ball heads

Hobbit

Senior Member
im not sure my Redsnapper head is going to be man enough to carry a D500 and sigma 150-600C.
i was looking at the 3 legged things heads to use instead.
my monopod is the 3 legged think well 1 legged LOL and has the Docz foot so not sure i need a head on that.
i have my gimbal as well which im thinking will need to be used an awful lot more.
any sensible priced heads out there capable of carrying the weight without breaking my bank account max £150
this is the 3LT im considering
https://www.3leggedthing.com/store/airhed-lever-blue
 

Danno

Senior Member
@Hobbit, I have purchased 2 Arca Swiss ball heads used; a B1 and a Z1. I got a really good deal on both from a dear friend. The load capacity of the B1 is over 50 pounds and it is rock solid. It does not slip or shimmy at all. I also have a Benro that I use on my Platty Pod. It is a B2 model and it has a 35 lbs capacity. You can buy them new for about $115 US.

Hope this is some help. I will say I like the Benro because it is fashioned after the Arca Swiss and it uses their plates unlike Manfrotto.

A B&H link to the Benro
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/743913-REG/Benro_B2_B2_Double_Action_Ballhead.html
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I don't own a heavy lens like that, but from what I've read, many people prefer using a gimbal head for those types of lenses. Is the weight of the gimbal head keeping you from using it more often with this lens? It's okay if you want to get a ballhead for it. Just curious. :)
 

PolishX

Senior Member
Perfect timing, I love the Giottos that my wife got me out with a D610 and a 150-500 on It the poor thing just flops around and Im afraid that I have to twist the tension controls down alot to get it to stay. Time for an upgrade I think
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Perfect timing, I love the Giottos that my wife got me out with a D610 and a 150-500 on It the poor thing just flops around and Im afraid that I have to twist the tension controls down alot to get it to stay. Time for an upgrade I think

When you say you have a Giottos, is that a gimbal? If so, you might want to watch this video by Steve Perry which describes how to balance a Gimbal head. As I mentioned previously, I don't have a gimbal head or such a heavy lens, but this video has been suggested several times by some here who have gimbal heads. It seems as though the knobs won't need to be excessively tight when balancing the head Steve's way.

 

Hobbit

Senior Member
I don't own a heavy lens like that, but from what I've read, many people prefer using a gimbal head for those types of lenses. Is the weight of the gimbal head keeping you from using it more often with this lens? It's okay if you want to get a ballhead for it. Just curious. :)

My gimbal is a Carbon one from Kenro , got it OB in a sale and it’s a great piece of kit, if stationary in say a hide or out with the tripod it’s brilliant , but wandering around it’s bit , wieldy hence looking at a heavy duty head even thought about the wibberley side kick gimbal for ball heads but not sure
 

PolishX

Senior Member
When you say you have a Giottos, is that a gimbal? If so, you might want to watch this video by Steve Perry which describes how to balance a Gimbal head. As I mentioned previously, I don't have a gimbal head or such a heavy lens, but this video has been suggested several times by some here who have gimbal heads. It seems as though the knobs won't need to be excessively tight when balancing the head Steve's way.


No my Giottos is a MH-1302 is rated for like 8 lbs I think
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
When I researched 2.5 years ago, I decided to get a Sirui K-30. But as I started searching auctions and discount sites, I came across the bigger and heavier-duty K-40 going for a very low price on ebay. My bid won it for just a bit bellow the going prices on a K-30. I use my Sigma 150-600mm C on it, and no issues from the ball-head. The tripod is the weaker link. But I would exchange for a K-30 head today, only for the weight and bulk.

That said, have you purchased one of the aftermarket tripod-mount rings that has a built-in Arca-Swiss dovetail plate? I did for my Sigma lens and don't regret spending that money at all.
 
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PolishX

Senior Member
I ended up getting a Wimberly MonoGimbal for my CF Manfrotto stick then scored a used Wimberly gimbal (Gen 1) for a song and its a huge step up but not nearly as mobile and the mono gimbal. 2 tools for 2 different uses
 

Marturo

Senior Member
BF Hammer said: I decided to get a Sirui K-30.

I have been looking at the Sirui K-20 for my new TP build they look well built.

I also like the K-30 as well.

 
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