Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I have been a proponent of the Slik pistol grip ball head for many years. It is without a doubt the most useful ball head on the market, easy to set up and use. The only problem is that it does not work well with heavy lenses when the camera needs to be at 90 degrees with a heavy lens, 70-200 2.8 for example. I am getting into more head and shoulder photography and need that set up. I would like to get a RRS large ball head with a leaver plate release but can't justify the 415.00 cost right now. I am finding a number of large ball heads on the market for between 60.00 and 150.00. I would appreciate feedback from anyone who does a lot of portrait photography that has found a good ball head in the 200.00 and less range.

Thanks to those who answer.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Save up. You get what you pay for!

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

Maybe try a geared head instead? I use a Benro

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Take a look at used markins heads. Great value and enormously strong/steady

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I spent almost $400 in 2007 and got an Arca-Swiss Z1. Very smooth operation, large ball, huge sweet spot, extremely good build quality - I was searching for a Markins, but couldn't find one at the time. I am not a fan of pistol grips for the reasons you stated.

I also have a Sirui K30X - I think they sell for around $150 - it's ok, but with its smaller head it is not as smooth, and the pan function feels "crunchy" when you have the friction setting to offer some resistance. The adjustment knob either has to be completely engaged (no rotation at all), or completely disengage. On the plus side it does adequately support a heavy lens and camera - a full frame camera and a Sigma 150-600 S - about 8.5 lbs. But just barely. I got it as a backup.

Get something of lower cost and the decision to go for a more modestly priced one will haunt you every time you use it. The RRS is an excellent choice - once you start using it the cost quickly becomes irrelevant. In the big picture, the extra $200-$250 is well worth it. You may want to read this review on FLM ball heads - but again, price usually determines quality.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/flm-ballhead-cb-58-ftr-cb-48-ftr-and-cb-32-f#flm-cb-58-ftr

Your money, your choice.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Look on ebay and see if you can find a used RRS at least a bit cheaper than new.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

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par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

BH-55 Ball Head | Really Right Stuff

I would save and buy one used on eBay, and if it wasn't worth the money you to then you should have no problem selling it. Worth the wait when one is available. ($325-$475)

Sold Oct 4, 2021Sold Item
Really Right Stuff RRS BH-55 Ball Head w/ Full-Sized Screw-Knob Clamp #279
Roberts Camera - Photo Industry Leader since 1957!
Pre-Owned
$262.15Seller: robertscamera (174,876) 99.6%View seller's store: UsedPhotoProor Best OfferItem: 203638964884

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

To continue this excellent advice, the cosmetic condition of any RRS product is probably immaterial to the function. In my experience of purchasing A BH-55, two BH-40s, two MH-01s and a handfull of lever clamps, all on eBay, these products are built like tanks and perform wonderfully. With a little patience, you should be able to find a fine pre-owned product.

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

RRS is the way to go, in my opinion. I have a BH40 ball head and it is excellent. It is used with a camera plate and allows for the camera and lens to be in the center of their C of G.

LVP Loc: Seekonk, MA

Would getting a L bracket for your camera help? That would keep the pistol orientation upright.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Size of ball should equal 40mm or larger. The shorter the distance from the ball to the mounting platform the better ( this acts as a lever working against the ball control). Some have a rotating top that can add functionality.

As mentioned elsewhere, a "L" bracket can keep the lens/camera center of gravity over the ball head center which is the optimum condition.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255222542744?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353643518356?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143132%26meid%3D8305943e09c14368b446ba4a4b2a7fed%26pid%3D101198%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D183760739181%26itm%3D353643518356%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLCvipPairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion&_trksid=p2047675.c101198.m1985&amdata=cksum%3A3536435183568305943e09c14368b446ba4a4b2a7fed%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAACAHswcOUDOiNBcZePDOfE9F09yg2aRFm1HGzvs7vOx8qZa69TtoOpp%252FTFzLrGt9WYj%252BFobBmosmsiqNZFnEJT0K1FZ%252FWuLuOqvZFz%252BSO8yNVl90CTFCV00WrqdjdrCThULwcxodO127NUm1qZxFG610ZGBbugCaqiGx7X1KG%252Fuwk%252BgBTGpbBLsXNhWp7f6838%252BexZFd79x1o%252B6Zm1KwqS0UVDWHDIXYX7wdY7esH%252B%252BRALHpjlNuELJ0pCSLPEGExy7qrIvmaww9dkP352%252ByHFNxSU7%252B%252BZyzoYlA5p53T5bDvv9rdIUCcay9A7w8EaYYa5y4lA9bdv6Jq2hZdWghV5b1tfrUgap%252BrnaRUOA2%252FQ3o1pAGlx7qti1qlu3eVfi75Qyzv2%252BPcFgA8DAKn2516PHcZei4WkLQCxCqGzea1bQJee7gWE1qrQHX67nGNksdVGXISYIy47GAGsv0PvbtIiYPIwmQq%252BP3%252BT0jXWJghxTB8tcWkVCowO1aCikYmXoQOid90%252BMyuYx%252FlZqrvNrPb7Rnd%252BNKs%252B%252BvtvuVoIkMv34ydmyiPnY7bCIc7S5C5h2bNB9kZ3UTAMAHu%252BSYFaI1mrzy0V%252Bm7DrO6Ql6vdPtpHKoEGEDXW9dum%252B54F05PPR%252F5R4trnoovs8wwIJWmpH6Px6vYshbwuFAmIlrCP3H2eydMt%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675
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tcthome Loc: NJ

Have you thought about an L-Bracket for your camera? I would rather have my camera sitting on the center of the tripod than hanging off to one side with a heavy lens. I now use an L-Bracket & wish I had did so from the start. I am using a fluid head made by Mannfrotto , 500AH. =Lens wont flop if you forget to tighten the head with a heavy lens on it. Anyway, a L-bracket made by Sunway will probably cost under $100.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When one advances to the nirvana of arca-swiss based clamps and plates, they have L-plates on all their cameras and lens plates on all their lens collars. And quick-release clamps on their heads / gimbals. And then the photographer's life exists always within a golden light because every option for mounting and adjusting is immediate without a second thought or worry. The tripod becomes a tool of empowerment, no longer a hassle.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

And one will receive the recognition so desperately sought by passers by….