BEST Tripod ball heads for shooting?

[_MountainBum]

Snagged a used two vets tripod and am looking for input on most preferred ball heads for shooting 10 ish lb setups. Budget to more expensive. Open to suggestions!

 

[wpeach1912]

Anvil 30 is the best. The Leofoto ma-40L and ma-30l are pretty decent for more budget. I’m curious to see what the new Leofoto/mountain forged head is like. I like levers for clamping into a rail much more than the knob. Knob works better though if you have an assortment of China arca rails that vary significantly in dimensions. The lever may be tight on some and loose on others (they can be adjusted, just frustrating). A lever tension mechanism seems to work best.

 

[JMundy84]

I haven't tried very many but I'm really liking my aziak front country

 

[wildernessrimfab]

RRS Anvil 30.

Thread closed.

 

[DroptineNW]

Leofoto ma-40 https://leofotousa.com/products/leo...l-rapid-lock-ball-head?variant=49692655485221

 

[wildernessrimfab]

The Leofoto is an obvious Chinese made copy of the Anvil 30.

 

[firemtn]

Before I upgraded to the RRS Anvil 30 I used the sunwayfoto IB-30. Cheaper alternative and it was pretty decent. The Leofoto Juggernaut head looks pretty awesome, that'll probably be the next one I try.

 

[wind gypsy]

Anvil 30 is it. Leofoto - MA 30L is the knockoff that isn't quite there but close. My MA 30L got dusty and is grabby AF now.

 

[OrangeMan73]

Aziak ridgeline has been working great for me to shoot from, and when I wanna glass (spotter or bino) I just lock the head down and throw the vantage pan head on top of it. Maybe not as light as tricers panhead but smooth and compact when stowing.

 

[Smokinyotes]

I have a sunway foto IB65 ball head. I really like it and locks up solid.

 

[Matt1214]

I have the Anvil 30, the gas pedal lever on it for a right handed shooter is absolutely money. You can be on the gun with your right hand while handling the head with your left hand. But it makes your tripod essentially only convenient for shooting off of, its hard to glass with an anvil. By far the best shooting head.

I also have the tricer DZ. Its like a panning head with an anvil knock off on top. Dual purpose. I use it for cutting weight to glass and shoot off. The handle is backwards though, so not as seamless as the anvil. To be completely honest I feel like tricer does it on purpose to be different...their tripod legs twist open the opposite of Aziak and RRS, the new DZ head handle goes the other direction. They could be the best for price, but they are just cheaper and less user friendly imo. It works well, but could be better. That's my rant about tricer.