Originally posted by twokatmew Can someone explain the difference between single- and dual action ball heads? Also, are there brands other than Smith Victor for arca-compatible but not-so-expensive ball heads? I like the BH2 from Smith Victor, but all of their heads are out of stock with no known ETA.
Edit: I just found an article on ball heads, so I now understand the dual-action heads also have a panning control. There doesn't seem to be any reference for which heads are arca swiss compatible though.... Here's the link:
LensRentals.com - Choosing a Ballhead.
Your link shows several different types: the first sketch of a ballhead shows an Arca-type clamp, (If it looks like that, it's almost certainly Arca-swiss compatible. If something with a fancier lever or something rather than a screw is, they will usually say so. This'll be like if it's from a maker like Kirk or Acratech or RRS.) and the last photograph in the row shows one as well (I've been kind of eyeing that type, myself.
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What the plates will look like, you can see below there, well, somewhat. Basically, it's a dovetail under a flat platform. (Actually, it's the other types that seem more confusing. Those are more likely to be proprietary.
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Adorama's 'flashpoint' branded plates, well, I have one. Serviceable, but spending a tad more wouldn't do you any harm.
Usually a head will come with a plate, may as well have a couple.
(One that stays with the tripod bag at all times really isn't a bad policy, that's where my Flashpoint plate usually lives: a somewhat better one sometimes gets left on a camera or something. One does *not* want the experience of lugging a tripod around only to find you have no attachment plate with you. More a worry if you shoot lots of different bodies, ie, with film.
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