Anyone seen or, better yet, tried one of these ( http://tinyurl.com/9r7trt ) eBay ballheads? They look pretty capable, certainly for less than $50, but I can find no reviews of them anywhere.
From the pics, it looks almost certainly to come from the same factory as Benro/Induro/Dynatran/etc. That means that for that price it's actually usable, but it's not remotely in the same league as a Kirk, Markins, or other premium head. Not as good as a Feisol or other second-tier head, either.
True. They do look like my Amvona Dynatran ballhead and I paid around $80 for it on the amvona ebay bid. For hobby use they are good if the money is tight. Mine has been working well.. so no complaint but then I am not a professional either.. I only use it ocassionally not heavily.
Mufutau
Smiert Spionam wrote:
From the pics, it looks almost certainly to come from the same factory as Benro/Induro/Dynatran/etc. That means that for that price it's actually usable, but it's not remotely in the same league as a Kirk, Markins, or other premium head. Not as good as a Feisol or other second-tier head, either.
Does anyone have any qualitative, verifiable data at all that Benro and Induro share manufacturing specifications, factories, anything?
I've done a tear-down on my three Induro products (as far as I could go without destroying or cutting anything) and I've been absolutely impressed with the internal construction, not to mention the fit and finish which is impeccable.
I now have over a year of full backcountry abuse on my Induro CX213 tripod and it functions like the day I bought it, save for a rusted screw after a 6 day trip where we didn't see the sun once and spent most of it soaked to the bone.
Can't speak to the tripods, but the ballheads are unmistakable, down to the die marks. Induro is essentially a house brand, dressed up as a premium product. I actually think the ballheads are fine for fifty bucks. They're much nicer to use than a $50 Manfrotto ballhead, though the Manfrotto will last forever (and be clunky for every day of eternity). They're definitely not as rugged, though, and they're in no way competitive with the Kirk/Markins/RRS/Arca heads they resemble cosmetically.
What's unconscionable is local camera stores promoting them as a premium brand, and charging $200+ for them.
