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Joby Ballhead X Review

While it's designed to be paired with the Joby GorillaPod Focus flexible tripod, the Joby Ballhead X is very good on its own terms as a small, strong, and affordable ballhead for a travel tripod.

Joby Ballhhead X

Categories: Reviews, Tripod Heads

Last updated about 2 days ago // Originally published about 4 years ago

JOBY GorillaPod Ballhead X for Focus. Quick Release Ballhead for Tripods,...
JOBY GorillaPod Ballhead X for Focus. Quick Release Ballhead for Tripods,...
Check Price at Amazon
The Joby Ballhead X is nominally intended to be paired with the Joby GorillaPod Focus flexible tripod. In fact, it’s full model name is the BallHead X for GorillaPod Focus.

But there’s nothing about it that prevents you from using it on any other tripod, monopod, or other support just as you would any other small ballhead. It would be a good option for something like the Platypods, too. It uses the standard 3/8-16 or 1/4-20 screw connection (and includes a reducer bushing thread adapter, which is inserted by default) and on top is an Arca-style clamp. That’s compatible with any standard Arca-style quick release plate, but it also includes one.

Joby Ballhhead X

And it’s the clamp and quick release plate that give this product it’s X. The plate is shaped like an X. That’s more than a gimmick–it actually allows the clamp lock knob to protrude less while still being easy to use. It’s not a perfect system. Because of the plate and its clamp are shaped it’s possible to misalign them and get the plate jammed–something I’ve done a few times. It’s easy enough to fix with some force, but it’s not something you get with a regular square or rectangular Arca-style quick release plate.

Joby Ballhhead X

Joby Ballhhead X

You can also use this with other Arca-style quick release plates. I’m partial to the Peak Design plates; they work well on this.

Joby Ballhhead X

This is with a Peak Design quick release plate.

Joby Ballhhead X

And this is with a longer Arca-style plate from Oben (model QR-40).

On the bottom of the plate that comes with the ballhead, you can use either the D-ring lever or a grooved screw top to tighten.

Joby Ballhhead X

Despite its looks, it works in fundamentally the same way as other ballheads. On the bottom is a free rotating pano base that locks with a standard knob. The rotation is smooth and easy to do precisely–there are degree markers on the base to help.

Joby Ballhhead X

The locking clamp on the main ball is done with a larger knob. The movement of the ball isn’t the smoothst I’ve seen, but it does the job. There’s no separate tension dial, so everything is controlled with the single large knob.

It’s rated to hold up to 11 pounds (5 kg). It weights about half a pound.

Specifications

Dimensions: 2.68 x 2.44 x 3.27 in / 6.8 x 6.2 x 8.3 cm
Weight: 0.58 lbs / 262 g
Load Capacity: 11 lb / 5 kg

What’s in the Box?

There’s the ballhead, a quick release plate, and a small instruction leaflet.

Joby Ballhhead X

Summary

Overall, the Joby Ballhead X doesn’t have the refinement of some other ultra-light ballheads like the Really Right Stuff BH-25 or a Markins Q-Ball, but those are also much more expensive. But compared to other ballheads more relevant to its price range, the Joby Ballhead X holds up very well indeed.

And while it’s nominally designed to be used with the Joby Gorillapod Focus flexible tripod, the Ballhead X actually stands on its own very well as a capable general use travel ballhead.

Find Them At

I bought mine at Amazon. You can also find them at B&H Photo.

JOBY GorillaPod Ballhead X for Focus. Quick Release Ballhead for Tripods,...
JOBY GorillaPod Ballhead X for Focus. Quick Release Ballhead for Tripods,...
  • QUICK RELEASE. This JOBY quick release ballhead with an attached bubble level, means you’ll get clearer...
  • CAPTURE SUPERIOR PERSPECTIVES. Position your camera at virtually any angle with the JOBY Ballhead for...
Check Price at Amazon

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2021-01-23 at 19:09. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 21, 2021

Categories: Reviews, Tripod Heads

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News & Deals

With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

Canon announces new EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Canon has announced their new T8i DSLR. 24MP APS-C cropped CMOS sensor, 4K24 video, and updated image processing and detection systems. It’s available for preorder from B&H Photo.

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

Comments

  1. Zak Suhar says

    November 6, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    Hi there, can you 100% confirm that plate on the Peak Design Capture works on this BallHead 5K quick release? Also, do you recommend the Joby 3K or 5K model for a Sony A7iii with 24-70mm lens (little heavy)?

    Capture: https://www.peakdesign.com/products/capture
    BallHead: https://joby.com/us-en/ballhead-5k-jb01514-bww/

    Thanks for the help!

    Reply
    • David says

      November 6, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      I haven’t tried the 5K specifically–the one reviewed here was the earlier X model–but my assumption is that it also works just fine with the Peak plates. If it was me, I’d definitely be going with the 5K over the 3K with something the size of the a7iii.

      Reply
  2. Mark says

    November 26, 2017 at 4:03 am

    I’ve owned this ball head for 4 years and am constantly amazed by its quality. It holds my Canon 70D & 80D with 70-200/2.8 or 100-400/4.5 securely, but allows for smooth movement when loosened a bit. I have much heavier and bulkier ball heads from Sirui, Manfrotto and Desmond, but I use the Joby on my GorillaPod, Manfrotto BeFree travel tripod and Oben monopod because of it’s small size and low weight.

    Reply

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I take photos. I travel. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

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