Vanguard SBH-100 Ballhead Problems + Replacement?

[nerwin]

A few years ago I purchased the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT with the SBH-100 ball head and its been great until like last year when the head started to leak, the rubber grips deteriorated, quick release plate knob is loose. I'm really bummed that I spent a decent amount of money on a nice tripod head and its like falling apart.

As the SBH-100 is NOT a fluid head, it only leaks from the base of the head and its like some sort of grease or lubricant, probably for the head to rotate smoothly..now I have heard of others complaining about this issues and some that never had this issue..some say they might have put too much lubricant or a seal has dried up or something. Being that its so close to the adjustment knobs, it gets on my fingers and then onto my camera if I don't take a paper towel and clean the base of the head almost every time I use it. It gets worse if its laying on its side, but I'm just thats just because of gravity so I've been keeping it up straight which seems to help.

Now I know Vanguard has limited lifetime warranty, so I'm sure I probably could get the head replaced for nothing..but I'm wondering if I should buy a different head. I thought about the GH-100 pistol grip head, but just don't know if its something I'd like, it does seem easier to adjust, but also makes it seem to be even more wobbly because its much higher than the traditional ball head. But I have thought about getting the SBH-250 which is a fluid ball head and just an overall higher quality tripod head.

If you have any ideas for a good tripod head replacement that you know will work with my Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT, please let me know!

 

[KmH]

Vanguard has never been on my list of quality, reliable camera support gear makers.

My experience is that most people short change spending on tripods and tripod heads.
I probably define a "decent amount of money" for a ball head at 2 or more times more than you spent.

It happens all the time with tripod and head purchases.
People wind up upgrading several times because they didn't allocate sufficient funds at the first, second, or even 3rd purchase.
Ultimately they spend considerably more than if they had bought high quality stuff to start with.

At the entry-level I would recommend looking at Gioto's or Manfrotto ballheads.
If you want a high quality ballhead look at Kirk, Gitzo, or RRS (Really Right Stuff).

 

[nerwin]

Maybe I did make a mistake buying the Vanguard, I read many reviews and a lot of people liked it and it was within my budget. Unfortunately, I just can't drop $500 on a new tripod right now. The tripod itself I'm happy with, but if I can fit a better quality head on it..maybe that will be the way to go for now.

I can tell you one thing, this tripod is a lot better than the $24 best buy special that I used before! lol.

 

[GlennT]

For entry level, I'd suggest looking at Photo Clam and Markins ballheads. That's what I narrowed it down to a couple years ago.

I haven't shopped tripods in a while, but I have a Photo Clam PRO-42NS that I absolutely love. Even the PC-30NS would be a substantial upgrade over the SBH-100 IMHO, and has the huge benefit of having an arca swiss compatible clamp. Go bigger if you can afford it; bigger = smoother. Of course, that means having to buy mounting plates, but if you do it right and get an arca swiss style plate made for your camera, it will be far more stable. FWIW, I really like their plates as well. I have one for a Canon Rebel XT, one of a Canon 7D and I have one for my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. All fit nicely and do not rotate on the camera (thus making them more stable.) The camera plates have camera strap slots, which I find handy. They're not the cheapest, but they're far from the most expensive as well.