Really cheap ball head

FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
end

Archive 2008 · Really cheap ball head

dlminehart
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · Really cheap ball head

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.

Dec 30, 2008 at 08:08 PM

mrkon
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · Really cheap ball head

wow that does look pretty good. i'm curious now too.

Dec 30, 2008 at 08:35 PM

Smiert Spionam
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · Really cheap ball head

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.

Dec 30, 2008 at 08:56 PM

mufutau
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · Really cheap ball head

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.

Dec 31, 2008 at 01:35 AM

JohnJ80
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · Really cheap ball head

If it's a Benro ballhead underneath (which it looks like it is), then this may be instructive:

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

Basically, you get what you pay for in ballheads (like pretty much everything else).

J.

Jan 01, 2009 at 01:21 AM

fishfilm
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · Really cheap ball head

JohnJ80 wrote:
If it's a Benro ballhead underneath (which it looks like it is), then this may be instructive:

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

Basically, you get what you pay for in ballheads (like pretty much everything else).

J.

THAT is fairly instructive...

Jan 04, 2009 at 10:19 PM

stompyq
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · Really cheap ball head

A lot of if's on this thread. dlminehart why not get one and try it? I would be careful to use this as your main head but for travel? who knows?

Jan 05, 2009 at 11:44 AM

JohnJ80
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · Really cheap ball head

No, YOU try it.....

Jan 05, 2009 at 02:20 PM

rudiphoto
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · Really cheap ball head

Money down the drain. Put that $35 towards a proper ballhead, and you'll be better off.

Jan 05, 2009 at 02:38 PM

runamuck
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · Really cheap ball head

From here it looks like a really tiny ball. The smaller the balls, the less they hold.

At the least, I would look for one with a larger ball.

Jan 06, 2009 at 04:24 AM

Jonathan H
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · Really cheap ball head

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.

Jan 06, 2009 at 09:27 AM

Smiert Spionam
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #12 · Really cheap ball head

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.

Jan 06, 2009 at 02:50 PM

JohnJ80
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · Really cheap ball head

I believe Induro/MAC has said that in press releases. The Induro stuff is made by Benro.

J.

Jan 07, 2009 at 01:45 AM

Booone0
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · Really cheap ball head

runamuck wrote:
From here it looks like a really tiny ball. The smaller the balls, the less they hold.

At the least, I would look for one with a larger ball.

::Stifles nearly uncontrollable immature laughter::

Thanks for the suggestions on ballheads. I'm gonna hold off until I can afford something nicer.

Jan 07, 2009 at 03:27 AM

EB-1
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #15 · Really cheap ball head

Looks like only 25mm ball? what can one expect fromn such chepa styuff,

eBV

Jan 07, 2009 at 11:44 AM

JohnJ80
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · Really cheap ball head

One does not want little balls.

J.

Jan 07, 2009 at 03:29 PM

end
FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Upload & Sell end