Ball Head Adjustments

hark

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Recently I posted about purchasing a Desmond Demon Ball Head. While I haven't yet tried it out, I found one of the Amazon reviews on how to adjust it to be informative. This ball head has a knob for panning and another knob that offers two separate adjustments.

If anyone has general tips on how to adjust ball heads, please add them. My Oben ball head which I seldom use only has one knob for panning and the other for all other adjustments.

I've used this ball head for over a year now, and had success with it, but only within the past week learned how it is supposed to work. Whaaaaat? It was a "oh, wow..." moment for me. Perhaps I'm an idiot and this is intuitive. It was not for me. So here we go: How to Use This Demon DB-44 Ball Head.


From the position where both the tension knob (blue outer ring) and lock knob (silver outer knob) are completely disengaged - the ball head will literally flop around if moved - turn the outer silver locking ring clockwise until you've reached the level of tension you want in your ball head for movement without your camera falling over right away, then tighten the tension (blue) ring all the way. The ball still moves with the desired tension. Now... to completely lock in place takes only a fraction of a turn with the locking knob. Likewise, to loosen back to the position where you'd previously set your "movement" tension, a fraction of a turn of the silver lock knob counter clockwise and there you go. I hope this description helps someone.

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hark

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Do a google search of "how to use desmond Demon DB-44" and you will find 2 YouTube Videos that might help you out.

Thanks. I'll do that. I use a Manfrotto geared head which works completely different.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
My Sirui K40 has the limit adjust as a wheel on the edge of the main loose/tighten knob. That is just how you approach the adjustment. With a load on the ball head you adjust the limiter so there is still a bit of friction to prevent the camera from flopping over when you loosen the main knob, but can still easily move the camera position. Ideal setting changes with weight though. Pan adjust works like you think. Loosen knob, rotate head, tighten in place.
 

hark

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My Sirui K40 has the limit adjust as a wheel on the edge of the main loose/tighten knob. That is just how you approach the adjustment. With a load on the ball head you adjust the limiter so there is still a bit of friction to prevent the camera from flopping over when you loosen the main knob, but can still easily move the camera position. Ideal setting changes with weight though. Pan adjust works like you think. Loosen knob, rotate head, tighten in place.

I'm definitely going to have to play around with the knobs because it's very different than what I've been using. Thanks.
 

desmobob

Senior Member
My Sirui K40 has the limit adjust as a wheel on the edge of the main loose/tighten knob. That is just how you approach the adjustment. With a load on the ball head you adjust the limiter so there is still a bit of friction to prevent the camera from flopping over when you loosen the main knob, but can still easily move the camera position. Ideal setting changes with weight though. Pan adjust works like you think. Loosen knob, rotate head, tighten in place.

Same with the trusty old Arca Swiss. The second, tension, adjustment on the ball is very handy.
 
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