Sirui G-10 Ball Head

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

I have a Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head with the quick release plate refitted with BlackRapid FastenR-T1 so it is able to work with my Carry Speed Cs-1 MK II sling strap. 498RC2 is 1.34lb (0.61kg) and on a Vanguard Alta Pro 284 CT Carbon Fiber tripod it cause me to leave the tripod home most of the time.

Recently I got a Carry Speed FS-Pro sling strap that has a build in Arca plate so I decide to look for a replacement ball head that is compatible to it without the need of adding/carrying addition Manfrotto RC2 quick release plate to increase the weight of my system. After careful reviews, I decided to purchased the Sirui G-10 Ball Head even though all reviews pointed out not to use it on a heavy system even it is rated to hold 39lb (18kg). I like the small size and the light weight of 0.66 lb (0.3kg) which is half of the Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head. After reviewing a youtube video showing this ball head with a CANON 5D2 mounted on the lens mount of a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens without any issue I decided to give it a try.

I tested this ball head with a gripped 5D3 loaded with batteries, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with Canon 1.4X EF extender II and a loaded 600EX-RT speedlite (in full vertical position) with the Carry Speed plate mounted on the 5D3 grip (not on the lens mount in order to add weight stress to the front). The entire system was mounted on the Vanguard Alta Pro 284 CT while the center column was in 90 degree horizontal position and the lens was pointing down to the ground. The ball head held the system just fine while I jumped around the tripod just to add vibrations to the floor to see if it would give in and it held itself fine for over 5min... if you know how this ball head works.

The tension control is opposite to the Manfrotto 498RC2; therefore, the main (large)tension control need to be tightened fully first before the secondary (small)tension control can go as tight as possible. After the secondary control is tightened fully, the main control can be loosen fully and the secondary control can be loosen just enough to allow the camera to be re-positioned while the ball head will hold the camera with the tension from the secondary tension control. The main tension control become a backup.

Great ball head with super light weight and size which encourages me to use my tripod more often now.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Use with Redged Carbon Travel Tripod

I was looking to spend less (around 50) but after looking at the build quality, size and weight of this ballhead, not to mention having 3 separate knobs, I decided to spend more, I have zero regrets, it's a joy to use and worth every penny!

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Just right companion for T-1025x tripod. Does not add to the length of the folded tripod when attached. Posted load rating sounds a bit over enthusiastic, but I do not own anything that heavy to test it. Impressive craftmanship.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Lots of thought into this little gem. Think of it as a miniature ArcaSwiss. Don't forget the miniature part. While this could hold a lightweight DSLR with modest lens, I would not tax it with a 70-200/2.8 and body.

I bought it for a Micro Four Thirds body for backpacking and the like. It'll fill that role perfectly on a Sirui set of carbon fiber legs (which are also great).

It's smooth. Easy controls with a nice feel. Plate is Arca size as is the grip. I wish the tension (not lock) were a smaller knob, but that's a small beef.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

I purchased this head with the Sirui T-1205X tripod at the Superstore location in NYC. I spent a lot of time with one of the sales people there and we talked through my intended uses for a tripod, then once we settled on a tripod, we moved on to the head.

This was the initial recommendation, as number one, it is the same brand as the tripod I bought. Number two, while on the tripod, it allows the tripod to fold up nicely as the legs will fold up and fit snug against the head.

The controls knobs are easy to turn with expected tightness and ease of release. I do have to put a little thought into orienting my camera for portrait shots as the plate release knob won't allow the head to tilt completely to 90 degrees unless the knob is facing up.

It holds my D300 with lens and flash quite nicely. I don't feel the head will let the camera slip from it's lock point. The friction control on the ball is nice too.

The one minor complaint is that the one level on the head is actually under the plate. Once the camera is mounted, you can't see the bubble level. Get it level then place your camera, or get a hot shoe level or some other level if this is a problem.

Nicely built, strong feel - not flimsy. I think I'm going to enjoy this head.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Very sturdy despite the size. The bubble level is placed underneath the plate. So, there's no way of seeing it once the camera is attached. But it's no big deal for me since I have electronic level display in my camera.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

While everything about this ballhead is excellent, the load rating is way way way over stated. I bought it for shooting landscapes and night shots with light gears, and it is well suited for that purpose. Just for testing their load limit claim I put my 500/4 VR and D700 (about 6 kg)on this ballhead and it did not hold the rig in position.
It is small & light weight, one can put it in the pocket.
A very good product, but it will only hold 2-3 Kg max.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

My wife wanted a ball head that can do panos and is light weight. this does the job and the drag adjustment works well also. For what yo get price is very reasonable

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

I was looking for a light weight ball head for a monopod.

This is lighter than many I looked into. It's rated for a good bit of weight. I'm using a D700 and 14-24 f2.8 or 24-70 f2.8 most of the time (~5 lbs). It will lock well with this setup but the knob does take more twisting and needs to be more tight than I am used to with my Markins ball head. The friction setting is not very sensitive; it seems like it always has more or less friction than I would like.

If you are looking for a light setup, I would consider this ball head.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Seems to be built extremely well. Very small and light yet holds my sony 70-400 lens easily. Controls are simple and effective. Comes with a quick release plate.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

I have a Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head with the quick release plate refitted with BlackRapid FastenR-T1 so it is able to work with my Carry Speed Cs-1 MK II sling strap. 498RC2 is 1.34lb (0.61kg) and on a Vanguard Alta Pro 284 CT Carbon Fiber tripod it cause me to leave the tripod home most of the time.

Recently I got a Carry Speed FS-Pro sling strap that has a build in Arca plate so I decide to look for a replacement ball head that is compatible to it without the need of adding/carrying addition Manfrotto RC2 quick release plate to increase the weight of my system. After careful reviews, I decided to purchased the Sirui G-10 Ball Head even though all reviews pointed out not to use it on a heavy system even it is rated to hold 39lb (18kg). I like the small size and the light weight of 0.66 lb (0.3kg) which is half of the Manfrotto 498RC2 ball head. After reviewing a youtube video showing this ball head with a CANON 5D2 mounted on the lens mount of a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens without any issue I decided to give it a try.

I tested this ball head with a gripped 5D3 loaded with batteries, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with Canon 1.4X EF extender II and a loaded 600EX-RT speedlite (in full vertical position) with the Carry Speed plate mounted on the 5D3 grip (not on the lens mount in order to add weight stress to the front). The entire system was mounted on the Vanguard Alta Pro 284 CT while the center column was in 90 degree horizontal position and the lens was pointing down to the ground. The ball head held the system just fine while I jumped around the tripod just to add vibrations to the floor to see if it would give in and it held itself fine for over 5min... if you know how this ball head works.

The tension control is opposite to the Manfrotto 498RC2; therefore, the main (large)tension control need to be tightened fully first before the secondary (small)tension control can go as tight as possible. After the secondary control is tightened fully, the main control can be loosen fully and the secondary control can be loosen just enough to allow the camera to be re-positioned while the ball head will hold the camera with the tension from the secondary tension control. The main tension control become a backup.

Great ball head with super light weight and size which encourages me to use my tripod more often now.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Use with Redged Carbon Travel Tripod

I was looking to spend less (around 50) but after looking at the build quality, size and weight of this ballhead, not to mention having 3 separate knobs, I decided to spend more, I have zero regrets, it's a joy to use and worth every penny!

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Just right companion for T-1025x tripod. Does not add to the length of the folded tripod when attached. Posted load rating sounds a bit over enthusiastic, but I do not own anything that heavy to test it. Impressive craftmanship.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Lots of thought into this little gem. Think of it as a miniature ArcaSwiss. Don't forget the miniature part. While this could hold a lightweight DSLR with modest lens, I would not tax it with a 70-200/2.8 and body.

I bought it for a Micro Four Thirds body for backpacking and the like. It'll fill that role perfectly on a Sirui set of carbon fiber legs (which are also great).

It's smooth. Easy controls with a nice feel. Plate is Arca size as is the grip. I wish the tension (not lock) were a smaller knob, but that's a small beef.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

I purchased this head with the Sirui T-1205X tripod at the Superstore location in NYC. I spent a lot of time with one of the sales people there and we talked through my intended uses for a tripod, then once we settled on a tripod, we moved on to the head.

This was the initial recommendation, as number one, it is the same brand as the tripod I bought. Number two, while on the tripod, it allows the tripod to fold up nicely as the legs will fold up and fit snug against the head.

The controls knobs are easy to turn with expected tightness and ease of release. I do have to put a little thought into orienting my camera for portrait shots as the plate release knob won't allow the head to tilt completely to 90 degrees unless the knob is facing up.

It holds my D300 with lens and flash quite nicely. I don't feel the head will let the camera slip from it's lock point. The friction control on the ball is nice too.

The one minor complaint is that the one level on the head is actually under the plate. Once the camera is mounted, you can't see the bubble level. Get it level then place your camera, or get a hot shoe level or some other level if this is a problem.

Nicely built, strong feel - not flimsy. I think I'm going to enjoy this head.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Very sturdy despite the size. The bubble level is placed underneath the plate. So, there's no way of seeing it once the camera is attached. But it's no big deal for me since I have electronic level display in my camera.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

While everything about this ballhead is excellent, the load rating is way way way over stated. I bought it for shooting landscapes and night shots with light gears, and it is well suited for that purpose. Just for testing their load limit claim I put my 500/4 VR and D700 (about 6 kg)on this ballhead and it did not hold the rig in position.
It is small & light weight, one can put it in the pocket.
A very good product, but it will only hold 2-3 Kg max.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

My wife wanted a ball head that can do panos and is light weight. this does the job and the drag adjustment works well also. For what yo get price is very reasonable

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

I was looking for a light weight ball head for a monopod.

This is lighter than many I looked into. It's rated for a good bit of weight. I'm using a D700 and 14-24 f2.8 or 24-70 f2.8 most of the time (~5 lbs). It will lock well with this setup but the knob does take more twisting and needs to be more tight than I am used to with my Markins ball head. The friction setting is not very sensitive; it seems like it always has more or less friction than I would like.

If you are looking for a light setup, I would consider this ball head.

Comments about Sirui G-10 Ball Head:

Seems to be built extremely well. Very small and light yet holds my sony 70-400 lens easily. Controls are simple and effective. Comes with a quick release plate.