Need help selecting a ballhead

I went through the FAQ sticky's ballhead section, found some good information but much of it was from 2+years ago.

i picked up a 3021 b pro about two weeks ago and it's just sitting in my room while i wait for a cheap ballhead to popup in the classified section. but i feel like i'm not doing the tripod any justice so i'll just get a new head. i'd like to get a ballhead that i can use for everything; portaits, macro, possibly some sports, landscapes, etc. I'm just a hobbyist so my needs aren't that specific. my budget is nothing more than 100 dollars, hopefully nothing more than 75

the heaviest setup that i would imagine putting on it would be a 70-200 f/2.8 lens, 20D gripped, and flash at the same time with some more weight to spare, so maybe something that supports 15 pounds. quick release and panning are really preferred.

any suggestions?

Sounds like the 498RC2 is the one you want if you go bogen/manfrotto

james_in_baltimore wrote in post #10126635
Sounds like the 498RC2 is the one you want if you go bogen/manfrotto

I would agree.

meh i considered it but don't know if i want to spend 130+tax on it considering i don't even shoot as much anymore.
but thanks, i'll keep my eyes open on ebay and here for one.

You could take a look at the Adorama Flashpoint F-3.Good, sturdy head using the Arca-Swiss style QR (includes one plate; extra plates from Adorama are available cheaply).

Vanguard SBH-200, 250, or 300 heads would be another option...

that flashpoint head looks pretty good, maybe i'll go to adorama this weekend and have a look at it.

i could only find sbh-250 on BH, can't see myself ever mounting 44 pounds on a tripod but i'll be far from pushing it's limit.

thanks for those two suggestions! definitely going to choose among one of those.

Manfrotto 498RC2. I recently upgraded tripod to a Manfrotto CF with this head from an older Man aluminum tripod with 488RC0 head. Whatta difference. The extra friction control on the 498 makes it all worthwhile.

Bought at Adorama, where I had time to really check out the Flashpoint gear. Low price, but not the highest quality. One of their CF tripods with twist lock legs was totally messed up and no amount of tightening could keep the legs from collapsing.

You get what you pay for.

jonpwn wrote in post #10129051
that flashpoint head looks pretty good, maybe i'll go to adorama this weekend and have a look at it.

i could only find sbh-250 on BH, can't see myself ever mounting 44 pounds on a tripod but i'll be far from pushing it's limit.

thanks for those two suggestions! definitely going to choose among one of those.

Adorama still has the SBH-200 listed, and they also carry the spare QR plates (QS-39 for 1/4"), which can be a little tough to find for some reason.

it there if you needed and for 75 buck you can't beat it

Another vote for the Vanguard SBH-250. Cannot beat it for the money. Paid $70. Seems equal to my Foba Mini.

Buy an inexpensive ballhead and you'll be buying another soon. If you could save a bit more money and buy a used Markins Traveler or something like that you would actually save in the long run.