The rule of thumb for choosing a ball head is the capacity of the ball head should be 3 times greater than the combined weight of camera, lens, flash, flash bracket, flash extender, etc. I think James has a lens, camera, flash set up that weighs more than 6 lbs. My 80-200 and my 300mm on my cameras weighs more than 6 lbs. On the 4 ball heads I mentioned, the cheapest is $355 and the most expensive is $455.