- Full 360° panning and 90° tilt. Position your camera at virtually any angle; get portrait or landscape shots with ease.
- Precision-machined anodized aluminum construction delivers durability with smooth movement.
- The universal quick-release plate stays connected to your camera. Switch between cameras quickly and securely.
- Separate knobs allow you to pan and tilt independently.
- Adjustment knobs with durable TPE easily lock the ballhead into place, securing it tightly.
Product Description
The Joby Ballhead X allows creative camera positioning when mounted to your Gorillapod Focus. It is portable (only 9.3 oz, 262 g), compact (only 3.3″, 83mm tall) and will support your equipment weighing up to 11.1 lb (5 kg). A unique feature of this device is its universal “x-shaped” mounting plate which connects to your camera and easily slides on and off the ballhead.The Ballhead X is equipped with durable adjustment knobs which allow you to rotate your camera smoothly with full 360° panning and up to 90° tilts. Even though this ballhead is optimized for the Gorillapod Focus, it is also compatible with most tripods since it can accommodate both 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads. Additionally its durable aluminum construction has an all-black finish which minimizes reflectivity and gives it a professional look.
Ipe @ 3:31 am
I purchased the Joby Ballhead X and Gorrilapod Focus to replace a Gorillapod SLR Zoom/ballhead combo. The SLR Zoom was just not up to the task of supporting my Canon 50D with any of my lens. I was not about to risk my camera on that pod so it went back to the store and a different solution had to be found. I ordered the Joby Ballhead X and Gorillapod Focus and they are a night and day difference from the SLR Zoom combo.
The Ballhead X is smooth in its repositioning and holds securely even when not fully tightened down. The pan base is a nice addition over the SLR Zoom ballhead and allows you to pan easily. This is not an option with the SLR Zoom ballhead. The included Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate is aluminum and includes a flip out half ring on the mounting screw to tighten the plate securely to your camera. This is a big improvement over mounting screws that have a coin slot in the base. I was able to tighten the plate on the camera with no issues and no movement. There is a spring mounted safety “button” built into the mounting clamp that prevents your camera from sliding out of the clamp if you forget to tighten it.
The Ballhead X is not the be-all, end-all of ballheads. It is not a ReallyRightStuff BH55 and probably won’t support a 400mm f2.8 so be realistic with your expectations. For what it is I am very satisfied. It is smooth, reliable, and strong enough for my camera and lens’s. The addition of the Arca-Swiss compatible mounting clamp really is what makes the difference at this price point and opens it to a much wider realm of options like camera mount L-plates and camera specific mount plates.
While this review isn’t specifically about the Gorillapod Focus its fitting to add a bit in here about it as many people will buy the Ballhead X and Gorillapod Focus to complement each other. In short, the Focus does what the SLR Zoom couldn’t: Support my camera. The Focus does the job without breaking a sweat. Is it the perfect tripod? Nope. But then again its not trying to be. It is a small, lightweight, flexible support compromise. As of the time I write this, I feel like I can trust my camera on this product. Thats something I could never do with the SLR Zoom.
B. C. Flippo @ 4:24 am
This works better than I had hoped. It can securely hold my D90 camera with 17-55 zoom and SB-800 flash super steady! The great thing about this is I have all my cameras and accessories with Kirk/Arca quick release plates for simple yet secure easy on and off for my big tripod (the one that has gotten to heavy the older I get). This big tripod has a very expensive ballhead (5 times more expensive than the Joby) which has the Kirk/Arca style base. The Joby ballhead works with my Kirk/Arca system just as quickly and easily as the much more expensive ballhead on the big tripod! It’s holds everything securely and does not slip or require constant attention to insure it’s holding everything steady. An excellent ballhead at an affordable price, you can’t beat that! If you have the Kirk/Arca style or Really Right Stuff/Arca systems, either will work beautifully with the Joby BH2-01EN Ballhead!
Brandon M. Krepel @ 4:51 am
The Ballhead X is a nice choice for the Gorillapod Focus. It gives me all the flexibility I could want, and I’m confident in its ability to securely hold my 7D and larger lenses. Downsides are: no quick release, ball sticks sometimes (lubricating may alleviate problem), and having to adjust 3 different knobs to use all features.