I remember the frustration well. Juggling multiple pieces of camera gear – a mirrorless body, perhaps a small video light, maybe a phone mount – all needing stable placement on a tripod or monopod. The bulky, heavy heads I owned just didn’t cut it for a lightweight setup. Trying to compose a shot, only for the camera to slowly drift or feel precariously balanced, was incredibly annoying. This constant instability and lack of precise control meant missed photo opportunities or shaky video footage. Finding a SmallRig Mini Ball Head seemed like a potential solution to these problems, which absolutely needed to be solved to achieve reliable and consistent results without the hassle of wrestling with oversized equipment.
- 【UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY】SmallRig mini ball head features 1/4 " thread QR plate screw, 1/4 to 3/8 Screw Adapter and a 3/8 " bottom screw thread which is suitable for most DSLR cameras, camcorders,...
- 【360 Degree Swivel Tripod Head】 Ensure 360° panoramic rotation for panoramic shooting, -90°/+45° front tilt and -50°/+50° lateral tilt for multi-angle adjustment including horizontal shooting...
- 【PRECISION PANNING BASE】The base of SmallRig ball head is finely laser-engraved in 5° increments from ±0°-330° for tracking progressive panning, ideal for multi-shot panoramic photography
Considering Your Needs Before Buying a Tripod Head
Before diving into a purchase, it’s important to step back and consider what problem a tripod head is actually solving for you. Whether you’re capturing still photos, recording video, or even just trying to keep your phone stable for a video call, a good head provides the crucial link between your support system (tripod, monopod, slider) and your recording device. Without it, precise framing, panning, and tilting would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible. An ideal customer for a *mini ball head* is typically someone working with lighter camera setups – mirrorless cameras, smaller DSLRs, action cameras, or even smartphones with appropriate mounts. They prioritize portability, quick adjustments, and don’t need to support the weight of heavy professional cinema cameras or large telephoto lenses. If your kit involves bulky gear exceeding a few pounds, or if you require buttery-smooth, dampened movements essential for high-end video production, a heavier-duty ball head or a dedicated fluid head would likely be a better investment. Before buying any head, think about the maximum weight you’ll place on it, the types of movements you need (panoramas, vertical shots, video), the type of quick release plate system you prefer (or already own), and the size and weight you’re willing to carry. Compatibility with your existing tripod or support system is also key – check the thread size (usually 1/4″ or 3/8″).
- 【Low Profile Ball Head】 Featuring a lower center of gravity, this camera head is more stable and heavy duty, able to support a load up to 33lb (15kg). The 3/8” bottom thread with the 3/8” to...
- 360 Degree Swivel: Equipped with 3 knobs for adjustment, you are able to set your camera at different angle
- 【Compact and portable】The fluid head is a compact dampening head weighing only 484g, which is easy to carry and use for outdoor and travelling photography due to its light weight and small size.
Introducing the SmallRig Mini Ball Head BUT2665
Enter the SmallRig Mini Ball Head, model BUT2665. This compact tripod head is designed to offer versatile positioning and stability for lighter camera setups. Its core promise is to provide smooth, multi-angle adjustments and reliable locking in a small, portable package. When you purchase the BUT2665, you typically receive the ball head itself and an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate with a 1/4″ camera screw, often along with a 1/4″ to 3/8″ screw adapter for broader base compatibility. Compared to generic mini ball heads, SmallRig generally has a reputation for better build quality and thoughtful design touches, although it’s not necessarily competing directly with high-end, professional heads from brands like Manfrotto or Gitzo. This specific model is best suited for photographers, videographers, and content creators using cameras, phones, or action cams that fall within its 2kg (4.4lb) load capacity. It’s likely not the right choice for someone needing robust support for heavy DSLR bodies with large lenses or demanding critical video movements with heavy rigs.
Here’s a quick look at its upsides and downsides:
Pros:
* Compact and lightweight design, excellent for travel or small setups.
* Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate system offers broad compatibility.
* 360° panoramic base with clear, laser-engraved markings for precise stitching.
* Aluminum alloy construction feels sturdy and durable for its size.
* Low-profile design contributes to better stability.
* Side-positioned tension knob is generally easy to access.
Cons:
* Tension adjustment range for the ball can feel limited, going from very loose to fully locked quickly.
* The tension/locking knob or base design can sometimes interfere with certain larger tripod bases or mounts, limiting tilt range.
* The quick release plate size might obstruct access to battery doors on some camera models.
* The 1/4″ camera screw on the plate lacks a convenient D-ring for tool-free attachment.
Features and Benefits Explored
Now, let’s dive deeper into what makes the SmallRig BUT2665 Mini Ball Head a useful piece of kit, based on my time using it and understanding its features.
Compact Size and Lightweight Design
One of the immediate benefits you notice with this mini ball head is just how small and light it is. Weighing in at only 188 grams, it barely adds any bulk to your camera bag or tripod. This is crucial if you’re hiking, travelling light, or using it on a compact support like a gorillapod, desktop tripod, or slider. It feels substantial in your hand thanks to its metal construction, but its minimal footprint means you’re far more likely to bring it along, ensuring you always have flexible camera positioning options available. For users constantly on the go or working in tight spaces, this portability is a significant advantage over traditional, larger ball heads.
Robust Aluminum Alloy Construction
The SmallRig BUT2665 is constructed from aluminum alloy, giving it a feeling of durability that surpasses many cheaper, plastic alternatives. This metal build contributes to its ability to confidently support up to 2kg. While 2kg might not sound like much for heavy DSLRs, it’s perfectly adequate for most mirrorless cameras with standard lenses, compact DSLRs, action cameras like the GoPro MAX, and smartphones (especially when used with a phone mount). The solid construction means it can withstand the typical bumps and knocks that travel or outdoor use might involve, providing reassurance that your valuable camera gear is sitting on a stable base. The rubber-padded mount on top of the quick release plate also helps prevent scratches to the base of your camera.
Arca-Swiss Compatible Quick Release Plate System
A major selling point for me, and many others, is the inclusion of an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate. This is pretty much the industry standard for quick release systems due to its ease of use and secure locking mechanism. The SmallRig Mini Ball Head BUT2665 uses a lever-based lock for the plate, which is quick to engage and disengage. The compatibility means if you already have other tripods or accessories that use Arca-Swiss plates (like L-brackets or cages), you can often swap your camera between different supports without needing to change the plate attached to the camera body. This streamlines workflow significantly. The plate itself is small and attaches to your camera via a standard 1/4″ screw. While the screw provides a secure connection, one minor annoyance noted by some users is the lack of a D-ring, meaning you’ll likely need a coin or tool to tighten it properly. Also, depending on your specific camera model, the plate’s size and position might slightly block access to the battery compartment door, which is a consideration, though some have found workarounds.
Versatile 360° Panning and Tilting
Flexibility in positioning is paramount, and the SmallRig Mini Ball Head delivers here. It offers a full 360° of rotation at the base, essential for panoramic shots. The ball joint itself allows for significant tilt, specified as -90° to +45° front tilt and -50° to +50° lateral tilt. This range means you can easily switch between horizontal landscape shots and vertical portrait orientations, as well as point the camera upwards or downwards for creative angles. The ball movement itself feels reasonably smooth when the tension is loosened appropriately. This multi-angle adjustment capability ensures you’re not limited in your creative composition and can quickly adapt to different shooting scenarios.
Precision Panning Base with Markings
For photographers interested in stitching multiple images together to create high-resolution panoramas, the precision panning base with laser-engraved markings is a fantastic feature. The base of the SmallRig BUT2665 is marked in 5° increments from 0° to 330° (covering a full circle). This allows you to rotate the head by a precise, measured amount between shots, ensuring consistent overlap for seamless stitching in post-processing. It’s a level of detail often found on more expensive heads and is particularly valuable for landscape photographers or anyone who needs repeatable horizontal movements.
Low-Profile Design and Side Tension Knob
The low-profile design of the SmallRig Mini Ball Head contributes to better stability. By keeping the center of gravity closer to the tripod or support, it reduces leverage and potential wobble, especially crucial for a lightweight head supporting camera gear. The main locking knob for the ball joint is cleverly positioned on the side of the ball head rather than directly underneath it. SmallRig claims this lowers the center of gravity by 15%, further enhancing stability and also making the knob easier to access and operate, even when you’re looking through the viewfinder.
However, this side-positioned knob also leads to one of the main criticisms mentioned by users: the tension adjustment range can be quite limited. It can go from completely loose to fully locked with only a small turn of the knob. This makes fine-tuning the drag (the amount of resistance when moving the ball) challenging, as it’s difficult to find a middle ground where the camera moves smoothly but doesn’t flop over. Additionally, the size or positioning of this locking knob, or the base locking lever, can sometimes interfere with the base plate or leg spider of certain larger tripods when tilting the camera to extreme angles (like full vertical). While it works perfectly fine on smaller bases or sliders, it’s something to be aware of if you plan to use it on a wider tripod platform. Despite these minor design quirks, for its intended purpose with lighter gear, the low-profile design and side knob are generally beneficial for stability and accessibility.
What Users Are Saying
I’ve looked around online to see what other people who’ve used the SmallRig Mini Ball Head BUT2665 think, and the feedback is mostly quite positive, mirroring much of my own experience. Many users praise its solid construction and feel, especially for its price point. The Arca-Swiss compatibility is frequently highlighted as a major plus, making it easy to integrate into existing systems. People find it a great compact and sturdy option for smaller cameras, phone setups, or for use on monopods, sliders, and mini tripods. Some users specifically mentioned how well it works with camera cages that already have Arca-Swiss mounts. On the flip side, some users did point out the issue with the limited range of the tension adjustment knob and how it can quickly go from loose to locked. There were also mentions of the potential for the locking levers to interfere with certain tripod bases when tilting significantly, and the lack of a D-ring on the mounting screw was a minor point of frustration for a few. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall sentiment remains positive, particularly regarding its value and performance for its intended use.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with unstable camera setups and cumbersome gear can truly hinder your creative process and lead to disappointing results. Having reliable support is essential for capturing sharp photos and smooth video. The SmallRig Mini Ball Head BUT2665 is a compelling option to solve this problem for users with lighter camera loads. Its compact and durable aluminum build makes it highly portable, while the Arca-Swiss quick release system offers great convenience and compatibility. The versatile movement and panoramic markings add significant creative potential. If you’re looking for a reliable, compact ball head for your mirrorless camera, phone, or action cam setups up to 2kg, this SmallRig head is definitely worth considering. To learn more and see if it’s the right fit for your needs, click here to check out the SmallRig Mini Ball Head BUT2665 .ca.
Last update on 2025-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API