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	Username   Password FM Forum Rules FM Forums | General Gear-talk | Join Upload & Sell    end    Archive 2012 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2

fuzzybabybunny Offline • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #1 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 I'm looking for a cheaper ballhead for a D300s and 10-24mm and 18-55mm. I've purchased two 496RC2's and I HATE them. They are just sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Sloppy in their locking, sloppy in their unlocking. I have an old 486RC2 and I love it after all these years. Much crisper than this new replacement, even after all the sand and grit I've put it through. I want a ballhead in the same price range as the 496RC2 but with crisper action and a locking lever, not a locking wheel mechanism. I also want to be able to unlock it and then rotate the ballhead body freely around while keeping the camera and tripod in the same location (means it's easier to reposition the lever for ergonomic reasons). I've used ballheads where you unlock them but all you can move around is the camera. You have to move the whole tripod around to get at the locking lever on the ballhead. Feb 21, 2012 at 10:05 PM

gardenvalley Offline • • • Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #2 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 Couldn`t agree more on the Manfrotto 49x heads, they are truly awful. If I understand you correctly then there is only one I can think of which meets your needs. I suggested this head in a recent thread, Gitzo 1177m. It has a lever(repositionable) which controls both the ball and the rotation. It goes from locked to loose in less than a quarter of a turn and has that nice crisp and positive feel you want. There may be other heads like this, maybe someone else can provide further input. IIRC these were on close-out last year for $25 but I have no idea if they are still available at this price. Feb 21, 2012 at 10:32 PM

gardenvalley Offline • • • Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #3 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 I`ve just had a quick look at other manufacturer`s products and see similar designs from Giottos, Velbon, Benro and Vanguard. I doubt if they are on a par with the Gitzo`s quality, but you never know. There is another interesting design, the Foba Superball M2 but it has a separate panning lock and will be out of your price range. Feb 21, 2012 at 10:47 PM

fuzzybabybunny Offline • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #4 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 Thanks! What do you call where the lever controls both the rotation and the ball? http://www.amazon.com/Medium-Ball-Head-Quick-release-Plate/dp/B000FCIZ7I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329868994&sr=8-3 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/743843-REG/Benro_BH0_BH0_Ballhead_with_Quick.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/743890-REG/Benro_BH2_BH2_Ballhead_with_Quick.html Vanguard and Giottos seem to only have knob-style locking. I really like to have a lever style locking. More leverage for locking. Feb 22, 2012 at 12:10 AM

WAYCOOL Offline • • • • Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #5 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 http://www.indurogear.com/products_details_BHD1.html#features Induro BHD1 works great and is about $180.00 well worth much more, a better deal can't be had on a ballhead. Feb 22, 2012 at 12:19 AM

fuzzybabybunny Offline • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #6 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 WAYCOOL wrote: http://www.indurogear.com/products_details_BHD1.html#features Induro BHD1 works great and is about $180.00 well worth much more, a better deal can't be had on a ballhead. Thanks, but my budget's less than $100. I run a business and have to buy gear for all my photographers, myself included. $100 x 3 = $300. $180 x 3 = $540. Big difference and much harder on the ROI. We'll be shooting with D300s (no grip) and 18-55mm and 10-24mm and a Nodal Ninja. Possibly an 18-200mm. Feb 22, 2012 at 12:27 AM

runamuck Offline • • • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #7 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 You might look into a 322RC2 pistol-grip head. I've used one and they are great. Unfortunately the guy I borrowed it from insisted I return it. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303591-REG/Manfrotto_322RC2_322RC2_Grip_Action_Ballhead.html Feb 22, 2012 at 02:30 AM

fuzzybabybunny Offline • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #8 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 Guys, should I go with the Gitzo G1177M or the Benro BH2 Single Action Ballhead? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/244782-REG/Gitzo_G1177M_G1177M_Magnesium_Center_Ball.html http://www.amazon.com/Benro-BH2-Single-Action-Ballhead/dp/B004E9SWN0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329869047&sr=8-4 The Gitzo is their entry level ballhead, while the Benro is not and "supports 17.6lb" for what that spec is worth. Gitzo load capacity is 8.8lb. I've heard that the Gitzo is either Locked or Not Locked. There's hardly any in-between. I have no idea about the Benro. This will support at most a D300s and a 70-200mm f/2.8 (rare). More likely a D300s, 10-24mm, and Nodal Ninja 5, which can be around 4lb. Feb 22, 2012 at 06:01 PM

nigelleetc Offline • Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #9 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 I'm sort of in the same boat as you are. Looking at the Gitzo 1178m instead ($40 more, but has QR plate) http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1086673 Feb 22, 2012 at 06:11 PM

fuzzybabybunny Offline • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #10 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 Eh, I went ahead and bought 2 Gitzo G1177M's for about $62 each, shipped, from Amazon (Used - Like New). Feb 22, 2012 at 07:04 PM

M635_Guy Offline • • • Upload & Sell: On p.1 #11 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 I'd look at some of the Suiri and Sunwayfoto heads. They aren't the quality/fit/finish to Markins/RRS, etc. but they are pretty dang nice for the money. I truly hate the 49x Manfrotto heads. Feb 23, 2012 at 12:58 AM

nigelleetc Offline • Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #12 · Ballhead Recommendation - NOT 496RC2 what changed in the Manfrotto heads in the 49x series compared to the older ones? Feb 23, 2012 at 02:20 AM

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