I had one of those. It was what I learned to hate ballheads with. It was
the crankiest piece of equipment I have ever owned. Mine had a badly cast
ball, I think, and it froze to the socket after sitting for a while.
I never did find a grease that would make it work, and I spent a good long
while polishing the ball and socket smooth as well.
I take it some of them work properly?
William Robb
Don't judge all balls by their heads... you asked for it. I'm exactly
opposite on this, maybe because I haven't lugged the big cameras you have in
the past... for a 35mm or DSLR, I find a ballhead indispensable and
absolutely hate the hassle of the regular pan & tilt heads. When I set the
tripod down I don't care that it's level, I just adjust the ball head to
compensate (much easier than microadjusting 1-3 tripod legs) and I'm done.
Tom C.
