p.1 #1 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
I just ordered a Gitzo 1541T compact traveler tripod and I am looking for a head.
I am looking at RRS BH-30 and at Acratech GP-ss ... which one are you advicing me to buy?
Other ideas?
I am a bit more biased for the RRS, because it is a bit lighter and because the Acratech is not available at the moment (but Acratech says it will be in a month) and the GP-s is too heavy...
If a would go for RRS, I think I will buy it with the screw-Knob clamp, so I could use also third-party ArcaSwiss-like plates on it. Do you see any drawback in this kind of clamp? Is it easier that the clamp will get itself unscrewed?
p.1 #2 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
Either one would probably be fine. I have no experience with RRS ballheads, I use the Acratech GP ballhead on a TVC-24L. I believe it functions the same as the GP-s. The gimbal function works as advertised with my 1D3 and 100-400. I have also used it's leveling base function for panoramics with no problem. I like the screw knob clamp for the reason you mention, and it has never come loose in the 2 years that I have owned it. I've used lever style clamps and I don't miss them at all. The Acratech also has a higher load capacity than the BH-30. Having said that I have had nothing but good experience with both Acratech and RRS products and service. Hope this helps.
p.1 #4 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
The other one to consider is the Markins Q3T, which will likely be the smoothest action in a compact head that fits the 1541T well. It's smoother than a BH-40, so should be well ahead of the BH-30.
Any of these should be good, though -- pick the one that has the handling features you prefer, and you should be fine.
p.1 #5 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
+1 for the Markins Q3T. It was designed specifically for the Gitzo 1541T. I think it's fair to say that it's generally considered to be the best ballhead available for the 1541T by most users. There is a massive 1541T/Q3T thread over on the POTN forum; all you might ever want to know about the combination, and more.
The Markins is highly rated mostly for it's design and engineering, first it has a panning base and ball housing that is less than or equal to 50mm, the dimension required to fold the 1541T legs back over it and have those legs parallel to the center column. Second, Markins have managed to fit a 38mm diameter ball into that housing, and a larger diameter ball means a higher max load rating, greater stability, and very smooth use when the friction is set correctly. (The RRS BH-30 has a 30mm ball.)
Most prefer the lever clamps but I use screw knob clamps in all my ballheads because I use camera plates from many different manufacturers. I like the Markins screw clamp a lot because it has a spring-loaded safety detent pin that can stop a camera sliding out of the clamp if the vise becomes a little loose.
p.1 #8 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
Thanks to you all. I have a few more questions:
1) Somewhere I wrote that the Markins ballhead tends to unscrew itself from the tripod... do you have any experience about that?
2) Which (lens and camera) plates do you advice me to buy? I would prefer a non-camera- specific model, do you advice me differently?
3) If I would go for the RRS BH-30, is it better to buy the smaller B2-mAS clamp of the larger B2-Pro II? My doubt is that the B2-Pro II does not fit well, when folded inside the legs of the traveler tripod
4) I currently have a Manfrotto head with the 200PL-14 1/4'' camera plate. I love this plate because it has a hook that permits me to quickly attach the camera to my Black Rapid strap (so I always have the 200 PL on camera, both if I am walking with or without the tripod). Is it possible to mount a Manfrotto clamp on one of the heads discussed so far (RRS told me it is not possible, but maybe I can do it on markins or Acratech heads) ... or are there on the market Arca-Swiss compatible plates with a hook lìike Manfrotto one?
Thanks again
Francesco
May 19, 2012 at 07:43 AM
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p.1 #9 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
1. I have never heard that. I have also used Markins for many years without anything like that happen. It's the same screw and thread as the other ballheads.
2. I advice you to buy camera specific. RRS or Kirk is good
3 I belive it depends on how large camera and lenses you will use with the clamp.
p.1 #11 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
i use a D7000 and a D4. that screw clamp will more then support your cameras, now and future, using up to and including 70-200/2.8 + TC's properly mounted. in addition it is easy to "update" your clamp assy with an allen key (supplied i believe with the replacement)
p.1 #12 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
fracas wrote:
I just ordered a Gitzo 1541T compact traveler tripod and I am looking for a head.
I am looking at RRS BH-30
If compact packing is important to you, I'd go with the BH-25 because it fits neatly within the 1541T legs when packed. You can see pics on the RRS website but they do not show the analogous pics for the BH-30. BTW, I owns the 1541T and BH-25 and travel with them regularly. The biggest set-up I'd use is a D800 and 70-200 2.8. Dave
p.1 #13 · Best compact head for Gitzo traveler tripod
I had similar questions last year when I bought a GT1541T and sent an email to RRS. Below are my questions and their responses:
I have a Gitzo GT1541T with the center column removed and am considering the BH-30 but have a few questions:
(1) will the BH-30 support a Nikon D300 with grip, 70-200 f/2.8 and flash as the 70-200 will be the heaviest lens I use with this tripod? The tripod will generally have a 24-70 f/2.8 attached.
regarding the BH-30 with B2-mAS and the BH-30 Pro II with B2-Pro II:
(2) will the attachment of either one of these two ballheads prevent the GT1541T’s legs from being fully closed in the reverse-folded position?
(3) if both configurations allow the legs to be completely folded in the reverse-folded position does the BH-30 Pro II with B2-Pro II stick out much more than the one with the B2-mAS?
A friend told me the BH-30 with lever releases will not always work with plates from other manufacturers. My D300 with grip has a Kirk L-Plate attached. (4) Does this set-up preclude your lever release?
(5) If your lever release is compatible with the Kirk L-Plate will one of the lever release options when attached to the GT1541T allow its legs to be fully closed in the reverse-folded position?
RSS' responses:
1.) The BH-30 will certainly handle the load you’ve mentioned, although you may prefer a BH-40 since it has a drag tension knob. You are truly at the ceiling on both those heads with that load—any bigger than a 70-200mm/f2.8 you’ll need a BH-55.
2.) With the center column removed I can give you somewhat of a blanket response—the housing on the BH-30 (thus, obviously the BH-40 as well) will prevent the legs from fully closing (not an issue with the BH-30 if you used the center column). One leg will be prevented from closing fully—not so much the tripod wouldn’t fit into a backpack, but it’s not the eloquent look or feel I’m sure you’re after. (I would still use a BH-30 Pro with this configuration as it would fit fine in my backpack).
3.) The above response really refers to all clamp options—the housing is where the issue rests when no center column is installed on the tripod. If you used the center column the BH-30 could fit with any of our clamps, but for most compact folding I’d stick with the BH-30 Pro (ie the B2-mAS clamp).
4.) The LR clamp choice for the BH-30 will have about a 50% chance of accepting the Kirk plate.
