New FLM Ball Head

[Ari]

If you saw my previous thread (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?99149-Please-Recommend-a-Ball-Head-for-4x5/page8) about using a ball head for LF, you noticed there were equal numbers of people swearing by ball heads as there were people who swore by 3-way pan/tilt heads.
I was in the latter camp, but the new ball head I got from FLM might shift me towards the former, and it might do the same for others.

I got the FLM 48FT yesterday, and tried it out with a Technikardan; attached was a Grandagon 115, my heaviest lens.
I think the ball head is quite wonderful and unique, not to mention well-built.

The 48FT is at the farther end of the pro line-up, only the 58FT is larger; there is a 43FT and a 38FT, the numbers refer to the ball diameter.
Each increase in ball diameter carries a corresponding increase in load capacity.
I got this one figuring I'd use it on the 8x10 as well, since it's rated for 35kg (77 lbs).

Anyone who has used a ball head before will know how to operate this easily; there's nothing complicated or strange about using the head.
It offers pan control, and there is a friction knob/lock knob-in-one; the friction knob is accompanied by a second numbered knob to set friction and let you remember the level of friction set; you can tighten up the ball, then go back to previously set friction control.

The best, and most unique part, is the tilt lock, mentioned in the previous post.
I was able to easily level the camera, and then I locked the tilt knob; the camera could only move front-to-back and there was not a millimeter of side-to-side wavering.

The new head is a rock and carries a 10-year warranty should it ever loosen up or otherwise fail.

All in all, a very practical solution when one must consider weight and bulk; the head weighs just 580 grams, and is just 100mm tall.
And for those on the fence about using ball heads with LF gear, fear no more.

Some pics of the new head:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8468056181_7684f7e494_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zsari/8468056181/)
P1000734 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zsari/8468056181/) by Ari4000 (http://www.flickr.com/people/zsari/), on Flickr

...and from the back:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8469151066_226e56f8d3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zsari/8469151066/)
P1000735 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zsari/8469151066/) by Ari4000 (http://www.flickr.com/people/zsari/), on Flickr

[gnuyork]

Interesting. Who sells it?

[Ari]

In the US, a limited selection is available at B&H, reasonably-priced.
Adorama has a more varied selection of FLM stuff, but they are much more expensive than B&H.
Those are the only two in the US of which I'm aware.

So far, this ball head is winning me over; its precision and features are impressive, and it is rock-solid.
It's making me take a hard look at my Manfrotto 229 set-up.

[Thomas Greutmann]

I fully concur with Ari. I am using an FLM ballhead for quite a while now and absolutely love it. I use the smaller 38 FT model, which is strong enough for my Linhof Master Technika.

BTW, FLM started to make some nice carbon tripods recently, and I am a happy user of one these as well.

And they have a fairly unique, ultra compact quick release plate system which fits well with the ballheads.

Ballhead, tripod and plates make a real nice combo: robust and easy to use, yet compact and lightweight. Reasonably priced, too.

Greetings, Thomas

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9100 mit Tapatalk 2

[Ari]

Thomas, the ball head I first received was a 38FT as well, and I had planned on using it with my 8x10 folder; it is rated for 20kg.
But as I had to return it to its owner, I bought a new 48FT instead, just to be on the safe side :)

[Chris C]

These look really good. I'm looking for a ball head for a new lightweight 8x10 I have coming my way and one of these is currently a top contender. Hopefully I can track down a video of it in action before biting the bullet.

[Roger Thoms]

These look really good. I'm looking for a ball head for a new lightweight 8x10 I have coming my way and one of these is currently a top contender. Hopefully I can track down a video of it in action before biting the bullet.

http://www.flmcanada.com/videos.html

Roger

[Chris C]

http://www.flmcanada.com/videos.html

Roger

Thanks! Looks really good. I might have to order one now that my camera's on it's way to me.

[mortensen]

Looks really appealing - even for someone swearing to geared three-way heads! Thanks for sharing!

[Ari]

Chris, you should be able to find an FLM dealer in Asia.
Lars, FLM is readily available in Europe; I bought mine at SpeedGraphic in the UK.

Thanks, guys.

[Carl J]

Ari,

Does the FLM seem like it will be a good head for the 8x10 KMV (I recall you were having some issues with your KMV back, hopefully solved)? At 1lb would be a nice weight savings along with the Induro AT413 tripod (which I picked up after reading your enthusiastic recommendation). I'll be looking for a second tripod head and giving this some serious thought.

Nice Photo Kibitz interview with you, btw.

Thanks.

Carl


In the US, a limited selection is available at B&H, reasonably-priced.
Adorama has a more varied selection of FLM stuff, but they are much more expensive than B&H.
Those are the only two in the US of which I'm aware.

So far, this ball head is winning me over; its precision and features are impressive, and it is rock-solid.
It's making me take a hard look at my Manfrotto 229 set-up.

[Ari]

Hi Carl,

Thank you for the PhotoKibitz comment.

Regarding the FLM/KMV combination, I use the CB-58FTR head; it works beautifully.
I sent you a PM with more details, but the 58 size is what I find works best for a heavy view camera, where weight is displaced laterally.
The CB-48FTR is an excellent choice for the KMV too, but I like the extra security of the larger ball.

Thanks

[gmfotografie]

hi my friends, i´m also interested in the cb 58ft. how is your experience with this head.. does the new 2d movement-function works well?

best michael

[cowanw]

This is what I use for my 8x10. Rock solid and the 2d offers the control similar to a pan head. Highly recommended from here!

[Ari]

Michael,
I, too, use the CB-58FTR for 8x10; I have a Toyo 810M.
The tilt lock makes levelling very fast and easy, and the rest of the ball head is typical well-made German quality.
This video shows how the ball head helps in setting up and levelling the 8x10 camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2z-0Ps008Y

[Ari]

Michael,
I, too, use the CB-58FTR with a Toyo 810M.
The tilt lock makes levelling very fast and easy, and the rest of the ball head is high quality and precise.
This video shows how the ball head helps in setting up and levelling the 8x10 camera.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2z-0Ps008Y

[cowanw]

Cool Beans

[Cletus]

Nice video Ari and quite convincing. I hope your FLM venture is growing and yielding much fruit since we last talked. I still experience occasional pangs of regret at being so hasty in our last commercial encounter; every time I see something like this video I kick myself a little!

[Ari]

Nice video Ari and quite convincing. I hope your FLM venture is growing and yielding much fruit since we last talked. I still experience occasional pangs of regret at being so hasty in our last commercial encounter; every time I see something like this video I kick myself a little!

Hi Phil; yes, things are moving along, thank you.
And feel free to contact me should you ever want to try these ball heads again.

[gmfotografie]

thank you very much for your help and the video... i actually have a none accurate ballhead.. i want to buy a really good one..
also the arcaswiss d4 is very interesting for me;

but i will do a forum search or will open a new thread not disturbing this FLM-Thread
you can also pm me if you have further tipps for me.

[gmfotografie]

coming back to flm .. for a charmonix 4x5 is the 43FTR okay or should i try the 48FTR?
(arca D4 is also a great system but to expensive and too heavy)

best mh

[dave_whatever]

I've used my chamonix (and previously an Ebony) with my FLM CB38F and its ample, rock solid. Obviously bigger would probably be better, but the 38mm ball version are ample at least for the type of stuff I've used it for, i.e. not uberlong or heavy lenses and closeups.

http://www.daveparryphotography.co.uk/flm-cb38f-tripod-ballhead-review

[gliderbee]

Ari,

what is that level checking device used in the film? It seems to have the size of a credit card? I'd likt to buy one.

thanks,
Stefan

[Ari]

coming back to flm .. for a charmonix 4x5 is the 43FTR okay or should i try the 48FTR?
(arca D4 is also a great system but to expensive and too heavy)

best mh

Michael,
Either would be fine with the Chamonix, but if you think you might ever go to 5x7 or 8x10, the 48 is a good choice.


I've used my chamonix (and previously an Ebony) with my FLM CB38F and its ample, rock solid. Obviously bigger would probably be better, but the 38mm ball version are ample at least for the type of stuff I've used it for, i.e. not uberlong or heavy lenses and closeups.

http://www.daveparryphotography.co.uk/flm-cb38f-tripod-ballhead-review

Thank you for chiming in, Dave; I very much like the review you did of FLM's ball head on your website.
I would have also recommended a 38-size ball head, but I personally prefer an extra measure of solidity.
I use a 58mm ball head for every format, just in case. :)


Ari,

what is that level checking device used in the film? It seems to have the size of a credit card? I'd likt to buy one.

thanks,
Stefan

Stefan,
It's called the Ebisu Diamond, I bought it locally at Lee Valley tools.
Here is a link that may ship to you: http://www.tradesmanschoice.com/catalog/Ebisu_Diamond/ED-CD.html
If you have trouble finding one, let me know, the store is 10 minutes from where I live, and I can send you a couple, or one.

[gmfotografie]

thx i will take the 48 ftr!

can you tell me which mounting system would be the best choice for my camera systems?
QRB 70 or the 50?

for my canon 5diii and the analog systems (501cm and chamonix) the QRB 50 Plate would be okay?
(chamonix and the 501cm have two windings for different screws)

best michael

[Ari]

The QRB-70 plate comes with both 1/4" and 3/8" screws; the QRB-50 with only 1/4".
I personally prefer having more contact over a surface area, so all my cameras use a 70mm plate.
For smaller formats, you can mount them very well with a 50mm plate, or even a 40mm plate.
You should know that the QRB clamps are not Arca-compatible, they are Novoflex-compatible.
The QRB system has been updated recently, though, so a number of plates are now compatible; since each manufacturer uses slightly different specs, we prefer to err on the side of caution.
For a universal clamp, you should look into the SRB-60.

[gmfotografie]

okay, so for my chamonix and the 501cm i should better take the 70mm and for the 5diii the 50mm plate because it has only one winding...

[Ari]

That sounds like a good combination.
The screws are removable on all the plates, so you could use only one screw from the 70mm plate on the Chamonix/Hasselblad, if you wish.

[gliderbee]

Stefan,
It's called the Ebisu Diamond, I bought it locally at Lee Valley tools.
Here is a link that may ship to you: http://www.tradesmanschoice.com/catalog/Ebisu_Diamond/ED-CD.html
If you have trouble finding one, let me know, the store is 10 minutes from where I live, and I can send you a couple, or one.

Thanks! I just ordered two :-).

regards,
Stefan

[Ari]

Great, glad you could find some closer to home.

[gliderbee]

I just got the Flm 58FT too, from ebay uk, with Manfrotto adapter: never thought a ball head could be so practical and easy to use. Thanks for the tip.

Stefan

[Ari]

Nice! Did you get it new or used?

[Sal Santamaura]

Ari, do the round, cork-lined platforms at the end of these heads' ball stems screw off? In other words, if one wished to replace one of them with a RRS lever-lock clamp, would it simply be a matter of removing the platform and screwing on the clamp? Thanks in advance.

[gliderbee]

Nice! Did you get it new or used?

used, but I have a hard time seeing any marks. Only the box and manual look a bit ratty, but the head itself looks great.

Stefan

[cowanw]

The Platform screws off and if required the 3/8 threaded part comes out of the ball. The 3/8 thread has the smaller 1/4 on its end.

[Ari]

Thanks, Bill, you beat me to it.
Sal, I emailed you a detailed answer to your other questions.