Toughest Ballhead in the Business..

I'm so sick of buying cheap and nasty tripod/head combos. Just got my lovely girl to order me a Gitzo GT2541 Mountaineer tripod. I think she's sick of my complaining too. Happy days..

Now the ballhead cost is on me. I get the general consensus that the Markins M20 and RRS BH-55 are the best ballheads in the business. With credit to the AS Z1 & Acra stuff also.

Looking for 2 things: "Maintenance", meaning if sand, mud, water, dirt you name it gets on it, I can easily clean it and be done with it. The other thing is drag performance. My heaviest glass is a 70-200 2.8L IS II. Which ballhead offers the best and smoothest drag control? I'll be purchasing an L bracket too.

Regards,

Michael

Probably your best choice if you prioritize maintenance is an Acratech ballhead.

http://acratech.net/pr​oduct.php?productid=69

NicolasRubio wrote in post #10518207
Probably your best choice if you prioritize maintenance is an Acratech ballhead.

FYI, I would say smooth drag performance on heavy glass too, but you are correct, excellent relatively maintenance-free ballhead is a priority.

My budget is quite accommodating - $400-$500 USD.

stax wrote in post #10518220
http://acratech.net/pr​oduct.php?productid=69

I'm not really about looks for a ballhead, but my oh my that is a tricked out looking head. You are the man. Will check this out.

mrCAMPO wrote in post #10518240
FYI, I would say smooth drag performance on heavy glass too, but you are correct, excellent relatively maintenance-free ballhead is a priority.

My budget is quite accommodating - $400-$500 USD.

The drag performance on the RRS is superb (although I don't think you need a BH-55 if the 70-200 will be the largest lens you use). The RRS is fairly maintenance free, as well. It cannot be field stripped and cleaned, however. If the ballhead gets really fouled up with sand, for example, you would have to send it to RRS for cleaning. It can be washed off, of course, but if grit and sand get under the ball or knobs, you won't be able to clean it at home. The knobs cannot be removed without damaging the ballhead.

The Acratech, however, can be completely broken down and cleaned pretty easily.

I use a RRS BH-40, fwiw.

Actually, I am starting to second guess myself. I can't remember whether the Acratech can be disassembled (I haven't used one in some time). Due to its design, however, the Acratech can be totally cleaned very easily.

stax wrote in post #10518278
The drag performance on the RRS is superb (although I don't think you need a BH-55 if the 70-200 will be the largest lens you use). The RRS is fairly maintenance free, as well. It cannot be field stripped and cleaned, however. If the ballhead gets really fouled up with sand, for example, you would have to send it to RRS for cleaning. It can be washed off, of course, but if grit and sand get under the ball or knobs, you won't be able to clean it at home. The knobs cannot be removed without damaging the ballhead.

The Acratech, however, can be completely broken down and cleaned pretty easily.

I use a RRS BH-40, fwiw.

Stax, Is this a complimentary service? Bar shipping costs of course.

mrCAMPO wrote in post #10518382
Stax, Is this a complimentary service? Bar shipping costs of course.

I am not sure that RRS even offers the service. I am sure, however, that if the ballhead got really gummed up, cleaning it at home would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. I am talking about abnormal dirt, however. Everyday grime can be washed off. Sand under the ball and knobs is another story. If I did a lot of shooting around sand, I probably would not have bought a RRS head.

Acratech makes nice ballheads. I also would recommend Really Right Stuff and Markins.

Acratech GV2.

No love for the Z1 and its aspherical ball anymore?

Bob_McBob wrote in post #10518530
No love for the Z1 and its aspherical ball anymore?

Too heavy.

M10 is better match for Gitzo 25xx, in terms of size, weight supported by tripod + head, and balance of the tripod on your shoulder (BH55 way, way too top heavy on the legs, when shouldered)

I have the GT2541, and I as well have been researching this topic. I have the same criteria in terms of requirements for a ball head.

From what I have researched, the Markins best meets the requirements that I have set out. The requirements are maintenance, smoothness, weight capabilities, and over all quality. I know some of it is quite vague.

From what I have researched, the Markins method for cleaning requires a few drops of WD-40.

This comes directly from the manual for the M10 which can be found here http://www.markinsamer​ica.com …eration%20Instr​uction.pdf.

Also the M10 from the reviews that I have read has a very smooth operation, and toque drag control. The only negative reports is the panning control (which I don't mind).

I have also read that the RRS ball head needs to be sent back to the factory in order for them to clean it out.

Of the 3 the Arcatech is the best in terms of maintenance, the RRS maybe best in overall function, and the Markins is the all-round of the three.