Best Ballhead for the Money?

[byronling]

I've got a Slik Sprint tripod, and while I love the portability, I hate the screw on head. I'm looking for a basic ballhead mount that will fit on my Slik Sprint for a decent price.

Thanks

Byron

[drjiveturkey]

Bogen makes a decent budget ball head. 486RC2 for $70

If you want to spend the money then Markins, Arca-Swiss, RRS & Kirk are the top choices but cost over $300

[cfcRebel]

I've got a Slik Sprint tripod, and while I love the portability, I hate the screw on head. I'm looking for a basic ballhead mount that will fit on my Slik Sprint for a decent price.

Thanks

ByronHi Byron,

I use the Dynatran Telos AT-A04 ballhead and i love it but i don't see any available on eBay auction. The Buy-It-Now price is too high.
I started with a 24mm ballhead which got the job done. I didn't realize what i have been missing until after i upgraded to a bigger ballhead. In general, the larger the ball of the ballhead, the better. Amvona have the ATH-05H (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200110265302&rd=1&rd=1)36mm ballhead which supports up to 11lbs at great price. I have seen many auctions of this ballhead ended below $30 which is a great value for the money. You won't get the same quality else where for $30. ;)

[fi20100]

Another thumb up for the 486RC2 :)

[crn3371]

I'd go for the Bogen 488 ballhead. The separate panning lock is a nice feature over the 486.

[SkipD]

I would rate the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 as one of the best values in ball heads. It is definitely quite a bit sturdier than the 486RC2 (which I use on my monopod) and, as mentioned above, it has the separate pan lock/release which lets you spin the head around a horizontal circle without unlocking the main ball.

[AmpedPhoto]

Another vote for 488RC2, I have 2 and there the best I have put my hands on

[byronling]

thanks for the suggestions, I assume the mount for all of these woudl fit my Slik Sprint?

[SkipD]

The 488RC2 (and almost all other Bogen/Manfrotto heads) requires a 3/8-16 stud on the tripod to attach the head to the tripod.

[TomHuckWa]

Or the 1/4 -3/8 inch adaptor which came with my 488 head.

[cosworth]

For the money? I bought an inexpensive Benro to try it out. It works flawlessly on my monopod and I think for the $80 i paid for it that it was a steal.

For more money? I'm a big fan of all RRS products.