it's great that it can handle the weight of an average human baby...but the far more important question: is there ballhead droop/sag once you tighten the clamps?
Just for you info, Leofoto sells the MBC-18 for 50€ and Aoka, the whole CMP 163 CL with the BC-16 tripod for 80€. RRS is just charging double for their logo… sorry to spoil it ;)
If you've ever owned both products, you'd know they aren't just charging for a logo. I currently own a RRS TVC 34L, and a Leofoto LS-325CEX. Leofoto makes a fine product, and offer quality machining, but they simply do not manufacture to the same tolerances that RRS does, nor do they utilize the same level of materials, nor do they design their products to be as robust. For a lot of people the Leofoto is good enough (when I travel, I use the Leofoto with an acratech head), but they are not "as good for half the price". You get what you pay for.
@@pgsanta I own both products and the differences are negligible. I also own a Sirui AM-223 and a Leofoto LS 223 between many other tripods (Manfrotto, 3 Legged Thing, Cullmann, MeFoto). Been in the industry for more than 30 years. The tolerances you are mentioning are non-existing my friend. Actually ALL tripods are made by 2-3 companies WW. Gitzo and Manfrotto together have their own designs but generally speaking, the majority of tripods are done in CN. In some very high-end models I will agree that some differences in he wave of the CF and links or buttons might be slightly bigger but all and all, they are the same. Mind that I am not talking about crappy copies but reputable companies. Some Aoka design tripods are also sold by Cullmann and Oben. In the case of the tripod head pre-mentioned, it’s ridiculous as it is EXACTLY the same.
@@eldiabolico3750 Please stop making stuff up. You've obviously never owned RRS gear and tried to use it with Chinese stuff. The differences in tolerances are noticeable in the compatibility of plates and clamps alone. Nearly every component on a Gitzo is still manufactured in their factory in Italy; I also own a Gitzo 5543LS, a Sirui W2204, and a peak design if we're listing everything. RRS makes everything in house in their factory in Utah. It's significantly more than 2-3 factories churning stuff out in China alone. The bottom end of the industry is almost exclusively made in China, while the top end is almost exclusively not. If you're actually in the industry (as what? A salesperson?) you'd know this, and why it is true. Even within Chinese manufacturers there are significantly different levels of quality, both in their tolerances, and construction. And heads up... the quality of carbon fiber has almost nothing to do with the outer weave. Gitzo and RRS tend to use better quality materials, more exacting tolerance levels, and MORE material in comparable products. Grab your LeoFoto and take a look at the spider, and then grab the RRS you supposedly own and take a look at its spider... they are nowhere near the same in mass, and one is milled from a single billet, while another is a cast product. Check out the thickness of the carbon fiber walls of their legs, one will be significantly thinner than the other. We can go on, and on, and on.... Like why don't the Leofoto copies of the BH-55 support the same weights before slippage? Why are do RRS and Gitzo consistently use wider leg angles (and thus more material for a specific height). Please stop man... just stop. You are a clown.
@@pgsanta calling me a clown doesn’t really add much value to the conversation. Funny how little boys grow balls when online… The fact that you’re insulting me proves 3 things: A. You wouldn’t call me any name in person and you know it. It’s not the same when there’s no keyboard to protect you. B. You are running out of arguments to justify your own purchase and that hurts your fragile ego. C. My initial comment is on 2 products I own in the 50 - 80€ range. WTF are you to doubt me? As I made clear when I mentioned Gitzo, some companies produce their own stuff in the ‘higher-end’. Of course, you need to READ and UNDERSTAND. IQ is not a given. D. I can also use insults, its up to you how this develops kiddo. You own me an apology I believe.
Major blunder at 7:15! You need to first rotate the panning knob out of the way, then the head can be turned a full 90 degrees to put camera in vertical orientation. Very misleading review!
@@ShutterMuse Clearly. But anyone posting technical reviews of products on TH-cam should be holding themselves to a high standard of accuracy and completeness. Given that this video is still posted (and remains uncorrected for 1 year), it seems you do not.
These are more minis than micros, but who knows these might suit you. www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/magicball-series/magicball-mini-2131.html www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/misc-ball-heads.html
@@ShutterMuse I'm bisexual and extremely uninterested in supporting someone who wants me (and all of my friends and my girlfriend) to be second class citizens. I know they make good gear, but I'm willing to give that up if it means my money isn't going towards things that actively harm me.
it's great that it can handle the weight of an average human baby...but the far more important question: is there ballhead droop/sag once you tighten the clamps?
Nope.
Great review! Very informative
Just for you info, Leofoto sells the MBC-18 for 50€ and Aoka, the whole CMP 163 CL with the BC-16 tripod for 80€. RRS is just charging double for their logo… sorry to spoil it ;)
If you've ever owned both products, you'd know they aren't just charging for a logo. I currently own a RRS TVC 34L, and a Leofoto LS-325CEX. Leofoto makes a fine product, and offer quality machining, but they simply do not manufacture to the same tolerances that RRS does, nor do they utilize the same level of materials, nor do they design their products to be as robust. For a lot of people the Leofoto is good enough (when I travel, I use the Leofoto with an acratech head), but they are not "as good for half the price". You get what you pay for.
@@pgsanta I own both products and the differences are negligible. I also own a Sirui AM-223 and a Leofoto LS 223 between many other tripods (Manfrotto, 3 Legged Thing, Cullmann, MeFoto). Been in the industry for more than 30 years.
The tolerances you are mentioning are non-existing my friend. Actually ALL tripods are made by 2-3 companies WW.
Gitzo and Manfrotto together have their own designs but generally speaking, the majority of tripods are done in CN. In some very high-end models I will agree that some differences in he wave of the CF and links or buttons might be slightly bigger but all and all, they are the same.
Mind that I am not talking about crappy copies but reputable companies. Some Aoka design tripods are also sold by Cullmann and Oben. In the case of the tripod head pre-mentioned, it’s ridiculous as it is EXACTLY the same.
@@eldiabolico3750 Please stop making stuff up. You've obviously never owned RRS gear and tried to use it with Chinese stuff. The differences in tolerances are noticeable in the compatibility of plates and clamps alone.
Nearly every component on a Gitzo is still manufactured in their factory in Italy; I also own a Gitzo 5543LS, a Sirui W2204, and a peak design if we're listing everything. RRS makes everything in house in their factory in Utah. It's significantly more than 2-3 factories churning stuff out in China alone. The bottom end of the industry is almost exclusively made in China, while the top end is almost exclusively not. If you're actually in the industry (as what? A salesperson?) you'd know this, and why it is true.
Even within Chinese manufacturers there are significantly different levels of quality, both in their tolerances, and construction. And heads up... the quality of carbon fiber has almost nothing to do with the outer weave.
Gitzo and RRS tend to use better quality materials, more exacting tolerance levels, and MORE material in comparable products. Grab your LeoFoto and take a look at the spider, and then grab the RRS you supposedly own and take a look at its spider... they are nowhere near the same in mass, and one is milled from a single billet, while another is a cast product. Check out the thickness of the carbon fiber walls of their legs, one will be significantly thinner than the other. We can go on, and on, and on.... Like why don't the Leofoto copies of the BH-55 support the same weights before slippage? Why are do RRS and Gitzo consistently use wider leg angles (and thus more material for a specific height). Please stop man... just stop. You are a clown.
@@pgsanta calling me a clown doesn’t really add much value to the conversation. Funny how little boys grow balls when online…
The fact that you’re insulting me proves 3 things:
A. You wouldn’t call me any name in person and you know it. It’s not the same when there’s no keyboard to protect you.
B. You are running out of arguments to justify your own purchase and that hurts your fragile ego.
C. My initial comment is on 2 products I own in the 50 - 80€ range. WTF are you to doubt me? As I made clear when I mentioned Gitzo, some companies produce their own stuff in the ‘higher-end’. Of course, you need to READ and UNDERSTAND. IQ is not a given.
D. I can also use insults, its up to you how this develops kiddo. You own me an apology I believe.
Sure, you can buy knockoffs of anything. Some are good, some not so good. It's a gamble.
Will you make some video talk about the Really Right Stuff tripod ? TFC 24L?
These are Leofoto ball heads.
Major blunder at 7:15! You need to first rotate the panning knob out of the way, then the head can be turned a full 90 degrees to put camera in vertical orientation. Very misleading review!
You and I clearly have very different definitions of "misleading" and "major blunder".
@@ShutterMuse Clearly. But anyone posting technical reviews of products on TH-cam should be holding themselves to a high standard of accuracy and completeness. Given that this video is still posted (and remains uncorrected for 1 year), it seems you do not.
@@a_mouse6858stop pontificating and make your own review then.
Are you guys aware of any micro ballheads / microtripods made by other companies? Cost isn't necessarily the issue here, but I won't buy RRS products.
These are more minis than micros, but who knows these might suit you.
www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/magicball-series/magicball-mini-2131.html
www.novoflex.de/en/products-637/camera-support-systems/ball-heads/misc-ball-heads.html
I use the Leofoto MBC-18 on my MT-03. The head is similar to the BC-18, although it does include a tiny (and pointless) spirit level.
Why won't you buy RRS products?
@@ShutterMuse I'm bisexual and extremely uninterested in supporting someone who wants me (and all of my friends and my girlfriend) to be second class citizens.
I know they make good gear, but I'm willing to give that up if it means my money isn't going towards things that actively harm me.