What ball head?

I just bought a Velborn 640 carbon fiber tripod which just fit my budget. It is just the right weight for day hiking and now I need a ball head to complete the package. Looked at the RRS BH-25 but do not know if it is too small for a D700 with 70-200 zoom ( most heavy lens) All suggestions for this combo would be welcome.
Thanks,
Joe Rogers

Hey Joe, that head is their ultra light ballhead rated for max load of eight pounds, to weak for your set-up. If you want to stay with the RRS go at least to the mid weight BH-40 or the beefy BH-55. If that gets to pricey check out the Manfrotto line, they produce the heavy heads without a high price tag.

Per what Mike said, keep in mind that most people like to stay well below the load rating, since having your gear be close to the max load will be less stable and harder on the equipment. Most folks seem to recommend trying to get a head that will hold double the max weight you plan to put on it.

RRS has produced a new BH-30 ballhead that may be just right for you.
Also consider a PhotoClam ballhead from Really Big Cameras. These are Markins 'knock offs' and they work great! That's what I used up there on Hunt's Mesa with you...lots of bang for your buck!
They'll fit with the RRS 'L' plate, too.

Hey John, glad you chimed in. The BH-30 is a litle rich for my blood, but the Photo Clam is about right. Which ball head do you suggest. The Velbon is about the size of your Feisol and I do want the level feature.....not sure what the red, blue,gold, etc stands for. Does a plate come with it, or is that seperate?
Mike and David, thanks for the recommendations and explanations.
Joe Rogers

I bought the PC-33NS, Joe.
Stuck with basic black.


Oh yeah, you need to buy the plate separately from RRS. It's worth it!

Before making your final decision Re: a ball head, check out the selection of Triopo ball heads on eBay. I bought one, and within 6 weeks another. Really sturdy, and smooth operating with hydraulic pressure control...and the prices may surprise you.

Dave Graham, East River, SD

Also, be sure to check out the Kirk BH-3 http://www.kirkphoto.com/BH-3_Ball_Head.html. I switched recently from a Manfrotto head to this one & love it's steadiness and great feel. It holds my 70-200 2.8 lens without problem. The BH-1 is too big & heavy & is overkill.

I own a Kirk BH-3, it´s a joy to use, you wont regret it.

I have the PhotoClam PC-33NS which is fantastic. You might consider going a size up for the 70-200mm, but my advice is to email Kerry at reallybigcameras. He can tell you for sure which head you need.

I got the shutterbug version ballhead for only $150 plus qr plates. It works very well and if you have any problems with it you can just bring it back to the shop. I have the 100-400 which is very similar in weight and it feels very good.

I did a blog on Tripods and Ball Heads a while back. You can see it, along with some recommendations, at http://bcphotoadventures.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/tripods-ball-heads/. People have found this really useful, and I updated it at the end of 2009.

Joe,

Just Spring for the BH55--you'll never have to but another + it will work with that 600mm in your future!
JG

Joe, I've done a lot of research on this, and ended up with a Markins Q3. I highly recommend it!
Price is good, rated to 65 lbs, and only weighs 13 oz. Handles my 5d II and 70-200 zoom no problem. I just checked to site, and it looks like they are currently out of stock though...

RRS Ballheads are pretty conservatively rated. I've had no trouble using a BH-40 with a 6-pound 4x5 camera and a 500mm lens on mine, even with 1 second exposures.

I love my Markins! Enjoy yours!

I bought my Acratech Ultimate Ballhead years ago. I've never had the slightest inclination to replace it. I don't even know if they still make that model.

I got a Markins and it works great. I rented a 500mm lens for my D700 and it worked wonderfully. The Markins also doesn't make your tripod top heavy since they have such a great load/weight ratio.