Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I am thinking of replacing my Kirk BH-3 ball head with a new RRS ball head. I've noticed recently the Kirk head not locking up so easily (and camera flopping over a couple of times - easily could be to the abuse its gone through over the past 5 years).

My question is which RRS ball head to get - the BH-30 or the BH-40. The BH-30 seems to be more than adequate for me (my biggest lens is the 70-200 2. - and I like that its $100 cheaper (definitely a factor!). Is there any reason why I should go for the BH-40 over the 30? I use L brackets so having 2 notches over one does not affect me. Also I've really never used the tension nob on my Kirk ball head so I do not think that is really an important issue for me either). I think my main concern is the smaller size of the BH-30 and how it will "sit" on my tripod (older model Feisol ct-3401 without the non-rotating legs - thinking of upgrading that too potentially - in the future)

Thanks for the help.


Cheers,

Jordan

In investigating ball heads, I have encountered a number of people, including here on tpmg with BH-40's. I almost replaced my Acratech GV2 for the BH-55, but after some experimentation discovered the weak point in my tripod configuration is not the ball head or the legs... it's actually the camera deflecting. Long story. Short answer is that I am very happy with my GV2.

The short answer, is get more than you need, and you've be covered.

I don't have a 70-200 so I can't quite comment on that, but I would hesitate to go smaller than the BH-40 with it.

My BH-40 is rock solid with all of my digital and medium format gear (heaviest lens I own is a Nikon 17-35 2. but struggles with my 4x5 camera (2,3 kg... about the same as a D700 + 70-200). It can hold it just fine, but can sometimes move when manipulating it (it's a 50 year old camera... it requires some force sometimes ).

You could always just order a BH-30 and try it out... I think their return policy is quite good

i just ordered a bh-30 last week. should be arriving soon.

the 25 is pretty sturdy itself and my biggest lens is about 700g so it seemed to me that extra $100 might be a bit overkill.

Oooops... unintentional up there.. Was supposed to be 2.8 followed by a )

Thanks for the info!

Ok i've definitely decided on the BH-40 over the 30, HOWEVER - in doing some research I am now also looking at the Arcatech GP.

Similar price (expensive), does anyone of any thoughts or opinions that could/would sway me for either one??

I currently have a Kirk BH-3 but this past weekend - my camera D300 with grip and 17-55 lens flopped down on me a couple of times (thought I had locked the head down) - and I can completely lock the head down and still be able to push - with some force - the camera around. So with the reliability of my current head in question I think I need to purchase something new before I lose another camera to an unfortunate accident!!

Thanks for the input.


Cheers,

Jordan

I've been very happy with this Gitzo Ser.3 ball head. I've had a 1Ds MKIII with a 70-200 F/2.8 IS mounted to it at various angles ... doesn't budge. Very smooth operation too.

http://gitzo.com/product/0/GH3781QR/_/SER.3_BALL_HEAD_QR_BLACK

Even with the friction knob tightened down as well it's still loose?

when I was out in the field, the friction knob was loose - so I tighten it up a little at home and tried again - its stable - but with some force I can move the camera around (when locked down) - Maybe I'm putting to much force to attempt this?

But with that said - my gear has changed since I last used my tripod - I now have an L-bracket to accommodate the camera with grip (so its heavier then before). Also - I've always notice that there is a small amount of creep in the ball when I lock it down (esp. when I have my 70-200 2.8 mount - on the collar). And to be honest I never viewed a ball head as a precision piece of equipment before and I have kinda beaten mine up over the years (a mistake I will not make again).

Well after being allowed to check out Tim's Arcatech GV2 i've decided to get the Arcatech over the RRS (it also helps that I can purchase the arcatech in store as opposed to order online).

So field trip to downtown Vistek for me next week!

Thanks for the input everyone.

Glad you got to test drive Tim's.

Yeah I got a few minutes to play around and ask Tim some questions.

I figured if both of you guys like it I really can't go wrong (I think seeing it in person just sealed the deal over the RRS BH-40).

I think I'm going to get the GP version (having the built in pan base option for panoramics is worth the extra $30).