Help choosing a ballhead

[davidewers]

I just got my ex to send me 500mm Sigma 4.5 and Tokina 300 2.8. My current ballhead is way too small (Induro DM-12), which seems to creep down a bit under the weight of both lenses. Shoud I get a gimble mount  such as sidekick along with a larger head?

Thanks

[Ken Bennett]

Depends what you are going to do with the lenses. I have an RRS BH-55, and it's plenty strong enough to hold a 500mm lens, but actually using it is somewhat difficult. That much weight on top of the ballhead makes for an interesting experience when you loosen the main lock knob. Yes, it can be done, but it's not easy. Using a 300/2.8 is easier, but still not ideal.

If you want to do any sort of moving work -- birds, that sort of thing -- a Sidekick would work a lot better, and a full gimble mount is, of course, the ideal. But I think a Sidekick is useful just for general photography with those heavy lenses.

[langier]

For up to the 300mm and perhaps a slower 400mm, the Sidekick is the perfect solution on a ball head. Any thing larger or heavier, the Sidekick may be a little flimsy and you need to go with a heavy-duty Wimberly head directly on a tripod, IMO. The 200-400 Nikkor is about the limit size-wise and my 500P (fairly light weight) is almost too much.

Strictly using a ball head and a heavy/long telephoto lens is a royal PIA and bounces a little too much I've found. The Sidekick most definitely helps especially for action shots.

Another thing that the Sidekick works well in shooting is for Quicktime VR panoramas. Probably not as good as a dedicated rig, but more than adequate for an occasional pano or 360-degree composite.

[AlastairMoore]

I had an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. It was fantastic. The only thing I would say about it was it didn't have a tension knob of any real description. I got rid of it when I bought a large format camera as I was always panicing that I'd forget to tighten up the camera and it'd head southways. Aside from that, it was great and perfect for use with a DSLR and any good sized lens. It held my old Sigma 50-500 rock solid. I'd pick up one of those or possibly the Acratech GP. I've just ordered a Giottos MH-1300 as a temporary measure until funds allow another Acratech head but who knows, it might stay with me.

[Scott O.]

I have an RRS BH-55, and it's plenty strong enough to hold a 500mm lens, but actually using it is somewhat difficult. That much weight on top of the ballhead makes for an interesting experience when you loosen the main lock knob. 

I may be missing your point, but my BH-55 has a knob to adjust tension on the ball.  It works well with all lenses I have used, including the 500.

[jerryrock]

I use the Manfrotto 468MGRC2 Magnesium Hydrostatic Ballhead - Supports 22 lb (10kg).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368325-REG/Manfrotto_468MGRC2_468MGRC2_Magnesium_Hydrostatic_Ballhead.html

[Ken Bennett]

I may be missing your point, but my BH-55 has a knob to adjust tension on the ball.  It works well with all lenses I have used, including the 500.

What I find with the tension knob is that setting it high enough to handle a 300/2.8 makes it very difficult for me to set the composition I want. Setting it loose enough to easily frame the composition results in a very heavy, floppy lens when I release the main lock knob.

[WarrenRoos]

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=BH-55-Pro&type=3&eq=&desc=BH-55-Pro%3a-Full-sized-ballhead-with-Pro&key=it