Manfrotto XPRO Magnesium Ball Head with Top Lock Plate (MHXPRO-BHQ6)

I was hesitant at first to buy this because of the price, but now I wish I had long ago. This ball head handles even my heaviest lenses with ease. Leveling the camera is so much easier with this ball head. I replaced the standard head on my Manfrotto 290 Xtra with this one and LOVE the results! I highly recommend this for professional photographers.

Excellent, just took it to a trip to Iceland and is tough, easy to use and very practical. It was subject to tough weather: rain, snow, heavy winds, salt water mist, etc and held up amazingly well even with my d750 with battery grip, 2 batteries and a 1 kilo lens (14-24 mm).

Excellent, strong, secure, compact, easy to use ball head. So far has worked well on my Gitzo 300 series tripod with a Canon pro DSLR. Great value and highly recommend it

I was influenced to buy this by seeing several online video landscape photographers using it. They all had right-angle brackets attached, which allowed them to turn their camera from portrait to horizontal mode quickly, without having to reposition the camera on the tripod. I found that the ball head was of high quality and is very well made, however although it is advertised as being compatible with brackets and quick mounting plates that are of the "Arca-Swiss" style, the very small, spring loaded release mechanism of the XPRO Ball Head gets in the way and makes it difficult to actually get my L-bracket off the head. I must say that when using the supplied quick release plate provided by Manfrotto there is absolutely no trouble at all in attaching or releasing the quick mount plate. It is just if you decide to attach an L-bracket instead of the QR plate that there might be a problem. I solved my issue by just attaching the L-bracket to the supplied quick release plate - it makes the camera sit a little higher than I would like, but it works fine in this configuration. Never-the-less I highly recommend this product - I wouldn't be without it.

Excellent Ball Head for shooting. Used with the MT190XPRO3.I do not have lenses heavier than Canon 70-200 f / 2.8 mk2 (on 5dmk3), but they would be very stable (imho)Negative for me - Arca-Swiss platform - without rubber gaskets.

I just bought this, along with a Manfrotto carbon tripod. First time out with it today, I went riding out on my ranch with it bungeed to my ATV, got to where I wanted to set up and take some shots, and found that the T shaped tightening screw to fasten the camera to this was now missing. The fit and finish was apparently loose enough for it to back itself out and disappear along my rise. Why it doesn't have a flaired end to prevent it from coming out all the way to begin with is beyond me. Spending almost $800 for a tripod and this ball head, I would expect it to not be losing bits and pieces from a 10 minute ATV trail ride. I realize I'm probably steaming more than I should be, but it definitely wasn't a great first experience.

This is not what I expected. Having issues to fit most of the L bracket, raised complaint to Manfrotto but with no response from them. I am frustrated.

Just received head. Base is not compatible with standard Arca-swiss plate from other manufacturers! Extra Manfrotto plate cost $24. Universal A/S plates cost less and works great, but not with this head.Head seems light weight but strong. Head seems to be able to lock down heavy equipment with little effort. Location of Tension knob is confusing. I put gaffer tape over tension knob. Have not had time to use head yet. May revise this review later.Had head for a while now. Only update is that knob screws are not notched so will fall out. Manfrotto charges too much money for replacement, $30 I think, plus shipping.Other than that head works great and locks down heavy equipment with ease. Stable with full-frame camera and Tamron 150-600mm lens.