Thread: New help picking up a new ball head for my new carbon fiber tripod legs

I just picked up a good deal ($125) on a set of carbon fiber tripod legs (Velbon El Carmagne 540) and am now completely overwhelmed with the choices for ball heads. Here's my gear:

- D70
- Tamron 17-50 f2.8
- SB-600

but I intend to pick up a D300s/D90 and the following lenses in the future:

- Tokina 11-16 f2.8
- Nikon 105 f2.8 Macro

I'm reasonably new to the hobby and want something of good value. I've looked at:

- Really Right Stuff BH-25 or BH-30 with quick release plate ($230/$330 respectively)
- Kirk BH-3 ($265)
- Markins Q3 or M10 ($300-$400-ish)
- Acratech Ultimate Ballhead or GV2 ($340/$380 respectively)

Which would you guys recommend or use? I probably won't use a lens larger than 300 f2.8. Weight/travel-bility is a big factor as is cost (otherwise I would have gone for those sexy Gitzo legs!). Thanks guys!

i like the RRS ballheads, contemplating of getting that with a manfrotto cf tripod

maybe give my standard SLIK tripod to my niece

let us know what you end up with

My heaviest set up so far has been D300 + grip (AA tray w/ batts) + 70-200mm VR and it has held rock solid on my 190xprob + 488rc4. Ballhead is rated 17lbs and legs are 11lbs.

Just weighed my 24-70mm + 70-200mm + d300 w/ grip and it barely made 9lbs.

I'd recommend the RRS head as well. I wanna put one on a gitzo set of legs but I realize I dont really ever use tripods....i use a monopod for when i shoot at the track. If i did more landscape shots, I'd use more tripod set shots

Well, I ended up getting the Markins Q3 Emille. It was light (13 oz), robust (holds up to 65 lbs), highly recommended, and reasonably priced. The total was about $335 including shipping and camera plate. I may upgrade the clamp to the RRS LR later on, since lever clamps are so much quicker and secure feeling. I'll let you guys know how this setup works. All in all, $460 for a pro ball head and carbon fiber legs is not bad at all.

If I find the tripod useful, I'll upgrade the legs to a Gitzo and move the head over.

^pics?

I'll post 'em when FedEx ships it from S Korea!