The ball head is made entirely of metal, well made and a 2.8 / 70-200mm well suited to heavier SLR and medium lenses like. The head is dry lubricated. Thus, no lubricant leak. The head glides quietly. The knobs are all gummed and tacky. One difference between the friction and the locking screw can not be determined. In addition, both rotary wheels are the same labeled (Free / Lock). A manual is not included. The scale for panorama shots is difficult to read (white on gold background). The ball head is mounted with a 3/8 inch tripod thread, which is built more for larger, heavier tripods. An adapter to 1/8 inch for lighter tripods in the amateur field is not included. The quick release plate is rubberized; Thus, a camera can be mounted very securely and permanently. The quick release plate can be particularly easily with your fingers and quickly be attached with a (not enclosed) hex key means of the bracket on the screw or particularly safe. The security mechanism is based not, as in some other manufacturers, on a retractable by pressing a button pin, which engages from below into the quick-release plate, but with two screws that protrude on the bottom. This has the fact that (1) the screw connection of the quick-release plate for the removal of the camera must be resolved (rather small opening of the gland plus pressing the button for the safety pin) and that (2) the quick-release plate used (without removing the two protruding safety screws) does not fit at all ball heads from other manufactures. So it fits though my small Sirui C-10, but not on my big Sirui G-20th Conversely the other hand all Arca compatible quick release plates use of the ball head.
My Conclusion: For the price, a very recommendable ball head.
