Professional Mini Ball Head Camera Mount

by Giottos

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000L47AHG
• Item model number: MH1004-320
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #2 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Heads
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

Mini ball head with single knob for ball and pan functions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK for small cameras but don't put your 7D on it, July 14, 2010

By 

Stacy Howlett (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Mini Ball Head Camera Mount (Electronics)

The Giottos ball head is good for a small camera that's not too heavy, but you'll want to get something larger and more stable for your heavier cameras and/or fancy lenses. We found that the 7D with a 24mm wide angle lens on it tended to slide unless we cranked the knob so hard it nearly stripped the screw. "Professional" as a term to describe this item is probably pushing it; its really a consumer ball head for lightweight cameras like a Canon Powershot and/or other devices, such as handycam-type video recorders.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very well made Camera Swivel, February 27, 2011

By 

P. Skow (KC,MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professional Mini Ball Head Camera Mount (Electronics)

This item impressed me.
I'm using it on a Targus Mono-Pod, with a Quick release adapter screwed onto the top of this swivel.
I use it with a Sony Camcorder and Canon Rebel camera with no problems. Once I tighten the swivel, I don't have to worry about it drooping or otherwise shifting position.

From top to bottom:
No rough edges from machining. The movement was very smooth.
It even includes a rubber screw cap, to keep the top camera mount screw from marring anything when it's not attached to something.
It's all metal, except for the thumbscrew tabs and screw-on camera seat.
The camera seat has an additional rubber pad for firmer gripping of the camera when it's screwed on.

The curve of the inside socket opening exactly matches the curve of the ball. This means no play or movement whatever once it's tightened.

It's designed so that the thumbscrew does NOT take much effort at all to lock the swivel and ball into whatever position I want. (you won't have to use a pair of pliers)

It has a set screw on the opposite side from the thumbscrew. It's purpose seems to be to keep the inside in position, while the thumbscrew is loosened. (The set screw should not be tightened fully. The only change I'd make is to apply some Loctite to the set-screw to prevent the possibility of it's falling out due to vibration.)

When the Thumbscrew is loose, the Outer part will swivel around the base insert, instead of loosening the nut that mounts it to the tripod. (it can swivel easily, both at the ball itself, and at the base.)
The base insert has an additional threaded insert to let it accept two different tripod screw sizes.
A Nickel coin matches the inserts slot width, for easy tightening or removal.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight but good, September 6, 2007

By 

Bookloving Grandma "Tex" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Watch how many pounds a ball head holds before you order any of them. This one is small and would hold maybe 2-3 pounds.