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Is there a need to lubricate tripod ball heads?
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Jan 11, 2014 10:10:16   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
I have an old Tiltall tripod that I mentioned in a previous post. This tripod has what I think is a pan head. My intentions are to upgrade it with a ball head. If I'm correct, the "ball" is part of a friction joint, so wondering if at some time this would require lubricating? If so, any special lubricant?

Looking at the choice of ball heads on the market, selecting one appears to me to be overwhelming. Plenty of study is required. I won't request on this post any suggestions. I have, however, ruled out models made by Really Smart Stuff. That brand must be made of solid gold :roll:

Bill

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Jan 11, 2014 10:42:53   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea. The biggest drawback to any ball head is that they are usually exposed to the weather and can get gunk and dust and debris inside the ball assembly. Some higher level ball heads may be disassembled for cleaning while lesser quality ones cannot. Keeping the ball clean is always a good idea. I use a cotton cloth dampened with just a very little bit of silicone spray lube to clean the ball regularly. The silicone helps attract the dust as you manipulate the ball in all directions while holding the cloth against the ball wherever it is accessible through the tilt slots. Repeating the process with a dry cloth when done. A good ball head is well worth the investment, but you really don't need to spend $400+ to get one.

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Jan 11, 2014 12:00:36   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
MT Shooter wrote:
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea. The biggest drawback to any ball head is that they are usually exposed to the weather and can get gunk and dust and debris inside the ball assembly. Some higher level ball heads may be disassembled for cleaning while lesser quality ones cannot. Keeping the ball clean is always a good idea. I use a cotton cloth dampened with just a very little bit of silicone spray lube to clean the ball regularly. The silicone helps attract the dust as you manipulate the ball in all directions while holding the cloth against the ball wherever it is accessible through the tilt slots. Repeating the process with a dry cloth when done. A good ball head is well worth the investment, but you really don't need to spend $400+ to get one.
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea... (show quote)


Thanks for the reply. Something in the back of my head said that lubrication might not be good.

As I mentioned above, looking at the various ball head brands and their models is overwhelming. I will ask you about the differences between aluminum and magnesium heads. Is magnesium more durable?

Bill

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Jan 11, 2014 12:11:34   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Billbobboy42 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. Something in the back of my head said that lubrication might not be good.

As I mentioned above, looking at the various ball head brands and their models is overwhelming. I will ask you about the differences between aluminum and magnesium heads. Is magnesium more durable?

Bill


Magnesium is simply a little lighter, and more expensive, not more durable. It also offers slightly less heat induced expansion/contraction.

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Jan 11, 2014 12:51:32   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
MT Shooter wrote:
Magnesium is simply a little lighter, and more expensive, not more durable. It also offers slightly less heat induced expansion/contraction.


Thanks. Some of the ball heads I've reviewed weigh in near 2 lbs. My trusty Tiltall weighs 6 lbs. So, magnesium may be the way to go. I can't fathom carrying around a tripod at 8+ lbs.

Regards,

Bill

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Jan 11, 2014 12:53:39   #
8piecesofpie Loc: WA
 
The Tiltall head isn't removable.

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Jan 11, 2014 13:56:03   #
Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA
 
Consider the Acratech GP ball head. It has an exposed ball which makes keeping it clean and operating smoothly very easy. I think you could drop it in the mud and not have a problem. If you keep it clean it should never need any type of lubrication. It weighs only one pound, but is not the least bit flimsy. It is rated to hold 25# at any angle, and my experience confirms it's holding power. The only downside is that is a tad pricy, but it is built to last; enough so that you will easily get your money's worth over long term use. As big of a RRS fan as I am, I have never felt that I would be "upgrading" much by buying one of their ball heads over Acratech's GP.

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Jan 11, 2014 14:11:53   #
Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva
 
8piecesofpie wrote:
The Tiltall head isn't removable.


Thanks. I had not thought of that. Would it be possible/feasible to attach a ball head on the pan head?

I found a screw just above the bottom pan section that appeared to allow removal of most of the above sections, but removing the screw did absolutely nothing - a screw from nowhere.

Bill

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Jan 11, 2014 14:39:59   #
sbesaw Loc: Boston
 
Photographer Jim wrote:
Consider the Acratech GP ball head. It has an exposed ball which makes keeping it clean and operating smoothly very easy. I think you could drop it in the mud and not have a problem. If you keep it clean it should never need any type of lubrication. It weighs only one pound, but is not the least bit flimsy. It is rated to hold 25# at any angle, and my experience confirms it's holding power. The only downside is that is a tad pricy, but it is built to last; enough so that you will easily get your money's worth over long term use. As big of a RRS fan as I am, I have never felt that I would be "upgrading" much by buying one of their ball heads over Acratech's GP.
Consider the Acratech GP ball head. It has an expo... (show quote)


Love mine, have GP and the Ultimate. It is a tad pricy but when others are on their third ball head the Acratech looks like a pretty good deal :thumbup: :thumbup:

Reply
Jan 12, 2014 02:09:45   #
dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas
 
MT Shooter wrote:
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea. The biggest drawback to any ball head is that they are usually exposed to the weather and can get gunk and dust and debris inside the ball assembly. Some higher level ball heads may be disassembled for cleaning while lesser quality ones cannot. Keeping the ball clean is always a good idea. I use a cotton cloth dampened with just a very little bit of silicone spray lube to clean the ball regularly. The silicone helps attract the dust as you manipulate the ball in all directions while holding the cloth against the ball wherever it is accessible through the tilt slots. Repeating the process with a dry cloth when done. A good ball head is well worth the investment, but you really don't need to spend $400+ to get one.
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea... (show quote)

What about using a dry graphite powder if you feel the need to lube the ball head area ?

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Jan 12, 2014 04:00:40   #
KotaKrome
 
I have two tripods and I lubricate my balls often.

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Jan 12, 2014 04:25:37   #
Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip
 
When I clean the ball head, I apply a very light coat of Moly-disulfide, a dry lube akin to graphite but orders of magnitude finer in size

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Jan 12, 2014 05:45:59   #
shagbat Loc: London
 
MT Shooter wrote:
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea. The biggest drawback to any ball head is that they are usually exposed to the weather and can get gunk and dust and debris inside the ball assembly. Some higher level ball heads may be disassembled for cleaning while lesser quality ones cannot. Keeping the ball clean is always a good idea. I use a cotton cloth dampened with just a very little bit of silicone spray lube to clean the ball regularly. The silicone helps attract the dust as you manipulate the ball in all directions while holding the cloth against the ball wherever it is accessible through the tilt slots. Repeating the process with a dry cloth when done. A good ball head is well worth the investment, but you really don't need to spend $400+ to get one.
Lubrication of a ball head is generally a BAD idea... (show quote)


Just a suggestion MT, I use a bit of graphite pencil dust. As an engineer I use this sometimes dirty, but non grit attracting lubricant in many applications..

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Jan 12, 2014 06:24:59   #
Haydon
 
Markins actually suggest using a small amount of WD40 on a soft cloth periodically. I'm using the Q20 for my groundpod and love its' simplicity. It's rated to hold up to 120 lbs. It weighs in at a mere 1.2 lbs. which was a deciding factor.

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Jan 12, 2014 06:36:20   #
crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida
 
Billbobboy42 wrote:
Thanks. Some of the ball heads I've reviewed weigh in near 2 lbs. My trusty Tiltall weighs 6 lbs. So, magnesium may be the way to go. I can't fathom carrying around a tripod at 8+ lbs.

Regards,

Bill


Whatever you get make sure it is rated to handle the weight of you camera and lens with room to spare

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