However, I have heard the Acratech's hold easily, in spite of their smaller size.

Maxdave

RPCrowe wrote in post #6360820
IMO, the Arca Compatible quick release is the way to go.

I use a Giottos MH-1300 with a MH-657 quick release system but, there are multiple other brands available.

The reason I like the Arca compatible QR is that it can use a Really Right Stuff L-plate which IMO is the best way to attach your camera to the tripod head. However, if you are always going to use lenses with tripod rings, the Arca Compatible head is not quite as important.

Most good ball heads have three adjustment knobs.

1. controls panning
2. controls the pressure on the ball so you can adjust it
3. opens and closes the ball

You don't need to screw down the knobs very tight on a good ball head. I have arthritis in my thumbs and have no problem adjusting my Giottos head.

Specialized wrote in post #6360427
My 488 series ballhead has a large, rubber covered knob. Very easy to turn and tighten/loosen.

Hi,

I totally agree with him, I have the same ballhead and it's really easy to use.

Ciao,
Laurent.

I find my Markins Q3T to be very easy to tighten down.

In fact the Markins heads are designed in such a way that it is actually better not to lock them down and instead use the ability of the head to work in it's "sweet spot". It dampens the vibrations better apparently.