Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The Opteka SW-1 seems very well built, it is all metal and features a nice quick release plate. The relase plate can be attached to either the end oposite the ball or the end with the trigger. It is attached using an allen screw so it isn't the kind of thing you will be moving between mounting positions frequently. An allen wrench is included. The SW-1 also has a tension adjustment that helps hold the head in place when you have a heavy load on it. It also comes with a tripod/monopod screw insert so you can use the ball head on either a tripod or monopod. The ball itself is pretty large, I'm guessing around 1.25"
When the head is locked into place, surpisingly, it is very stable. It easily holds my Canon 7D with battery grip and 300mm f4 lens. The spring loaded trigger works smoothly, but you can tell there is a strong spring in the head. This may cause problems if you have arthritis in your hands or have very weak fingers, but most people should be able to easily operate it.
Now here is why this isn't a 5 Star Review: When I first used this ball head it was VERY sticky when you tried to release and move it to a new position. It was usable, but it wouldn't move smoothly and it felt like you were using a very cheap ball head. It seemed like it needed some lubrication but I was thinking that grease wouldn't be a good thing to use for the long run. I wound up moving the ball head to the 90 degree position so most of the ball was exposed and then took a #2 pencil and "colored in" the exposed area of the ball. Then I exposed a different area and repeated the "coloring in" process. Guess what? Sticky problem solved! The head moves VERY smoothly and is a pleasure to use! No 5 stars because I'm not sure how long this fix will last.
Given the low price, this ball head is an excellent value if you are looking for a pistol grip type ball head.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Opteka SW-1 Sidewinder Joystick Pistol Grip Ball Head with Quick Release Plate for Tripods & Monopods
The Opteka Sidewinder is a fast to set up and an easy to use tripod / monopod head, designed for lightweight video or still photography. The very act of taking your hand away from the grip locks the head into position, which eliminates the extra step of having to tighten a knob or lever before being ready to shoot. You have immediate access to half of a sphere in which to position your camera. The tension of the ball can be adjusted to accommodate the load weight. The included quick release plate allows you to remove your camera at a moment's notice.The Opteka Sidewinder can support up to 6.6 lbs. For example, that means 35mm up to an 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. This head is ideal for both tripods and monopods.
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