Suggestion for high end tripod ball head

[Pontus]

I have a very sturdy Gitzo carbon tripod to which I have attached a Benro B-4 ball head. The Benro looked very good and it was much cheaper than brands like RRS or Novoflex etc. I am however disappointed in the Benro, especially with heavy lenses. When I turn the knob to lock the ball head after framing, there is a significant give and the result is that the framing is off. In order to frame properly I have to frame high and try to anicipate the amount of movement after I lock the ball head.

I am now prepared to pay for quality. I need something that will hold even my 600/5.6 Nikkor which is 2.7Kg. I appreciate that there always will be some play with a lens this heavy, but with the Benro I experience a lot of play even with much smaller lenses. Which ball head would you recommend?

[calvin83]

I do not see many people here use ball head for 600mm lens here. A ball head for super tele lens like this http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=BH-55-LR&type=3&eq=&desc=BH-55-LR%3a-Full-sized-ballhead-with-LR&key=it will be too heavy for daily use with normal or short tele photo. It will also be hard to operate with such heavy and long lens. Go for a gimbal head like this http://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm if you want a head for exclusive use on tripod or something like this http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=10&cat=1&page=1 if you want to use it on both tripod and monopod.

Some here should have a better idea on this topic as my experience is limited to 500mm Mirror lens.

[Lloydy]

My Manfrotto 498RCZ is a similar spec and price to the Benro and it does the same thing, it moves when you clamp it tight. It's ok for short lenses but not for long. So I hardly use it, instead I use a Manfrotto 804RC2 pan / tilt head which is much easier and more accurate to use. I prefer pan & tilt now that I use this head more.
But I think a geared head is probably the best option for long lenses, or a gimbal.

[SVP]

I'm not a ball head fan myself; I do prefer geared or two-way heads when it comes to heavy/long lens combos.
Having said that, should you insist in using the ball head concept with a heavy/long tele, I'd guess your best option would be a FOBA Superball, it's a rock-solid performer with up to 15kg capacity.

[cooltouch]

I have a large no-name ball head that came attached to a Bogen tripod I bought second hand. It locks down even a fairly heavy camera/lens combo securely, but even it has some give before it finally comes to a rest. I also have a Benbo (related to the Benro?) tripod with ball head that locks down fairly well, but not as securely as this big no-name one. Anyway, I've just come to regard the sag as a "feature" when using ball heads. I have five different ones in various sizes, and they all do it.

Honestly, I prefer using a more traditional head style with a big and heavy camera lens combo, like what you'll have with a 600/4 with camera attached. Takes a lot of the headache out of framing a subject. What I often do, though, if I' stuck with using a heavy setup with my Bogen with ball head is I will adjust the legs, pulling one or more in slightly to correct the framing. Pulling a leg in raises that trisectional area of the frame. (Can't really call it a "quadrant")

[Himself]

You should buy a gimbal head.
They start at around $150.

[Himself]

If you really want to go with a high end ball head then try an Arca Cube.

[Pontus]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions!

If I could find an Arca Cube head at 50% off, I might actually consider it

I'm looking for a "do it all" head which means that a gimbal head is out of the question. After all, I rarely use my longer lenses but when I do, it has to be sturdy.

I have been eyeing the high end ballheads and will continue reading reviews. What has cought my attention though is the Manfrott/Bogen 405 with Arca Swiss type plate adapter. Not as fast to use as a ballhead but it should take the weight just fine and allows easy adjustment after locking the head. Hmm...

[peterqd]

Excuse me for commandeering your thread Pontus.

My cheap camera tripod is useless with long lenses - even using a remote release causes vibrations. I also have a really
heavy duty tripod designed to be used with surveying instruments, in my case my theo, I'd love to be able to mount a
standard camera head on it. However the screw thread is 5/8" diameter Whitworth and I can't find a head with a thread that
large, they're all 1/4" and 3/8". I could possibly make an adapter myself using a 5/8" tap and a 1/4" die, but it's a lot of
hassle without a proper workshop.

Any suggestions?

That Wimberley head looks fabulous Calvin, a bit too expensive for me though!

[SVP]

@peterqd: Is the 5/8" Whitworth identical to the audio (mic stand) 5/8"-27 one?
If yes, there exist readily available 3/8" male to 5/8" female adapters.

[visualopsins]

One with a big (more gripping area), hollow (lightweight), ball, would fulfill design needs.

My cheap Slik has 4cm solid ball -- not too heavy; enough support, in a pinch, for 3.5kg 500/4, though not optimal for moon shots, but plenty sturdy for lenses I use most, to 300/4. I usually use a different type head (and tripod) with the longest lenses.

[Pontus]

[peterqd]

[SkedAddled]

I've read a lot of good things about the relatively new Photo Clam ballheads. Might be worth a look.

reallybigcameras.com

[Lloydy]

[peterqd]