A recommendation for a ball head, please (Page 4): Yeah! my mom has a stack of it in the kitchen! She got it at Smart & Final!

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

imagemeister wrote:

Do they still make that stuff - can you get it easily ??

Yeah! my mom has a stack of it in the kitchen! She got it at Smart & Final!

catfish252

Any grocery store has wax paper

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

I use this with a Swiss Arca plate

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/490018-REG/Giottos_MH1300_657_MH_1300_Pro_Series_II.html

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

One thing I like about the Acratech design is that it is open. The bottom of the ball is exposed. Any dirt or sand can easily be removed. In addition the two adjusting knobs and be removed by hand and the ball cleaned. No special tools required. Another plus is that the tightening screw is a knob. And you can tighten it without it making contact with the platform. RSS has this knob only on the top end of the line.

rsnoeyink Loc: Schererville, Indiana

I also love my Acratech.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

tisrjtisrj1 wrote:

I have a Manfrotto 322RC2 ball head. Since purcha... (show quote)

I have several ball heads, the latest I got is from Pro Media Gear and I love it a lot! It only has a load capacity of a little over 20 pounds, but currently I don't have anything that will exceed that limit, so I'm fine with that. I really like it, because it is super smooth and the build quality can't be beat (like all their stuff). And if you lock it, everything stays put, no way you can move anything, once it's locked down! Highly recommended!

choward_ab Loc: Alberta, Canada

After trying several ball heads with less than satisfactory results, bit the bullet and bought the Acratech GPs Ballhead with Gimbal Feature, for my work it is excellent. When I use my Cannon 500mm telephoto I use the Gimbal feature and am very happy with the control and stability this head provides.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

choward_ab wrote:

After trying several ball heads with less than satisfactory results, bit the bullet and bought the Acratech GPs Ballhead with Gimbal Feature, for my work it is excellent. When I use my Cannon 500mm telephoto I use the Gimbal feature and am very happy with the control and stability this head provides.

:-P :-P :-P

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

choward_ab wrote:

After trying several ball heads with less than satisfactory results, bit the bullet and bought the Acratech GPs Ballhead with Gimbal Feature, for my work it is excellent. When I use my Cannon 500mm telephoto I use the Gimbal feature and am very happy with the control and stability this head provides.

This is the only "expensive" ball head I would ever buy - most especially for this feature ! - if I indeed I had that kind of money to spend.

bgtmd Loc: San Angelo, TX

really right stuff. you will not be disappointed

Robeng Loc: California

tisrjtisrj1 wrote:

I have a Manfrotto 322RC2 ball head. Since purcha... (show quote)

I use a Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod with a Really Right Stuff ball head. Great combo.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

ajohnston3 wrote:

I'm shopping for tripod & head and am on a restricted budget. Are there any lower cost options that will support a D5100 w/a Sigma 70-300 on it? (I want to set this up inside by a window that faces the bird feeders & use a remote release)

I'd look for an older, heavy tripod like a Quickset or Star D with a pan head, maybe even one of the heavy Bogens. They should be available used for cheap, are sturdy and will meet your needs well.