LEOFOTO Micro Head MBH-19 19mm Ball All Metal w Independent Pan Lock

I wasn't expecting all-metal construction, and solid, locking knobs. The 1/4-20 bottom thread is great if you just want to mount it on a small tripod. And it comes with an outsized carrying pouch that I can use for one of my lenses.

I used this with a Leofoto MT-03 for a pocket tripod. This has a pan and tilt knob, most small heads only have a tilt. Ditch the lock ring add an Ulanzi Claw for fast setup. The combo weighs 290 grams. It will handle an E-M1 mk3 with the 12-45 but I use it with an OM-5 for a small travel system.

The MBH-19 is a real ball head, just in miniature. By that I mean separate pan and ball locks allowing better deliberate control than one knob lock. That feature is sometimes derated but in my opinion it's essential if available. The MBH-19 swivels, pans, and tilts much like a large ball head with precise positioning. I use these to aim lighting accessories: diffusers, reflectors, flags etc. where their small size stays out of camera view and interference. You can get similar size ball heads for less but these lock securely, position precisely, and adjust smoothly. I've got a couple of fist fulls to spread around various ways to deploy as needed 'cause they don't take up much room and they're a lot better to have on site than to wish you'd taken with to the shoot. My opinion, they're a good deal.

Amazing quality! Seems to be all metal, even the knobs. Smooth motion, easy to secure, well built and strong enough to support about 4 pounds on the end of a monopod. Love it! It deserves 10 stars!

A solid heavy duty casting. Very good value. I'll be looking for Leofoto products in the future