For landscape photographers tripod head is personal preference, but if you haven't yet tried shooting with a ballhead then its time to reconsider. Vanguard SB250 and 300 ballheads bring quality high spec ballheads into an affordable sphere, with features and build only found on expensive niche products until now. If you are a considering an upgrade and the choice seems overwhelming, then start by considering the Vanguard range as you are in for some surprises.
As a long term user of ball heads, ever since I kicked a Manfrotto carbon fibre and 3way head attached down a waterfall, I must admit I find it difficult to consider any other product than the one I bought three years ago, the Kirk BH-1. Although this love is now tested regularly as airport scanners misconstrue its almost military construction as a possible explosive, I have dropped it off ledges, swung it into rocks and even head butted it (believe me you don't want to do that!) and still it performs flawlessly.
When asked to test these tripod heads, the Vanguard SB-250 and SB-300, I was simply convinced that trouncing the bohemoth was not possible. Yet one aspect still keeps me website window shopping - its weight. At a hefty 1kg, I literally always carry my lightweight tripod upside down because of this excessive load, swinging it by the leg (lookout hoodies). I have been happy to compromise with this problem since I bought it, but travelling light on city shoots is now the biggest part of my professional life. I was happy to take these heads onboard for a test, to see if I could be be happy with the lighter SBH-250 ballhead in particular.
The first thing that really amazes you on opening the box is the build quality. Having seen other companies like Gitzo and Manfrotto's attempts at ballheads, I was never massively convinced. The Gitzo's in particular are quirky looking and never appealed at all. When choosing the BH1 three years ago, all the Manfrotto's and Gitzo's seemed questionable and to be honest so I was not expecting too much from the Vanguard range. Again, how wrong I was.
Feel and Design - The first thing to really grab you as you take either tripods out of the box is the balance and weight. Both feel extremely solid and very familiar to what I know already. The design is classic Arca Swiss - a plate mounting on the top of a substantial ball with a generous column, the weak point in many balheads. The paint feels textured and therefore non slip, which gives confidence on contact.
Controls - The operation is beautiful and precise. Three classic controls - one large control locks the ball in place, the second tensions the ball, giving an increase smooth dampened operation. The third smaller knob locks the lateral turn, left to right. All feel confident and tighten smoothly to the biting point.
Plate - The tripod plate is secured with another control knob and an additional orange safety lock triggers when the plate slides into place. The plates have a rubber surface contact point so they don't scratch your beloved SLR, but thankfully this is not excessive. Why designers do not sort this problem out is beyond me.
Spirit Bubbles - The tripod also has two inbuilt levels on each side plate mount. This feels far more precise when setting up a levelled camera than the conventional bubble level method.
Ok, now lets look at it subjectively - none of this is a revolution. Literally all tripod heads, whether three way or ballheads, have these features and functions. It is essentially a clone, but this is the point that sets it apart, its a bloody good clone and its CHEAPER than anything else that boasts the same spec and design on the market (that I am aware of).
I was completely taken back when I realised that the SBH-300 wasn't touching £300, nor £250, it was actually an unbelievable £119. That's a whopping £220 cheaper than a new Kirk BH1. If only it had been around at the time...
The SBH-250 also astonishes, with a street price of around £90 and simply nothing of this quality and cost springs to mind. Again its direct competitors are the Manfrotto and Gitzo, both which just cant compete for build vs price, the Markin Q Ball range (£220+, Euro purchase only as no UK distributors) and the Kirk BH-3 (£245)
Does that surprise you? Well here's why - there's an Arca Swiss mount version on the way. I have been a long time user of L brackets ever since my first EOS5D. The speed of attachment, the 'metal-on-metal' approach (vibration is non existent), keeping the weight central over the tripod at all times and creative approach. I can make shifted panos using tilt / shift lenses by sliding the camera left and right. All these reasons tie me creatively to this platform and I am extremely happy with it.
I was utterly delighted to hear that Vanguard are making an Arca Swiss mount version and I would buy either of these ballheads because they are that good. The SBH-300 is army spec, feeling durable and capable of even the biggest lenses and pro bodies. The SBH-250 is without a doubt the answer to my travel requirements and makes a fantastic compliment to the previously reviewed Alta Pro 283CT. The system becomes balanced and maintains strength with functionality, exactly what I need for my travel kit in particular. Surely an unbeatable team.
Really Right Stuff L bracket
The L bracket principle, the Really Right Stuff system, extortionately expensive here in the UK.
Yet again Vanguard will be making a huge step into a niche market that photographers view as far too exclusive. Not only are all Arca Swiss mount tripod heads limited purchases in the UK, (with Kirk being the only company that sells these products in Britain through Warehouse Express) they are all ludicrously pricy. Markin only sell from Europe (we all love the Euro don't we) and Really Right Stuff, the last word in L Brackets, do no sell in the UK, meaning import duty, VAT and again excessive cost.
If Vanguard can produce a product of this caliber with Arca Swiss mounts, the strangle hold will be released and landscape photographers can enjoy L Brackets without the crushing expense.
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