Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...What would you recommend for a good ball head?" Good for what Dave? Without knowing what genre you're endeavoring to work in with your Nikon D5 it is virtually impossible to provide relevant and meaningful guidance here...

Yet the UHH peanut gallery is rather quick to respond... Why?
"...People will often recommend what they've bought in a subconscious hope that you'll reinforce their purchasing decision by repeating it..." Possibly one of the finest and most accurate statement I've seen on UHH for quite some time... Thank you amfoto1!

Dave I don't have a Nikon D5 albeit I do have (and shoot) a Nikon D3 primarily for sports (League Soccer).
In this genre I've used a SIRUI P-424 monopod with a SIRUI L-10 Monopod head. This works well for me in that scenario and my clients are pleased which at the end of the day is all that matters for commercial shooters.

Dave the only clue I could find on what genre you're working in is this query on shooting real estate architectural
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-500050-1.html

For this genre a Nikon D5 is somewhat inappropriate... though full frame is an excellent choice for commercial residential real estate imagery. If this is indeed your compelling need then considering gimbals is absurd. A lightweight ball head will work although the top tier architectural shooters I assist nearly all use three way geared heads. For the demands of high end commercial architectural interiors a three way geared head is an industry standard and has been for quite some time.

Dave please post an image that represents the visual statement of the lion's share of your work, only then will you possibly receive guidance which is appropriate and germane to your "perceived" need(s).

All the best on your epic photographic journey Dave...

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Whatever brand you buy, I'd get at least a couple of plates for it. And I've found a bigger ball tends to be smoother than a smaller one.

DE Stein

Has anyone used Colorado ballheads? I've seen a few very good reviews on them, but have yet to see one 'in person'...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Ball diameters of 50mm or + .....the bigger the better. The shorter the distance from the center of the ball to the mounting plate - the better. Heads having a pan feature on TOP adds versatility.
.

Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

Great info thanks

Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

I really was looking for a 850, but they are on back order with no insight on availability. I found a few grey market ones but that is not an option for me. Nikon was having a refurbished sale, $500.00 off so I went with the D5. I do shoot some sporting events, ie. track and football for fun so I thought this would come in handy for that.

Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

Awesome information and thanks so much.

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

Sirui K30 or K40

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I do shoot some sporting events, ie. track and football" Your D5 is a stellar choice here, as would be a monopod with a single vertical adjustment head. You'll be shooting at 1/2000 or better and at 12 fps with a 200 shot buffer (NEF).

So jealous... lol

Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

Thanks

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I have the same Ballhead as mentioned in the quoted post. LOVE IT AND I USE IT FOR HEAVY LENSES ON OCCASION.

David Asher

Have a D5 and some larger lenses. Use the D5 on a RRS ball head which I like very much, not so much the RRS tripod. Also have a Gitzo tripod with Wimberley 2000 head which I prefer. You might check out Steve Perry's video on Tripods and usage. Probably comes down to personal preference and affordability.

M1911 Loc: DFW Metromess

I have 3 Arca Swiss ballheads. Two Monoball B1s and a P0 with panoramic clamp. All three will pan but the P0 pan is directly below the clamp which allows for level pans without leveling the leg set. The P0 is kind of an upside down head with the ball stem mounted to the leg set and all adjustments ate an inch or two above the leg set.

The B1s ate super sturdy and will support over 100 lbs. The P0 should work with at least a 300mm lens and camera. It's rated at about 40lbs load capacity.

My oldest B1 is in for a clean, lube and adjust. It's about time as it's been in use for about 40 years.

You can find used Arca heads on Ebay or various dealers like Adorama and B&H.

Which ever head you get make sure it has a pre-tensioning device so your lig dosen't flop down like a dead fish when you release the main lock to recompose.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

I do not have one, but I want one.
Mundy

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Sold my Wimberly, retired my ball-heads and fluid head and switched to this. For me best head I've ever used.

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