Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe

by Vanguard

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 5 x 3.5 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003BQ71MA
• Item model number: SBH-250
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #42 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Heads
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 10, 2010

Product Description

Best-selling SBH-250 precision-cut ball head moves swiftly and steadily so you won’t miss the action.  Constructed of solid, strong magnesium alloy, it's durable and yet lighter in weight than the industry standard. Unlike other ball heads, SBH ball heads are designed with molded body parts, not assembled cut parts, like the competition. Its smooth locking knobs allow you to move the ball head swiftly and securely into the perfect position, even with the heaviest lenses and cameras.  It includes two bubble levels, 360-degree scale, fine-tuning knob and a safety lock for extra stability. A special universal VANGUARD quick shoe for body/lens is also included so you can upgrade your system to quick-release immediately.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock solid! More than enough to hold your set-up!, June 22, 2010

By 

Webtrance - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe (Electronics)

*** UPDATE after 1 year of use ***

The SBH-250 is still perfect after a year of use! Here's the deal...I own the Manfrotto 496RC2, and while it's a nice head with general ball head control, it doesn't match the Vanguard. The holding strength of the Manfrotto isn't an issue...it's solid, but not as solid as the Vanguard! The SBH-250 is just a work horse of a tripod head, that's smooth, solid, and offers flexible panning. The build construction of the SBH-250 is as good, if not better than Manfrotto heads. But, if I were to get one Manfrotto head, it would be the older 488RC2 or perhaps the newer 498RC2. BTW, I also have the Manfrotto 234RC2 monopod head now. Overall, I still prefer both Vanguard SBH-250 (tripod) and SBH-30 (monopod), rather than Manfrotto's 496RC2 (tripod) and 234RC2 (monopod). Consider this however. The Manfrotto RC2 quick release mechanism is great to work with and speedier than Vanguard's system. In my opinion, it's not a quality issue when deciding between the two brands, but design features (panning, friction, knob design, quick release plates, etc). Also consider that Manfrotto uses a resin ball material with joined metal post. The Vanguard ball and post is of all metal construction and one solid piece.

*** UPDATE after 6 months of use ***

Now I'm looking at monopod heads and wanting matching quick release plates for both tripod with SBH-250 and my new monopod. Well, if I go with a Manfrotto monopod head with RC2 plate, I have to switch between that plate and the Vanguard SBH-250 QS-39 plate. I don't want to do that, so unbelievably, I started my shopping for a replacement for the SBH-250. I was considering a Manfrotto tripod head with RC2 release and getting the nifty little Manfrotto 234RC monopod head. They both use the same quick release plate. The only Manfrotto head that approaches the specs for the SBH-250 is the Manfrotto 498RC2 with friction and pan. The Manfrotto Hydrostatic heads were too expensive in my opinion, so I didn't consider them. The problem with the Manfrotto 498RC2 is that it offers the same features as the SBH-250, but the ergonomics are poor. Here's why: If you have your right hand on the camera grip and shutter release button, that leaves your left hand for tightening the ball head. Therefore, you need the ball tightening lever on the left side. The friction will be on the right. But the Manfrotto 498RC2 panning lock will then be in the front right, which is in front of the friction knob. That's not a good place to have the friction knob. On the other hand, the SBH-250 is perfect in that the ball lock is on the left, friction on the right, and pan in the back.

Here's the real kicker that sort of leads me away from Manfrotto. No bubble level(s)!! I have come to rely on the SBH-250's horizon level (in the rear) so much that I believe that I may miss it if I were to get a Manfrotto. Yes, the Manfrotto RC4 heads/plates have bubble levels, but I really don't care for those larger plates. I've looked at and prefer the RC2 versions, which have no levels. Is the level a deal breaker...no, not necessarily. It's only become a wonderful feature of the SBH-250 that I'm come to really enjoy.

SOLUTION to my tripod/monopod head problem. Forget Manfrotto and keep my SBH-250 and get the SBH-30 for my new monopod! (EDIT: I now have the Vanguard SBH-30.) The SBH-30 is a little version of the SBH-300/250/100/50. It comes with the same QS-39 quick release plate as most other SBH series heads. Therefore, I can leave my quick release plate on my camera and use both tripod and monopod heads without all the swapping of quick release plates. I've posted a review and many pictures of the SBH-30 for your consideration. Check it out here: Vanguard SBH-30 Lightweight Magnesium Alloy Ball Head

Best of all, I didn't get rid of the excellent Vanguard SBH-250!


ORIGINAL REVIEW

I've posted a few pictures of the SBH-250 atop the Induro 8M AT114 Induro AT114 Alloy 8M AT-Series 4-Section Tripod, Extends to 59.7", Supports 13.2 lbs.. Please read my review of that tripod as well, since this ball head fits the tripod perfectly and makes for a complete travelers gig.

The ball head is rock solid, smooth, feels like it's made from aerospace materials, finished nicely to match many of today's tripods and cameras. It's looks fantastic with my D90 and I can imagine a Cannon SLR would look nice locked in place as well.

Why did I go with the SBH-250?

1. Price. It's a competitively priced ball head for the features you get. Tension and panning control are wonderful features. You'll regret getting anything less!
2. Support. Rated at 44lbs, it's a very strong/secure holding ball head. I'll never be able to actually test 44lbs, but it'll easily hold a full D90/grip/flash & f/2.8 lens set-up with ease. There's no movement when locked in place. It's that's strong!
3. Size. At just over 4", it provides a bit more height to your tripod. It's not a compact ball head, though it's not too large either. It's shorter than the Manfrotto 498RC2. It feels substantial enough to match up with any camera configuration without being dwarfed.
4. Two (2) quick release plates. Sweet bonus!
5. Comes shipped with a 1/4" reducer screw in the ball head base. To use on a tripod with a 3/8" screw, simply use the provided tool to remove the 1/4" reducer. I recommend using the 3/8" screw on your tripod, since it's a larger screw than the 1/4" and will offer more strength and support.

I really believe you'll enjoy this ball head and will not regret your purchase!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good ball head for lighter large format, October 30, 2010

By 

Douglas Henderson (SW Montana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe (Electronics)

I bought a Vanguard SBH-250 from Amazon and attached it to a Benro C-157 M8 tripod, first removing the 1/4 inch screw adapter in the base of the ball head in order to mount on the tripod's 3/8 screw. The ball head attachment to the tripod is quite firm and the whole set-up is noticably more stable than my old Bogen 3001/3025 head that I've been hauling around for 23 years. And lighter with much greater weight capacity.

I tested the ball head with a variety of cameras, including a Crown Graphic 4x5 and a much larger wooden 8x10 pinhole camera. The ball head handled these cameras very well--assuming long exposure photos won't be taken in windy conditions. I placed a bullseye bubble level on the level top of each camera and tapped the camera to see how long the quiver lasted. Not long at all and much shorter than the same test with the old Bogen gear. The quick-release system is especially satisfactory because of the two-step removal process. It is very unlikely a camera, large or small, will leave the tripod by any inadvertent act in the field.

I noticed a few issues. The bubble levels on the ball head didn't match the bullseye level placed on the cameras--the ball head levels don't appear to be accurate. The Vanguard levels seem to be filled with a pretty heavy oil because there is a slow response of the bubbles to various adjustments. Making fine adjustments in various planes with the ball head takes a little practice and the side to side level seems to move a little while tightening down the ball head after finding the desired level.

Another issue--there can be a small amount of wobble between the upper portion of the ball head (ball and ball housing) and the lower portion (ring marked with panoramic scale). You can both see and feel motion between the two parts where they meet. In order to make the whole ball head one tight piece, it is necessary to tighten down the panoramic lock as tight as one dares by hand. If not tightened down, the wobble is only detectable by manually testing the camera side to side, so it isn't likely to effect camera steadiness when shooting.

The above said, the SBH-250 looks to be a fine ball head for the larger cameras I intend to use.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Budget Ball Head, August 20, 2010

By 

John Berglund "Burley, Teach" (BURLEY, IDAHO, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe (Electronics)

I like this Ball Head, the only problem is the camera twist on the mounting plate. It needs a mounting plate with a lip. Other than that it is great and I would buy again.