Any experiences with Giotto Ball Heads

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I am thinking of going in for the Giotto medium ball head. Please respond if you have had any good or bad experience with any of the Giotto ball heads. Thanks.

-- Anurag Narula (anuragn@yahoo.com), May 02, 1999

Answers

I have the smallest (I think) Giotto ball head model MH-1003. I bought it for around $45 (local shop) and basically it is junk. When I lock it down it twists 1 or 2mm on the panning plate. It slips quite easily with an Elan IIe and a consumer medium zoom when in the portrait position. The ball action is horribly rough and it squeaks when I twist it into my camera. The machined ball finish is quite rough and picks up metal from the brass(?) locking plate. It also takes at least a full turn to 1 1/2 turns to lock it. I ended up getting the smallest Linhof Pro 01 for $110 (B&H) - for travel needs it is excellent.
I can't comment on the medium head, but it might be suitable for your purposes at $90 (B&H). Of course, you get what you pay for. If possible, go to a shop and try it out in various positions with the largest equipment you plan to use on it. Also check to see if the ball has a smooth finish -not necessarily polished, but not like the small model where you can actually see the machining marks and texture.
Again, maybe even the next smallest Linhof might be better for travel use with small equipment. It is the Pro 1 model, is slightly taller than the 01, has panning adjustment w/lock (the 01 does not have a panning base or lock) and goes for $158 at B&H -just raised from around $135, maybe you can still get the old price.

-- Paul Runnoe (prunnoe@aros.net), May 02, 1999.

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