Opposite this is the Manfrotto 494RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Plate a class of its own. Should he be, since it is significantly expensive.
By Friction, the heavy / smoothness can be adjusted well. For me, my camera does not slip away easily.
The quick release plate is stable and can be, as already described in other reviews, operated with one hand. Prevents zusätziche assurance that you release the lock or simply by mistake, when snapping the plate sits firmly, it wobbles nothing.
The plate is so small that when my Canon 500D the battery compartment can be opened.
I think that's a huge advantage: When changing the battery, the plate must not be unscrewed!
The lowering of the camera is very low, with a little practice goes in flesh and blood: Select photo section slightly higher, tighten, release the camera and the framing right.
What moved me to the point deduction:
Since I use the ball head with the adapter plate to the terminal stand, it was important to me that the clamping screw does not restrict the mobility.
At first it was like that. The ball head was in position 1/4 to 12 fixed. A half turn has ranged from loose to tight. After some use, the desired strength adjusts until 1/2 1, so that the locking lever with the removable disk comes into contact and the necessary flexibility is lacking. Therefore, I must first accurately positioning and orientation, because I am so no longer flexible in all the right.
But that's "bleating at a high level".
In other tripods that's not important, so I can recommend the ball head and do not regret the purchase.
