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Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ballhead with Sliding Quick Shoe

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 146 ratings
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Color multicolor
Brand VANGUARD
Compatible Devices Camera
Item Weight 580 Grams
Maximum Weight Recommendation 20 Kilograms

About this item

  • Constructed of lightweight magensium alloy
  • Precision engineered center ball ensures smooth, seamless movement
  • Includes two quick shoes and two built-in bubble levels
  • Micro function adjustment knob
  • Dual safety locking system for quick release plate
  • 360 degree rotation
  • Includes 1/4" to 3/8" adapter
  • Weight: 20.5 ounces. Height: 4.375". Maximum load capacity: 44 pounds

Top Brand: VANGUARD

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Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ballhead with Sliding Quick Shoe

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Product Description

Best-selling SBH-250 precision-cut ball head moves swiftly and steadily so you won’t miss the action.  Constructed of solid, strong magnesium alloy, it's durable and yet lighter in weight than the industry standard. Unlike other ball heads, SBH ball heads are designed with molded body parts, not assembled cut parts, like the competition. Its smooth locking knobs allow you to move the ball head swiftly and securely into the perfect position, even with the heaviest lenses and cameras.  It includes two bubble levels, 360-degree scale, fine-tuning knob and a safety lock for extra stability. A special universal VANGUARD quick shoe for body/lens is also included so you can upgrade your system to quick-release immediately.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
146 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the durability, value, performance, and quality of the camera support. For example, they mention it's solidly made, works well, and is good value for money. Some are happy with ease of use, and smoothness of movement. That said, opinions are mixed on weight and grip.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

62 customers mention55 positive7 negative

Customers like the durability of the camera support. They say it's solidly made, reliable, and steady. Some mention that the set-up is noticably more stable than their old Bogen 3001/3025. Overall, most are satisfied with the product's durability.

"...rigorous field testing here's what I can tell you: This thing is built like a tank! There's no detectable lens creep...." Read more

"...head attachment to the tripod is quite firm and the whole set-up is noticably more stable than my old Bogen 3001/3025 head that I've been hauling..." Read more

"...250 is a wonderful product and unbelievable cheap for this incredible excellent quality" Read more

"...A bit unwieldy.That all aside, it does work. It's solid and can take a lot of weight...." Read more

35 customers mention35 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the value of the camera support. They mention that it's a great product for the price, and that it is accurate.

"...In sum, it's everything I was looking for and is a great value compared to the many other ball heads at this price (around $60) and above...." Read more

"..."Add to Cart" you will not regret it, This Vanguard SBH 250 is a wonderful product and unbelievable cheap for this incredible excellent quality" Read more

"...This was the perfect solution for the perfect price for my level of usage...." Read more

"What I love about this ball head:You get great quality for your money...." Read more

31 customers mention24 positive7 negative

Customers like the performance of the camera support. For example, they say it works well, the screw adapter works perfectly for their old tripod, and the regular swivel head works smoothly. Some mention that it handles their digital camera and zoom lenses very well.

"Nice head (no pun intended) works well, solidly made and a decent price...." Read more

"...I purchased this to go with the tripod and it works well. It was easy to attach and the inclusion of 2 mounting plates is a plus...." Read more

"...Otherwise, it works well with my Vanguard tripod." Read more

"...However I tightened it, it wouldn't hold. It is useless now..." Read more

26 customers mention23 positive3 negative

Customers like the quality of the camera support. For example, they mention it's a very good ball-head, solid, easy to use, and a fantastic bullhead. Some say it'll handle their cameras well.

"...The ball head handled these cameras very well--assuming long exposure photos won't be taken in windy conditions...." Read more

"...Cest le vie as they say in Franch! Overall it's a good piece of equipment and I give my stamp of approval." Read more

"A great ball head for those on a budget. The only thing I would change is the tension adjustment...." Read more

"This is a fantastic Bullhead. I have till date really only used Manfrotto products...." Read more

16 customers mention16 positive0 negative

Customers find the camera support easy to use. They mention that the three knobs are easy to work with and lock up or add tension as expected. They also say that the ball head is easy to attach and use, with smooth and controllable using the two knobs.

"...The three knobs are easy to work and lock up or add tension as expected. It is well built and seems quite solid...." Read more

"...the guide for sliding the camera into place is easy to use...." Read more

"This is a big, solid, easy to use ball head. It handles my D7000 with grip and telephoto easily...." Read more

"Pleasantly surprised at the quality and ease of use of this unit.. Big improvement of what I had on my Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod...." Read more

16 customers mention16 positive0 negative

Customers like the smoothness of movement of the camera support. They mention that it has a nice feel to it, is easy to set-up and use, and has s smooth response. The extra friction knob also makes things very smooth. Overall, customers are impressed with the smooth tripod ball-head for the price.

"...several different angles, the dual leveling bubbles and the ability to do a smooth pan. Also liked that it came with two quick shoes...." Read more

"...at the end the Vanguard is FAR BETTER than the Manfrotto, The Vanguard is more smooth, more precise, no need to lock strongly like this Manfrotto to..." Read more

"...You get great quality for your money. It is well made, operates smoothly, has two integral levels for two axis leveling, the panning ring scale is..." Read more

"...The extra friction knob also makes things very smooth...." Read more

22 customers mention12 positive10 negative

Customers are mixed about the weight of the camera support. Some mention that it's compact and the ball head moves like it is supposed to smooth, it does not look too small or too big for the tripod. However, others say that it is a bit heavy and the drag can be so heavy that it will unscrew the ball handle from the tripod, and that the tension adjustment is too easily adjusted and can get mistaken for the ballhead release.

"...And lighter with much greater weight capacity...." Read more

"...ago the rub grip on the nobs got loose and the nobs became challenging to tighten and adjust...." Read more

"This is a big, solid, easy to use ball head. It handles my D7000 with grip and telephoto easily...." Read more

"...It's also hard to get the tension adjustment just right, in my experience. It's a very fine line between basically locked and drooping instantly...." Read more

21 customers mention8 positive13 negative

Customers are mixed about the grip. Some mention that it holds their equipment with a solid grip, and holds it perfectly still when camera is vertical. However, others say that the grip comes loose, the screw provided keeps loosing its grip, the base plate wasn't very grippy on the camera and came loose a lot when in use.

"...Another issue--there can be a small amount of wobble between the upper portion of the ball head (ball and ball housing) and the lower portion..." Read more

"...There's no detectable lens creep. It easily held my camera and zoom lens along with flash attachment in the portrait position...." Read more

"...Vanguard sent me the replacement part.In 2015 the housing started shaking. However I tightened it, it wouldn't hold...." Read more

"...Holds well and seems very solid and excellent price as compared to other units." Read more

Love it
5 Stars
Love it
I got this ballhead to pair with my new Induro AT114 tripod. I have a Nikon D90 with a Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD glass, Zeikos battery grip and a Nikon Speedlight SB-900. Just like what all the positive feedbacks here, the ballhead is very well constructed and very solid. It holds my equipment very well. The 360 degree meter on the base and the two bubble balancer is a plus. I will post a picture or two of my camera, ballhead, speedlight and tripod alltogether shortly. I highly recommend this ballhead. I can't wait to put my gear in to outdoor action in a couple of months.
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Top reviews from the United States

Cary Wolfson
5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive at this price point
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2011
Verified Purchase
When I bought the Slik Sprint Pro GM tripod a few years ago it came with a, shall we say, minimalist ball head. It worked OK with the Lumix FZ18 superzoom compact I was using, but with only one knob it would just flop around when you loosened it.

I got myself a Canon Rebel T2i for Xmas this year and realized right away that this mount wasn't going to cut it, especially with my 18-200 zoom lens. I did a LOT of online research before settling on the Vanguard SBH-250. I liked the ability to click into several different angles, the dual leveling bubbles and the ability to do a smooth pan. Also liked that it came with two quick shoes.

My unit arrived last night, and while I haven't yet put it through any rigorous field testing here's what I can tell you: This thing is built like a tank! There's no detectable lens creep. It easily held my camera and zoom lens along with flash attachment in the portrait position. Panning is smooth (with adjustable resistance). In sum, it's everything I was looking for and is a great value compared to the many other ball heads at this price (around $60) and above. If you don't need something that's professional studio grade (and maybe even if you do) I think you will be well pleased with the Vanguard.

If there's any drawback, it's the documentation, which relies mostly on semi-inscrutable drawings to explain the head's functions. But using intuition and re-reading some of the other reviews (like this good one: [...]) got me sorted out.
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Douglas Henderson
4.0 out of 5 stars Good ball head for lighter large format
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2010
Verified Purchase
I bought a Vanguard SBH-250 from Amazon and attached it to a Benro C-157 M8 tripod, first removing the 1/4 inch screw adapter in the base of the ball head in order to mount on the tripod's 3/8 screw. The ball head attachment to the tripod is quite firm and the whole set-up is noticably more stable than my old Bogen 3001/3025 head that I've been hauling around for 23 years. And lighter with much greater weight capacity.

I tested the ball head with a variety of cameras, including a Crown Graphic 4x5 and a much larger wooden 8x10 pinhole camera. The ball head handled these cameras very well--assuming long exposure photos won't be taken in windy conditions. I placed a bullseye bubble level on the level top of each camera and tapped the camera to see how long the quiver lasted. Not long at all and much shorter than the same test with the old Bogen gear. The quick-release system is especially satisfactory because of the two-step removal process. It is very unlikely a camera, large or small, will leave the tripod by any inadvertent act in the field.

I noticed a few issues. The bubble levels on the ball head didn't match the bullseye level placed on the cameras--the ball head levels don't appear to be accurate. The Vanguard levels seem to be filled with a pretty heavy oil because there is a slow response of the bubbles to various adjustments. Making fine adjustments in various planes with the ball head takes a little practice and the side to side level seems to move a little while tightening down the ball head after finding the desired level.

Another issue--there can be a small amount of wobble between the upper portion of the ball head (ball and ball housing) and the lower portion (ring marked with panoramic scale). You can both see and feel motion between the two parts where they meet. In order to make the whole ball head one tight piece, it is necessary to tighten down the panoramic lock as tight as one dares by hand. If not tightened down, the wobble is only detectable by manually testing the camera side to side, so it isn't likely to effect camera steadiness when shooting.

The above said, the SBH-250 looks to be a fine ball head for the larger cameras I intend to use.
12 people found this helpful
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P. Laborda
5.0 out of 5 stars Waooow For this price Far Better than Manfrotto in same range
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
I will speak about the "Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe" (not about the 100 or 50, BUT about the SBH 250 !! )

I order it the same day than the "Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2 054 Magnesium Ball Head with Q2 Quick Release" on Amazon too
Why these 2 different heads, the vanguard for my mono-pod, and the Manfrotto for the tripod ...

I really thought than the Vanguard at 69 USD will be a kind of easy replaceable head, but at the end the Vanguard is FAR BETTER than the Manfrotto, The Vanguard is more smooth, more precise, no need to lock strongly like this Manfrotto to hold my 70-200mm f/2,8 L II IS USM + 5D Mark III

The Manfrotto 3 times more expensive than the Vanguard, 3 times less good quality than the Vanguard ...

The Vanguard is slightly lighter for exactly the same size, and Vanguard give you a second quick release slate in the box !

Now i will go always for Vanguard which is 3 times cheaper than Manfrotto, and 3 times better than Manfrotto

Manfrotto for me now have only the name and an old reputation witch is not anymore accurate ...

And at the price of the Manfrotto ( almost 200 USD ) when you compare it to the Vanguard, i feel really like i was robbed by Manfrotto !

So i recommend strongly the "Vanguard SBH-250 Magnesium Ball Head with Sliding Quick Shoe", just close your eyes and click "Add to Cart" you will not regret it, This Vanguard SBH 250 is a wonderful product and unbelievable cheap for this incredible excellent quality
One person found this helpful
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Jiju Kalapurakkal
1.0 out of 5 stars not durable
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2015
Verified Purchase
I bought it in 2012. In 2013 the quick shoe release was getting stuck. Vanguard sent me the replacement part.
In 2015 the housing started shaking. However I tightened it, it wouldn't hold. It is useless now

So I just had 2 year use of this ball head and now I have to sent it to vanguard for repairs.
I had various other tripods and heads from vanguard. Will not be buying from vanguard again.

It is cheaper but not durable. Their service was very good.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap Ballhead
Reviewed in India on July 10, 2015
Verified Purchase
Pathetic Ball head and not available in India
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fabrice
5.0 out of 5 stars très bien
Reviewed in France on June 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
Parfait , solide,souple et de bonne qualité .
Après l'avoir essayé dans de bonne et moin bonne condition et dans tous les sens ,je trouve cette rotule très bien .
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Umberto Atripaldi
4.0 out of 5 stars Vanguard SBH250 Testa a Sfera
Reviewed in Italy on April 15, 2015
Verified Purchase
Quello che promette mantiene, buon prodotto inviato nei tempi previsti.Contento dell'acquisto .bla bla bla bla bla bla ecc.ecc. ecc ecc
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THOMAS J GOWDYK
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ballhead
Reviewed in Canada on November 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent ball head for a tripod. It is very solidly made and easy to use. The only weak point is the documentation, which was very sparse to say the least. With the exception of the documentation, I would rate this an excellent buy and good value for the money. I currently use it on a Manfrotto monopod, but only because I am having trouble getting the SBH-100 off the Vanguard tripod. Once I do that I will swap the two. Great product though
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T. Wron
5.0 out of 5 stars SBH-250
Reviewed in Germany on February 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
Auf den ersten Blick wirkt es sehr solide verarbeitet und stabil.
Nach ein paar Tests folgt eine ausführlichere Rezension. Noch ein Wort.
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