As a novice photographer I found this ball head to be very sturdy and strong. The panning lock was simple, the QC plate is awesome and has an extra safety release on it, the turn dial keeps this ball from moving! I gave it 4 stars cause I would have liked an optical bubble/spirit level ect on the actual ball head base. Now I need a shoe mount level for those tricky landscape shots and horizons @ the beach. All in all an awesome ball head that is not to big nor to small.