Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Thanks for all the replies! I do like the L bracket idea and my main camera is already using an L bracket for the purpose of attaching the camera strap in a fashion to carry the camera vertically at my side. I did order the Leofoto ball from the link given me by imagemeister -- thanks for that. It checked off all the boxes I wanted in a ball head except for the lever release and I can live with that. Between the ball head and the L bracket which I already have, I should be in good shape for the time being. I still have the very versatile pistol grip for lighter weight camera/lens and a gimble head for birds. If I find I am doing more with the heavier ball I can most likely get most of what I paid for the Leofoto and invest in the RRS ball.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What’s the point of our photography? Everything seems absurd until someone admires our equipment.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Exactly. I don't need to be in a group of photographers and have them think -- wow, he's using RRS equipment he must really know his stuff. I am satisfied to use equipment that is good and does the job I need it to do. I don't have to always wear Levi's, I find some generic brand jeans wear and look just as good. Same with my photo equipment, but granted, when a piece of equipment is superior as seems to be the case with the RRS ball head, it is probably the way to go. I will most likely end up with that unit if my usage of the one I just ordered is sufficiently large enough to warrant the extra expense. I have been doing photography for 40 years and until now have not felt the need for a quality ball head. If I find I am using it to the exclusion of the pistol grip and gimbal heads I have been using, I will most likely upgrade to the RRS.

uhaas2009

FOBA super ball I fund one day in a Photostore. It’s old, big, heavy and abused....$75 holds my 810 with 200-500 mm lens no problem. Ebay it see what you find. It’s a Swiss company and they responded to me when I ask for a replacement screw....

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

If you can afford the price for it, you don't REALLY need to justify.

MJPerini

The Slik is a convenient, but not heavy duty head. Making good heavy duty ball heads is not cheap, lots of material, & lots of machining. Heads can be made more cheaply, often in China. You will be at the mercy of "quality control.

So, I would ask does your 70-200 have a foot and rotating collar (most do)? If so the camera is better balanced vs the camera tripod socket, and there is no need to turn your ball head 90 degrees where it is at its weakest.

The better you balance a load on a tripod, the more stable it is.

User ID

That is the huuuuuuugely obvious solution. Unfortunately it eliminates shopping for (and discussion about) upgrading to an expensive device.

Keep it under your hat.

Sentinel4

Have you tried a gear head? Some landscape photographers like the gear heads better.

It works well for mayor as well.

Sentinel4

Jlink951 Loc: St George UT

I've got a RRS BH55 that I really do not use. It's good but too many small knobs. 🤷🏻‍♂️ My preferred ball head is a Manfrotto (Bogen) with a RRS quick release atop a Gitzo carbon fiber mountaineer. Still going strong after 20 years use. 😁

Arca

Bridges,

I have used a 'Canbo' for my large format camera. It has a large twisting handle that can really torque down on the ball head. I also enjoy using the 'AcraTech' ball head. I think the 'Canbo' is cheaper, but you may have some difficulty finding a new one now.

Arca

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I too have the Arca-Swiss Z1. I find it especially useful for precise work where panoramic shots need to be laced together etc. It operates smoothly in all weather conditions and is extremely well-made. I also have a few Manfrotto models of various ages. They are not finely machined as the Arca-Swiss unit but they work well. I use them in dirty and messy industrial and construction sites. I have 2 pistol grip ball-heads that I find very handy on monopods.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

I see that you have already ordered a ball head so the following is moot:

Did you consider looking at Slik ball heads? Some of theirs use their quick release post that you are probably used to with your trigger grip head.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I didn't but will look at them anyway. I have a couple of their tripods as well as a couple of their pistol grip ball heads and I do like their products.

Thanks

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There are a great many very good ballheads to choose among.

If your largest and heaviest lens is a 70-200mm f/2.8, you don't need a heavy duty ballhead capable of supporting 45, 50 or more lb. A medium duty ballhead will do fine, with a 20 to 40 lb. support rating. (You didn't indicate which of Slik's pistol grips you use, but that type of head typically has low capacity ratings... their current best model is only rated to 10 lb. Their lighter duty is only rated to support 6.5 lb. So something over 20 lb. will be a big improvement.)

A quick search at B&H Photo (which I used because they have great search tools and stock virtually every known brand... of course you are free to buy wherever you like), found 8 medium duty heads with quick release platforms, ranging in price from $90 to $150 (I put an upper limit of $200) and all with Arca-Swiss quick release compatibility (I assume that's what you're using):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/ci/140/N/4075788769?filters=fct_a_filter_by%3A02_REBATE%2Cfct_head-type_1544%3Aball-heads%2Cfct_price%3ANaN..200%2Cfct_quick-release-system_7375%3Aarca%2Cfct_support-weight_1470%3A17-lb%7C22-lb%7C26-lb%7C30-lb%7C40-lb

One thing I noticed is that at this price point, none of these heads use a lever to open and close the quick release. They all use a screw knob. Even increasing to $250 didn't bring back any that have a lever. So that may be a feature you need to give up.

While I'm not a fan of pistol grip heads (due to their limited capacity and the potential for a spring loaded locking mechanism to slip, especially after some wear and tear), I don't think a ballhead is going to solve your problem. Any ballhead.... most tripod heads in general, for that matter... simply don't "balance as well" when flopped over to the side to put the camera into portrait orientation. Doesn't your 70-200mm have a tripod mounting ring? If not, maybe it's an optional accessory and that would normally be the way to switch to the vertical orientation with a lens like that, so that the gear can remain on an upright tripod head that gives the best support. With smaller, lighter lenses that lack a tripod collar, you might consider using an L-bracket on your camera instead. That allows setting up the camera in portrait orientation without having to flop the head over to the side compromising stability.

The good news is that there are a number of affordable ballheads at the above link that are reasonably priced and would leave you some funds to buy other accessories like a tripod ring for your lens or an L-bracket for your camera, if needed. Again, the bad news is that at this price point, or even a bit more, none of them use that lever type of quick release. (All mine use a screw knob and it's what I prefer, anyway.)

Note: If your current setup isn't Arca-Swiss quick release system compatible, you are at a minimum going to need a plate for the bottom of your camera, as well as additional plates for any lens(es) with tripod ring(s). Some heads using the Arca system (which is by far the most universal, and best working type... including on most of the RRS heads) come with one "generic" plate. That might work on a lens, but I don't recommend it for the base of your camera. The generic plates loosen too easily under just the weight of the camera and lens. I recommend a camera plate (or L-bracket) that's custom designed for your specific camera and lens plates with built in anti-twist features. These prevent accidentally loosening. (It is possible to use a generic on a lens' tripod mounting foot, by drilling and installing a second fastener to prevent accidental loosening.) While these things can be expensive, there are also lower cost versions widely available for most cameras and lenses. For example, I put an L-bracket on my Canon M5 camera that I found on eBay and came from China in a few days, only costing $16. The few Arca plates I could find in the US for that camera cost $50 to $100. For the low price I wasn't expecting a perfect fit and very nice finish, but was very pleasantly surprised! I've got some of the more expensive camera and lens plates, too, on larger heavier DSLRs and lenses that I use. But I also have a few of other, less expensive ones that seem to work just as well.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Thanks for all the info. I did order a ball head imagemister sent me the link for. It is from Leofoto and checks all the boxes I wanted other than the lever release. As you found out also, you have to get into the 400.00 range of ball heads to get a heavy duty ball with that feature. I do have an L bracket on my D850 and also a collar on the 70-200 lenses I use. I just wanted the ball because I think they are more versatile and quicker to adjust. A good ball with built-in level indicators will help keep those horizon lines straight too.