Tripod Ball Head Suggestions: Looking to purchase a ball head for my tripod, for use with my D750 and relatively heavy telephoto and zoom lenses. Have read multiple reviews online and...

Celtis87

Looking to purchase a ball head for my tripod, for use with my D750 and relatively heavy telephoto and zoom lenses. Have read multiple reviews online and they left me no closer to an answer. Any suggestions or success stories out here? Thanks in advance.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Celtis87 wrote:

Looking to purchase a ball head for my tripod, for use with my D750 and relatively heavy telephoto and zoom lenses. Have read multiple reviews online and they left me no closer to an answer. Any suggestions or success stories out here? Thanks in advance.

Really Right Stuff BH 55, none better.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I would suggest a trip to a camera store and do a hands on

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

davidrb wrote:

Really Right Stuff BH 55, none better.

Saw that head for $550-700

jonyrot

There is a bit of personal preference involved. Starting with budget, maximum weight of the head, features, and then whether or not USA made is preferred.
RRS BH 55 is a great head, but it wouldn't be the first choice to lug up the side of a mountain.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Celtis87 wrote:

Looking to purchase a ball head for my tripod, for use with my D750 and relatively heavy telephoto and zoom lenses. Have read multiple reviews online and they left me no closer to an answer. Any suggestions or success stories out here? Thanks in advance.

You should be looking at a minimum size ball of 40mm. If budget/money matters - here is a very decent 47mm head - https://www.ebay.com/itm/313807415759?hash=item49106129cf:g:-CIAAOSwmuZhyWiY

Otherwise, If money does NOT matter get RRS.
.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Celtis87 wrote:

Looking to purchase a ball head for my tripod, for use with my D750 and relatively heavy telephoto and zoom lenses. Have read multiple reviews online and they left me no closer to an answer. Any suggestions or success stories out here? Thanks in advance.

Several suggestions.

I have a BH-55, but with a heavy camera like a D850 and a 70-200, it creeps no matter how tightly you turn the adjustment knob.

I now have multiple (of course) tripod heads, and the two that I recommend most are:

1) Bogen gear head. With 3-axis of movement controlled by individual knobs, it is very precise for applications like Astro, Landscape or studio work. Horrible for shooting wildlife.

https://www.amazon.com/Benro-3-Way-Geared-Head-GD3WH/dp/B07C326563/ref=asc_df_B07C326563/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312148122212&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4593318419351896211&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061104&hvtargid=pla-547374871893&th=1

2) Acratech Long Lens Panoramic Head. Incredible precision, rock steady with heavy cameras and lenses. Expensive, but beautifully built. Plus, they are great to deal with.

https://www.acratech.net/acratech-panoramic-head-can-be-used-like-a-long-lens-head/

And, any tripopd head you choose should be combined with a leveling base.

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

Celtis87 wrote:

Looking to purchase a ball head for my tripod, for use with my D750 and relatively heavy telephoto and zoom lenses. Have read multiple reviews online and they left me no closer to an answer. Any suggestions or success stories out here? Thanks in advance.

Check out Pro Media Gear. I use their uniquely designed ball head. Easy to use, very stable and craftsmanship is unrivaled. Best of luck.

Celtis87

davidrb wrote:

Really Right Stuff BH 55, none better.

Thanks.

Celtis87

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

I would suggest a trip to a camera store and do a hands on

Thanks.

Celtis87

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

Saw that head for $550-700

Ouch. Deep breath.

Celtis87

jonyrot wrote:

There is a bit of personal preference involved. Starting with budget, maximum weight of the head, features, and then whether or not USA made is preferred.
RRS BH 55 is a great head, but it wouldn't be the first choice to lug up the side of a mountain.

Thanks.

Celtis87

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Several suggestions. br br I have a BH-55, but wi... (show quote)

Thanks for the detailed answer.

Celtis87

ahudina wrote:

Check out Pro Media Gear. I use their uniquely designed ball head. Easy to use, very stable and craftsmanship is unrivaled. Best of luck.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Celtis87

imagemeister wrote:

You should be looking at a minimum size ball of 40mm. If budget/money matters - here is a very decent 47mm head - https://www.ebay.com/itm/313807415759?hash=item49106129cf:g:-CIAAOSwmuZhyWiY

Otherwise, If money does NOT matter get RRS.
.

Thank you.