Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release) - Supports 13 lb (5.9 kg)
The Giottos M7001 is an economical ball head that provides full support for a pro SLR camera or medium format system. The ball locks down with one central twist lock, and the camera gets attached to the M621 quick release system, which provides a sliding camera plate, ideal for macro photography.
The Giottos M621 Quick Release assembly is equipped with a camera plate that slides forward and back for macro positioning, and features a safety button that limits the amount of sliding on the quick release. The M621 has two bubble levels, and the plate comes supplied with removable 1/4"-20 and 3/8" camera screws, as well as a spring loaded video pin. Two threaded holes on the side of the quick release allow for storing the unused camera screw directly on the assembly.
Comes supplied with a short (standard) quick release plate; dimensions 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.6". An optional 5.5" long plate is also available.
| Maximum Camera Supported | Medium format camera |
| Load Capacity | 13 lb (5.9 kg) |
| Height | 4.3" (10.9 cm) |
| Quick Release | Yes |
| Spirit Level | Yes (2) |
| Tension Control | No |
| Tripod Mount Thread Size | 1/4"-20 |
| Weight | 1.3 lb (595 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 13 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
77%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Attaches firmly (10)
- Stable (9)
- Large range of motion (8)
- Strong clamp (8)
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (6)
- Travel (4)
- Long exposures (3)
- Night shots (3)
- Photography (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (6), Pro photographer (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Not flashy, but effective
The first thing you notice about the Giottos M7001 is the weight. It feels sturdy and is heavy in your hand. Using the ball head is easy to figure out, there is a tension...Read complete review
The first thing you notice about the Giottos M7001 is the weight. It feels sturdy and is heavy in your hand. Using the ball head is easy to figure out, there is a tension knob for the ball and another tension knob that tightens a movable piece onto the plate. I don't feel this head is at all flashy or showy, but does the job very effectively for the cost.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Unfortunately Disappointing
Wanted to use it for product photography, seems to be a nice, sturdy, flexible unit, BUT the clamp is not strong enough. Tried shooting small items at a downward, 30-45 degree ...Read complete review
Wanted to use it for product photography, seems to be a nice, sturdy, flexible unit, BUT the clamp is not strong enough. Tried shooting small items at a downward, 30-45 degree angle, with Canon EOS 40D, 28-135mm and 100mm Macro and it can't lock down tight enough to hold the camera in place at that angle. It falls forward until it comes to rest pointing at the floor. So for me, no matter how many positives it may have, that 1 negative outweighs them all.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-13
Pros
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
Good value for money. Decent ball head. NOT Manfrotto plate compatible even though they look the same! If you have trouble getting it to lock down, you need to pull out lock handle and reposition it. Ball lockdown is not progressive - tightening it down locks both tilt and pan at same time. It's either locked or loose - nothing in between. Plate can go in from either end, which is nice. Safety catch on plate works well and plate tightening lever has short throw so it doesn't hit camera bottom. Wouldn't have bought it if I knew it wasn't compatible with my other plates (a review elsewhere said it was; they were wrong.)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
My old mini ball head couldn't hold my 450D with 55-250mm zoon without it slowly drooping. The Giotto M7001 has all the features and in the field really delivered. The ball head is large and clamps really tight. No instructions so you're on your own for figuring it out. The controls definitely give you all the clamping power you'll need. You can reposition them if they do 'run out'. This is a great ball head and excellent value. I shoot from a tripod most of the time for architectural photography and this head will never leave my tripod.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
The ball head is solid. I bought it to use on a slider and It holds an EX1r, w/a lens, and big battery no problem. The dual bubble level is not as easy to use as a single one. Although the plate looks like an exact match to a Manfrotto it is a little wider and are not interchangeable. Had I know that I probably would not have purchased this.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
This is a sturdy ballhead that works as described - i picked this one because the m621 quick release plate is compatible with the rest of my QRs - something to think about if you're already using other supports that also use the m621 (or fm18, or manfrotto 357)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
This head so far has been sturdy enough and locks in place well. However, the quick release lever is factory set to hit against the camera body in order to tighten firmly. I had to readjust the lever and am still uncertain if it will remain in place with more use. The instructions from Giottos were for knobs instead of levers and no photos of a camera on the head were provided. None of this indicates that the head doesn't perform but this initial annoyance was frustrating.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Built well
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Small Range
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
The ballhead is well built and it's very sturdy when trying different angles while shooting with a dslr. I primarily use it for video work on a diy skater dolly but low angles sometimes are hard to get the tension tight enough on the ballhead. I would still buy another one for my slider while shooting video since it does hold up to 13lbs.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Panoramas
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
I needed a ball head that worked just as efficiently as it did precisely It's exactly what I hoped it would be!.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Good Value
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Portraits
- Travel
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
This head is relatively lightweight, yet very stable and easy to level on two planes. This an excellent travel alternative to the heavier ball heads.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- Weak Clamp
Best Uses
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
Wanted to use it for product photography, seems to be a nice, sturdy, flexible unit, BUT the clamp is not strong enough. Tried shooting small items at a downward, 30-45 degree angle, with Canon EOS 40D, 28-135mm and 100mm Macro and it can't lock down tight enough to hold the camera in place at that angle. It falls forward until it comes to rest pointing at the floor. So for me, no matter how many positives it may have, that 1 negative outweighs them all.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
Easy and quick to use with only two tightening thingies, spring loaded. When camera gets in the way of a tightening lever, just pull lever out turn backward, release and tighten further. Very sturdy for my Canon 5D Mark II with 28-300 lens. Does the job quite well.
Long sliding plate reported to be perfect for closeup work.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Feels sturdy
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Long Exposures
- Photography
- Stabilization
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
The first thing you notice about the Giottos M7001 is the weight. It feels sturdy and is heavy in your hand. Using the ball head is easy to figure out, there is a tension knob for the ball and another tension knob that tightens a movable piece onto the plate. I don't feel this head is at all flashy or showy, but does the job very effectively for the cost.
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Long Exposures
- Photography
- Portraits
- Stabilization
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
Built-in levels. Quick & easy vertical to horizontal change. Yes, I will recommend.
Great product.
Pros
- Compact
- Fits Well
- Improves Tripod Function
Cons
Best Uses
- Long Exposures
- Photography
- Portraits
- Reducing Noise (ISO Reduction)
- Stabilization
Comments about Giottos M7001 Ballhead with Sliding Plate (Quick Release):
Great ballhead! Easy to work with and quick release is wonderful! Handles my D300 and lenses with ease! if you have a tripod...this woudl be a nice addition to your field work! - TalkePhotography
Displaying reviews 1-13
Reducing/Enlarging Bushings
-
- Original: $22.90
- Save: $2.79
- Price: $20.11
Universal Camera Plates
- Price: $22.90
Universal Lens Plates
- Price: $19.95
Miscellaneous
-
- Original: $29.45
- Save: $1.56
- Price: $27.89
What's in the Box
- Short Quick Release Plate for M621
- Draw String Pouch
- 1-Year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
