[richardpcrowe]

I am considering upgrading from a Manfrotto 488RC2 head to a more capable model. The Really Right Stuff BH-40 is what I would like but, paying close to $400 for a tripod head gives me the shudders.

I have looked at the Giottos MH-1300 657 as a replacement. The $150 price tag doesn't give me the shudders like $400 does but, if the head isn't any good - I have lost that hundred and fifty bucks. I have a Giottos MT-8180 tripod which I like very much and which leads me to consider the MH-1300 657 head. However, just because a company puts out some top-line products doesn't mean that all of their gear is good. Consider some of the awful lenses produced by Canon along with the excellent lenses that company produces.

Another head I have considered is the Benbro KS-2 which seems to go for about $127 and includes an extra mounting plate. I am wary of the Benbo because the price is getting pretty low (considering that they offer a second plate with that head).

I will be using the head on a Giottos MT-8180 tripod and the two heaviest lenses that I will us on my Canon 30D are the 300mm f/4L IS and 400mm f/5.6L. I don't forsee owning anything heavier than either of these two combinations. I will be doing general shooting but will not need to follow sports or fast action for which I use a Manfrotto 3421 Camera Support which is a "U" shaped gimbal mount.

I know the quality of the RRS BH-40. What I am trying to find is anyone who has had some extended use of either the Giottos MH-1300 657 or the Benbro KS-2 heads.