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Having experienced some disappointments with Chinese metal products, especially tools, I am concerned about the stresses applied to the Benro ballheads and their ability to stand up for some extended period of time. I am considering one as a second head for a backup/studio tripod. I liked the overall look and feel of the few that Birdy had at his house in Nov. And ... I am hoping some of you have enough experience with Benro to field a couple of questions:

- Which of them is the absolute best of the group in terms of operation and feature set?
- Which one matches up best with the Big Kirk (my favorite)?

Thanks all ...

The raw materials are all from Japan and made in China.
They make the goods seriously and care the needs of users.

My KB-2 is excellent quality and works a treat. It's nice and solid and holds a D2H and 80-200 quite happily.

As a backup to your Kirk, i would highly recommend it.

I'm happy with my KB-2.

Mike, I've also got a KB-2 and so far it has worked flawlessly. At one stage Benro had some photos on their site showing one of their ball heads hooked up to a spring balance and quite an impressive load on it. I found the swivel base to be a bit stiff at first but I stripped it down and relubricated it and it's now smooth as. (They use a very heavy lubricant which was why it was stiff) Hope this helps.

Bob.

.

I have recently bought the KB2 and cannot fault it in operation. I had a minor problem in that the rubber pads on the camera plate came off the first time that I used it, and I had to reglue them, but that was nothing.

I'm mostly happy with my KB-2, too. It easily carries whatever I can find to put on it (like a D2H with 300mm f/4 and TC).

A slight dissapointment is that the ball shifts a bit when tightening. This can be frustrating for critical composition or long focal lengths, as I have to compensate for the shift before tightening the knob and hope it will stop in the right position.

Also, the pan-lock screw doesn't really seem to completely lock the head from panning, just makes it harder.

Apart from that, this head is very good value for money. There has got to be room for improvement otherwise Benro wouldn't sell their considerably more expensive KJ series...

Cheers
Steffen.

Very happy with my KB-2.

As moggy said the swivel base is a bit stiff due to the lubricant used but can be easily fixed if you are willing to get your hands a little bit dirty.

Would be good as a cheap second head.

Mike, you should ask Wendell what he thinks of his Benro ballhead (see the 'which superglue is best to fix monopod' thread).

Onyx wrote:Mike, you should ask Wendell what he thinks of his Benro ballhead (see the 'which superglue is best to fix monopod' thread).

Everyone knew or heard about Wendellt on this board! and no surprise at all

Pauld - how exactly did you loosen up the base?

Oneputt wrote:Pauld - how exactly did you loosen up the base?

Remove the screws under the base.

Oneputt

Exactly as Birdy said remove the three screws from the base of the head, wipe out the grease that is in there and get your hands on some lubricant that is little bit less stiff.

You will find that after you have done this the panning lock nut will actually work alot better.

Another solution (not something that I would recommend though) is just to leave the head out in the hot sun for a while, the heat really gets things moving

Pauld wrote:Oneputt

Another solution (not something that I would recommend though) is just to leave the head out in the hot sun for a while, the heat really gets things moving

Microwave at high heat 5 min, is more efficient!

It'll turn into: Well done not medium rare

I think I will try the first treatment, I don't trust the microwave

Ok I have the head off the tripod but the little screws in the bottom are neirther Phillips head or Allen key types. The head did not come with a screwdriver so how do you do it??

Microwave at high heat 5 min, is more efficient! Laughing Laughing Laughing

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BULLETIN.

Do not do this at home.

Birddog is having a joke.

(Warning for those more inclined to try this out. You will damage your microwave. Never put ANY metal in the microwave)

Jeepers Steve do I look that dumb No don't answer that.

Killakoala

Although I am not recommending it you can actually put metal objects in microwaves provided you have sufficient space between the wall of the microwave and the object so that arcing does not occur

Many people use metal lid jars and the microwave to preserve fruit and the like. It cuts down the preserving time from hours to minutes.

A bit of useless info for you all

Pauld - did you see my previous post re how to get the little screws out?

Oneputt

Trying to remember what I used, I have quite a collection of weird and wonderful screw drivers, I am at work at the moment, will let you know when I get home.

Oneputt wrote:Pauld - did you see my previous post re how to get the little screws out?

Special hex key.

Thanks Birddog that is very helpful Where do I get one, are they freely available form a hardware store?

Oneputt wrote:Thanks Birddog that is very helpful Where do I get one, are they freely available form a hardware store?

Yes, they have them at hardware store.
If not, Pls. PM me, once I got back to Sydney, I'll send up a loan unit for you to play.

Thanks Birddog, if they have them at the hardware store then I am sure that I can locate one.

I have used the Benro KB-1, KB-2 and KS-2.

Out of all of them (at the prices i get them for ) the KB-2 seems to be the best value for money and the best size forpossible upgrades in the future to handle weight. Plus when you look at it alot of the time I use my tripod is when i have a heavier lens mounted.

The Benro ballheads are nicely built and i would say that they are up there with the Feisol standard. The tension is also quite sturdy and i think they offer good value compared to similarly priced manfrotto's.

The C-227 + KB-2 make a killer combo however its not as light as the Feisol combo.