Manfrotto joystick ball head - any good?

[rokkstar]

I've done a quick search on this but come up fruitless.

When I was in Byron Bay I popped into a camera shop and saw a Manfrotto Joystick ball head. It looks very cool, allowing to position the ball head very quickly.

You can see it here http://www.telescopes.ca/telescopes/REN ... 11183.html

I was woindering what peoples opinion was of this, if they've played with it at all.

Cheers

[Alpha_7]

I played with one briefly and didn't enjoy the experience. While I think the idea of a quick positioning head is nice.. I found the head I played with suffered from creep, and felt.. as best as I can describe it.. 'clunky'.

I ended up going with a KB-2 Benro ball head, it may take a little longer to position, but if I'm using the tripod to begin, I personally am not in a rush to compose and line up the shot, so speed in setup (for me atleast) it fairly irelevant.(spelling).

[rokkstar]

I played with one briefly and didn't enjoy the experience. While I think the idea of a quick positioning head is nice.. I found the head I played with suffered from creep, and felt.. as best as I can describe it.. 'clunky'.

I ended up going with a KB-2 Benro ball head, it may take a little longer to position, but if I'm using the tripod to begin, I personally am not in a rush to compose and line up the shot, so speed in setup (for me atleast) it fairly irelevant.(spelling).

Good points Craig. I asked you about your set up the other day and was prepared to go that route but then I saw this and it started me thinking. At present I don't take a lot of landscape, I'm more into portrait so wouldn't really be using a tripod a great deal. But then I saw a portrait photographer using this head to position the tripod quickly - she was a christmas santa photog but she had very impressive kit. She used it to quickly reposition as the kids sat on santast knee. Got me thinking about how I might use a tripod in a studio environment.

I might go in and play with another and see how it feels. Cheers mate.

[Alpha_7]

I have seen a few people on here that are fans of the joystick or pistol grip tripod heads.... so I'm sure you'll get more feedback, I think for some applications potentially sport (or monopod mounting) it may be preferable to a more solid and slow ballhead design.

I haven't had a chance to do any potrait work (other then candids), but I have used the Benro in my studio shots (Jelly, flowers etc) and was more then happy with the results.

Best bet is play with as many as you can, and find something that suits your style and meets your needs.

[avkomp]

I have one of these on my monopod.
I was only after a ballhead of some sort and finished up getting the 222 s/h off ebay for $50

I quite like it. the creep mentioned is adjustable and causes me no grief.
I have only used it on my monopod but have found it quick to reposition and allowed me to get shots of subjects well above eye level that would have been hard without it.

I have considered trying it on my tripod due to the ease of repositioning but havent got around to it.

There was a thread a few weeks back where a few of us were discussing this head.

Steve

[avkomp]

meant to say that it holds a metz 60, dslr and an 80-400vr ok for my purposes.

Steve

[rokkstar]

Thanks for that avkomp.

Does it come ready to mount onto the tripod?

[Oneputt]

I have the 322 and like Craig said it does suffer from creep. I am close to putting it on to my monopod and buying a Benro ball head for my tripod.

[avkomp]

mine came with a 3/8? threaded hole in the centre of the bottom

Steve

[marcotrov]

Likewise Matt I have a manfrotto 322 joystick ballhead and am very happy with it. As avokamp mentioned you have adjustment for the creep situation and it's never bothered me with the 80-400 mounted on the D70 with SB800 attached. I also owned a manfrotto 222 as well. Both great and quick to operate.
cheers
marco

[birddog114]

Matt,
Leave it alone! and sourcing something is more better than, you'll need buy once and for life. Save up more $$$$$$.

[Dug]

I love my 222 head no creep yet I use it on both mono and tripod

Birddog can you let me know when you get whatever it is I need another one so will be pleased to save a few $$$$

[DionM]

I have one on my monopod. Love it

[Matt. K]

Matt
I agree with Birdy. They are not all that great. The point of balance is too high above the ball for stability and the pistol grip is clunky.

[Rick]

I have the 222 use it on tripod, I dont have a problem with creep, it can be adjusted rock solid.

The only doubts I have with it is the weight & the height, I find it uncomfortable to carry mounted on the tripod on my back pack, it hits me in the head.

In use though I have foung it to be very good, easy to adjust and very stable.

Happy New year to all.

Rick

[Onyx]

It ought to be better than it is IMO, as it's priced fairly high amongst competing ballhead solutions, Arca-Swiss system notwithstanding.

[birddog114]

I have the 222 use it on tripod, I dont have a problem with creep, it can be adjusted rock solid.

It depends on what lens you're using, if it's used with the 45 pancake then no creep, a 70-200/ 80-400/ 50-500/ 200-400 or upper then creeping is surely an issue with the pistol grip.

[robboh]

I had a play with one in the shop one day. Seems like a good idea, but but ball wasnt particularly smooth and I felt that my hand would cramp up quite quickly if I were using it a lot as the trigger action was quite stiff.

[DionM]

I have used my 222RC with my 20D fitted with 17-40, 100 macro and 70-200 2.8. No creep issues.

I have yet to test it with the 400 5.6 but do not see a problem.

If you have a properly balanced lens (ie tripod foot used for big lenses) then it is quite fine for use on a monopod.