I just shell out some cash for a very nifty carbon one 440 by Manfrotto.
Now all I need is a nice head. What you guys think?

I'm suggesting either the Jessica Simpson or Keri Russell model.

(Sorry. You gave em a straight line and I just couldn't let it pass.)

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/index.php

or a bogen manfrotto 501 video head :)

or a bogen 3047 3 way head

or.......

WHAT are you using camera wise, what style, what subject matter??????????????

oh yeah...ball heads only please. All the other ones are too slow to adjust, and I just dont like video heads.

Those Q-balls look pretty good except the price.
Plus the 440 can only hold 5kg anyways. no point using a ball that can hold 20kg!

http://www.kirkphoto.com/ballheadbh3.html ;)

http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOS&Product_Code=ubh

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=119310&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

ADD the arca swiss B1 series and you now have all the top contenders.... I would suggest ;)

The markin is a better buy than an arca so the stories go ;)

BTW.... a higher rated wieght ballhead ISN'T overkill any more than using those legs to mount a measily F5/70-200 VR on IS ;)

PLENTY of people use an ARCA B1 to hold a F5/ 70-200 VR, but the arca can hold ANY 16X20 LF camera with the right legs :D

I wasn't going to reply at first because I've been such a dedicated ball head user for the last five years that I haven't had any desire to look at anything since, so I don't really know what's out there. I had the Kirk which is just as good as the Arca B1, but came across a deal on an Arca three years ago that needed to be re-built. After paying for the repair I decided to keep it and sell the Kirk - but there really is very little difference between the two. I hear Really Right Stuff's new ballhead is really great too.

I use mine for everything from Coolpix to long-ish lenses and the F5. Long lenses to me, but they're wide angle to Paul. ;) Good for very long exposures, doesn't freeze up in cold weather, light weight and easy to use. Yeah, they're expensive but as I said above it's well worth it. It also won't be obselete next year like a dslr...

hey I resent that..... I own a 19-35 lens I someday will get an image of a bird with ;)

I too once owned a ARCA B1G( G for GRANDE' ) and that baby held my MEASILY F100/ 80-200 F2.8 so solidly you'd of though it was the statue of david minus the leaf :D

I briefly used the studioball a few years ago.... quite nice.
I have briefly used a friend's kirk BH1/ BH3 and they both rocked, though the BH3 didn't hold a 500f4 as well as the BH1 did.

I must second Steve's comment on the RRS head being SAID to be a great ballhead, BUT they are more than a Markin