Small travel ballhead?

[TheEyesHaveIt]

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Hi all,

When I travel, I usually take the RRS pocket tripod, which has really served me well (as has the RRS clamp, but I don't usually take that these days). I have the Leica ballhead, which has been great, but it is rather hefty. I'm hoping to find something smaller and lighter weight that can still support the M11 + like a 50mm Lux lens. Don't need it for super long exposures.

Any recommendations? Want something that can screw directly into the tripod hole (so, not Arca-Swiss).

Cheers!

Edited July 21, 2024 by TheEyesHaveIt

[Bobonli]

I bought this for cycling/hiking when I need something compact. I also have a pinhole 4x5 that I put underneath it. It is excellent and a fraction of the cost of the RRS stuff which is excellent but there are cheaper alternatives out there now. This is the link I have handy; pretty sure I googled the model number and went to Amazon. If you go to the Artice main site, you'll see there are a couple of versions with different heads, and the heads by themselves.

[LocalHero1953]

No suggestion for a head, but the Gitzo Mini Traveller Tripod Kit (which I have) is similar to the RRS, but includes a slimline, matching ball head. It calls it a kit, and it looks as if the tripod is available without the head, but I can’t see the head for sale on its own - you might find it by searching harder than I’ve done!

I can recommend the combination, and it should easily support your camera and lens. 

Edited July 21, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Anbaric]

1 hour ago, TheEyesHaveIt said:

I have the Leica ballhead, which has been great, but it is rather hefty. I'm hoping to find something smaller and lighter weight that can still support the M11 + like a 50mm Lux lens.

Which Leica head do you have? They make them in two different sizes, and the shorter one is really small. There used to be an intermediate size too, and all are easy to find secondhand. Any of them should hold your camera very solidly, though of course there's no adjustable friction - it's locked or loose.

Otherwise Novoflex is worth a look:

https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads.html

The Arca p0 is interesting, but probably larger than you want:

https://www.arca-shop.de/en/tripod-heads/ballheads/monoball-p-series/p0/284/arca-swiss-monoball-p0-1/4-3/8

Edited July 22, 2024 by Anbaric

[darylgo]

I’ve used the Flm for backpacking, add their tiny ball head and it’s very lightweight. 
 

FLM CP10-Tabletop Tripod
 

Novoflex makes a variety of small tripods, some with removable legs.  

[TheEyesHaveIt]

5 hours ago, Anbaric said:

Which Leica head do you have? They make them in two different sizes, and the shorter one is really small. There used to be an intermediate size too, and all are easy to find secondhand. Any of them should hold your camera very solidly, though of course there's no adjustable friction - it's locked or loose.

Otherwise Novoflex is worth a look:

https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads.html

The Arca p0 is interesting, but probably larger than you want:

https://www.arca-shop.de/en/tripod-heads/ballheads/monoball-p-series/p0/284/arca-swiss-monoball-p0-1/4-3/8

I have the “short” version (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1076234-REG/leica_14108_ball_head_18_small_silver.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&smpm=ba_f2_lar&lsft=BI%3A6879&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh2qavVDJc_KI0x1IGxo_1CYs&gclid=CjwKCAjw4_K0BhBsEiwAfVVZ_5yNafzTpvY-HWcrXEQSqPoDED5nk7BfnDvv7IbXSlotkl4nfgepqhoCj7IQAvD_BwE) but it is quite heavy and I’m trying to find something lighter and smaller. The Novoflex might be the answer.

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My favorite is the Magic Ball Mini by Novoflex: https://www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/compact-size/magicball-mini-2131.html

[jankap]

My favourite would not be a ball head construction. Isn't a movie head better: up/down and left/right only?

[dugby]

I use the Manfrotto Modo , whilst not a ballhead, it’s an amazing ultra tiny - always with you adjustable folding support.

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Edited July 22, 2024 by dugby

[ianforber]

Leofoto or Sirui both make good ballheads. I’ve given up on my Leitz large ballhead but use a very small Gitzo head on my monopod. I’m not sure if any of the best and smallest heads can be better without the leg as as well though. 

[250swb]

On 7/21/2024 at 11:28 PM, TheEyesHaveIt said:

Hi all,

When I travel, I usually take the RRS pocket tripod, which has really served me well (as has the RRS clamp, but I don't usually take that these days). I have the Leica ballhead, which has been great, but it is rather hefty. I'm hoping to find something smaller and lighter weight that can still support the M11 + like a 50mm Lux lens. Don't need it for super long exposures.

Any recommendations? Want something that can screw directly into the tripod hole (so, not Arca-Swiss).

Cheers!

It's a mistake to ask people for 'smaller and lighter' recommendations because everybody has their own tolerance that they can't explain to you. Do you need to do long exposures, do you use a long heavy lens, do you even care about having a rigid tripod? Personally I'd say if you think the tripod head you have is a bit too heavy it's probably just right and nothing needs to be done.

[DadDadDaddyo]

I've got the Manfrotto PIXI mini tabletop tripod. 

Fits neatly into a small camera bag with the other stuff. The ball top is solid yet easy and quick to adjust, with lots of range. 

Readily supports a Leica M.

And reasonably priced. 

 

[Herr Barnack]

I am using the Novoflex Mini MagicBall Ballhead, available from our friends at B&H:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/153280-REG/Novoflex_MB_MINI_Mini_MagicBall.html

I would highly recommend this head - it is an outstanding ballhead for any M camera/lens size combo.

Edited July 24, 2024 by Herr Barnack

[TheEyesHaveIt]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Might be leaning towards the RRS BC-18 despite it being Arca-Swiss, just due to how small it is (and I already have the RRS pocket tripod). Can’t fault RRS quality in my experience either.