My Review of the UniqBall Tripod Head

sk66

sk66

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I did a video review of the UniqBall tripod head. The video is a bit long at ~ 14min so I'll give a short answer here:

IMO it is the most versatile tripod head with the fewest compromises, but it's not perfect. It has a few issues common to all ballheads and a couple of it's own quirks. The biggest issue IMO is that panning tension can never be separated from tilt tension. And if you really want to get the maximum out of the ball head you're going to need an L-plate and a Nodal Rail (but they aren't a requirement).

After extensive use I find that I like the product quite a lot and the UniqBall is my new "one solution" for almost everything. But like everything else in photography, almost every decision is some kind of compromise. And the same is true here.

BTW, no need to tell me my screen personality sucks... I'm well aware.

 
Valiant effort Steven :) Though the video makes it seem very compromised and complicated, and it can't be that bad! For example, it's not the only ball head that needs an L-bracket for full operation, and every ball head will droop with a front-heavy lens under light friction (I use a short nodal rail for balance as a matter of course).

One of the most important features of any ball head for critical work (eg long lenses, still life, macro) is framing shift on lock-down. You know, line everything up perfectly, then lock it tight and the damn thing moves. How does the UniqBall score on that front?

I wouldn't even contemplate a head at that sort of money that had anything more than miniscule lock-down shift. The best do not, and in fact some of the cheaper ball heads don't either. The Acratech is particularly poor - I think you also have one of those?

BTW, I think your window sling and slider are genius :thumbs:
 
Valiant effort Steven :) Though the video makes it seem very compromised and complicated, and it can't be that bad! For example, it's not the only ball head that needs an L-bracket for full operation, and every ball head will droop with a front-heavy lens under light friction (I use a short nodal rail for balance as a matter of course).
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Thanks. It's not "that bad." I think I was particularly "neutral" with my review due to how "raving" everything else out there about this head is.... it really annoys me when someone gets a shiny new (expensive) toy and then starts recommending it as the greatest thing ever and that everyone should get one. I didn't do a good job "introducing it" and I just "assumed" one would understand that droop and L-bracket considerations are common to ball heads (yeah, I know...).

One of the most important features of any ball head for critical work (eg long lenses, still life, macro) is framing shift on lock-down. You know, line everything up perfectly, then lock it tight and the damn thing moves. How does the UniqBall score on that front?
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I checked my AcraTech (GV2) and it only shifts slightly (1/2 focus point width) when going from barely snug to full tight, and I never clamp it that hard. I hadn't checked so I just did. The UniqBall is much worse in that respect but the shift is vertical instead of lateral. I got it to shift a full 30% FOV w/ the pan-tilt function. But, again, you don't typically need to clamp it down that tight. This is certainly too much for macro work, but I wouldn't consider a ballhead a great choice for serious macro work anyway. For long lenses, I almost never lock a head down. I find zero shift using the ball-head lock.

I might have to do a "better" revised review after I work on my screen presence...

BTW, I think your window sling and slider are genius (y)
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Thank you!
 
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I've updated the review slightly...
It turns out that the 1/2 focus point ball-head shift was due to me using a very heavy/ unbalanced setup and it was actually due to me releasing hand pressure from the camera. I've since tested/re-tested numerous times with different configurations and I find zero shift with the ball-head lock. The 30% FOV shift with the pan-tilt lock still holds true.
 
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