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Tripod heads

Breitling65
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p.1 #1 · Tripod heads

I read lots of positive reviews about Benro products. However I am very skeptical about company cloning other products for cheap price. What would you suggest for lens like 300mm with Canon 1D body? Thanks!

Jun 29, 2009 at 10:44 AM

loggerhead
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p.1 #2 · Tripod heads

Markin's missing from this list is a shame. I prefer the M20 over the RRS BH-55, but it's a personal thing. You'll find plenty of solid opinions on both.

Jun 29, 2009 at 01:37 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #3 · Tripod heads

Arca was the original, Kirk and RRS emerged as the first high quality alternatives, and Markins is a newer excellent option. There are also some other mid- and entry-level options (Acratech, very recently Photo Clam), but nothing beats RRS, Arca, Markins, and Kirk.

Discussions of Benro (aka Induro, Amvona, Dynatran, Flashpoint, and others) equipment get very heated, and owners of it sometimes get defensive and accuse those who are critical of it of never owning the equipment. That may be rhetorically useful, but it's not true.

Unfortunately, the ballheads are their worst product. I owned one, and while it can useful for lightweight gear in a pinch when your budget is tight, the manufacturing was woefully inadequate. I would never put a a big, expensive setup like yours on one. while they look like an Arca or a Kirk, the internal mechanism is crudely cast out of cheap pot metal, and what seems like a nice smooth action will quickly deteriorate -- especially under the torque forces of a heavy lens/body combo.

Your profile says you've got a series 3 Gitzo and a Z1 -- nothing will beat that. The Markins M-20 and RRS BH-55 are the other comparable alternatives for your tripod and gear. Both have strengths, but they're not any better than what you've got. Personally, I like the Kirk BH-3 for a midsized head, but their larger BH-1 has never appealed to me, since it's so big (modeled after the original Arca B1).

If you're looking for something lighter/cheaper than the Z1, possibly for travel, the Markins M-10 (midsize) or Q3 (compact) are the best options.

After owning several heads, I settled on the RRS BH-55 for my series 3 Gitzo, and a Q3 for lightweight travel.

Jun 29, 2009 at 02:11 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #4 · Tripod heads

I haven't seen Acratech heads being discussed much here. I saw a few of their designs and they look radical like mixing gimbal and ball head into one.

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:00 PM

sixgun
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p.1 #5 · Tripod heads

After trying **EVERYTHING** out there to avoid the cost of the Arca-Swiss stuff, (and spending a lot more over time) I gave up. There is nothing better than the Z1 Ballhead - NOTHING - it is WELL WORTH the price. I can hang a 400 2.8 and Canon 1 camera on it all day long and it won't move. I can hang a 600mm with a Wemberly sidekick on it and it won't move. I use it for macro with a sled and it won't move. I use it in jungles, salt air, the top of mountains at 5 below zero and it still works as if I was on dry land and 70 degrees. I cannot say that for one single other product.

I was in a long lens photo workshop recently - people showed up with 5 different heads, of various manufacturers - acratech, Induro, RRS, Dynatron. People were spending more time getting their heads to stay still then they were on their photography. All of them made comments on how rock solid my ballhead was (Z1) You absolutely get what you pay for. I sold everything else and now have 3 Z1s.

Edited on Jun 29, 2009 at 03:12 PM · View previous versions

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:05 PM

sixgun
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p.1 #6 · Tripod heads

Not a big fan of acratech - the design puts the camera way too high and unless you are using a light camera with no longer than a 70-200 lens, its useless. It also has limited mobility in certain positions - I found myself fiddling with it constantly to get the right angles. The head flexes in high wind as well, most likely due to the high moment design. Despite my complaints - the design is elegant, I think its a better amateur head, the cost is decent and its lightweight - something that appeals to most people. I use a lot of long lenses so it definitely did not work for me.

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:11 PM

louis fusco
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p.1 #7 · Tripod heads

i picked up a 2nd hand AS b-1 here a while back, and it was really a massive leap forward form the manfrottos i was using. it began to jam so i finally got round sending it in or a service (which they did for free!) and i got them to fit the panning head. it is as good as the base totally smooth, no give and locks completely solid very easily.

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:39 PM

jhom
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p.1 #8 · Tripod heads

Breitling65 wrote:
I read lots of positive reviews about Benro products. However I am very skeptical about company cloning other products for cheap price. What would you suggest for lens like 300mm with Canon 1D body? Thanks!

Having used a 300 and 1D2 for several years, I would recommend a Markins M10. Smooth as silk and locks down solidly. If you want more support as well as free movement, then a Wimberley would be great.

Here is my current setup:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Jim

Jun 29, 2009 at 05:50 PM

Breitling65
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p.1 #9 · Tripod heads

Smiert Spionam wrote:
Arca was the original, Kirk and RRS emerged as the first high quality alternatives, and Markins is a newer excellent option. There are also some other mid- and entry-level options (Acratech, very recently Photo Clam), but nothing beats RRS, Arca, Markins, and Kirk.

Discussions of Benro (aka Induro, Amvona, Dynatran, Flashpoint, and others) equipment get very heated, and owners of it sometimes get defensive and accuse those who are critical of it of never owning the equipment. That may be rhetorically useful, but it's not true.

Unfortunately, the ballheads are their worst product. I owned one, and while it can useful for lightweight gear in a pinch when your budget is tight, the manufacturing was woefully inadequate. I would never put a a big, expensive setup like yours on one. while they look like an Arca or a Kirk, the internal mechanism is crudely cast out of cheap pot metal, and what seems like a nice smooth action will quickly deteriorate -- especially under the torque forces of a heavy lens/body combo.

Your profile says you've got a series 3 Gitzo and a Z1 -- nothing will beat that. The Markins M-20 and RRS BH-55 are the other comparable alternatives for your tripod and gear. Both have strengths, but they're not any better than what you've got. Personally, I like the Kirk BH-3 for a midsized head, but their larger BH-1 has never appealed to me, since it's so big (modeled after the original Arca B1).

If you're looking for something lighter/cheaper than the Z1, possibly for travel, the Markins M-10 (midsize) or Q3 (compact) are the best options.

After owning several heads, I settled on the RRS BH-55 for my series 3 Gitzo, and a Q3 for lightweight travel.

Correct I have Arca/Gitzo, however I started this for someone who trusted in Benro since (as he saying) it is same as Gitzo and head is good as Arca or Kirk ...

I am sure it is not since nobody voted already for this brand, I also think it should be avoided as most quality-less China made products we have in US stores.

Jun 29, 2009 at 08:58 PM

Breitling65
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p.1 #10 · Tripod heads

sixgun wrote:
After trying **EVERYTHING** out there to avoid the cost of the Arca-Swiss stuff, (and spending a lot more over time) I gave up. There is nothing better than the Z1 Ballhead - NOTHING - it is WELL WORTH the price. I can hang a 400 2.8 and Canon 1 camera on it all day long and it won't move. I can hang a 600mm with a Wemberly sidekick on it and it won't move. I use it for macro with a sled and it won't move. I use it in jungles, salt air, the top of mountains at 5 below zero and it still works as if I was on dry land and 70 degrees. I cannot say that for one single other product.

I was in a long lens photo workshop recently - people showed up with 5 different heads, of various manufacturers - acratech, Induro, RRS, Dynatron. People were spending more time getting their heads to stay still then they were on their photography. All of them made comments on how rock solid my ballhead was (Z1) You absolutely get what you pay for. I sold everything else and now have 3 Z1s.

Agree on Z1, I am very happy with it too. Precise as Swiss Rolex

and extremely well done to hold expensive equipment.

Jun 29, 2009 at 09:02 PM

Breitling65
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p.1 #11 · Tripod heads

loggerhead wrote:
Markin's missing from this list is a shame. I prefer the M20 over the RRS BH-55, but it's a personal thing. You'll find plenty of solid opinions on both.

Sorry, didn't know this brand much but now I am sure it is good!

Jun 29, 2009 at 09:04 PM

gearhead5
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p.1 #12 · Tripod heads

I have owned an A-S B1 for several years and could not be happier with it. However, if I were in the market for a large head today, my choice would be the Z1, followed by the RRS BH-55. I don't like Markins heads.

Jun 29, 2009 at 09:20 PM

KFG1
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p.1 #13 · Tripod heads

RRS BH-55

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:13 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #14 · Tripod heads

Arca Swiss, Kirk, RRS and Wimberley.

EBH

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:39 AM

wlescall
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p.1 #15 · Tripod heads

Markins M10

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:56 AM

Eric Larsen
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p.1 #16 · Tripod heads

Markins not being a choice makes this a not-so-useful poll.

M20. ROCK solid. Moved from Kirk and never looked back.

Jun 30, 2009 at 01:15 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #17 · Tripod heads

Did they fix the Markins panning base lock? Getting hit in the head by the 300/2.8 IS when carrying the tripod over the shoulder is NOT a good way to start the morning.

EBH

Jun 30, 2009 at 01:19 AM

dasams
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p.1 #18 · Tripod heads

loggerhead wrote:
Markin's missing from this list is a shame.
No Markins means this poll isn't conclusive (and I'm an RRS fan). dave

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:41 AM

gearhead5
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p.1 #19 · Tripod heads

EB-1 wrote:
Did they fix the Markins panning base lock? Getting hit in the head by the 300/2.8 IS when carrying the tripod over the shoulder is NOT a good way to start the morning.

EBH

Nope. I understand that it's a "feature" of Markins heads.

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:48 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #20 · Tripod heads

I own Markins, RRS and Arca-Swiss Heads. The Arca-Swiss and Markins has the best ball. Smoother moving and better locking of the ball. The RRS has the best panning base lock. If I only bought one head it would probably be a Arca-Swiss or Markins.

(I don't understand why you didn't include Markins in the poll. Especially when even including Benro)

Jun 30, 2009 at 04:48 AM

Tim Ernst
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p.1 #21 · Tripod heads

...After trying **EVERYTHING** out there to avoid the cost of the Arca-Swiss stuff, (and spending a lot more over time) I gave up. There is nothing better than the Z1 Ballhead - NOTHING - it is WELL WORTH the price. ...

Well, of course, there is the AS Cube (and its Korean counterpart from Photo Clam). Quite a bit better than the Z1 and priced accordingly.

Gitzo makes several really great ballheads too, and unlike their tripods the price is not the highest - probably why folks tend to ignore them. I've got seven or eight ballheads and seem to favor the Gitzos.

Jun 30, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Breitling65
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p.1 #22 · Tripod heads

Lars Johnsson wrote:
(I don't understand why you didn't include Markins in the poll. Especially when even including Benro)

I did this purpously for someone who like Benro very much

Jun 30, 2009 at 11:59 AM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #23 · Tripod heads

Breitling65 wrote:
I read lots of positive reviews about Benro products. However I am very skeptical about company cloning other products for cheap price. What would you suggest for lens like 300mm with Canon 1D body? Thanks!

Have you seen this teardown of a Benro ballhead?

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

I'm a big Markins fan. I have the M20 and a Q3T.

J.

Jul 01, 2009 at 09:59 PM

toddlambert
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p.1 #24 · Tripod heads

Acratech for me.... I love the damn thing.

I really don't see how it sits much higher than most other heads?

The weight is awesome, it's quick and very flexible. No creep and solid.

Jul 02, 2009 at 12:14 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #25 · Tripod heads

Markins M10 if you mean 300 f/4L IS, or M20 if you mean 300 f/2.8L IS. RRS BH-55 is too big and heavy for my liking. It'll take a 600 f/4L IS, but I'd be using a gimbal head anyway for the big glass. I have M20 since it's not much heavier or larger than the M10.

Jul 02, 2009 at 03:48 AM


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