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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Florida on 2/7/2011
Comments about Smith-Victor Smith Victor BH5 Metal Alloy Ball Head with Quick Release Plate, 26 lb. Capacity:
It's my first standard ballhead and I'm mostly impressed, but the panorama base isn't solidly attached and causes the ballhead and camera to move slightly when the pano knob is being tightened - especially noticeable, and bothersome, when the camera is positioned in vertical. The panorama rotation is well-damped and has a high-quality oil-damped feel, but the ball damping adjustment knob sometimes turns when the ball is rotated, and the ball has lower-quality friction-damping. The quick-release plate is very high-quality, easy to use, and firmly clamps the camera. Overall, the ballhead is good quality for a low price, is supremely solid when the knobs are tight, and looks high-quality, but it's only an economy ballhead.
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
from Long Beach on 11/13/2010
Comments about Smith-Victor Smith Victor BH5 Metal Alloy Ball Head with Quick Release Plate, 26 lb. Capacity:
If you want a very secure setup for occasional use, this is a terrific buy. Frequent tripod users might find it time consuming to use.
The product is slightly different than the stock photo. See my photo.
I was looking for a low cost entry point to a Really Right Stuff mounting plate, and this fits the bill. The stock plate is better than most entry level units, and the safety latch is nice, but I removed both in favor of a RRS mounting plate. It is a little snug sliding in.
The ball clamping mechanism shifts as you snug the knobs (but is secure when tight). The friction preload is also inconsistent. I loosen both knobs and progressively tighten as I dial in composition, then use my in-camera composition adjust.
The panning rotation is silky smooth and has a grease style damper, but the rotation scale is impossible to read.
I have not used a high-end ball, but if I were shopping for one, I would expect much quicker results in composition. But a couple hundred dollars in my pocket and a rock solid mount is worth a few seconds of my time.
BH 5 with RRS Arca Swiss plate
Tags: Using Product, Picture of Product
[7 of 8 customers found this review helpful]
from Hennepin, Ill on 9/5/2009
Comments about Smith-Victor Smith Victor BH5 Metal Alloy Ball Head with Quick Release Plate, 26 lb. Capacity:
I know it's no $200 head but it holds the weight of my d40 with my speedlight sb-28 and 55-200mm lens at all angles (No easy task as they are pretty heavy)
I was out shooting the other day and the ease of use was just amazing, it pans and moves very fluidly.
Even though the price is cheap the build quality sure isn't.