SIRUI Camera Tripod Ball Head, 10KG/22.05lbs Loading Capacity, 360°Panning Base, Aluminum Build Quality, Safety Lock, Universal Mounting Plate for Easy Attachment (B-00K Ball Head) (B-00K)

I purchased the SIRUI AM-40 ball head that is advertised to support up to 88 lbs. After receiving this ball head, I tried using it for the first time to photograph the moon. To do this, I attached this ball head to my "SIRUI R-4214E Heavy-Duty Carbon Tripod with Geared Center Column", and then attached mounted my Canon R5 Mark II camera with a 200–800-millimeter telephoto lens onto this ball head. The lens had a 1.4x extender attached. So, I was effectively photographing the moon with a 1120-millimeter lens. At 1120-millimeters, the slightest movement of the camera/lens on this "heavy duty" ball head would be greatly magnified.Next, I lined up my shot with the moon centered in the viewfinder, and in the small auto-focus area/window I had selected. This resulted in the camera & Lens being pointed upwards at approximately 35-40 degrees. Then, I securely tightened up the knobs on the ball head, and removed my hands from the entire system as I had a wireless remote shutter release to use for the photo. However, when I removed my hands, the camera/lens would shift a millimeter or two and the moon would either be off center and outside the auto-focus "window", or the image would move totally outside the viewfinder. This would require going completely through the process of finding/locating the moon again and lining up the shot (having to do this multiple times was very frustrating, and my hands were freezing in the below zero temperatures). No matter how tight I turned the ball head setting knobs, the image would shift when I let go of this camera/lens system.Note that I also tighten all the tripod adjustment knobs to ensure that the movement was not the fault of my heavy duty SIRUI R-4214E Tripod. At a later date, I tested for any tripod movement by removing the AM-40 ball head and mounting this camera & lens system directly onto the SIRUI R-4214E tripod. My test results indicated that the "SIRUI R-4214E" had zero movement with this camera & lens system directly attached.Therefore, the movement of my camera & lens system was the fault of what SIRUI advertises as a "heavy duty" tripod head. This “false advertisement” is shown below:"SIRUI AM-40 Low Profile Ball Head, Professional Heavy Duty 40mm Tripod Ball Head, 360° Panoramic CNC ALUMINIUM Alloy Tripod Head for DSLR Camera, Camcorder, Quick Release Plate, Max Load 88lbs/40KG"4/8/2025I edited this review in order to correct some text related errors. I always want to be as accurate as possible when writing a product review. However, the initial review and the conclusion remain unchanged. That is, the SIRUI AM-40 Heavy Duty tripod head (with the above camera and lens attached) moves after being securely "Locked Down"5/30/2025I have been in direct contact with SIRUI regarding my AM-40 Ball Head. During those discussions, SIRUI explained that this item, while supporting up to 88-pounds of weight (as advertised at the time of my purchase), is not designed for long heavy telephoto lenses where the camera position causes an excessive downward weight to the outside surface of the 40mm diameter ball. Instead of using a ball head for the photography situation I have described above, SIRUI indicated that a gimbal (or geared) tripod head would be much more suitable. With this in mind, I have “tested” the AM-40 using lenses (on my Canon R5 Mark II camera) other than my heavy 200-800 telephoto lens, and this 40mm ball head mount worked flawlessly.Therefore, based on this new information, I am changing my rating for the AM-40 from the original 2 stars to 5-stars. I am also changing the title of my review from, “Ball Head Moves When Securely "Locked Down" to “This ball head is not ideal for use with long/heavy telephoto lenses”.I also wish to compliment SIRUI for all the great customer support it has provided me after the sale. SIRUI customer support was very courteous and respectful throughout our discussions regarding this AM-40 ball head mount.

I've been using a smaller but very similar ball head for some time but always felt it was too easily knocked out of kilter.This one is very easily adjusted and suits my needs as a slider perfectly. Materials and workmanship are excellent and the additional weight allows me to use the slider in whatever angle I need.To be sure it was three times the cost of my previous ball head but worth the small investment considering the rest of my kit.Very pleased with this purchase and I heartily recommend it. The only drawback is that the accompanying plate could be longer allowing greater fine adjustment of the units forward and back balance. I have other longer Arca Swiss plates that will fit the bill but you may want to purchase at least a 3.5" optional plate.

Really quality for the fraction of the price!

The media could not be loaded. Strong and durable tripod ball head. I was originally looking for a Benro ball head because that is the tripod that I have, but they didn’t ship out in the time that I needed one. So sirio won the bid. I was hesitant at first because it wasn’t the same brand but luckily the thread is universal. My fx3 fully rigged can manage to hold tight vertically and that is all I needed to know that this thing was it for me. When I received my package I didn’t expect it to weigh as heavy as it did (didn’t read the weight) so that is extra points for it feeling like a strong and durable product!

It not the less wight or less expensive on the market, but this ball head is great to handle the camera and lens with no hesitation. Quite strong holding and very stable but yet light weight. I would recommended it for sure.

For small lenses or cameras

This is a solid camera mount with quick release for tripods with a 3/8" mounting screw. It was a little smaller (hence lighter) and more compact than I expected it to be from the online photos. For my use with closeup photography, where a need a solid mount capable of holding camera and heavy lens at all angles I believe it will be very nice, and the light weight is a plus. But where weight is not critical, and for videographers needing a smooth panning mount with easily accessible handle knobs, the small size of the knobs could be an issue. Also, the quick release knob is not as quick to use as a lever. Overall, a well-made, light and sturdy camera mount.

The media could not be loaded. Solid all metal construction and high quality ballhead. Supports my 3 lb camera setup for direct overhead shots.