(I have the 3262QR, the quick release version). Steady, fairly light, works well with smallish cameras (I use it with a konica hexar, olympus epic, and minolta srt-101)

As others have said, it shifts slightly when tightened. It cannot hold steady very much weight (my srt-101 with a 70-200 zoom on it is too much at the long end). Gets a little greasy.

Best bang for your buck, I'm happy for the purchase overall, it works well with a small tripod or monopod. Get it if you're looking for a cheap tripod that works well for lighter cameras.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it yet.

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cheapos.

inexpensive for a quick release ball head, locks down solid

when you lock it down it has a slight shift

I have Model 3262QR. I use it with a Bogen 3001LC tripod. I used this combination for over 700 photographs in 9 days on a recent trip. I love the quick release! It's true that when you lock it down it has a slight shift. However this shift is predictable. I found that if I always kept the locking lever to the left, when I would lock it the camera would always slightly shift to the right and down. I was using a 28 to 80 zoom lens, if I was using a longer lens, in the 200 to 300 range, I can see where it would be a little harder to adjust. You must always hold the camera when releasing the locking lever, or it will flop down. The bottom line is this is a inexpensive, solid QR ball head that you may have to adjust 2 or 3 times to get perfect framing. Considering the price this is a great value. I would buy it again.

Customer Service

unknown, doesen't look like I will ever need it

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tried different brands and models in store

Solid, inexpensive, good quick release system (on 3262QR)

Not as stable as better heads. No tension adjustment. Head shifts slightly after lockdown.

This is a nice basic ballhead as long as you're not using long lenses. I don't think you can do better for the price, but it ain't no Arca-Swiss.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

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None

fast QR operation. adds height to short 3205 tripod.

either opened or closed. no middle setting.

Unlike other reviews, in my experience it locks right where you place it. A good match to a Canon Elan2/28-135 and smaller lens; I've noticed some shakes when attaching a x2 teleconverter on a slightly windy day, but that is probably the fault of the 3205 tripod.

Customer Service

non needed yet.

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anonymous pocket tripod (surprisingly usefull for a 9.95$ tool!)

Sturdy
Clever tripod attachment design
Locks solid

Heavy

My unit is mated to a Bogen 3211 set of legs, but for fun I attempted to fit it to my El Cheapo Slik tripod and discovered a clever little spring loaded socket that adapts to either a large or small mounting screw. Very nice.

In contrast to other reviews, I found that my unit locks pretty much right where you put it, even with a Nikon N80 and long 70-300 ED lens attached. Once locked, it's solid. My only complaint is that it weighs around a pound(!).

I have the quick-release version, and it works flawlessly and has a nice safety feature to keep your camera from falling off accidentially. Helpfully, the quick-release plate that goes on the camera will also fit a quick-release tilt head that is can be used on various Bogen monopods.

Highly recommended.

Customer Service

Not used

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None

Affordable
Easy to use
Dependable

Levers are a little stiff
Shifting on tightening

This head was dependable. It was great but it wasn't terrible either. It did what I needed it to do and that's all I could ask. I'm glad I went to the Kaiser Pro Ball but I don't regret getting the Bogen as my first real head.

Customer Service

Never used

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Kaiser Pro Head Small
Studioball
Velbon Target special

This ballhead was the best one I could find in the price range. The QR plates are great, although the small size and contact area is a weak point.

I've banged my 70-200 zoom against the tripod legs by loosening the ball tension too quickly. The tension is hard to adjust for midweight+ lenses, and thus precise framing can take a long time. Additionally the mount moves slightly when you lock the tension, which is rather annoying.

A ballhead is great for wildlife and people as it allows for fast setup and motion tracking. For landscapes, this head is hard to make fine adjustments but the versatility (and light weight) wins out in the end.

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Good basic entry level head. Sturdy. Nice large release knob.

None

I wanted an entry level head that would opperate dependably. It does. It is not the fanciest model, but it seems to work very well so far. I have the QR (quick release) model and would strongly encourage. The extra plates are reasonable and very much worth the price. Nice basic head. I believe that I paid $49 for mine, but I have seen for less.

I gave this only a 3 star overall, but it is probably closer to 3.5. There are so many heads available, and many are better. Still, this is not supposed to be a top of the line head. It is well constructed and does what it does well.

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None