Very solid for Macro work, solid enough for a 300mm prime. I've never had it slip when tightened down properly, and I don't overtighten either.

Only holds 11 pounds. The biggest drawback is its action. Moving the ball head around is king of a herky-jerky motion, not very smooth, thats the one legitimate complaint IMO. The pan lock is a bit fussy, it will lock tight enough, but can be torqued if you push it. Need more than 11 pounds of force to do it though... And as this lens is not rated for more than 11 pounds, it obviously is not a problem...

I bought this used, and after reading a review on this site was worried I would get a moderately pricey ball head with all kinds of slop in it. The contrary was in fact true, this ball head is very solid... I haven't noticed vibration problems using an SMC 300mm A* either. The key of course is to properly dampen the lens, whatever vibration makes it to the ball head, is going to be worse along the length of a big prime lens... Also, due to the design of the ball head it locks rock solid at 90 degrees as well. The whole thing is solid, Ive put it in some weird positions, and trust me, you can get some weird positions with this ballhead. I have a feeling the reviewer who gave this ball head a bad mark forgot that this ball head is only rated to about 11 pounds and threw some heavy glass on it... It's *NOT* a big teleprime lens ballhead. Even though it feels as if I could stand on it, im almost tempted to tighten it way down and stand on it just to see... If I was rich I'd do it. It's a nice travel/hiking ball head, or a serious macro head. I have a 3 or 4 pound Macro setup and it works like a charm. Overall, I like it, it's light, it's solid, and it's very flexible. I don't think you will find a ballhead that can do what this can, and is as solid as this one, without spending a hundred dollars more.

Customer Service

Not used

Versatility and ease of use.

Wildlife photography utilizing panning might be better accomplished with a traditional center support ball head.

This is a very easy to use, versatile, and dependable tripod head. I use mine mainly for 35mm landscape photography and also for macro photography. This head is GREAT for vertical format photo compositions also. I can't honestly say that this is the only tripod head you will ever need, but it is a great tool that is extremely versatile. This head does not slip or sag for me, and my camera is fairly heavy, the Canon F1N.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 3030 3 way pan ilt head, more difficult and time-consuming to use.

versitile, small.

design leads to vibration, locking wheels needed to be over tightend to be sure, sagging,

At first i loved this product, its versatility, design & potetial. Sadly after much use with my macro work the pan adjustment(after it had been locked, tight)tended to move about 1-2 mm. then i started to dislike this head. I found that there was vibration problems due to its off centre design & an anoying sagging after you composed the shot, & the ball movement could be much smoother. Therefore i returned it to the store & exchanged it for Gitzo 1277 centre ball head, i find this head far more suitable & most of all it will NOT move once locked.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

gitzo 1277m, Manfrotto 306 rc ball head

Very well built and solid. Easy to use and smooth (not as smooth as arca swiss). Offers many more creative angles and great for close-up work. Very light weight. Great price.

Does not use arca swiss plates, so you must by gitzo plates which are very limited to only two styles.

After using acra swiss ballheads for so many years it was nice to try something so different and unique as the gitzo g1276m. I use this ballhead with the gitzo g2228 explorer tripod and this ballhead is a must if you own this type of tripod. This ballhead offers so many more creative possibilties that all other ballheads just can't manage. At first I was a little disapointed that I could not use my arca swiss ballhead on my new gitzo g2228 explorer tripod, (I almost didn't purchase the tripod because of this). And now after a couple months use I find that this head is a real bargain. I recommend this head for 35mm gear only, Its a bit to small for MF & LF use. I have used mu canon eos 1v with lens's from 15mm to 70-200mm zoom with no proble at all in any angle.

Customer Service

none ever needed.

Similar Products Used:

arca swiss b-1

Quality, durability, smooth handling.

Gitzo can be pricey but its engineering and Lifetime Warranty are well worth it.

Unless you shoot 4x5 or larger, this is the best ball head this side of Germany.
(I use this with a Gitzo 224 legs.

Customer Service

SUPERB. Bogen has the best service i've experienced in the photo industry.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen/Manfrotto, Benbos, Giottos, Saunders, JTL, et cetera.

Solid Construction, Ease of Use, and lifetime warranty

none that I have come across yet

I keep this head attached to a G126 Tripod and then keep them both strapped to my pack and take them with me wherever I go. I usually use it with a 100-400 zoom lens which is rather heavy and it has been able to keep that lens in some rather interesting positions. It is a little more than I had initially intended to spend, but the lifetime warranty made me spend the extra money...can't say that I am upset that I did

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

none

This is the best value around for an excellent ballhead

The offset design makes it very versatile and useful. More sturdy than its weight rating gives it

Light - I have the magnesium model which is about $20 more

None

This is one wierd design, as are most Gitzo products. But being offset as it is, its very versatile and works well without slipping in many positions. I use a Nikon F5 with some heavy lenses on a Bogen 3401 tripod. the tripod is often in the horizontal position and the camera is hanging vertically, but this ballhead doesn't slip. And it can rotate into many positions wherein it has a position advantage over a 3-way pan head or vertical ballhead. Its super for macro work. I know I could get a smoother one for a little less money - but not as versatile or light.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen ballheads
Giotto ballheads
Kaiser ballheads