All the cameras I have ever owned or will buy in the future are compacts weighing less than 9 ounces.
Well meaning and thoughtful forum members will invariably recommend Markins ,RSS , Kirk , Arca Swiss, PhotoClam ,etc, etc. All of which are high quality and capable of handling large loads .
There is little in the way of comment or reviews on lower weight bearing heads such as Feisol , Vanguard , Giotto ,Manfrotto ,Culman etc. All of which have models selling for $130 or less.
Which of these made reasonably well enough to perform smoothly with a light load ?
I use mine with a Canon G9 (maybe 12 ounces?), and while it lacks a specific knob for "friction control", it works like it does. The knob adjustment is precise enough to allow repositioning of the camera without knob readjustment each time. The spring-loaded knob can be rotated to 6 positions on its shaft, like on the RRS BH25/30/40 heads, if clearance is an issue. Most ballheads don't have a separate friction knob, and many work very well, e.g. Markins and PhotoClam. Thinking about it, the only heads I've ever used with a separate friction control are the RRS BH-40 and BH-55.
The OP is maybe over-thinking the situation, but everyone has different needs/expectations.
The Teflon coating on the Gitzo ballheads is a really a great idea, and along with the G1077M I used to have the G1277M. I replaced the G1277M with a Markins Q3, but that Gitzo still had the nicest "feel" of any ballhead I've used.
this search has been going on now for 4 months (in various forms). have you actually gone around and looked at any of these yourself with your chosen camera and given then a try?
At $129 ($139 if you want color) it's in your price range, and light. According to those on these fora using them they are quite happy.
If you want real inexpensive, check out Dynatran on ebay. I took apart one that's been lying around and found all the wear surfaces inside were hardened steel. Impressed the living daylights out of me. I was expecting pot metal.
Mar 06, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I think it's time to buy one. Or at least try a few ballheads so you can get an opinion about them yourself. I belive you already have got a few hundred replies on this question in the last 4-5 months
Lars Johnsson wrote:
I think it's time to buy one. Or at least try a few ballheads so you can get an opinion about them yourself. I belive you already have got a few hundred replies on this question in the last 4-5 months
I'm embarrassed . You and SJMS are correct . I have beaten this to death . Part of my problem was my early work as a researcher/cataloger for a technical writing firm. Where finding the single most workable product was essential. Most of the reviews , comments and suggestions
I see deal with the top of the line heads which are not what I need but I am still grateful for all the input
I have tried several ballheads in a store and hope to reach a conclusion soon
I'm embarrassed . You and SJMS are correct . I have beaten this to death . Part of my problem was my early work as a researcher/cataloger for a technical writing firm. Where finding the single most workable product was essential. Most of the reviews , comments and suggestions
I see deal with the top of the line heads which are not what I need but I am still grateful for all the input
I have tried several ballheads in a store and hope to reach a conclusion soon
Pilgrimatic wrote:
I'm embarrassed . You and SJMS are correct . I have beaten this to death . Part of my problem was my early work as a researcher/cataloger for a technical writing firm. Where finding the single most workable product was essential. Most of the reviews , comments and suggestions
I see deal with the top of the line heads which are not what I need but I am still grateful for all the input
I have tried several ballheads in a store and hope to reach a conclusion soon
Well played...
what works for me may not necessarily work for you. you need to experience it vs heresay info.
on this question in the last 4-5 months