aellman Loc: Boston MA

Amazon has a selection of very inexpensive ball heads. They are all made in China, but the fact that Amazon sells them is some indication of acceptable quality. As you may know, they have a no-hassle return policy.
Best of luck >>>AL

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I have been using the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head with my Nikon D800e and find it does job.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

This might be useful:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/battle-of-the-titans-top-ball-heads-tested

Excerpt regarding the Sirui K-40x:

"Sirui is a relative newcomer to the North American photographic support market, but after a decade of experience in China, this manufacturer is building a reputation for quality at much lower prices than their main competitors. The full Sirui product catalog includes a variety of tripod heads, including video and full gimbal heads, along with a wide range of tripods and monopods.

The K-40x is the largest Sirui ball head in the company's "professional" KX series, and competes quite well in specifications with the other heads in this review group, but at the lowest price point. The question is whether it performs as well as these specs suggest."

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

And Somewhere between the Sirui and RRS there is the Induro line, also an excellent product.

micolh Loc: NYC

Look at the $$ cost but more important is the weight capacity of the ball head.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

RRS receives my vote as well. They certainly are not the least expensive, but I believe they are among the very best when considering features, quality, durability and cost. YMMV.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Most of the Manfrotto things are pretty lame, as are all of the sub-$200 ball heads I looked at at B&H recently. Pistol Grip heads seem like a good idea, but they are inherently unstable and they really don't stop movement. Sirui, and some of the larger ball heads from Feisol are ok. Then of course you can always get Markins, RRS, Acratech and other premium brands but they will cost twice as much.[/quote]

Interesting.
Please point out the lame Manfrotto products you are referring to.
The various ball heads previously mentioned are good. I mostly agree that the larger the ball the better. Smoother control and more stable.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If you want a heavy duty ball head, it's hard to beat the Smith Victor BH8 for about $60. It's rated up to about 40 lb. and is pretty decent.

They also offer a slightly smaller BH5X, rated for about 26 lb. and costing a couple $ more. The reason it costs more even though it's smaller is probably because it has a bubble level in the QR platform, which the BH8 doesn't have.

Now, I bought a BH8 to use on a backup tripod occasionally. Didn't want to spend as much as I did for the Kirk BH-1 that I use on my main tripod. Frankly I was pleasantly surprised how close the quality of the S-V ball head was to the Kirk!

The S-V BH8's panning movement was rather stiff when I got it. So, I took it apart (several Phillips screws on the base). I found they'd used really heavy grease in it. Being very careful not to lose any of the ball bearings or other parts, I cleaned that out and replaced it with a bit of heavy oil I had on hand (bicycle chain oil... about the thickness of honey). A lighter synthetic grease would probably work fine, too. Anyway, not it's got really nice, smooth panning action.

Another minor quirk... the Arca-Swiss compatible platform on the BH8 has a rather unique safety latch. It works fine with the "universal" A-S plate that's supplied with the ballhead, but won't work with some other brands of A-S camera and lens plates that I use on various cameras and lenses. However, it simply unscrews. No big deal... now my BH8 doesn't have that safety latch, but my Kirk BH-1 has never had one either, and it works fine.

Where the the Kirk ballhead has knurled metal control knobs that will last an eternity, the S-V head uses little rubber grips that will probably wear out in ten years or so. When that happens, I'll find something to replace them. Otherwise, it works and looks a lot like the Kirk or any other ball head. Not bad for $60.

The Smith-Victor ball heads are no doubt made in China and probably sold under a bunch of other brand names.

Note: Manfrotto (and Bogen) won't work for you... Their quick releases are not at all compatible with Arca-Swiss type lens and camera plates. Not even close.

I do have a smaller Manfrotto ball head on a monopod that's been modified and now has an Arca-Swiss compatible platform on it... But I had to buy the platform separately to replace the original one that was on the ball head. And that replacement QR platform cost around $50, so this wouldn't have been very economical if I hadn't already had the ball head left over from somewhere else. The replacement platform was from either Kirk or Wimberley... I forget which. And I made a point of using Locktite on it's threads so there's no risk of it accidentally loosening.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

This is the Manfro to A/S adapter from ebay - $26


The Manfro QR's work very well for me. For heavier lenses, I prefer to use a macro slider for adjusting balance over A/S.

(Download)

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

I would echo the choice of a Sirui ballhead. I purchased one recently and was very happy with a smooth, well-built head.

Manfroto (Bogen) does produce several low cost heads which would do the job for you, but Manfroto heads come with one of several proprietary quick release systems (or you must add your own), none of which are compatible with the Arca-Swiss system which has become the industry standard.

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

Sirui k20 about $125 from b&h

Basil Loc: New Mexico

As I posted earlier in this thread, that's the head I have and have been more than happy with it. Well built, solid, and at a decent price point.

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

And they don't compare to the Sirui heads. Manfrotto's low cost stuff is pretty poor - and that issue of proprietary QR systems makes it a non-starter for anyone besides beginners and strictly amateurs. Manfrotto also makes some very substantial gear for film and video production, as well as studio work - but it ain't cheap.

Van Gogh Loc: Lansdale, Pa.

Just last week I purchased a Vanguard SBH-250 Ballhead from B&H. It has a 44# weight limit, two bubble levels, and a nice smooth action. Price $86.99.

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

I use this ball head on my 190PROB with a D7100 and "wide to normal" lenses and it works well for me. And their RC4 system is very robust !!

I use the RC4 plates on all my cameras, ball heads and have adapted my Nest Gimbal from MT Shooter with ARCA to use this plate....