Vanguard Ball Head?

7.62lew · 09-12-2019, 02:22 PM - **1 Like**

I need a new head for my tripod and was wondering about the quality of the Vanguard brand. I am looking at this as it has an attractive price. From what i can gather it was around $159 in 2012 when it was released? Not much info I can find. The legs are a 190go manfrotto and my biggest set up is a 400 5.6 prime and K5IIs. May be overkill as it say's will support 44 lbs? Recommendations?

https://www.cameta.com/Vanguard-TBH-250-Magnesium-Alloy-Ball-Head-with-Quick-Release-87742.cfm

Last edited by 7.62lew; 09-12-2019 at 06:24 PM. Reason: Typo

**Kerrowdown** · 09-12-2019, 02:38 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by 7.62lew

Recommendations?

Yes a bit dearer, but IMHO there is no finer head available...

Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro with B2 Pro II Clamp reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

7.62lew · 09-12-2019, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Yes a bit dearer, but IMHO there is no finer head available...

Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro with B2 Pro II Clamp reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Nice! But alas not in the budget. Maybe at some point. The edge of my comfort zone would be around $130 max and would prob be xpro.

**Kerrowdown** · 09-12-2019, 02:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 7.62lew

Nice! But alas not in the budget. Maybe at some point. The edge of my comfort zone would be around $130 max and would prob be xpro.

Really believe it's worth hanging on for... until you have the required funds or even maybe consider a pre owned one.

I bought my first one for a specific job...

pschlute · 09-12-2019, 02:59 PM

I am biased because I prefer Gitzo.......

Used Gitzo GH3382QD Series 3 Centre Ball Head | Wex Photo Video

7.62lew · 09-12-2019, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

I am biased because I prefer Gitzo.......

Used Gitzo GH3382QD Series 3 Centre Ball Head | Wex Photo Video

Yeah that looks like a well made piece of equipment. The surface finish reminds me of a good industrial cnc machine.

pschlute · 09-12-2019, 03:21 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by 7.62lew

Yeah that looks like a well made piece of equipment. The surface finish reminds me of a good industrial cnc machine.

I think we all go through the process of buying one or more tripods/heads that are "reasonable" and "light", before realising that if you are going to own a tripod....make sure it it is solid enough for your camera/ lens.. There is no such thing as lightweight and cheap ...there is just good

**LaurenOE** · 09-12-2019, 03:45 PM - **1 Like**

I just spent some money on the Acratech GP-ss...very/highly sweet...but expensive. Worth the money? Dunno...expensive, but I've not been satisfied until now, so therein lies my answer to myself.

**TwoUptons** · 09-12-2019, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

I think we all go through the process of buying one or more tripods/heads that are "reasonable" and "light", before realising that if you are going to own a tripod....make sure it it is solid enough for your camera/ lens.. There is no such thing as lightweight and cheap ...there is just good

There’s a place for lightweight and cheap tripods.

The trick is understanding when you aren’t in that place

-Eric

pschlute · 09-12-2019, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

There’s a place for lightweight and cheap tripods.

I am sure there is....just not in my bag

7.62lew · 09-12-2019, 05:33 PM

I think the my 190go is rated for 15lbs? And max weight of my camera with my 400mm is pushing may 6 lbs, prob closer to 5. And most times will be much lighter. So just kicking around what to get that won't be over-kill (size wise) for the tripod, but is not junk. I like having separate friction, lock and panning knobs and don't think I would like any of the heads with just a single lock for the ball. It is nice to adjust the friction for what is installed.

stevebrot · 09-12-2019, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

I just spent some money on the Acratech GP-ss...very/highly sweet...but expensive. Worth the money? Dunno...expensive, but I've not been satisfied until now, so therein lies my answer to myself.

I have been leaning that direction as well, though the GP, not the GP-ss. May I ask what it is that makes the Acratech "sweet" for you?

Steve

**LaurenOE** · 09-13-2019, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I have been leaning that direction as well, though the GP, not the GP-ss. May I ask what it is that makes the Acratech "sweet" for you?
Steve

The GP-ss was a little smaller than I imagined, but it locks well and the adjustments are very nice (even with my 645z or K1). I got mine with the quick release lever - which was even more expensive. AcraTech is one of the few companies that adheres to the "Arca-Swiss" standard, and has a detent pin for whichever plate you plan to use. Arca plates seem to have two standards - one with the little pins at the ends, and the other with the shaped-out portion under the plate. The AcraTech works perfectly with both.

Having had so many heads...its hard to explain why I waited, and why now I am extremely happy - even though I feel its a bit too expensive.

You'll see what I mean.

bdery · 09-13-2019, 04:44 AM

Advice about Gitzo and RRS is fine, but clearly not what you're looking for...

I have a (stronger) ballhead from Vanguard dating from around the same era yours is, and love it, it's well made and reliable.

However, in 2019 my recommendation for a ballhead is to look at Sirui. their products have an excellent balance of price vs performances. Within your budget, the K10x will be stronger and more reliable than the one you linked to.

derekkite · 09-13-2019, 06:23 AM

They work. I have had one for a while and it is reliable. I don't like ball heads so it suits in a box most of the time, but nothing wrong with it. The model i got had a weird plate and clamp. I changed it to an arca swiss type.

09-12-2019, 02:22 PM - 1 Like	#1
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192	Vanguard Ball Head? I need a new head for my tripod and was wondering about the quality of the Vanguard brand. I am looking at this as it has an attractive price. From what i can gather it was around $159 in 2012 when it was released? Not much info I can find. The legs are a 190go manfrotto and my biggest set up is a 400 5.6 prime and K5IIs. May be overkill as it say's will support 44 lbs? Recommendations? https://www.cameta.com/Vanguard-TBH-250-Magnesium-Alloy-Ball-Head-with-Quick-Release-87742.cfm Last edited by 7.62lew; 09-12-2019 at 06:24 PM. Reason: Typo

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Manfrotto 190 xproB; Ball head 486rc2 and ball head 808rc4	Not Registered	Sold Items	6	05-31-2008 06:06 AM

09-12-2019, 02:38 PM - 2 Likes	#2
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by 7.62lew Recommendations? Yes a bit dearer, but IMHO there is no finer head available... Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro with B2 Pro II Clamp reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

09-12-2019, 02:46 PM	#3
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Yes a bit dearer, but IMHO there is no finer head available... Really Right Stuff BH-55 Pro with B2 Pro II Clamp reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database Nice! But alas not in the budget. Maybe at some point. The edge of my comfort zone would be around $130 max and would prob be xpro.

09-12-2019, 02:49 PM - 1 Like	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by 7.62lew Nice! But alas not in the budget. Maybe at some point. The edge of my comfort zone would be around $130 max and would prob be xpro. Really believe it's worth hanging on for... until you have the required funds or even maybe consider a pre owned one. I bought my first one for a specific job...

09-12-2019, 02:59 PM	#5
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	I am biased because I prefer Gitzo....... Used Gitzo GH3382QD Series 3 Centre Ball Head \| Wex Photo Video

09-12-2019, 03:14 PM	#6
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute I am biased because I prefer Gitzo....... Used Gitzo GH3382QD Series 3 Centre Ball Head \| Wex Photo Video Yeah that looks like a well made piece of equipment. The surface finish reminds me of a good industrial cnc machine.

09-12-2019, 03:21 PM - 3 Likes	#7
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by 7.62lew Yeah that looks like a well made piece of equipment. The surface finish reminds me of a good industrial cnc machine. I think we all go through the process of buying one or more tripods/heads that are "reasonable" and "light", before realising that if you are going to own a tripod....make sure it it is solid enough for your camera/ lens.. There is no such thing as lightweight and cheap ...there is just good

09-12-2019, 03:45 PM - 1 Like	#8
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I just spent some money on the Acratech GP-ss...very/highly sweet...but expensive. Worth the money? Dunno...expensive, but I've not been satisfied until now, so therein lies my answer to myself.

09-12-2019, 04:01 PM	#9
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	Originally posted by pschlute I think we all go through the process of buying one or more tripods/heads that are "reasonable" and "light", before realising that if you are going to own a tripod....make sure it it is solid enough for your camera/ lens.. There is no such thing as lightweight and cheap ...there is just good There’s a place for lightweight and cheap tripods. The trick is understanding when you aren’t in that place -Eric

09-12-2019, 04:50 PM	#10
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by TwoUptons There’s a place for lightweight and cheap tripods. I am sure there is....just not in my bag

09-12-2019, 05:33 PM	#11
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192 Original Poster	I think the my 190go is rated for 15lbs? And max weight of my camera with my 400mm is pushing may 6 lbs, prob closer to 5. And most times will be much lighter. So just kicking around what to get that won't be over-kill (size wise) for the tripod, but is not junk. I like having separate friction, lock and panning knobs and don't think I would like any of the heads with just a single lock for the ball. It is nice to adjust the friction for what is installed.

09-12-2019, 06:25 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by LaurenOE I just spent some money on the Acratech GP-ss...very/highly sweet...but expensive. Worth the money? Dunno...expensive, but I've not been satisfied until now, so therein lies my answer to myself. I have been leaning that direction as well, though the GP, not the GP-ss. May I ask what it is that makes the Acratech "sweet" for you? Steve

09-13-2019, 02:18 AM	#13
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by stevebrot I have been leaning that direction as well, though the GP, not the GP-ss. May I ask what it is that makes the Acratech "sweet" for you? Steve The GP-ss was a little smaller than I imagined, but it locks well and the adjustments are very nice (even with my 645z or K1). I got mine with the quick release lever - which was even more expensive. AcraTech is one of the few companies that adheres to the "Arca-Swiss" standard, and has a detent pin for whichever plate you plan to use. Arca plates seem to have two standards - one with the little pins at the ends, and the other with the shaped-out portion under the plate. The AcraTech works perfectly with both. Having had so many heads...its hard to explain why I waited, and why now I am extremely happy - even though I feel its a bit too expensive. You'll see what I mean.

09-13-2019, 04:44 AM	#14
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Advice about Gitzo and RRS is fine, but clearly not what you're looking for... I have a (stronger) ballhead from Vanguard dating from around the same era yours is, and love it, it's well made and reliable. However, in 2019 my recommendation for a ballhead is to look at Sirui. their products have an excellent balance of price vs performances. Within your budget, the K10x will be stronger and more reliable than the one you linked to.

09-13-2019, 06:23 AM	#15
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	They work. I have had one for a while and it is reliable. I don't like ball heads so it suits in a box most of the time, but nothing wrong with it. The model i got had a weird plate and clamp. I changed it to an arca swiss type.