Sirui K-10X Rotule

Some time ago I got the Sirui K-20X ball head, loved it, but it was a bit big for some purposes. Thus I recently got the K-10X. It has all the great features of its bigger brother, but in a smaller package. I was just hoping they made something smaller and lighter. One of the best features is the built in drag feature on the single tension knob. Construction is great, everything is smooth. All I need, and a great price too.

I already own a K-30, the larger brother to this one, and I needed a lighter head for travel. This head is perfect for that reason, weighs less, is a bit smaller, and fits into my travel bag well. It also mates up well to my Sirui aluminum travel tripod. It cant handle the weight of a heavy kit as well as the K-30, but that perfect middle ground for when Im lugging my gear around. The quality of Sirui products keeps me coming back, Ive now purchased their tilt head for my monopod as well. Having everything use the same mounts is a huge plus!

This is a size smaller than the ball head recommended for the Sirui tripod I bought, but does the job. It holds my gear and locks tight. No complaints so far!

I have used this head for several years. It works but I am not real happy with it. The weight rating is optimistic. I mostly use it with a E-M1 or an E-M5 with a legacy Olympus 50mm f2 macro and a Novoflex Castle Q. Both cameras have an L bracket (the Sirui arca plate is too sloppy). The friction preset (built into the large tension knob) creeps and frequently, I am having to reset it. Getting the friction preset right is not easy. Its either too sloopy or too tight. The rubber grips loosen and spin too freely (I glued them once but they loosed again. I have been conservative in the type of glue because I dont want to destroy the rubber as without grips the knobs are slick and pretty much useless). Its saving grace is price. I keep thinking about something in the RRS class. The Novoflex Magic Ball 50 looks nice too. All are very pricey so I grumble and use the Sirui. I would say that the K-10x is a good value as compared to the really good stuff but not a pleasure to use.

...but I recently lost my tripod with this ball head attached, and this is a replacement. It is a great ball head, I love it, thats why I bought the same one. I would definitely recommend it.