Deciding on a ballhead FLM Centerball CB58FT-AO?

[sabrina_mueller]

Hi all,

 

I now have a Manfrotto 141 RC head for my tripod, and I want to get a

ballhead for wildlife photography. My longest lens is a 300/4,0 with

2x TC.

 

There are many reviews on the Arca Swiss B1, and it seems to be a

good choice. However, there is also the FLM Centerball which offers a

Tilt function, this means you can lock the ball head so that it only

moves in one axis (two with the panorama). This could be very useful

for birds in flight etc. A review of the ballhead can be found here:

http://www.poelking.com/wbuch2/FLM-Kugelkopf/eeFLM.htm

 

Has anyone here tried this ballhead? Is it any good, or should I

forget about the tilt-function and get a B1?

[douglas_greenberg]

You need to decide whether you want to utilize the Arca-compatible quick-release system. For in-the-field nature photography, I highly recommend this. If you decide to adopt this system, your choices for ballheads are more limited. The B1 remains the model of choice, but you might consider the less expensive but still very good alternatives provided by Kirk Enterprises and Markins.

 

For flight shots, you might think in the longer run about adding a Wimberley Sidekick accessory, which fits onto a quick-release ballhead and turns it into a Gimbal-type model. This means that you are able to balance your tele on the tripod head apparatus and make fine adjustments quickly and easily (which is necessary to track a flying bird).

[sabrina_mueller]

The FLM comes without a quick release system. So I can (and want) to use the Arca Swiss-style QR-Plates (and have already ordered a clamp and QR plates from RRS)

 

Money is not the main issue here,I would buy the Arca Swiss without hesitation because I know it is a long-term investment. But the tilt function of the FLM seems to be very useful. But if the FLM sucks otherwise...

[peter_n1664876959]

Sabrina that looks like a very interesting ballhead. I did a search in the photo.net archives and came up with a small number of references to the brand, I think only one of which pertains to the particular model you are interested in. Apparently it is not a big seller here, but if you are in the USA <a href="http://www.omegasatter.com/v2/products/displayproduct.cfm?ProdID=3140" target="blank">you can purchase it from this online store</a> (this particular model <i>includes</i> the quick release).<br><br>

 

I would email the authors of the posts in the links below, they would probably be happy to help you in your research. Good luck!<br><br>

 

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=006YFB" target="blank">FLM CB 38 FT Ballhead: a Review</a> by Stefan Randlkofer.<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007FDU" target="blank">Anyone Tried Giottos Tripods???</a> post by Ray Robinson.<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=002jK5" target="blank">IN YOUR BAG REQ. - What Accessories Do YOU Find Most Usefull?</a> post by Lutz Konermann.<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=002hlv" target="blank">More on tabletop or small tripods</a> post by Kevin Baker.<br>

[mike_lepp1]

I've been interested in the FLM ballheads. I'm putting together a lightweight and small setup for travel and hiking/backpacking using the gitzo 1128.

 

The FLM ballheads look to have great specs. Moreover, they're small and light. Now, I'd like to know if they live up to their specs.

 

I can't seem to find any reviews on them, however. It leaves me leary as I've tried giotto's bh's that couldn't hold near what they claimed.

 

If anybody knows of reviews on FLM's, please post the links.

[douglas_greenberg]

B & H sells this item for $349.95.

[sabrina_mueller]

Peter, thanks for these links. I did a search too, but couldn't find that review...

 

I am located in Germany, and the ball head is offered by several online-stores. Unfortunately no store near to wher I live has them, so I can't try them. But maybe Isarfoto.com is willing to send be both to compare them side by side.

 

At the moment I am leaning more towards the Arca Swiss, even without the tilt function it seems to be a better long-term investment. If Arca Swiss would offer such a tilt function...

[peter_n1664876959]

Sabrina depending on the size of your largest lens you can still use the Arca/Swiss B1 with a Wimberley Sidekick as mentioned by Douglas Greenberg above and this will give you the effect you want:<br><br>

 

<a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/wimberely_sidekick.shtml" target="blank">Wimberley Sidekick Review 1</a><br>

<a href="http://www.mkwphotography.com/Sidekick.htm" target="blank">Wimberley Sidekick Review 2</a><br><br>

[charles_sieracki1]

I'm going to try it - just ordered one. I'm going to put on my own Arca Swiss QR adapter on so I can use standard AS plates. Reason I bought it was price ($229 for the 58mm ball without QR) and it looks quite attractive. Here is a web site that apparently is the distributor of these products:

 

http://www.omegasatter.com/v2/products/displaybrand.cfm?BrandID=135

 

I'll report back with my impressions once I get the item and try it out....

[jeff_ludes]

Charles, did you get the FLM? How do you like it? How about the tilt function, and the ball's ability to hold weight at an angle? Did you get their QR, or add another brand?

 

Thanks,

Jeff

[eric_coulombe1]

<p>Hi Sabrina,<br>

I own the FLM CB-58 FTR ballhead since a few days only, so this will be a first impression report rather than an extensive review.</p>

<p>First, the FLM is a big and heavy piece of metal. As such, it gives an exceptional sense of sturdiness. My former ballhead was an Acratech GP ballhead. Though it is a good one in many respects, it has one major defect: it slips with long telephoto lenses. I have a 70-200mm F2.8 lens and a 150-500mm F5-6,3; the GP would slip most of the time with the 70-200 and cannot take the 150-500.</p>

<p>So my main criteria for a new ballhead was sturdiness and stillness of the ballhead. Why did I chose FLM? After reading many reviews, especially the DPREVIEW comparison (look on Google for “Battle of the titans”) of 10 top ballheads on the market, the FLM received the “Best-in-class stability” grade and it became one of the two ballheads I selected after a lot of reading, the RRS BH-55 being the second. Then, on YouTube videos of a professional photographer, I noticed that he was using both. So I decided to send him an email, asking which of the two he preferred. Here's the reply I received: « Between the FLM and the RRS head I would opt for the FLM, which has been very reliable and inspires confidence in use ».</p>

<p>Again, I have not make an intensive use of it (since I am also waiting for the new tripod I will use with it), but so far, it seems a really solid ballhead. If you can wait 6 months, I would give you a more extensive review.</p>

<p>Hope these few comments help.</p>

<p>Happy shooting!</p>

 

[eric_coulombe1]

<p>I forgot to add that FLM often receives negative comments for not offering a quick release system with their ballheads. But for me, this is not a drawback but rather an advantage, since you can put the quick release system that you want. I opted for a RRS quick release plate and I am really pleased with it.</p>