I need a better ball head for my G9 setup

[va3pinner]

Tripods and their heads seem to be like a pit into which you throw money. I have a few, and I think that I recovered from the addiction eventually ....

I have one called a "Benbow" which I don't think can be bought any more. It is based on the 'bent bolt' used in wartime Bren Gun mounts. This bent bolt allows the legs to be adjusted in almost endless directions. But setting it up is a bit like wrestling with an octopus. Marvellous when you win. I suspect that most buyers bought better known brand names with their own simpler leg extension structure which is mostly good enough for 90% of occasions. But I would never part with my Benbow as whilst I have hardly used its finessed leg angles it is a pretty clever idea and it is a great tester of one's patience mettle. Like many Chinese puzzles it is the puzzle of getting there successfully that is more rewarding than even fixing the camera on top of it.

Those interested in the ultimate tripod set up struggle might be able to find a Benbow for sale somewhere. Most of these users will either already be mad or have Leg Adjustment Certificate #5 Level Diploma from the Tripod Society to hang on their wall.

I have paid as much as $800 for a great Heavy Duty Manfrotto, but my little cheap Velbon baton type monopod has had much more use and gives great feedback.

I have two tripods that I really like, both made by Cullmann (Germany). I remember the Benbo tripods, and really wanted one but could not afford it at the time. I haul my gear around on long backpacking trips, and at the time was shooting slow slide film so a tripod was mandatory. I wanted something that would allow me to adjust the legs to whatever angle I needed, and the Cullmann I used was perfect for that. I now have two Culmanns, a larger one I use when I need it, and a really nice travel tripod for attaching to the pack. With the g9 5 stop image stabilization, I don't use it much, but it is nice for long exposures, the obligatory sunset photos etc. There was a time when a small company made a clip to attach three hiking poles into a tripod setup. A clever idea but Covid sank the business.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

I have two tripods that I really like, both made by Cullmann (Germany). I remember the Benbo tripods, and really wanted one but could not afford it at the time. I haul my gear around on long backpacking trips, and at the time was shooting slow slide film so a tripod was mandatory. I wanted something that would allow me to adjust the legs to whatever angle I needed, and the Cullmann I used was perfect for that. I now have two Culmanns, a larger one I use when I need it, and a really nice travel tripod for attaching to the pack. With the g9 5 stop image stabilization, I don't use it much, but it is nice for long exposures, the obligatory sunset photos etc. There was a time when a small company made a clip to attach three hiking poles into a tripod setup. A clever idea but Covid sank the business.

You are lucky that you did not buy a Benbow or you would be half-mad like I am .... Despite this I would never part with my Benbow as I like the British ingenuity that re-invented the bent-bolt mechanism from the Bren Gun Mount to serve much amusement for bystanders watching its owner go through "Mr Bean" antics as they set it up precisely to suit all sorts of terrain. Unfortunately I have never persevered with it for long enough to become adept at setting it up with aplomb.

The person who can whisk his Benbow into precise position in a matter of seconds must have all the visual skills of the magician who keeps his audience enthralled.

But I love the technology to bits .... must use it more. I like to see bystanders giggle.

I suppose Rowan Atkinson has retired "Mr Bean" otherwise routine that involved setting up the Benbow would be hysterical.