Ball heads - Giottos, Benro and RRS

[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.

[badpickev]

dick,
I got the ATH-A04 Telos from amvona on ebay. i paid like $45 with shipping. the auction price is about $30-$36 and shipping was $15. while it doesn't have the rail support. it holds my bigma, S3, and flash. its about as big as a soda can. i did a review and can do pics of you want.

Amvona 720 imagine, discover, connect.

[dougsmit]

badpickev;
Are you using the ATH-A04 on an Amvona tripod? I have two lighter weight Amvona heads and two sets of legs (one CF one Al) and am happy with all for their weight class but have no experience with their heavier items. Recommended?

[badpickev]

i have it on my berlabach wooden one, ill get pics tonight

[cyclohexane]

I have looked at the Giottos MH-1300 657 as a replacement.

If it's one of the newer ones with the Arca-Swiss type quick release camp, then it should be a decent head. I've tried them at the store and they seem good enough.

I had the old MH-3000 (no quick release plate) which, well, sucked. Heavy, moved when you locked it down, didn't pan smoothly.

I am wary of the Benbo because the price is getting pretty low (considering that they offer a second plate with that head).

Benro and Benbo are two different companies. I'd stay away from Benro; I linked a pretty scathing review about a year ago somewhere on Photocamel.

No experience with Benbo.

The Really Right Stuff BH-40 is what I would like but, paying close to $400 for a tripod head gives me the shudders.

Have you looked at Kirk Photo? Their ballheads are really nice, with a more traditional design as compared to the RRS. I use their BH-1 and it's as nice as my dad's RRS BH-55. The head's still a good $355, but you get a little more for your money.

[Nikonfreak]

You can also take a look at the Markins ball heads. I picked up the Markins M10 L based on information at Nikonians and I really like that head. It's excellent.

I'm going to need a sturdier tripod soon and will probably order the RRS BH55 for that one.

Julio

[AJW390]

Badpickev,

Can that Amvona head make the camera be in vertical position somewhere along the 360 degree horizontal position on the ball?

[ljh34465]

My 2 cents - I have the RRS BH40 and love it. Have the quick release and L bracket for my D70. Although the ball head allows you to go to portrait, the camera is then not centered over the tripod. (Which is true with all the ballheads I have seen)
With their system, RRS allows you to reposition the camera from landscape to portrait in a second and the lens remains centered on the subject and the weight is directly over the center of the tripod.
I don't use any BIG glass so I figured I did not need the BH55.
Yes, it is expensive but IMO, you do get what you pay for - a great system.
I have even shown it to non-photographer friends just because of the precision and workmanship.
Also, the quick release head has a built in level eliminating the need for a hot shoe level.
Did I say I like it

[richardpcrowe]

I want to use the "L" type bracket from Really Right Stuff. Each camera has its own individually fitted bracket (whether "L" or standard).

I have just been perusing a unique type head "Acratech". Acratech is manufactured in Glendora, California. I really don't have much of an opportunity to "Buy American" when I am purchasing my camera gear. Heck, it seems like everything that is being offered these days comes from China. It would be nice to let my dollars remain in the USA instead of eventually migrating to China (I have heard that even the Really Right Stuff is made in China).

Anyway, I will visit their plant in Gelndora pretty soon and see if I really like their heads (they have several types). I was in communication with Patty, of Acratech, who told me that they will service the Acratech heads free - no matter if you buy it new from them, from a standard retailer of if you get one used on eBay. That is pretty good customer service.

Acratech seems to have some very good reviews and since I will be using the Manfrotto 3421 Gimbal Head when following action with long lenses - the Acratech head seems like it will suit my purposes.

[badpickev]

Originally Posted by AJW390

Badpickev,

Can that Amvona head make the camera be in vertical position somewhere along the 360 degree horizontal position on the ball?

yes there is a slot on the backside so you can take vertical pics. i thought i had posted that pic, but i see i did not, ill get it up tonight.

[cyclohexane]

I have just been perusing a unique type head "Acratech"

Acratech's heads are a love-hate thing. People like Jay (JDArt) tried them and got rid of them, while others love them. The version 1 head allows for user cleaning of the entire ball and housing, but movement is limited to 180 degrees; one must swivel the entire housing to position the head on the other side.

The Acratechs should be sufficient for your equipment. When I was buying my head, I knew I would be getting heavier gear, so I went with the full-size Kirk head, and haven't regretted it. Granted, my legs aren't enough to hold my heaviest gear reliably, but I have the head for when I get a bigger tripod.

I really don't have much of an opportunity to "Buy American" when I am purchasing my camera gear.

Domke bags are made in the USA.

[gryphonslair99]

If you are looking to use L brackets and want what appears to be a very sturdy ball head take a look at the Burzynski. Burzynski Tripod Head
It's not cheap but appears to be massive, strong and well suited to bigger glass as well as small glass.

[badpickev]

added the third pic

[richardpcrowe]

At about $150 with one universal plate included, the price was too hard to resist. Giottos also has their version of an "L" plate which I purchased. The entire purchase came to a bit over $200. The equivalent from other head/QR companies would have been between $500 and $600.

I am happy with my Giottos MT-8180 Tripod so I figured that I would give their head a chance. I was in communication with the owner of a photo equipment rental company who said that they had switched to Giottos MT-1300 657 heads and that they were very satisfied with the way these heads are holding up given the abuse that rental equipment often takes.

I should get the head and plates in a few days and I will update this string.

[AJW390]

Thanks for the third picture.