Help me find a ball head

SamHH said:
Is there any way to fit that panning base in between the ball and the first clamp? I.e. so the axis of rotation is below the 'nodal point' of the lens.
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Yes Sam, you can fit it any which way you like, with different combinations of rails and clamps. See my post #79 above, it has a 3/8in thread underneath, and a 3/8in stud on top.

You can fit it direct to the ball if you like, by removing the clamp from the head and then fitting it back on top of the pan base. Then clamp the rail to that, with an additional clamp on the other end for the camera.

The way I've shown it in the last pic of post #76, it would rotate around the nodal point using the panning base of the ball head, though that is not ideal for some situations. The easiest way to do what you want, with the set up as I've shown it, would be to position it as I have done in the second pic (pano mode) but with an additional nodal rail and clamp.
 
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puddleduck said:
Thanks CT and Ceejay - maybe it'll all make sense when the "L" plate arrives :nuts:
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"L" plate arrived, and it all fits like a glove :love:



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Still very impressed with the RRS ballhead - its fit my Kirk plates, and takes RRS L-brackets so from a compatibility point of view with the de facto standard, its looking excellent :)
 
That's very good new Andy :thumbs:

I have always resisted investing in a proper tripod set up because, on the face of it, it just seems like so much unnecessary expense, but the Arca-Swiss system and one of those nice L-brackets really does make so much difference. If I'm honest, there are times when I should have flipped the camera vertical on a tripod but it's just so much hassle - unbalancing the tripod and then you have to move reposition the damn thing too - that I just didn't bother. So easy with an L-bracket :)

PS Sort out your camera strap bud ;)
 
HoppyUK said:
PS Sort out your camera strap bud ;)
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They always do that - I have the same problem with telephone cords :lol:

I'm still actually using my Velbon Ultra Luxi F legs, which I find to be an excellent travel tripod - had to get a 3:8" to 1:4" converter to fit the head but its still small enough to fit in the Velbon carry bag, so still very light and portable. Not too much net increase in weight (just around 200g in weight over the old previous panning head)

Will use it in anger at the weekend, will probably take a bit of adjusting I guess.
 
If you are looking for a once only purchase, you would be hard pressed to find anything better than the Kirk, Markins or Really Right Stuff units..

For RRS the only option is to buy direct from them in the USA and pay the import and duty fees. Kirk and Markins can be bought from a UK dealer...

I have a BH-55 ballhead and never looked back and is built to handle any lens and will last a lifetime, so generally if your budget allows it, why not save up a little more and go for the best you can get.

Just my 2p worth..
 
markta said:
If you are looking for a once only purchase, you would be hard pressed to find anything better than the Kirk, Markins or Really Right Stuff units..

For RRS the only option is to buy direct from them in the USA and pay the import and duty fees. Kirk and Markins can be bought from a UK dealer...

I have a BH-55 ballhead and never looked back and is built to handle any lens and will last a lifetime, so generally if your budget allows it, why not save up a little more and go for the best you can get.

Just my 2p worth..
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Really Right Stuff BH-55 is surely excellent, mainly because it has a massive ball. Which is also why it weights 843g - half of most decent tripods. Plus by the time you have imported it and paid shipping and taxes, it's £350. Which is presumably why they introduced the smaller/lighter BH-40 but that is only about £50 cheaper.

The RedSnapper ball cannot take the same ultimate weight for sure, and doesn't have the same clamping strength, but it does have an excellent action (which is more important IMHO) and for £50 and at 2/3rds of the weight, it's plenty good enough for most things.
 
been using the red snapper head and so far its very good.
The only problem was that out of the box it was loose.
5 mins with allen keys soon had that sorted. I hope that doesnt happen too often.
 
HoppyUK said:
Thanks Cedric. An RB67 on that little head is a good enough test!

Thought I'd post some pics of my latest invention which I touched on above but a picture paints a thousand words an' all that. Here's my gimbal-panoramic-nodal-balancing clamp! Total cost about £80. And yes it does all those things pretty well :)

This is it. Pan base is a Feisol PB-70 for £42. It's very well engineered http://www.feisoluk.com/Bases/c45/p....html?osCsid=9217514d89bb38b1e974c960fca292c7 140mm Arca-style bar is £20 from Camera Gear UK http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Camera-Gea...1017QQ_sidZ4097057QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322 50mm Arca clamp is £20 also from Camera Gear UK.

IMG_3078-1.jpg



Here it is used gimbal style, like a Wimberley Sidekick.
IMG_3088-1-1.jpg



Here used as a panoramic head.
IMG_3095-1-1.jpg



As a balancing clamp here. In this position, slid back about an inch and a half, with a 5D2 and 24-105L on it, it balances perfectly. Makes accurate adjustment much easier, as there is almost zero clamping tension on the ball. I use it like this all the time. You can get perfect balance at almost any angle, plus left/right balance sliding sideways on the top camera clamp.
IMG_3096-1-1.jpg



Move the bar right to the end and it's exactly long enough to work as a nodal rail with 17-40L (for accurate alignment of close distance panormas, interiors etc).
IMG_3101-1.jpg
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Richard, I've been chewing over the pros and cons of this set-up here, as opposed to going out and buying an Acratech GV-2 ball head (lust, lust :love:) and I have a question :):

Can these Arca-style pates be used either way up in the Arca clamp :shrug:? From your second picture, it looks as though you can just flip it over and mount it upside down, but it may be that you have dismantled it for this picture and put the panning base on the underside :thinking: (too much hassle for a quick switch to gimbal mode for my liking ;)).

The ball head I am currently using (Giottos MH 1301) is basically OK for my needs, except for when I try to use the camera (D700 & 17-35mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II) in portrait mode by flipping it over into the cut-out at the side of the ball. It slips immediately downward after locking and then continues to slowly droop, ruining long exposures :'(. I would also appreciate the gimbal feature, as I could really benefit from using a tripod with my (non-VR) 300mm lens :|, but it's a nightmare to wrestle with it atop a normal ball head :(.

So, you're solution would probably serve my needs very well and has the added bonus of being considerably cheaper than the (300GBP+) GV-2 :thumbs:. I look forward to hearing from you, or anyone who can answer the Arca plate question ;).

Cheers!
 
Not all Arca-Swiss plates can be used either way up, but most of the long plates designed to attach to the lens foot (like the one in the pictures) that I've seen can. The plates that are designed to attach to the camera tend to work only one way up.
 
SamHH said:
Not all Arca-Swiss plates can be used either way up, but most of the long plates designed to attach to the lens foot (like the one in the pictures) that I've seen can. The plates that are designed to attach to the camera tend to work only one way up.
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Thanks Sam :thumbs:! That's certainly how it looks in the second picture, but I just wanted to check.

Hmm, I might have a scour around and see what all of these parts will cost in Germany :naughty:. Cheers!
 
Edit: crossed post with Sam. Yes, a lot of the camera plates are model specific as well as being non reversible. I have also seen some slim-line long Arca rails that are one sided, but it's obvious when you look at them. The PhotoProShop I linked below is based in Germany I think :)

Naboo32 said:
Richard, I've been chewing over the pros and cons of this set-up here, as opposed to going out and buying an Acratech GV-2 ball head (lust, lust :love:) and I have a question :):

Can these Arca-style pates be used either way up in the Arca clamp :shrug:? From your second picture, it looks as though you can just flip it over and mount it upside down, but it may be that you have dismantled it for this picture and put the panning base on the underside :thinking: (too much hassle for a quick switch to gimbal mode for my liking ;)).

The ball head I am currently using (Giottos MH 1301) is basically OK for my needs, except for when I try to use the camera (D700 & 17-35mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II) in portrait mode by flipping it over into the cut-out at the side of the ball. It slips immediately downward after locking and then continues to slowly droop, ruining long exposures :'(. I would also appreciate the gimbal feature, as I could really benefit from using a tripod with my (non-VR) 300mm lens :|, but it's a nightmare to wrestle with it atop a normal ball head :(.

So, you're solution would probably serve my needs very well and has the added bonus of being considerably cheaper than the (300GBP+) GV-2 :thumbs:. I look forward to hearing from you, or anyone who can answer the Arca plate question.

Cheers!
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Sounds to me like you need an L-bracket - sorts out vertical shooting perfectly. Mine's a Markins https://www.photoproshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/1004?osCsid=uji00cqqqhsm4rn2t0cifj9cv0 but there are plenty of others - Kirk, Really Right Stuff etc.

But to answer your question, yes (almost) all Arca-style rails and plates are reversible. Some have grippy bits on one side, usually the camera plates, whereas the lens plates tend to be bare metal, but you can flip them.

The usual problem is that the recesses for the mounting bolt heads are only on one side, but you can do anything with a pile of AS stuff, it's like Mecano, though I agree messing with tools it not practical in the field. I tend to go out pre-prepared and TBH if I did a lot of long lens work I'd get a custom gimbal for sure - and a nice long prime to go with it would be a good idea too :) It's just that I saw that really cheap Feisol pan base and guessed, correctly, that it would be high quality and could be made to do other things with a couple of other cheap bits.

You would also benefit from configuring the balancing clamp arrangement I showed above, for your 16-35 lens which will be front heavy in either configuration, not having a lens collar. All you need is a 100mm rail (one in the pic is 140mm) and a spare clamp. The ability to slide the camera backwards, and sideways on the L-bracket, allows you to achieve perfect balance at all times and so there is much lower tension on the ball. Easier, more accurate, etc etc - really nice to use.

A quality ball head is always a good plan. Benro are high quality and cheap(er), with a 44mm-plus ball - J-2 or 3, B-2 or 3. Recommended supplier http://stores.ebay.com/DCs-Photogra...Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=1

HTH :)
 
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HoppyUK said:
Edit: crossed post with Sam. Yes, a lot of the camera plates are model specific as well as being non reversible. I have also seen some slim-line long Arca rails that are one sided, but it's obvious when you look at them. The PhotoProShop I linked below is based in Germany I think :)



Sounds to me like you need an L-bracket - sorts out vertical shooting perfectly. Mine's a Markins https://www.photoproshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/1004?osCsid=uji00cqqqhsm4rn2t0cifj9cv0 but there are plenty of others - Kirk, Really Right Stuff etc.

But to answer your question, yes (almost) all Arca-style rails and plates are reversible. Some have grippy bits on one side, usually the camera plates, whereas the lens plates tend to be bare metal, but you can flip them.

The usual problem is that the recesses for the mounting bolt heads are only on one side, but you can do anything with a pile of AS stuff, it's like Mecano, though I agree messing with tools it not practical in the field. I tend to go out pre-prepared and TBH if I did a lot of long lens work I'd get a custom gimbal for sure - and a nice long prime to go with it would be a good idea too :) It's just that I saw that really cheap Feisol pan base and guessed, correctly, that it would be high quality and could be made to do other things with a couple of other cheap bits.

You would also benefit from configuring the balancing clamp arrangement I showed above, for your 16-35 lens which will be front heavy in either configuration, not having a lens collar. All you need is a 100mm rail (one in the pic is 140mm) and a spare clamp. The ability to slide the camera backwards, and sideways on the L-bracket, allows you to achieve perfect balance at all times and so there is much lower tension on the ball. Easier, more accurate, etc etc - really nice to use.

A quality ball head is always a good plan. Benro are high quality and cheap(er), with a 44mm-plus ball - J-2 or 3, B-2 or 3. Recommended supplier http://stores.ebay.com/DCs-Photogra...Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=1

HTH :)
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Ah, there you are Hoppy :)! Great post (this one and the previous one that I quoted), thanks!

I must admit, I'm not keen on going along the L bracket route myself - it'd make the camera even bulkier and I would have to buy four of them to accommodate my D700 gripped/ungripped and my D90 gripped/ungripped. I also don't use a card reader and need to access to the rubber side hatches of those cameras, so the brackets just get in the way. Prices are, frankly, silly for what they are too, IMO :(.

No, I'd prefer a safer way of tipping the camera vertical than my current method, which just involves the ball head in some way and only one small bracket on the camera/grip :|. As you also (rightly) say, your system would make for better balance with the camera in 'normal' landscape position, too :).

Not sure that I need to run to another ball head either - that would kind of defeat the object :shrug:. It seems to me that your system is designed to take the strain off the ball head in all situations where it would normally be 'pushed', so I don't feel that I need to upgrade there. I was just looking to get the best out of my current ball head, without too much expense. Otherwise, I'd probably just go out and get the Acratech one ;).

Thanks again for your advice, Richard :thumbs:.
 
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I picked up an "L" bracket for my D700 as well and I think if you are used to grips, its really not bulking things up too much.

But I agree about the price! I got the Kirk version for the D700, and already got the RRS for the A900.
 
puddleduck said:
I picked up an "L" bracket for my D700 as well and I think if you are used to grips, its really not bulking things up too much.

But I agree about the price! I got the Kirk version for the D700, and already got the RRS for the A900.
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Yeah, I saw your brackets on the other pages Andy :) - nicely made and extremely useful, no doubt, but not quite the solution I'm looking for :|.

If I could stretch to 300GBP for the Acratech GV-2 (or even 400GBP for the GP model), I'd have all of my problems solved in one go (I don't use any really big lenses and don't need a proper gimbal) :naughty:, but it's a big commitment financially :(.

Must give it some more thought :thinking: ...
 
Naboo32 said:
If I could stretch to 300GBP for the Acratech GV-2 (or even 400GBP for the GP model), I'd have all of my problems solved in one go (I don't use any really big lenses and don't need a proper gimbal) :naughty:, but it's a big commitment financially :(.

Must give it some more thought :thinking: ...
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Have a look in Classified Sales in a minute... ;)
 
Naboo32 said:
Ah, there you are Hoppy :)! Great post (this one and the previous one that I quoted), thanks!

I must admit, I'm not keen on going along the L bracket route myself - it'd make the camera even bulkier and I would have to buy four of them to accommodate my D700 gripped/ungripped and my D90 gripped/ungripped. I also don't use a card reader and need to access to the rubber side hatches of those cameras, so the brackets just get in the way. Prices are, frankly, silly for what they are too, IMO :(.

No, I'd prefer a safer way of tipping the camera vertical than my current method, which just involves the ball head in some way and only one small bracket on the camera/grip :|. As you also (rightly) say, your system would make for better balance with the camera in 'normal' landscape position, too :).

Not sure that I need to run to another ball head either - that would kind of defeat the object :shrug:. It seems to me that your system is designed to take the strain off the ball head in all situations where it would normally be 'pushed', so I don't feel that I need to upgrade there. I was just looking to get the best out of my current ball head, without too much expense. Otherwise, I'd probably just go out and get the Acratech one ;).

Thanks again for your advice, Richard :thumbs:.
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You're welcome Andy :)

You get full access to the side ports with an L-bracket, even when vertical on a tripod. They have cut-outs in all the right places.

If you only do one thing, I urge you to get one of those. If you want to flip to vertical a lot, or even now and then, without unbalancing eveything (and also without needing to reposition the tripod for closer working table-top and stuff) that's the answer.

Fit and forget. I don't even know mine is there. Light as a feather hewn out of that lovely aircraft alloy.

As for cost, a man with a brace of Nikon's finest and a bunch of high end lenses, well... ;) I thought the same - for decades. I so wish I'd gone all Arca-Swiss tripodwise a long time ago, and the L-bracket is the best hundred quid I've spent in ages.

PS Another (very) small point - when you put the camera down, it sits flat and solid on the L-bracket, either way. No rocking and rolling on those damn little QR Manfrotto tripod plates I used to have :D
 
HoppyUK said:
As for cost, a man with a brace of Nikon's finest and a bunch of high end lenses, well... ;) I thought the same - for decades. I so wish I'd gone all Arca-Swiss tripodwise a long time ago, and the L-bracket is the best hundred quid I've spent in ages.
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I feel the same - I think nothing of dropping £3k on a lens or body, but didn't want to pay for a bit of bent metal. But I'm a convert. Also wish I'd done it ages ago :lol:
 
Guys, guys, what are you trying to do to me :shake:!? I know ... you're giving good, hard-earned advice ;). I appreciate it, really.

I'm really not sure which way to turn on this one at present :shrug:. Until I read this (damn) thread, I didn't even know that I needed a new ball head :D (well, that's not quite true).

Actually, I think that I've seen a 'universal' L bracket on my travels - this might solve the dilemma of which one to buy (D700 or D90), as I use both cameras equally.

(*shuffles off for a think*) ....
 
Naboo32 said:
Guys, guys, what are you trying to do to me :shake:!? I know ... you're giving good, hard-earned advice ;). I appreciate it, really.

I'm really not sure which way to turn on this one at present :shrug:. Until I read this (damn) thread, I didn't even know that I needed a new ball head :D (well, that's not quite true).

Actually, I think that I've seen a 'universal' L bracket on my travels - this might solve the dilemma of which one to buy (D700 or D90), as I use both cameras equally.

(*shuffles off for a think*) ....
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Stop shuffling man and revise your priorities - you need an L-bracket and you will thank us for this sound advice. It will solve your problem and make your entire world a happy place full of sweetness and sunshine, bluebirds, flowers and, with any luck, blue birds.

The question of which camera to buy the L-bracket for is easy - both. This is not something that you take on and off and, for the same reason (because it's got to fit snugly) you want a custom one and not a nasty universal whatever thing.
 
CT said:
Have a look in Classified Sales in a minute... ;)
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Well CT, that didn't last long :lol:! I should have looked yesterday when you told me too.

I was actually looking forward to reading your review of this ball head (promised earlier in this thread ;)). Putting it up for sale again after about week is slightly less than encouraging to a potential buyer (of any Acratech ball head, not just your one).

Anyway, I read your reasons for selling it and I can see why you would feel that it is not a replacement for your other gear.

Still got my eye on the Acratech GP ball head though :love:.
 
HoppyUK said:
Stop shuffling man and revise your priorities - you need an L-bracket and you will thank us for this sound advice. It will solve your problem and make your entire world a happy place full of sweetness and sunshine, bluebirds, flowers and, with any luck, blue birds.

The question of which camera to buy the L-bracket for is easy - both. This is not something that you take on and off and, for the same reason (because it's got to fit snugly) you want a custom one and not a nasty universal whatever thing.
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All I can do is to 'shuffle' right now. No more purchases possible until next month (apart from very small ones ;)).

Perhaps I'll just invest in a pair of pliers instead - then I can tighten up the ball on my Giottos sufficiently to stop it drooping :D.

Thanks for the advice :thumbs:.
 
Naboo32 said:
Thanks Andy, that was an interesting read :thumbs:. Not the most elegant solution perhaps, but worth thinking about :naughty:.
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It does mean you can get a one-size fits all soluion, if you insist upon inflicting grips :gag: on your bodies :)

I'll let you know how the Kirk on the D700 compared to the RRS I have on a A900 later.
 
puddleduck said:
It does mean you can get a one-size fits all soluion, if you insist upon inflicting grips :gag: on your bodies :)

I'll let you know how the Kirk on the D700 compared to the RRS I have on a A900 later.
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I know how you feel about grips, Andy :D. I tend to use them only when I'm not using a tripod, but not always.

I'll keep an eye out for your post on the Kirk bracket :).
 
Naboo32 said:
Well CT, that didn't last long :lol:! I should have looked yesterday when you told me too.

I was actually looking forward to reading your review of this ball head (promised earlier in this thread ;)). Putting it up for sale again after about week is slightly less than encouraging to a potential buyer (of any Acratech ball head, not just your one).

Anyway, I read your reasons for selling it and I can see why you would feel that it is not a replacement for your other gear.

Still got my eye on the Acratech GP ball head though :love:.
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You shouldn't let the fact that I sold it on put you off. Truthfully, it was one of the most reluctant sales I've ever made. I was sorely tempted to keep it -it's a superb ball head and a very serviceable gimbal within the restrictions I explained, but I already have a decent ball head.

My basic reason for wanting to get rid of the Manfrotto 393 is that it has a plate peculiar to the 393, so it's not compatible with the rest of my Arca Swiss system. The Manfrotto plate is permanently attached to the 300mm 2.8, and gets used mostly by Jan. If I want to use the 300mm 2.8 it means swapping the 393 plate, swapping gimbal heads, or carting two tripods around with gimbals attached, which gives me sharp stabbing pains in the rear end. :gag:

As the vast majority of our stuff is wildlife, I'll be looking for a dedicated gimbal to replace the 393. Tbe GV-2 is an option I've sadly had to accept isn't right for me, but there's an awful lot to commend it for many users.
 
Naboo32 said:
I'll keep an eye out for your post on the Kirk bracket :).
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Right a few works on the Kirk..

It fits the (gripless!) D700 like a glove. All ports are still accessible (see final shot).

The Kirk and RRS plates seem to be pretty much interchangeable - both mount to the RedSnapper ballhead with no issues. For a bit of (expensive) bent metal it's very useful :D



DSC00436.jpg


DSC00448.jpg


doing the 90 degree flip is why you need an "L" bracket!

DSC00446.jpg


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Really not a lot else to say.. if you need one, you need one..if you don't, you don't :)
 
puddleduck said:
Really not a lot else to say.. if you need one, you need one..if you don't, you don't :)
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Eloquently put. :D

Well you only part with the wonga once and you'll see the benefits for years to come.
 
I'm just resurrecting this thread to say "Thanks" :thumbs: to Andy and Richard for the good advice (yet again - you two have pretty much shaped my equipment list for me, between you :D)!

I found a great L bracket (here's a link to the thread ... link) and will be getting the Red Snapper ball head to tie it all together. Add to that the Arca-style lens foot bracket that I picked up recently, and I should have a system which covers every camera and lens option that I have - both in landscape and portrait modes :)!

In the end, the L bracket made it all simpler than I thought it was going to be. Great tip!

Here's a slightly rubbish picture of the two items in question:

DSC_5177.jpg
 
Good stuff - I did my Oregon images with an A900 + RRS "L" (as seen earlier) - my first real use "in the wild" with an "L" bracket and its no going back for me :)

Once you get over the "ouch... £125 for a bit of bent metal" syndrome they are fab :)
 
puddleduck said:
Good stuff - I did my Oregon images with an A900 + RRS "L" (as seen earlier) - my first real use "in the wild" with an "L" bracket and its no going back for me :)

Once you get over the "ouch... £125 for a bit of bent metal" syndrome they are fab :)
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That's so true of photographic equipment though, isn't it? How often do you buy a really brilliant piece of kit and spend the next few months/years thinking about what else you could have spent that money on :shrug:? Personally, I've mulled over the wisdom of my 'cheapskate' purchases :thinking: far more than the purchase of those truly 'aspirational' items (the D700, the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens etc.) that I just knew I wanted, regardless of cost.

There's a lot of truth in the saying, "Buy right, buy once", IMO :thumbs:.

Anyway Andy, I haven't seen your Oregon set yet - are they available to view anywhere online :shrug:?
 
Excellent thread - made a good read this morning :)

puddleduck said:
Good stuff - I did my Oregon images with an A900 + RRS "L" (as seen earlier) - my first real use "in the wild" with an "L" bracket and its no going back for me :)

Once you get over the "ouch... £125 for a bit of bent metal" syndrome they are fab :)
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Totally agree with this.

Although just before my first trip out with the Kirk L Bracket I let my dad cast his eye over it - he does a great deal of high precision metal work (he makes parts to repair guns).

He is impressed with the quality of the brackets and suprisingly didn't call me a twit for spending that much money on a piece of bent machined metal.
 
I missed this thread first time round but I was interested to see the comments on the Acratech GV2 ball head.
I have used the Manfrotto 393 and I found it stable and good for the job but enormous and heavy to pack and carry.
I bought the GV2 hoping to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, i.e. have a quality ball head that can be used as a gimbal.
As a ball head I'm immensely pleased with it. It's light, stable and versatile.
As a gimbal it doesn't cut the mustard.

Whatever I mounted on it didn't work. The panning mechanism was not at all smooth, sometimes it even felt grating and I heard a slight grinding noise, obviously due to the offset.
I recently met someone who had a Wimberley Sidekick and he let me try it on the GV2. Result, sublime. All the positive characteristics of both items were demonstrated. I was lucky enough to source one yesterday on here.

In short, I don't regret buying the Acratech, in fact when using macro it's better than any other solution I have tried, but as a stand-alone gimbal it didn't work for me.
Sorry for the length of this post.
 
Just to conclude my contribution to this thread, my Red Snapper ball head turned up yesterday and so I was finally able to bolt everything together and try it all out :naughty:.

The results were very pleasing indeed. The whole system works well together and now the weakest link in the chain is the 'slop' in the joint between the lens and the camera :shrug:. That's good enough for me!

Here's the D700 with the Mestos L bracket on (in prortait orientaion) and then again with the 70-200mm lens, mounted on its own foot, via the two-bolt bracket that I picked up for it :) ...

DSC_5188_1000.jpg


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N.B. Obviously, in actual field use, I will only use the 70-200mm with its collar on and not by mounting the camera bracket to the ball head (as in the first picture), but I was just too lazy to change lenses for these quick test shots ;).

Anyway, as plenty of people before me have said, the Red Snapper ball head is pretty much a bargain at less than £50 ;). Personally though, I think that the best part of it is the Arca-style clamp and that the ball head itself is actually a little stiff and clunky (and heavy at 680g :().

I'm looking forward to getting out and using it all now, as the problems I'd had with my previous (square) QR plate had kind of put me off using tripods altogether (well, that and the fact that they're a pain to carry everywhere :D).
 
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