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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
