Ball Head Recommendations

Please point me to the right ballhead for my situation. When I used to shoot birds with the Canon 400mm 5.6, I got a Feisol 3442 tripod and Markins Q3 ballhead. I loved the fact that it was a light/sturdy/relatively inexpensive combo that I could also travel with. But for the last year or so I've been using it with a 300mm 2.8 IS w/TCs and am not as happy as I used to be. I think I could really benefit from a new ballhead, but there are so many options.....this is where YOU come in. Here's the criteria I'm looking for:

1) Weight - The Q3 is less than 1 pound, and I'd like my new one to be as close to 1 pound as possible (I hate carrying tripods)

2) Sturdy - The Q3 claims to support 65 pounds, but I noticed that when I put the AF sensor on the birds eye, tighten the ball head, and let go, the AF sensor moves. I hope a new head will fix this, as well as allow me to shot at lower shutter speeds.

3) Better Panning - The Q3 doesn't have the best panning knob, at least for my heavy load. It often needs to be tightened repeatedly.

4) Quick Release Lever - The Q3 uses a thumbscrew, and at times (like when the bird takes off from perch) it takes too long to be remove the camera/lens from the ball head to follow the auction. I've read about quick release levers and think that might be the way to go.

5) Price - I'd like to stay as close to $300 as possible for the replacement head, but understand that I may need to creep higher.

I'd like to think that I could continue to use the Feisol 3442 tripod. Perhaps I should remove the center column, unless I absolutely need it to improve stability even further.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Welcome.

Arca Swiss V1, although slightly over your budget, it meets all your other requirements.

You don't say what you're shooting with those long lenses, but if it's birds in flight, then you should add a Wimberley Sidekick or similar gimbal that will utilize whichever ballhead your do get.

Dave

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Originally Posted by David Stephens

Welcome.

Arca Swiss V1, although slightly over your budget, it meets all your other requirements.

You don't say what you're shooting with those long lenses, but if it's birds in flight, then you should add a Wimberley Sidekick or similar gimbal that will utilize whichever ballhead your do get.

Dave

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Thanks Dave, I'll check that one out.

I don't use a tripod for BIF, just perched subjects. I used to have a full Wimberly and also a Sickick/ball head combo years ago when I shot with a 500mm F4, but gave all that up because of the weight. It was just too much to carry around for me. With my 300mm 2.8 I try to shoot handheld whenever possible, but in low light or when using the 2x, I need to use a tripod/monopod. I know many use gimbals for their heavier gear, but I really dont want to go that route again because of the extra weight.

Have considered the Mongoose? Price is a little over what you want but all else fits !! Also the flash attachment is light and simple !! btw light enough could even work with a monopod (never tried it) use the RRS monopod head;

Check the ball heads at Really Right Stuff heaver and more expensive but holds the weight easily

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Originally Posted by Myer Bornstein

Check the ball heads at Really Right Stuff heaver and more expensive but holds the weight easily

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Markins actually have something equivalent, viz. a M20. Ekimzulad uses the smallest one, Q3. I use a M20 and I don't remember experiencing what Ekimzulad described. But I chose not use a quick-release for safety reason.

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I use the M20 on a Fiesol 3371 and love it. Had tried one of the Fiesol's ballheads, and the "sweet spot" on the M20 is incredibly better. Plenty of weight capacity, and easy to adjust and use.