Ball Heads... What Models are Rock Solid?

UPDATE: Decision made, at the bottom (silly, isn't this? lol!)

Last week I got a 400mm/2.8 on loan from Canon and my Manfrotto CF tripod and ball head was all over the place. SO,I decided to take care of tripod woes once and for all, and thus ordered the Gitzo GT3531 whilst there was still a $200 rebate. Now I need a ball head with a QR plate that is rock solid and wondered what you guys & gals are using and happy with. Most of the time I'll have a 5D3 with 70-200mm/2.8 or the lighter 16-35mm, but I may spring for a 400mm/5.6 for long range landscapes and/or possibly rent a 300mm/2.8 from time to time, and will need a tripod that isn't trying to dance the Charleston when I'm on the side of Camelback Mountain with a 20mph breeze. Any suggestions? It'd be nice if the head were $400 or under but I am very interested in on-the-field experience if you have one that is steady. Thanks!

I've had a Really Right Stuff BH-55 for some time and love it. Never had a problem of any sort with it. I use it on a Gitzo 1325 set of legs and with a Whimberly Sidekick most of the time for a Nikon D300, AF-S 300/2.8 and TC20E III (2x). Works just as well for shorter lenses without the Sidekick.

Sorry, but I can't compare this to any other pro grade ball head as I've never had another brand.

My Acratech Ultimate Ball Head does good service with my 300 2.8, Canon 1D body, and Wimberly sidekick on a Gitzo 1325. I bought it a long time ago, but the price was a pleasant surprise compared to other top end ballheads. It accepts Arca-swiss style QR plates. The sidekick stays on the 300 and lets me switch to shorter lenses that don;t need a gimbal mount. I can also mount the 300 2.8 directly on the ball head, but that's not my preference.

Whatever you choose, Paul - hope it's a good one.

My Acratech Ultimate Ballhead is way too flimsy for my tastes with a 300mm 2.8 IS attached. It does hold the lens, but if you walk around with the whole setup it will flop over really easily. If you are considering using any larger lenses like the 300, 400mm 2.8 or larger then the BH-55 is a good choice. However, if such larger lenses aren't in play, one of the smaller RRS heads--or the Acratech--would certainly work.

Max

After reading the three responses and hunting around online with reviews from several pros, it sure looks like if you can handle the sting of the RRS BH-55 cost-wise, you'll be a happy camper for years to come. $475 for the lever model, plus $110 for the two plates (5D3 and 70-200mm collar). Add shipping and I guess I'm spending $575 for a BALL HEAD.

BTW, thanks for the fast replies!

Do yourself a favor and research the Markins line of ballheads. I have two of them and fine their performance exemplary. Many use the RRS heads which are certainly good, but for my money I'd take a Markins any day over the competition.

Hmmmm, that name sounds familiar. I will, thanks!

And the Markins knock offs known as PhotoClam ballheads are just as good as markins products for much less money.
These days, knock offs are not a bad thing at all, esp. in the ballhead and tripod game.
Check 'em out here. Kerry provides superb customer service if you have any inquiries.

John, the PhotoClam ball heads seem reasonable. Do you own one? I am curious about how they work in the field, and if their build quality and durability is comparable to the Markins/Arca Swiss/Really Right Stuff products. I have had issues with knock-off products like the early Induro ball heads which were really badly made but beautifully finished, and Benro CF tripods which had less vibration damping than the Feisol or Gitzo counterparts.

I ended up getting an Arca Swiss Z1 which I use with lenses as large as a Nikkor 600mm F4, with no issues.I like the fact that the head is elliptical, which facilitates setting the friction at the right level knowing that the lens/camera will not move on its own, yet allows you to move the lens/camera up and down when you need it to. In all, it is a great solution that works amazingly well, especially when you mount 16 lbs of camera and lens on it. The Z1 is priced lower than the Markins Q 20 and higher than the PhotoClam PC-44NS.

I used a Kirk BH-1 for many years with a variety of the heavy Canon pro !D bodies and the 100-400 lens, no problem. When I got my Canon 500 however, the BH-1 was not up to it. Got a Really Right Stuff BH-55 and have never looked back. There may be others as good as referenced above but it works so perfectly I've never had reason to look for something else. I also use the Sidekick with the BH-55 and the combination works superbly. So now the Kirk is on one tripod for landscaper work and the RRS on another tripod for my long distance "bazooka" shooting.

Thanks for the link John (Mumaw) and the input from Gene and John Reed. Markins and PhotoClams and Kirks all look appealing, but I'm investing for the very last time in a tripod/BH because I keep upgrading and then follow that with bigger gear, and have to upgrade again on the tripod. I sprung for the Gitzo 3531 and I'm fairly sure I'm going to dig a bit deeper for a head that I KNOW will be the Rock of Gibraltar. John Reed's description is what I ran into and I do plan on eventual bigger glass so I'm still leaning towards RRS BH-55. John, you got me with "Got a Really Right Stuff BH-55 and have never looked back". That's where I want to be, lol.

It's been interesting to see that tripods and heads seem to mimic lenses... the more you spend the better the quality, and you can get third party for less cash and they'll do well for the most part, but they may not always carry you in some situations. Interesting!

Great input from y'all, huge help. I honestly don't know where else I'd get a true answer other than NPN! Amazon reviews get frustrating, someone drops $4,000 on a 5D Mark III with 24-105mm and the review says "I really like it, it takes such sharp and clear pictures."

Thanks guys! Back to my corporate cave!

Yes, I use a PhotoClam ballhead on my hiking tripod and it has worked out great!

Paul,
For some reason I thought that the BH-55 was too pricey for you. I also own one of those and believe that it is the very best ballhead available today, esp. if money is no object.

LOL! It IS too pricey, that thing will come it at $575 after plates and shipping! BUT, like anything else, convenience is a valuable commodity, so that's why I've loosened the reigns on the budget. An extra $175 gets me best-in-class and even if I rent a 300mm/2.8 I'll have no worries and no shakies and no need to ponder an upgrade. Nice how I justify these things, isn't it?

I'm a big fan of Acratech's ballheads. I've been using them for 10 years and haven't had a negative experience, even when used in conjunction with my 500mm f/4. They're as solid as they come and their customer service is exceptional. I used their Ultimate Ballhead for years and switched to the GP model about two years ago. Here's a review of the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead published on my blog a few years ago.

Here's another vote for the Really Right Stuff BH-55. I carry the tripod with camera and big lens (33mm and 500mm) on my shoulder in the field all day and the head never slips. Tough, durable and reliable.

RRS BH-55. can't go wrong with it.

Bret, I just read your review on the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead and it sure looks intriguing (a couple other members earlier in the thread had good things to say about it too). Then Jim and Stuart show up and dangle the BH-55 carrot again, lol! The Acratech is nearly half the price so I suppose I should consider it. At this point it's down to Acratech Ultimate vs RRS BH-55... maybe we should run a contest: "What ballhead will he buy??" Tweet #MakeUpYourMindAlready to enter to win!

Really Right Stuff BH-55. IMHO, the absolute best ballhead on the market. Expensive, but worth it. ABSOLUTELY rock solid.

Passionate subject! I never expected this many replies, lol. There's the third contender to go with the BH-55 and the AcraTech Ulitmate: the Arca Swiss Monoball Z1. Looks like an excellent redesign from the B1 and is totally solid and also weighs in at $500 when you add two plates. Gene Lugo mentioned it above but I just got to read about it today. I like that resistance increases when you move the camer, to avoid flop-over.

This new Markins Q20i is popular too. Choices, ugh.

Black Friday is only two months away, I think I'll do the HGTV home search thing and put these four on the stage and choose one based on the best BF deal (I have a feeling RRS and Markins don't discount anything, but AcraTech and Arca are sold in photo stores that do big BF deals, so we'll see).

Paul, I know budget is a consideration, but I will reiterate my point about the Acratech Ultimate: it's a fine ballhead but will not hold a 300mm 2.8 or heavier lens well if you plan on carrying it around at all. Standing still and shooting with a 300 2.8 attached is fine, but once you start moving around it's simply too much weight for the ballhead to stay tight.

These are actually the two ballheads I own (Ultimate and BH-55), so I think your decision really should come down to whether you believe you'll ever want to place larger, heavier lenses on it.

Max

After getting to shoot with that 400mm/2.8 for a week I can definitely see me renting it for certain situations. Plus I'm often arguing with the hot winds of Arizona even when up in tiny mountains like Camelback, and the gusts during Monsoon season when the skies are most dramatic can be surprisingly strong. I do want solid, and if the Acratech doesn't laugh at a 300 2.8 let alone a 400 2.8, then I think I'll eliminate that one (Bret Edge is shaking his head in disgust). Thanks for your input Max!

OK, BH-55, Arca Swiss Monoball Z1, Markins Q20i... Door #1, #2 and #3. Which will it be? Where's Monty Hall when I need him??

I use AS Z1 on GT3541LS legs. I use RRS plates on my lenses and RRS L plate on my 5dIII, I also have replaced the quick release on the ball head with RRS B2 AS II clamp. it is very easy to use, very solid and very safe and secure. I carry on my shoulder the combination of the camera with 70-200mm f/2.8 II attached on the tripod with no fear of dropping them.
A friend of mine had a same combo, but he changed the head to RRS BH-55 he says the quality is the same as Z1 but the panning nub is bigger and easier to use.
The only reason that I did not go to RRS BH-55 was the weight of it, otherwise it is the #1.

Just to add to the fire, I use Linhoff ball heads.

Thank Carl, I needed more confusion in my search, lol!

Mohammad, you said "I also have replaced the quick release on the ball head with RRS B2 AS II clamp" and you also mentioned the RRS L bracket. Is all that necessary? Is the QR on the Arca not trustworthy? Seems like making all those changes adds up to more than just going for the BH-55. I don;t mind the extra weight, I don't hike anywhere (I live in Scottsdale and I don't hike anywhere, can you imagine??).

What a thread, everyone has provided so much info (thanks btw!). I'm going to milk this for all its worth being I'm not purchasing anything for the next two months.

Ah, Linhoff heads are 800 bucks at Adorama, and some are even higher, upwards of $1200. I believe that has officially hit the "Way Too Expensive" category in this ballhead search, lol!

I use a Foba Superball with arca-swiss clamp(bought it in 1990 for $375.00 but now runs ~$700.00) 95% of the time. The other 5% I use an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead, this is used only when weight is a big concern, such as backpacking, or some airlines where every lb counts. The Foba is almost 3 lbs but is very rugged and extremely quick in operation thanks to its lever action. The Foba's one weakness is when using it in rain which causes it to get jerky (quick fix is a spray of silicone on the ball which returns its silky smooth movement). The Acratech is fool proof in that regard but it doesn't come close to handling a 500/4 plus 1DsIII, plus even when using a 24-105 it's difficult to lock it down well when shooting verticals. The AUB will never be my primary ballhead, it's just not strong enough.
I also have an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead which makes a fantastic paper weight, but a very lousy camera support, even after mutliple trips to AS's repair center.

Thanks Don, all good info. Man, almost 300 views and over 25 replies... I hope one day I post an image that gets this much attention, lol!

OK, decision made ('bout time, huh??).

I am well aware that the RRS BH-55 is best-in-class for that head in the $600 range. My dream rig is BH-55 with big lever mount and L Bracket for the 5D3, plus plate for 70-200mm. That weighs in at $663 delivered, no can do right now and they don't take PayPal (which gets me 6 months no interest, easy payoff). Plus I can always upgrade to this in the future.

SO, for my new Gitzo GT3531, I'm doing the Arca-Swiss Z1 SP with the KNOB mount, not lever. Reason for choice: that head plus two Arca plates (5D3 and 70-200mm collar) along with a $100 credit from Adorama for a price match on the Gitzo tripod gets me into a decent head, mount and plates for $413 delivered, a full $250 less than the beloved RRS setup. Eventually I will get the RRS L Bracket for the 5D3 which will fit fine on the Z1 because I'll have the knob mount. Then if I upgrade to the BH-55, I'll already have the L Bracket, but by that time I'll probably need a new L bracket because the 5D Mark 15 will be out, lol. Who knows, the Arca may work out fine, and if not, I've got a place to step up (RRS).

I appreciate everyone's input, what a long crazy thread this was over a ball head! We needed a good gear discussion/argument, it's been a while...