Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

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Archive 2009 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

firebert
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p.1 #1 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

I have a traveler tripod (Feisol CT-3441S). I'm looking for something light and portable. I take macro, portrait, and landscape shots. I'm not looking to own any lenses weighing more than 1.5lbs. I want a ballhead that is easy and smooth; effortless.

I'm not sure if I'm going to shell out $300 or $400. For now, I'm looking to narrow each category down from three ballheads to one.

The ~$300 models:

Kirk BH-3
Acratech Ultimate
Markins Q3

The ~$400 models:

Really Right Stuff BH-40
Markins M10
Arca-Swiss Z1

Edited on Sep 28, 2009 at 05:54 PM · View previous versions

Sep 28, 2009 at 05:16 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #2 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Get the M10 and be done (I assume you meant the Markins M10 because I'm not sure of any Q10).

Sep 28, 2009 at 05:50 PM

firebert
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p.1 #3 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Yes, I meant the Markins M10 for one of the $400-ers. I've been looking at too many model numbers, I think...

Sep 28, 2009 at 05:54 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

I think you could add the Manfrotto 468MG head ($240) with screw base, plus a RRS B2-Pro QR base ($80), to your ~$300 group.

Sep 28, 2009 at 06:02 PM

jhom
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p.1 #5 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Since you are using the BH on a traveler series tripod, I would assume you want something light. The Q3 light and fits the bill. It is an excellent ballhead for FL less than 300mm.

Jim

Sep 28, 2009 at 06:22 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #6 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

There is no point in buying one of the bigger ballheads, to use it on a traveler tripod

Sep 28, 2009 at 07:41 PM

firebert
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p.1 #7 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Yes, I think the Q3 is the winner for me.

thanks for all the help!

Sep 28, 2009 at 08:53 PM

MrGreen
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p.1 #8 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Don't forget about Photo Clam. Check out the PC-36NS or PC-40NS models for that tripod.

I use the 40NS on my Feisol 3442 and I take it hiking all the time. Very light and VERY strong.

I did a review here on it too if you search for it.

Sep 28, 2009 at 09:08 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #9 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

I prefer the BH-40 in general, but for a dedicated compact setup on a traveler-style tripod, the Q3 is terrific.

I'd fairly quickly rule out the others -- the BH-3, Z1, and M10 are all bigger than ideal for a compact setup, and I've never been that impressed by what I've heard about Acratech (some love them, though).

Sep 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM

753951
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p.1 #10 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

I use Photo Clam PC-40N on Feisol CT-3441S and they are perfect match. Unless you are really itching to spend more give it serious look.

Sep 29, 2009 at 12:08 AM

firebert
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p.1 #11 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

The you for the advice on Photo Clam! I've never heard of them before - this could be good competition for the Q3 (which still looks great). The PC-36NS compares closest to the Q3 with being a bit lighter and smaller while still being able to hold the same weight.

Should I consider the PC-33NS? (considering its even smaller and lighter than the Q3 or 36NS and holds just as much as those 2)

Sep 29, 2009 at 12:48 AM

Zara
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p.1 #12 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

I have the same Feisol tripod and use the Markins Q3T - great match and one of the few options that still allows you to fold the legs over the head (albeit it's a very tight fit).

The Photo Clam options seem worth checking out if foldability is not a must. With a 3442 I'd probably be less fixed on the Q3T as it has a wider base hence does not fold as compact anyway.

Sep 29, 2009 at 12:51 AM

753951
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p.1 #13 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

CT-3441S legs can fold over Photo Clam PC-40 and fit into Feisol supplied bag (very snug). They will easily fold over any smaller Photo Clam ball head. Here is picture of it over PC-36NS

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Sep 29, 2009 at 02:06 PM

Zara
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p.1 #14 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

753951, thanks for the photo. I was under the impression that the clamp knob would protrude too much to fit it into the bag on the PC's. Good to know they fit!

Sep 29, 2009 at 03:10 PM

753951
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p.1 #15 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Just to make things clear, that photo is from Really Big Cameras' web site.

I had same pre-sales questions as most and Kerry (the owner) was very kind and quick in answering them. I wanted PC-40 ball head and wasn't sure if everyting was going to fit in the Feisol bag. Kerry said it will but it won't just slide in as it would with smaller ball heads. And he was right, it does. It is not something I would do 10 times a day, but it works for travel.

Sep 29, 2009 at 04:27 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #16 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

MrGreen wrote:
Don't forget about Photo Clam. Check out the PC-36NS or PC-40NS models for that tripod.

I use the 40NS on my Feisol 3442 and I take it hiking all the time. Very light and VERY strong.

I did a review here on it too if you search for it.

Bear in mind that really good heads are (theoretically) made of materials that are specifically chosen for their vibration-damping qualities. There are different grades of steel, aluminum, CF, etc.

Since almost all heads these days are made in cheap-labor third-world countries, I would think that a cheaper price means cheaper materials, or less QC, or maybe a shorter life-span before breaking, or ...

Really hard to say. Photo Clam could be a great value, but it's a bit soon to know for sure.

Regarding damping materials, I am very curious / interested in the Feisol CF ballhead. Their tripods are highly respected by pros, and have been around long enough to have proven their reliability, so maybe their heads are worth a look, too?

Edited on Sep 30, 2009 at 11:04 AM · View previous versions

Sep 30, 2009 at 02:20 AM

Zara
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p.1 #17 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

753951 wrote:
Kerry said it will but it won't just slide in as it would with smaller ball heads. And he was right, it does. It is not something I would do 10 times a day, but it works for travel.

With the Q3T its slightly tight in the bag as well, so I stuff the folded tripod into a plastic shopping bag before stowing it. Removes any friction while sliding it in.

Sep 30, 2009 at 02:46 AM

lowbone
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p.1 #18 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

I have been using a Photoclam PC 40 NS on a Feisol CT 3442 for travel-hiking and have been getting good results with lenses up to 100-400.

Sep 30, 2009 at 12:10 PM

jkickhofel
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p.1 #19 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Cableaddict wrote:Regarding damping materials, I am very curious / interested in the Feisol CF ballhead. Their tripods are highly respected by pros, and have been around long enough to have proven their reliability, so maybe their heads are worth a look, too?

I'm also interested to know about their ballheads.

Sep 30, 2009 at 09:36 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #20 · Ballhead showdown. $300 and $400 range

Yeah, I find it surprising that there is virtually no discussion of these heads, here on FM. (nor can you find much on the internet)

They still make a mid-sized CF ballhead, but there larger head is available only in metal. One has to wonder if that design decision was based on vibration tests, or on cost-analysis. There's no proof (that I know of) that a CF head has better damping qualities, but all else being equal (bolts, ball, etc) I'd say it's a safe bet.

One then has to ask just how much a head really NEEDS to dampen vibrations, vs passing them through to the tripod, but that's a very different discussion. Since there's no industry-standard test for vibration, and since manufacturers don't present this data anyway, such discussions are like a tree falling in the forest.

Sep 30, 2009 at 09:45 PM

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