Hi Maxtheevil,
Arca swiss were the original producers of quality ball heads and their standards have been followed by subsequent manufacturers. Unfortunately Arca Swiss does not have a website, although details of their products can be seen at the the following link (US dealer for Arca Swiss Products).
http://www.precisioncameraworks.com/Pages/arca_core.html
The best known ball head in the Arca Swiss lineup was the Monoball B1. This ball head was the favourite of all professionals. Some users did report occasional lock up when used in cold weather. Arca swiss introduced the Z1 in 2007. This was plauged by reports of Arca Swiss using a two part stem making it prone to breakage (http://www.tripodhead.com/arca-swiss-warning.cfm). This was corrected by Arca Swiss in ball heads manufactured after June 15, 2008. Arca Swiss introduced the P1 ball head in 2009. The design is interesting as they made the ball head upside down and took away the knobs used to tighten the ball head.
The other manufacturers of ball heads are as follows.
1. Acratech: This is an American company (http://acratech.net/). The main difference is the open design of the ball head and it allows the ball head to be cleaned easily.
2. Really right stuff: Another American company (http://reallyrightstuff.com/). These ball heads are amongst the most popular and are quite well made. The major advantage of this maker is that their ball heads have the lowest height (and therefore are more stable). However their dovetail clamp design differs slightly from the Arca Swiss and one has to use proprietary RRS clamps.
3. Kirk Photo: American company (http://www.kirkphoto.com/) with a product lineup similar to RRS. Lot of people favour the appearance of the RRS ballheads, but Kirk allows the use of Arca Swiss plates (unlike RRS).
4. Novoflex: This is a German firm (http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/). They have a wide range of ball heads, but are more expensive compared to the American made ball heads. They have two design lines.One is like the standard ball head and is called classic ball. The advantage of the Novoflex ballhead vs the American ball heads is that it allows the tension is marked on the ball head, and so depending on the weight of the lens-camera combo, one can predetermine the tension and subsequently easily set the tension during use in the field. The other design line is called Magic ball. This uses the inverted ball head concept (like the Arca Swiss P1) and allows the use the move the camera and set the position more easily.
5. Linhof: German firm (http://www.linhof.de/accessories.html). Looks similar to the standard ball heads. No distinctive features
5. Burzynski: I thnk it is German, although I am not sure. It is supposedly the most stable and sturdiest ball head. It is best used with long lenses (300mm onwards). It is also quite short making it very stable. It does not have a drop slot so one cannot drop the camera vertical. However with long lenses, there is usually a lens tripod collar which would allow the user to do so. The Burzynski is available only at a German store (www.isarfoto.com) or from a French camera store (cheaper here-Photo & Nature, 10, Rue Parmentier, 06100 Nice, France, Tel. : 04.93.98.24.36, Fax : 04.93.98.54.35). A good review of this ballhead has been done by Bjorn Rorslett (http://www.naturfotograf.com/burzynski.html)
6. Markins: This is a Korean manufacturer and became popular in early 2000's. The quality was equal to the American ball heads and they soon became one of the most popular ball heads in the market.
7. Photoclam: Another Korean manufacturer. (http://www.tripodballhead.com/). This has come to prominence recently (2007-8). Quite similar to Markins. Not much user experience, but the available reviews have been positive. Like the Novoflex ball head, they have a marking for determining amount of tension. In addition, they also have a spirit level in the camera clamp. In addition, they are cheaper compared to the Markins.
8. Feisol: Taiwanese origin. (www.feisol.com). The only advantage is that they have a carbon fibre ball head and look reasonably well made.
The above just lists the better known manufacturers of ball heads. Lot of other companies also make ball heads, which are cheaper, and meet demands of users with limited budgets. They include Gitzo (http://www.gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo...id=4F8117C6C6F6611E98F772F46D38EF16.worker1); Manfrotto (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site...:SUB1:AF:SUB3:AA&livid=80|81&lsf=81&child=2); Slik (http://www.slik.com/e/p4.jpg); Giottos (http://www.giottos.com/); Benro (http://www.benro.com/products_Heads.html); Kangringpoche (http://www.kangrinpoche.com); Berlebach (http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=produkte&kategorie=19&sprache=english); FLM (http://www.flm-gmbh.de/EN/products_photographie.html); Foba (http://www.foba.ch/eng/kopf/kopf.htm).
I am sure I missed some manufacturers. A good place to compare and read user reviews of ball heads is the B&H website. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tripod-Heads/ci/140/N/4289936038). Another good review can be seen at http://www.websiteoptimization.com/speed/tweak/ballhead/. Photo.net forums also has some good discussions on ballheads (http://photo.net/filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/)
I have experience with the Kirk BH 3, Markins M20 and the Photoclam PC33NS. All were excellent. My suggestion is to determine the maximum weight you plan to put the ball head and then look for any specific design features you like. If none, then go for the cheapest ball head from any of the top seven manufacturers.
Good luck with your decision.
Cheers,
Gorby
Arca swiss were the original producers of quality ball heads and their standards have been followed by subsequent manufacturers. Unfortunately Arca Swiss does not have a website, although details of their products can be seen at the the following link (US dealer for Arca Swiss Products).
http://www.precisioncameraworks.com/Pages/arca_core.html
The best known ball head in the Arca Swiss lineup was the Monoball B1. This ball head was the favourite of all professionals. Some users did report occasional lock up when used in cold weather. Arca swiss introduced the Z1 in 2007. This was plauged by reports of Arca Swiss using a two part stem making it prone to breakage (http://www.tripodhead.com/arca-swiss-warning.cfm). This was corrected by Arca Swiss in ball heads manufactured after June 15, 2008. Arca Swiss introduced the P1 ball head in 2009. The design is interesting as they made the ball head upside down and took away the knobs used to tighten the ball head.
The other manufacturers of ball heads are as follows.
1. Acratech: This is an American company (http://acratech.net/). The main difference is the open design of the ball head and it allows the ball head to be cleaned easily.
2. Really right stuff: Another American company (http://reallyrightstuff.com/). These ball heads are amongst the most popular and are quite well made. The major advantage of this maker is that their ball heads have the lowest height (and therefore are more stable). However their dovetail clamp design differs slightly from the Arca Swiss and one has to use proprietary RRS clamps.
3. Kirk Photo: American company (http://www.kirkphoto.com/) with a product lineup similar to RRS. Lot of people favour the appearance of the RRS ballheads, but Kirk allows the use of Arca Swiss plates (unlike RRS).
4. Novoflex: This is a German firm (http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/). They have a wide range of ball heads, but are more expensive compared to the American made ball heads. They have two design lines.One is like the standard ball head and is called classic ball. The advantage of the Novoflex ballhead vs the American ball heads is that it allows the tension is marked on the ball head, and so depending on the weight of the lens-camera combo, one can predetermine the tension and subsequently easily set the tension during use in the field. The other design line is called Magic ball. This uses the inverted ball head concept (like the Arca Swiss P1) and allows the use the move the camera and set the position more easily.
5. Linhof: German firm (http://www.linhof.de/accessories.html). Looks similar to the standard ball heads. No distinctive features
5. Burzynski: I thnk it is German, although I am not sure. It is supposedly the most stable and sturdiest ball head. It is best used with long lenses (300mm onwards). It is also quite short making it very stable. It does not have a drop slot so one cannot drop the camera vertical. However with long lenses, there is usually a lens tripod collar which would allow the user to do so. The Burzynski is available only at a German store (www.isarfoto.com) or from a French camera store (cheaper here-Photo & Nature, 10, Rue Parmentier, 06100 Nice, France, Tel. : 04.93.98.24.36, Fax : 04.93.98.54.35). A good review of this ballhead has been done by Bjorn Rorslett (http://www.naturfotograf.com/burzynski.html)
6. Markins: This is a Korean manufacturer and became popular in early 2000's. The quality was equal to the American ball heads and they soon became one of the most popular ball heads in the market.
7. Photoclam: Another Korean manufacturer. (http://www.tripodballhead.com/). This has come to prominence recently (2007-8). Quite similar to Markins. Not much user experience, but the available reviews have been positive. Like the Novoflex ball head, they have a marking for determining amount of tension. In addition, they also have a spirit level in the camera clamp. In addition, they are cheaper compared to the Markins.
8. Feisol: Taiwanese origin. (www.feisol.com). The only advantage is that they have a carbon fibre ball head and look reasonably well made.
The above just lists the better known manufacturers of ball heads. Lot of other companies also make ball heads, which are cheaper, and meet demands of users with limited budgets. They include Gitzo (http://www.gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo...id=4F8117C6C6F6611E98F772F46D38EF16.worker1); Manfrotto (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site...:SUB1:AF:SUB3:AA&livid=80|81&lsf=81&child=2); Slik (http://www.slik.com/e/p4.jpg); Giottos (http://www.giottos.com/); Benro (http://www.benro.com/products_Heads.html); Kangringpoche (http://www.kangrinpoche.com); Berlebach (http://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=produkte&kategorie=19&sprache=english); FLM (http://www.flm-gmbh.de/EN/products_photographie.html); Foba (http://www.foba.ch/eng/kopf/kopf.htm).
I am sure I missed some manufacturers. A good place to compare and read user reviews of ball heads is the B&H website. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tripod-Heads/ci/140/N/4289936038). Another good review can be seen at http://www.websiteoptimization.com/speed/tweak/ballhead/. Photo.net forums also has some good discussions on ballheads (http://photo.net/filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/)
I have experience with the Kirk BH 3, Markins M20 and the Photoclam PC33NS. All were excellent. My suggestion is to determine the maximum weight you plan to put the ball head and then look for any specific design features you like. If none, then go for the cheapest ball head from any of the top seven manufacturers.
Good luck with your decision.
Cheers,
Gorby
