FLM CB-48 Ball Head vs Sirui K-40X Ball Head

[@TonyStark-oy1dq]

Not sure why the Sirui was even in the video? More like FLM cheerleading than any useful comparison.

[@merrickmiller9529]

A trick: watch movies on Flixzone. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@jaykhari2092]

@Merrick Miller Definitely, I've been watching on flixzone} for since november myself :D

[@MrRay645]

outlast the Sirui? who knows, guess I will let you know when mine fails, I bought it 2014 and have not been gentle with it over those 10 years used it with everything from dslr's with my 400, 500, 600 lenses to old view cameras and massive RED video rigs locked down in chase vehicles ... I just started looking for a second large ball head so I could keep one rig in the truck and google landed me here, I forgot how silly youtube photography reviews were. *bonus points for showing the k40 on sticks with a flexy center column LOL) fYI Anyone landing here looking for a massive ball head for super tele lenses and/or large formate rigs and doesn't want to spend a lot search for a used Graf Studioball (used 100usd or so), no flex and better built than anything I have ever used (heavy as all hell but just rock solid) For the love of god do not buy heavy duty tripods with center columns you are just flushing your money down the toilet

[@elho001]

Calling the friction adjustment knob a memory in the first place is what causes confusion in the first place. From what I got from other videos and the mentioned video by FLM USA & Canada, it simply is an adjustment for the lower friction limit, or in other words the friction that is applied with the locking knob loose. The usability bonus here is, that instead of only being able to set it by adjusting the limit ring with the locking knob loose until the desired setting is achieved, one can adjust the locking knob (which I guess is more intuitive on the one hand and a better starting position, given that it most likely is locked firmly when you have or put your camera on, anyway) until the desired point is reached and easily match friction limit ring to the current friction by turning it as low as it goes in that situation. The special feature here is, that the ring can not be turned to a lower friction setting than what the locking knob currently achieves. In some way, one could argue that by easily and quickly setting the friction limit to the current friction in place, it is memorized as long as you do not turn the knob, but IMO that was as if you build an analog radio and added a similar ring to the frequency knob that allowed to set the lowest frequency to tune in to and claiming it was a station memory feature, just because if you tuned to some higher frequency, you could quickly tune back to the other one by tuning in to the lowest frequency allowed by the ring...

[@romanstehling6329]

Thanks for your great review, Jeff! Very well articulated by you the categories these two different ball heads are in: "sufficient vs top-of-the-line"! And that's a very fair comparison which does justice to both of them and will help people making a very educated decision. I decided to go with FLM along with Gitzo 3532 tripod legs, but would have been fine as well with the Sirui. Just one comment: FLM is a manufacturer from Germany not Canada! I insist (I am from Germany lol). In Canada is their distributor.

[@BandariVahab]

How was your experience with FLM?

[@FLMUSACanada]

Another very good review, Jeff. You understood the Memory Lock ring perfectly. It's true we do get some complaints about the amount of turns, but what gets overlooked is the vast amount of precision and adjustment that the ball heads are capable of. And you don't need to tuen the friction all the way to the end, it'll lock up the ball sooner than that. Camera/lens weight is very much a factor in how far you need to tighten the friction knob, the friction will adjust to the weight of your gear, and you can feel when it's locked up the ball just the right amount. The 15˚ Stop knob, when the arrow lines up with the "0", is pushed in to lock the base (panning). You have to keep the knob pressed in to keep the lock engaged. The reason for this feature is to be able to remove the ball head from the tripod quickly without having to tighten the pan lock knob. And it also works when you're screwing in a ball head to the tripod: press the knob to lock the base, and the ball head is quickly attached to the tripod. Lastly, it looks like the Tilt Lock isn't working properly on your review ball head. It may be that the ball needs a quick cleaning with alcohol, but the tilt lock should work much better than what you show. To dislodge it from its axis when using the Tilt Lock, you should have to push the ball much harder than you're doing, so it's not behaving normally. Good stuff, thank you!

[@johnwright8048]

I have the tension set on my CB-48F such that it takes only a half turn to lock solidly. It has enough feedback to know it is tight, even though one can keep turning. There is no need to keep turning. And the precision is phenomenal. It just doesn't shift during lockdown, at least not visibly. I tested it with my macro set to 1:1, took a shot with a lock, then tightened it just a bit more and shot again, compared them. There was a fraction of a mm shift... undetectable until I measured the the macro! The CB-48 is simply the best ballhead I've ever used. I know there are many good serviceable brands out there, but FLM is far superior.

[@FLMUSACanada]

@@johnwright8048 Thank you, John, much appreciated. When people realize what the memory can do, the ball head becomes much more versatile and quick to use. Keep enjoying your ball head! Ari - FLM

[@schweglerd]

that review was bull crap. he didnt do anything, clearly bias and youre clearly influencing his review.

[@georgedavall9449]

There is a reason a tripod mount exists on that lens, sir! Couldn’t help but cringe while watching You move and twist the camera and lens, using the camera plate, versus the lens mount. Granted it is a 24-70, but being an F/2.8, there is a decent amount of weight hanging off that lens mount. Just FYI. Of course, your camera, and YMMV. Sirui has good reputation for decent products for the price. Used to be a fan of their sticks, not so much anymore. Their Monopods hard to beat. Their Ball heads have a decent reputation, but I believe FLM is in another league.

[@schweglerd]

I just stopped this video at 1:10 seconds. Youre comparing 2 ball heads, one is half the price of the other? okay so if this ends with the cheaper one not being better im calling bull crap on this whole video.... and play

[@schweglerd]

yea so not a "versus" and "not comparable" your words... cool thanks.