Manfrotto ProBall 308 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Area51
(Intermediate)

Review Date
October 21, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 1 of 10

Price Paid: $49.00 from B&H

Summary:

This a good ballhead for the beginning photographer. It holds a fair amount of weight wherever you point it. The quick release platform is decent, but can twist under heavy loads. The ball action is smooth, but the ball shifts when locking down. Safety latch for the qr is a nice touch.

Strengths:

Quick release, smooth action.

Weaknesses:

Ball shifts when locking down, no pan base.

Similar Products Used:

Kirk BH-1, Acratech Ultimate.

Customer Service:

Great, fast response.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Tim Donnel
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 12, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 2 of 10

Price Paid: $89.00 from National Camera Exch

Summary:

Excellent performance for the money. Purchased to support Sigma 135-400 zoom, and does the job admirably. Easy and reliable quick release, nice locking pin feature. Have used constantly on my Bogen 3001B since purchase for all types of shooting.

Strengths:

Relatively light Able to hold 6 lbs+ fits in small pouch single locking control

Weaknesses:

Can't think of any, but then I don't have any 2000+ gram optics, either!

Similar Products Used:

None

Customer Service:

Never needed, though svc at Nat'l Camera is always great

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Rating
Reviewed by: harleykoh
(Professional)

Review Date
January 19, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 3 of 10

Price Paid: $50.00 from singapore

Summary:

Very good head for the price i paid.Used it everyday supporting either my F90x+MB-10 and 80-200mm F2.8 or RB67 with a 250mm without any problem,smooth movement and firm locking.The QR safety pin is very useful IMHO.Best bang for ur $$

Strengths:

price Single locking handle QR release safety pin

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

Arca swiss B1

Customer Service:

haven need it

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Rating
Reviewed by: william rodriguez
(Professional)

Review Date
August 29, 2001

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 10

Price Paid: $50.00 from local camera store

Summary:

For the money I paid I think this ball head is hard to beat. It has only one control but it works and has a positive lock on the ball. I can say that I like it very much but, if I ever need service......

Strengths:

Unexpensive,well built,QR works fine and I like the safety pin in the rear of the QR mechanism.

Weaknesses:

For the money I cannot say I found any

Similar Products Used:

other tripods and their 3265 grip action head, which I do not like.

Customer Service:

Poor. I required assistance with another product and I never got it. They have a Mr. Brown answering emails whose language appears to be extra-terrestial because it was difficult to understand to me. I believe that if you need service you are in TROUBLE with them
(USA)

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Rating
Reviewed by: Christopher Johnson
(Expert)

Review Date
July 22, 2001

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 5 of 10

Price Paid: $50.00 from local photo shop

Summary:

This is my first ball head. I have used it mostly for macro photography and find that the head glides smoothly and locks securely in any position I require. There is one slot to place the camera in a vertical position, which is not a problem, but requires some awareness of how you have the unit positioned if u need to reorient rapidly. I like the unit very much. It is a real smooth operator.

Strengths:

very smooth operation.
solid.

Weaknesses:

the lever to release teh quick release plate is a bit small and can be a little difficult to actually release quickly.

Similar Products Used:

none

Customer Service:

none

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