Davet
Loc: Fort Myers, Florida
What are your thoughts on this ball head? Manfrotto MHXPRO-BHQ6 XPRO Ball Head with Top Lock Quick-Release
What type of camera and lens or lenses will this be supporting?
Personally I stayed away from Manfrotto heads because of their quick releases. I think they are harder to use and to expensive for what they are compared to an Arca-Swiss branded product.
Davet wrote:
What are your thoughts on this ball head? Manfrotto MHXPRO-BHQ6 XPRO Ball Head with Top Lock Quick-Release
It is highly rated at the B&H site , but the key consideration is with what and how will you be using ??
It IS compatible with AS plates.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Davet wrote:
What are your thoughts on this ball head? Manfrotto MHXPRO-BHQ6 XPRO Ball Head with Top Lock Quick-Release
It uses Manfrotto's proprietary lens/camera plates. Better to get something that is Arca-Swiss standard - L-plates, replacement lens collars, lens plates, etc are all Arca-Swiss. Depending on what you are using it for it may not be substantial enough. The bigger the ball, the more load it will take without slipping. Markins, Kirk, RRS, Arca Swiss all make great ball heads. All are Arca compatible.
I use a Manfrotto BH 498 that has been converted to A/S. Like has been stated the A/S is a standard of industry. I am not keen on the proprietary quick-release.
J. R.
It is a perfectly respectable middle of the road ball head. And, according to a User comment on Amazon, will work with a ARCA style plate (Peak Design).
Davet
Loc: Fort Myers, Florida
Right now I have a D300 and Nikon 70-200 and some times with a teleconverter. Soon I am planning on getting a D4s or an 810. So I am not getting the feeling that my best choice is not the Manfrotto.
Might I suggest Really Right Stuff's BH55 ball head. Yes, I know what they cost a good deal of money. (I have them on several tripods). I purchased my first in 2004 and use that today. In fact, it is in the car always ready for use. I believe that one purchased in 2004 was about $250. That would be a cost of just over $20 per year. The new one would run you $380 and if it lasted 10 years you'd be paying about $38/year. I have nothing but great things to say about this ball head. Perhaps you could ask a friend with one to use it on an outing with her/him. You will need to purchase a plate also. Just a thought.
Check out the Sirui ball heads and camera plates. Very good quality at a reasonable price. I have the Manfrotto and don't like it. Sirui is also Arca Swiss compatible. I use the RRS L-bracket with it.
Check out Kirk ball heads. They are beautifully made and unbreakable. kirkphoto.com
bcanepa wrote:
Might I suggest Really Right Stuff's BH55 ball head.
RRS' ball heads (I have the BH40) are solid and seem to be carved out of a single block of aluminum. I had it with wobbly tripods and ball heads that will not tighten enough to prevent camera creep.
The BH40 was the answer and a RRS Versa Series 2 carbon fiber tripod.
After using both a ball head and a gimbal, but the ball head back in the box, and stick with a gimbal head.
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