for a couple of weeks I have been trying the very small MBC-18 ballhead.
I do not know if the ball-head will hold for years, but sofar, I am very happy using it with lenses from 15mm to 85mm in a A7RII camera. Even with wind, it keeps the camera very well and without movement in place.
This kind of setup, minimalistic, as is it, have many advantages for hiking.
The only thing that I am missing is the horizontal movement function.
The obvious advantage is the size-weight 85 grams. My impression is that its effect in my back is equivalent to carry a lens less. It also takes much less space in the backpack. This has increased significantly my confort. Prize is also good.
I was thinking to get a new set of legs for it. I am pairing it with a Gitzo series 1 tripod, and I am very happy with the combo. That said the legs look very big compared with the ballhead.
Anybody else has gained experience with this or other very small ballheads? Any suggestion for a set of legs better suited for such small ballhead?
That Leofoto MBC-18 seems like an interesting, um, homage to the Really Right Stuff original, which is reportedly quite strong for its size. I have a Sunwayfoto version of the the little RRS BPC-16 inverted ball head; while the original seems fairly robust, I don't trust the $35 version that I purchased on a whim, although, like you, I use a fairly lightweight kit: an A7R III with lenses that weigh less than 400 grams and top out at 85mm.
For what it's worth, in anticipation of some wind on a recent trip to Patagonia, I took a FLM 36G ball head, which weighs about 230 grams with a small clamp. It has a 36mm ball and adjusts very smoothly--I really liked it. The smaller and lighter 32G version with its 32 inch ball should be excellent.
zugzwang2 wrote:
That Leofoto MBC-18 seems like an interesting, um, homage to the Really Right Stuff original, which is reportedly quite strong for its size.
Pitifully I have not tried the RRS. This one is until now very satisfactory.
I have a Sunwayfoto version of the the little RRS BPC-16 inverted ball head; while the original seems fairly robust, I don't trust the $35 version that I purchased on a whim, although, like you, I use a fairly lightweight kit: an A7R III with lenses that weigh less than 400 grams and top out at 85mm.
For what it's worth, in anticipation of some wind on a recent trip to Patagonia, I took a FLM 36G ball head, which weighs about 230 grams with a small clamp. ...Show more →
FLM 36G is not available in Germany. The FLM 32mm and 36mm ballheads available in Germany weight 310 and 410 grams respectively. I do not own them, but a Markins one, very solid but not specially light.
The small Leofoto is so far an attractive option IMHO when weight matters.
It has a 36mm ball and adjusts very smoothly--I really liked it. The smaller and lighter version with its 32 inch ball should be excellent.
hanay78 wrote:
FLM 36G is not available in Germany. The FLM 32mm and 36mm ballheads available in Germany weight 310 and 410 grams respectively. I do not own them, but a Markins one, very solid but not specially light.
Ah, the newer and lighter versions of the FLM ballheads apparently aren't available in Germany. The older versions (completely different designs that feature an excellent friction control) are indeed heavier.
zugzwang2 wrote:
Ah, the newer and lighter versions of the FLM ballheads apparently aren't available in Germany. The older versions (completely different designs that feature an excellent friction control) are indeed heavier.
I saw that recently when I sent my FLM heads to Germany for servicing and it struck me as strange. FLMs German website (https://english.flm-gmbh.de/) still sells and services their CB line of ball heads. Can anyone explain the reasoning behind why the flagship company's country own website doesn't list their latest GX line of ball heads, which are available to the rest of the free world.
FWIW, I'm not really interesting in purchasing any of the new FLM heads as I already have two (CB-43 & CB-48 FTRs) that are both divine. I'm just curious as to why FLM Germany doesn't sell FLMs latest GX ball heads.
smw6230 wrote:
Can anyone explain the reasoning behind why the flagship company's country own website doesn't list their latest items, which are available to the rest of the free world.
Ari, the North American distributor of FLM products, explained it in a post here:
It is interesting for me to compare it with the FLM CP-22 S4.
The Leofoto is 200 grams lighter and 20cm shorter when fully extended. The diameter of the sections of the legs are in mm, for the Leofoto 22/19/16/13 and for the FLM 22/18/16/12. 300€ for the FLM vs 150€ for the Leofoto. Both are made in China I believe.
, I actually post in that thread and I had completely forgotten Ari's explanation. Thanks for linking it.