Ball head for EQ3-2

[Alien 13]

At some stage I am planning to use my camera and 70-200mm F4L USM for some astro work but have hit a minor snag, the lens has a tripod mount ring but unfortunately the battery grip on the camera stops it being bolted on directly to the SW dovetail so needs to be raised up.

I have looked at some camera ball heads but am not sure if a 4Kg max load one would be ok or not, Idealy a fixed block would be a better option but have not found anything with a search.

I could easily make it work by removing the battery grip but its so usefull for quick changes without disturbing anything.

Any Ideas?

Alan

[Nigeyboy]

I have used (a borrowed) 70-200mm f4 on my trusty 400D before. It’s a fairly light lens, at 700g – only 50g more than my 17-55mm. When using my tripod for some early morning landscapes, I just used the thread on the battery grip as the lens didn’t have the tripod collar anyway! Was perfectly stable and I didn’t feel it was unbalanced in any way, or in danger of tipping forward.

I would have thought a 4kg ball head would be more than sufficient to support the camera with grip and the lens together.

[Fozzie]

I've just taken a punt on a ball head for the camera tripod, on the hope it's better than the two way head it's currently got... hoping to mount a small 70 - 80mm frac as grab and go without settling and with smoother movement... will see if it sits on and eq5 if you like and give some feed back..

[Alien 13]

Thanks people I did a bit of lateral thinking and cut the lug off the small SW dovetail, camera/lens now fits when using the lens foot without the battery grip fouling and my mount runs happily off a cheap phone charger (5V @ 12Ah two ports) oh happy days.

I would be keen to know how the ball head works out might still get one.

Alan

[Fozzie]

Well its just turned up and it's already better than the pan head that came with the tripod.. first problem though, when amazon recommend a 1/4'' to 3/8'' Threaded Nut to go with said ball head I should have bought them... tripods only 3/8 where as the ball head is 1/4.. so won't attach.... what a numpty!

Will post more when I can load it up and see what it's got..

Ta

Fozzie

[Fozzie]

Ooooh it could be good... i'll post some thoughts in the equipment review section shortly..