500 f4 (and Sidekick) which ball head?

So you think buying your most prized lens is the end? Haha. So I have the lens foot and the lens coat but using my sidekick I am finding the ball head sticks quite alot when panning in either direction (and when sooting birds alot of fine adjustment is difficult). I have a Benro head right now, and a side kick but figure the cheap chinese head is the problem. Any suggestions for a head to go with the sidekick? I cannot afford the full gimbal.

Markins Q10?

I am not a fan of ball heads in general. I only use my 500/4 handheld or on a monopod. Just trying to help you rethink it all.

gasrocks wrote in post #11205998
I am not a fan of ball heads in general. I only use my 500/4 handheld or on a monopod. Just trying to help you rethink it all.

I have a manfrotto 393 but it is heavy so I tend to stick with the sidekick. I got the lateral movement of the B-1 slackened all the way but it sucks, I guess cheap nylon doesn't move smooth underweight. Plus I duffed my shoulder in the gym so handholding is out for the next few months I tried today, probably added a month on to rehab. But cheers, the 500 is mostly for birds so it is on a tripod mostly.

996gt2 wrote in post #11205943
Markins Q10?

Anything cheaper ? Maybe if I push it I can go 300€....maybe. Looks cool though, 45KG...!

Not a ball head but this works perfectly with my 500 f/4.

http://www.adorama.com​/FPGH.html

Really Right Stuff BH-55.........

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …x?code=Ballhead​55&key=cat

There are some knock-off gimbal heads on ebay. I bought a very nice one for a hundred bucks, and it's amazing! I like a gimbal far more than a ball head as it's far easier to move around and remain at the correct angle.

Wimberely head II. Nothing is like it.

Markins are excellent but the q10 is too small IMO (although it'll easily take the load). You really need an M20. None of the high quality ball heads suitable for this lens are cheap. The Manfrotto 393 is definitely the cheapest good option though it's quite bulky.

This is a trick question. The answer is a gimbal. Flashpoint if you're money conscious, Wimberley if you prize quality above all else.

OK. I am looking at the RRS BH-55. I am not using it as a ball head but with my sidekick. I do not want a full gimbal, I have the manfrotto and the side kick...it is enough spent. I prefer the sidekick to the manfrotto and it is better for travelling with. Thanks everyone.

It almost appears like some have mis-read the question a bit. It's just the panning base section that is sticking when using the sidekick, right?

FYI I just put the most part of 90kg of overweight me onto my Manfrotto 055 tripod and 488 ballhead with the panning lock released and it would spin easily (not "jumping") with that much weight on it.I also find that for my > 1000mm astro shots the panning of the base is quite smooth.

Neil for the cost of BH55 and sidekick you can buy wimberely. The wimberley is so much better IMHO. Once you try it you will know. BH55 is a killer ball head. I use to use Markins M10 with my 500mm f4 no problems but this when using ball head on skimmer to get ground level shots on a beach, lake etc.

Jobu Design sells a good gimbal head...