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Slik Standard Ballhead II - Supports 11.00 lb (4.99 kg)
Simple, inexpensive and highly reliable, Slik's Standard Ballhead II exhibits a high degree of precision craftsmanship and will yield years of trouble-free use.
The Standard Ballhead II's 2.2" (55mm) diameter camera mounting area has a free-turning anti-scratch plate surrounding the camera screw, to greatly reduce the chance of your camera becoming jammed upon the head. Weight was a continual concern in this ballhead's design; it is often said that upon a long journey even a straw weighs a ton, and to save every bit of a traveller's weight penalty the head is designed for use without a quick release plate. Even the best of magnesium quick release assemblies adds 100 grams or so of weight, and the philosophy here is to do without for the sake of lightness. Despite this, attaching and detaching of the head to the camera is pretty quick.
The Standard II's locking action is positive and the ball position does not move, even slightly, after it is locked. The Standard Ball Head II is only for light weight SLR/lens combinations: though the head's load rating is a robust 11 lb, it is generally looked upon as ideally suited for use with camera/lens/etc. combinations weighing not more than five pounds.
- Visual Confirmation
- The locking lever, unlike round locking knobs, makes it blatantly apparent whether the ball is locked or unlocked; if it is pointing up, it is locked.
- Speedy Attachment Without a Quick Release's Additional Weight
-
Just 3 or 4 half-turns of the mounting platform attaches ballhead to camera, and the platform's underside is ergonomically designed specifically for this task.
Slik's solution is slower than snap-in quick releases, and at least as fast as 'vise grip' quick release assemblies-but eliminates their size, weight and cost.
| Maximum Camera Supported | 35mm SLR with telephoto lens |
| Load Capacity | 11.00 lb (4.99 kg) |
| Height | 3.9" (9.9 cm) |
| Quick Release | No |
| Spirit Level | No |
| Tension Control | No |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 1/4"-20 |
| Weight | 0.66 lb (0.30 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (4)
- Attaches firmly (3)
- Strong clamp (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Home (3)
- Landscape/scenery (3)
- Portraits (3)
- Sports/action (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 5 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Reasonable Price
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Screw size
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
This is the best ball head for me.
Proper friction is always loaded by spring inside.
You can not adjust the friction.
On top, here is no cork, no rubber. Just Engineering plastic. So camera or quick shoe can be set very solid. And knob under the top plate helps you to fasten 1/4 inch top screw, easy to use.
But bottom screw is 1/4 inch, so it does not fit to 3/8 inch screw tripod, like Manfrotto 055XPROB. That is the only Con.
Otherwise, this is best tripod for me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
Precision made. Holds my D300s with the 18-200mm lens even in portrate mode. Easy to lock and release with the lever on the side. I prefer the screw on mount instead of a quick release. Releasing the lock allows complete freedom of movement to capture the shots I want. This ball head goes perfectly with my Slik Pro Pod 600 monopod.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Good Value
- Large Range of Motion
- QR can be added later
- Strong Clamp
- User-serviceable
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
The buzz these days in the forums is that everyone should go out and spend $300 on a ball head. Wait a minute....
For the money, these are simple, excellent products. I don't use panorama features that are all the rage right now, and this head securely holds a heavy medium format camera with a 200mm lens (A Bronica S2, which is a beast). The ridge underneath the platform makes it easy to thread onto the camera body.
While I found some sag in one camera system, I eventually realized it wasn't the ball head or the tripod, but instead the camera itself. There was too much flex in the body of my DSLR. If you use a large lens without a tripod collar, this head may not be enough.
So yes, it's simple. It doesn't have 3 knobs, or trick-looking engraving, or bubble levels, or a quick release. But if you don't need those things, you may be able to spend a fifth of what the pundits say.
Pros
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Long Exposures
- Photography
- Portraits
- Stabilization
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
This ball head provides a sturdy platform for my D70, D90 with long zoom lens. Once in place, the head does not move or drift.
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
I bought this ballhead for use with my Slik Carbon Fiber CF 714 tripod. I love the tripod legs but not this ballhead.The locking level is easy to use as claimed, but it isn't easily secured.With only moderate force (i.e. bumping it), you can move your camera when it is mounted. The weight of the camera and zoom lens alone is enough to rotate the head when it is used on its side (portrait). I've tried unlocking and then really pushing hard on the lever to relock it to get it to stay put, which works ok but that's too much effort.Also decided I'd rather have a quick release.
Expertise: Advanced Amateur
Problems Encountered: Does not stay securely locked, especially in portrait (side) position. Takes forcefully effort to get solid lock.
Displaying reviews 1-5
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (4)
- Attaches firmly (3)
- Strong clamp (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Home (3)
- Landscape/scenery (3)
- Portraits (3)
- Sports/action (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 5 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Reasonable Price
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Screw size
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
This is the best ball head for me.
Proper friction is always loaded by spring inside.
You can not adjust the friction.
On top, here is no cork, no rubber. Just Engineering plastic. So camera or quick shoe can be set very solid. And knob under the top plate helps you to fasten 1/4 inch top screw, easy to use.
But bottom screw is 1/4 inch, so it does not fit to 3/8 inch screw tripod, like Manfrotto 055XPROB. That is the only Con.
Otherwise, this is best tripod for me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Wildlife
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
Precision made. Holds my D300s with the 18-200mm lens even in portrate mode. Easy to lock and release with the lever on the side. I prefer the screw on mount instead of a quick release. Releasing the lock allows complete freedom of movement to capture the shots I want. This ball head goes perfectly with my Slik Pro Pod 600 monopod.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Good Value
- Large Range of Motion
- QR can be added later
- Strong Clamp
- User-serviceable
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
The buzz these days in the forums is that everyone should go out and spend $300 on a ball head. Wait a minute....
For the money, these are simple, excellent products. I don't use panorama features that are all the rage right now, and this head securely holds a heavy medium format camera with a 200mm lens (A Bronica S2, which is a beast). The ridge underneath the platform makes it easy to thread onto the camera body.
While I found some sag in one camera system, I eventually realized it wasn't the ball head or the tripod, but instead the camera itself. There was too much flex in the body of my DSLR. If you use a large lens without a tripod collar, this head may not be enough.
So yes, it's simple. It doesn't have 3 knobs, or trick-looking engraving, or bubble levels, or a quick release. But if you don't need those things, you may be able to spend a fifth of what the pundits say.
Pros
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Long Exposures
- Photography
- Portraits
- Stabilization
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
This ball head provides a sturdy platform for my D70, D90 with long zoom lens. Once in place, the head does not move or drift.
Comments about Slik Standard Ball Head II:
I bought this ballhead for use with my Slik Carbon Fiber CF 714 tripod. I love the tripod legs but not this ballhead.The locking level is easy to use as claimed, but it isn't easily secured.With only moderate force (i.e. bumping it), you can move your camera when it is mounted. The weight of the camera and zoom lens alone is enough to rotate the head when it is used on its side (portrait). I've tried unlocking and then really pushing hard on the lever to relock it to get it to stay put, which works ok but that's too much effort.Also decided I'd rather have a quick release.
Expertise: Advanced Amateur
Problems Encountered: Does not stay securely locked, especially in portrait (side) position. Takes forcefully effort to get solid lock.
Displaying reviews 1-5
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