Yeah. If I gonna get it (provided the ball operation is still silky smooth) I might replace the clamps with Hejnar clamps. Do you think it's worth the replacement?
snowboardracer wrote:
I have a Giottos MH1300. $140 new, holds 15-20 lbs without issue. I love it! It has a proprietary safety lock which is easily removed to allow arca-style plates to easily attach.
It must be a fantastic ballhead. I would not put 20lbs on my RRS BH-55 or Arca-Swiss Z1.
May 05, 2013 at 09:19 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
It looks like that PhotoClamp head has been used a bit, but the question is whether the ball is in good shape. The rubber is a minor part that is easily damaged (probably not the best design). I have an A-S head that has at least that much wear. My BH-55 does not look pristine either. I suppose some people baby their equipment.
EBH
May 05, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
EB-1 wrote:
It looks like that PhotoClamp head has been used a bit, but the question is whether the ball is in good shape. The rubber is a minor part that is easily damaged (probably not the best design). I have an A-S head that has at least that much wear. My BH-55 does not look pristine either. I suppose some people baby their equipment.
EBH
It's not about "baby their equipment". But what's the point in buying a ballhead and a QR that look like this after only 3 years use. The seller even write that the rubber on the grip is threatening to split. And then suggest you to replace the entire QR with a new one from RRS.
I'm rather surprised your ballheads shows that much wear!! Because in those ten years you have been an FM member you have not posted one image
EB-1 wrote:
It looks like that PhotoClamp head has been used a bit, but the question is whether the ball is in good shape. The rubber is a minor part that is easily damaged (probably not the best design). I have an A-S head that has at least that much wear. My BH-55 does not look pristine either. I suppose some people baby their equipment.
EBH
Somehow I manage to not use mine as bludgeoning tools. It kind of helps to keep things running smoothly when in use.
EB-1 wrote:
It looks like that PhotoClamp head has been used a bit, but the question is whether the ball is in good shape. The rubber is a minor part that is easily damaged (probably not the best design). I have an A-S head that has at least that much wear. My BH-55 does not look pristine either. I suppose some people baby their equipment.
EBH
Lars Johnsson wrote:
It's not about "baby their equipment". But what's the point in buying a ballhead and a QR that look like this after only 3 years use. The seller even write that the rubber on the grip is threatening to split. And then suggest you to replace the entire QR with a new one from RRS.
I'm rather surprised your ballheads shows that much wear!! Because in those ten years you have been an FM member you have not posted one image
I would not buy such a used head either as there is a risk that it has more issues than meet the eye. However, my point is that it just because a ball head is not pretty, does mean that it is not in good operating condition. I've seen quite a few pros with gear that is much more abused than that or mine.
I posted an image once around 2005. Somebody objected to it, so I decided not to do that ever again.
EB-1 wrote:
It looks like that PhotoClamp head has been used a bit, but the question is whether the ball is in good shape. The rubber is a minor part that is easily damaged (probably not the best design). I have an A-S head that has at least that much wear. My BH-55 does not look pristine either. I suppose some people baby their equipment.
EBH
sjms wrote:
Somehow I manage to not use mine as bludgeoning tools. It kind of helps to keep things running smoothly when in use.
My tripods tend to fall over on hard objects with some regularity, and sometimes they tumble down rocky hillsides. Stuff happens.
It all depends on what you are going to mount on the head. I purchased the Photo-Clam PC-33NS for use with my new Panasonic G5 and I could not be happier. The action is smooth and the friction adjustment works well. Mounted on my Feisol CT-3442 tripod, the total weight is just over 3 pounds. It supports my G5 with the 45-150 zoom or my heavier Canon FD 100 f/4 macro with ease. For the latter I used an M4/3 adapter with a tripod foot and it balances very nicely on the head.
It's interesting that cosmetics are so important to some people. I use Leica gear and some people are horrified that some of my lenses and one of the bodies are brassed. I mean, so what? There was a guy on photo.net who had a Linhof Profi ballhead for sale that was really used looking but nowhere near the looks of this Photo Clam. I put my Linhof up for sale and it was gone in two days with some obvious use marks but around the same price. The other guy still hasn't sold his Linhof. Don't understand it.
After some time wondering around the internet for ball heads last night, I found out that I missed the Feisol CB-50DC in my list.
For $180 is this on par with the PC-36NS? It's sure has a larger diameter ball, but does the build quality, durability, and operation as good as Photo Clam?
I think that's a good idea and any one of those three should give you excellent service. An Acratech would be preferred if you shoot in extreme environments such as temps below zero in winter and/or beaches/sea desert/rivers because of their open design - basically there's no maintenance required. Many here really like the RRS ballheads and Photo Clam offer great value. It's down to your personal preference of how they work as the three are quite different from each other.
If you're expanding the budget, I'd encourage you to take a look at the Markins heads as well. Compared to the BH-40, the Markins Q10 gives you a larger ball for the same price. Can't really comment on a back to back comparison of them, just mentioning it.
Yeah, I have Markins short listed in my list too but forget to mention it. Now I'm torn between conventional ball head or something like Acratech with open structure.
Borderline I think.