JOBY GorillaPod Ballhead X Quick Release Tripod Ballhead - Compatible with DSLR Cameras, Video Cameras & Zoom Lenses up to 5kg (11.1lbs) - Perfect for Photography, Vlogging & Outdoor Shooting

Before I get going, I should mention that there is a newer version of this ball head, the I bought the Joby BH2-01EN Ballhead X to attach a video light or DSLR to a Super Clamp or table top tripod. I soon realized the Joby is over engineered for Gorillapod duties and is a great AS compatible ball head.I took Joby for a spin on a Gitzo G1028 Mountaineer. The screw knob clamp accepted my 6D/24-105 4L with I purchased this late 2016 for £54.95 and it's excellent value for money.If you're looking at this you're probably looking for a way to accurately set the direction, tilt and level of the camera quickly and firmly. This does all of the above better than any other product I've tried.The unit is robust with a metal body but with that a little weighty. All 3x rotating dials are covered In a heavy duty rubber for non slip and are grippy af.The BHX has 2 parts that come together like (like a standard tripod. There's the main unit itself with the ballhead as is the 'adjustable' part. And the very top there's a removalable plate which attaches with the usual thread to the base of your camera. You can buy other plates for each of your cameras separately.I've attached the BHX to an SLR friendly Joby Gorillapod (not the pro one) and it works great. I've also applied it to cheap tripods where it's made levelling the camera much much easier.The Ballhead itself which holds the camera in some procurious positions is very very strong. It holds the camera firmly which gives you that much needed confidence.The dials are easy to rotate and very strong. They are used to lock and release the ballhead, the camera plate and the 360 rotation.If you do timelapse where the camera is in an awkward position, or vlog style and your holding the camera at you , or landscape photography where you need micro adjustments in tilt or angle, or need to quickly place it on a surface for spontaneous shoots this is your new best friend.The speed it helps to frame your shot makes your day to day videography and photography easier. And anything that helps me get shooting quickly is a must have purchase.I bought the Joby Ballhead X with the SLR-Zoom Tripod & GripTight ONE Mount. All three pieces work very well together. The ballhead will not move at all when its screw has been tightened, but moves easily once it has been loosened (although it can be hard to move at first). When it is loosened it can be rotated in any direction (360 degree rotation & just under 180 degree translational movement). The smaller side screw locks rotation without requiring repositioning of the ballhead, which can be very useful. The top of the Ballhead can be removed by loosening the top screw, I keep my mount connected to it and put it in when I wasn't to connect my phone, I imagine this would be useful with a DSLR camera as well. I'm very pleased I got this high quality ballhead rather than a cheaper option.I bought the pieces separately, which made it significantly cheaper. I was very happy with how quickly my item was shipped (it arrived a week earlier than was estimated).Note I am not a professional photographer, so those who are might have a different experience with it.Its robust, swivels and rotates easily, feels quality, caries the weight of my M6, Smallrig Cage, microphone with ease & comes with an ARCA Swiss fitting plate. Which is a huge part of the reason I bought it. I fitted it to a 3k Jobby, but it also fits my tripod without having to unscrew or fit other plates. Yay.Impressed so far.A small item like this can be expected to "give" a little when a full-sized Canon camera with 70-300mm lens is mounted on it. So it's worth checking the screw fittings from time to time. I found this item very useful in the course of safari photography, being able to use various parts of the vehicle as supports for the lens. Overall, satisfied.Honestly, even for that price, I was expecting the ballhead to be plasticky or somewhat worse quality than the more expensive ones. Though when I unpacked it, it was solid, precisely build and somewhat heavy, at least heavier than imagined. The tightening knobs are very grippy and feel really quality made as well as the plate itself, very durable. Even panning head is extremely smooth, making recording panoramas a true pleasure. I can't fault this item, it's perfect, and for the price, just go and get it NOW!(Used on Sony NEX-5N, with Tamron 70-300USD and 28-75 on Fotodiox adapter for Sony A-mount)