Giottos MH1302-652 Series II Ball Head

27/02/09

I bought this head to replace an old Manfrotto 222 head that was finally showing signs of overload. With a load capacity of 8kg this head will handle a pretty heavy DSLR outfit.

The design of this Giottos ball head makes it quick and accurate to use. As a bonus it is lightweight - weighing in at just over half the weight of the Manfrotto.

The ball is very smooth and locks easily and precisely. The main lever locks the head securely with hardly any change from the desired position. I've found this to be very satisfactory for fairly precise, closely cropped shots. The friction lever is helpful for changing the resistance of the head with differing lenses. Finally, there is a pan only option which is controlled by a third lever. The horizontal rotation is marked off by a small but clear degree scale around the base.

It's available with a variety of quick release plates and the one supplied here has a secondary safety lock that seems secure but fast to use.

The only drawback for me was the three-way spirit levels. These are very small and one of them did not work because it had too large a bubble in it so it was stuck fast. However, it is a minor problem in the big scheme of things and looks like it could easily be replaced.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Ease of use: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Build quality: 4/5

Pros: smooth action, lightweight, good load capacity
Cons: spirit levels glitch