Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head
- Price: $49.00
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
- B&H # VASBH50
- Mfr# SBH-50
Product Highlights
- 13.2 lb (6 kg) Load Capacity
- Two Bubble Levels
- Single Knob Locking Mechanism
- Safety Locking System for Quick Shoe
- Compact 3.5" (9cm)
- Lightweight 10.2 oz (290 g)
- Two QS-39 Quick Release Plates
- Manufacturer's Limited Lifetime Warranty
Vanguard's SBH-50 Ball Head is compact (3.5", 9cm), lightweight (10.2 oz, 290 g), and features 2 bubble levels for precision attitude adjustment. It also has a safety locking system for quick release, and a single knob locking mechanism. It will support cameras, lenses and camcorders up to 13.2 lb (6 kg). The ball head, when placed upon a tripod, will increase camera stability and provide faster, more accurate camera positioning.
The two features that separate the SBH Series Ball Heads from others are Vanguard's Single Piece Ball Unit Technology that incorporates ball and stem into one solid unit which provides a core strength that is resistant to degradation from everyday use and the Advanced Magnesium Housing System which couples a rugged magnesium exterior with a hollow interior to provide the precision, fluid-like movements of a standard head minus extraneous weight.
The SBH-50 is supplied with two QS-39 quick release plates so you can easily alternate cameras on and off the ball head.
- Advanced Magnesium Housing System
- An innovative advanced housing system couples a rugged magnesium exterior with a hollow interior, providing all of the precise, fluid-like movement of a standard fluid ball head without extraneous weight.
- Bubble Level
- SBH ball heads have two large built-in bubble levels. Combine the head's double vertical and horizontal balance/stability control with your tripod's bubble level and you cannot achieve more stability or more precise positioning.
- Double Locking System
- SBH ball heads have a double locking system, ensuring maximum security for your equipment. Two separate mechanisms are simultaneously triggered to release the quick release plate; you can be confident that your camera and lenses won't fall.
- Panoramic Function
- The SBH-50 has a dedicated horizontal control knob that enables you to take incredible panoramic shots with smooth, full 360° movement.
| Load Capacity | 13.2 lb (6 kg) |
| Ball Sphere Diameter | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Quick Release | 2 x QS-39 quick release plates |
| Bubble Level | 2 |
| Tension Control | Single knob locking mechanism |
| Separate Panning Lock | No |
| Tilt | -35° ~ +90° |
| Swivel | 360° |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 3/8"-16 |
| Camera Mount Thread Size | 1/4"-20 |
| Height | 3.5" (9cm) |
| Weight | 10.2 oz (290 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 11 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
78%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Attaches firmly (9)
- Stable (7)
- Strong clamp (7)
- Large range of motion (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (6)
- Portraits (5)
- Night shots (4)
- Wildlife (4)
- Home (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (8)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (10)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great product
Great product for the money. I have gone thru several cheap tripods and finally decided to get a higher quality tripod. I love the ease of use of the ball head but the cheap ...Read complete review
Great product for the money. I have gone thru several cheap tripods and finally decided to get a higher quality tripod. I love the ease of use of the ball head but the cheap ones slip and are nothing but an aggrevation. This one has stayed put so far!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
You get what you pay for, nothing more
I bought this today after the sales person told me it could handle my 5D mark II with a Canon f/4 70-200mm lens. The truth is even fully tightened you can easily move...Read complete review
I bought this today after the sales person told me it could handle my 5D mark II with a Canon f/4 70-200mm lens. The truth is even fully tightened you can easily move the platform around with your bare hand. With a full frame camera and lens attached don't think about angling this mechanism in any direction except perfectly level. I can see how if you used it for a small light camera with a relatively light lens attached this would be an attractive purchase, with a full frame camera and heavy lens you may want a locking mechanism that hold better.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 11 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-11
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
I bought this head to replace the panoramic head that came on my Vanguard tripod. Mounting my Panasonic GX1 with the Panasonic 45-200mm lens to a tripod had a problem I didn't anticipate. The diameter of this lens is large enough to cause the lens to extend below the bottom of the camera when mounted. My old tripod plate was so large it needed to extend beneath the lens when mounted on the camera. This caused the plate to bind against the lens. The smaller plate (about 1.5"X2") on this head fits nicely and holds the camera securely.I don't care for having a slotted screw rather than a folding D-ring to tighten the plate to the camera, however it might be necessary to use this method to maintain the compact size I need.Since I normally use this outdoors, I'm happier with a ball head anyway.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
- Complicated Controls
- Small Range
- Weak Clamp
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
terrible locking system, hard to detach, really bad
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Stiff Release Button
Best Uses
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
First problem, the first delivery of this item did not work properly. The "quick" release button was stuck. Kudos to B&H for making the return easy. The replace button works, but it feels....stiff. Like it's going to fail me in the future as well.
While the movement on the ball head is nice and smooth, I'm not a fan of the release screw placement. Little tricky to get my fingers in there. The more I use it though the easier it gets.
This has also taught me that I'm not a fan of ball heads and perhaps I should have stayed with a pan/tilt. Or picked a more expensive one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
Use the SBH-50 ball head on my monopod. Works great. Have the SBH-250 ball head on my Vanguard Aluminum tripod. Enjoy having the opportunity to switchmy camera from my monopod to the tripod with a press of a button.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- Vanguard SBH-250 ball head
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
Cant say anything bad about it, thats why I have bought two of them
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
Did what it's meant to do. Reason gave it a 4 STARS it's on the heavy side. Buy a carbon if U got the bucks.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Weak Clamp
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
I bought this today after the sales person told me it could handle my 5D mark II with a Canon f/4 70-200mm lens. The truth is even fully tightened you can easily move the platform around with your bare hand. With a full frame camera and lens attached don't think about angling this mechanism in any direction except perfectly level. I can see how if you used it for a small light camera with a relatively light lens attached this would be an attractive purchase, with a full frame camera and heavy lens you may want a locking mechanism that hold better.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Extra mounting plate
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
I decided to try a lower cost option of ball head. You get two mounting plates in the box with this ball head, which is nice, but I wish they had the flip out loop to tighten it to the camera. A quarter will work fine to do the job. Overall it is not a bad ball head. I am not a big fan of tightening a screw to secure the plate to the head. I would rather see a tapered locking mechanism that lock it down. Just remember, sometimes you do get what you pay for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
I almost bought the SBH-250 but to save 10 oz. I opted for the SBH-50. For my purposes I don't need a lot of weight capacity and don't mind that you don't have as much control, since one knob does it all. I'd rather carry less. This one is good if weight is a factor. I don't have one, but I bet this would be great with a monopod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
Not bad for the price but difficult to tighten to prevent creep.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Wildlife
Comments about Vanguard SBH-50 Ball Head:
Great product for the money. I have gone thru several cheap tripods and finally decided to get a higher quality tripod. I love the ease of use of the ball head but the cheap ones slip and are nothing but an aggrevation. This one has stayed put so far!
Displaying reviews 1-11
Quick Release Plates
- Price: $10.95
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