Really having trouble deciding between a RRS ball head and an Acratech GP ball head.
I have a RRS BH-55 and am familiar with them but not the Acratech and I want to pick up another ball head for my girl friend to use.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Also will be looking for a light weight carbon fiber tripod. Again, suggestions appreciated.
The largest lenses we would use on it would be a Canon 100-400 or a Canon 400 DO.
Been using an AcraTech for at least the past 12 years. It never jams, even when frozen into ice. It has held everything I've put on it from Leica IIIc to D800E with 80-400mm AFS to Chamonix 4x5. No issues. Mainly bought it because it is impossible to jam in snow and ice.
I can't comment on RRS. However, I have an Acratech GP-SS and really like it. It's light, tight and reliable. The "gimbal" feature doesn't replace an actual gimbal if that's what you need. But I find it extremely useful for quickly switching to portrait on a small camera. I don't want to put an L-Plate on my X-T2, and with this setup I don't have to. Recommended.
I'm using more than one Acratech and my only RRS ballhead is a BH-55, which you're familiar with. The BH-55 is a large ballhead and the Acratechs are medium sized. The ball diameter of the BH-55 is 55mm and the ball diameter of the Acratechs is 38mm. The Acratechs can have a base diameter of either 53mm or 60mm.
I also rate Acratechs highly, like the BH-55 they are very well made and durable. I live in New England so like Kent above I need a ballhead that works in our cold winters. Additionally I live near the sea and sand/salt spray doesn't affect them, you just run them under a faucet and dry them off and they're ready to go. They're basically maintenance free.
They are very light in weight and have built-in leveling capability, it's great to have that on a travel tripod. I chose Acratech over the RRS medium sized models because I don't like the design of the ball locking knob which is a lever. That's a personal preference as I know they're very good heads, but I've found the leveling capability of the Acratechs to be extremely useful.
might be worth too, to consider the arca swiss p0
I looked at the new hybrid but didn't get convinced. However,I was able to test the regular p0 for a short time and indeed is a good alternative and performs well (again, short playtime and not with heavy gar)
I have the GP-S and just got the Feisol 3442 tripod. It makes a really lightweight travel/hiking combo. Everyone who picks it up is surprised at the weight.
Not sure if the GPSS is much smaller or not but the reversible legs folded up over the ballhead doesn't work well. For flights I just take the head off and leave the legs in normal down position.
The panning, leveling and gimbal all work well. Sure it isn't a fully capable gimbal but it gets you there when you don't want to carry one.
I've had the 5D3 and 100-400 combo on the head and it did fine.
peter_n wrote:
I'm using more than one Acratech and my only RRS ballhead is a BH-55, which you're familiar with. The BH-55 is a large ballhead and the Acratechs are medium sized. The ball diameter of the BH-55 is 55mm and the ball diameter of the Acratechs is 38mm. The Acratechs can have a base diameter of either 53mm or 60mm.
I also rate Acratechs highly, like the BH-55 they are very well made and durable. I live in New England so like Kent above I need a ballhead that works in our cold winters. Additionally I live near the sea and sand/salt spray doesn't affect them, you just run them under a faucet and dry them off and they're ready to go. They're basically maintenance free.
They are very light in weight and have built-in leveling capability, it's great to have that on a travel tripod. I chose Acratech over the RRS medium sized models because I don't like the design of the ball locking knob which is a lever. That's a personal preference as I know they're very good heads, but I've found the leveling capability of the Acratechs to be extremely useful. ...Show more →
I really wouldn't use the term "lever" as it is sort of misleading. in the case of usage the BH30 and 40 use a paddle shaped knob for control of the ball locking. it functions the same as a round knob and a bit more. for me personally I prefer its design. the paddle can be pulled out on its captive spring loaded shaft and repositioned around its axis w/o unlocking the ball itself at multiple points. its rather unique shape give one a definitive "this is the main knob" feel. if I could have it fitted to my BH55 I go that way too.
many years ago I first purchased an Acratech Ultimate. I visually stunning look in a ballhead. after about 1.5 months of use I found it did not agree with me overall. the newer GP series heads are better but because of the basic "harp" support they are light but higher volumetric sizing. so overall compactness in design it is not. they do have a newer model slightly more compact model called the nomad.
resistance to the weather: both manufacturers use materials that are highly corrosion resistant such as Anodized Al alloy, bronze, Stainless Steel. both take abuse well.
sjms wrote:
I really wouldn't use the term "lever" as it is sort of misleading. in the case of usage the BH30 and 40 use a paddle shaped knob for control of the ball locking.
Yes I agree that a paddle is a better descriptor than a lever. The Acratechs are sort of awkward looking and generally don't work that well for people who want to fold back the legs of a travel tripod over the head on a regular center post. Nothing is perfect.
For travel, nothing is lighter than Acratech. I don't like the design of the original Acratech and prefer the GP-SS. From what I have read, everyone who has a RRS ball head loves it as well - I have never purchased one because of weight. To me the best alternatives for lightweight travel tripod heads are the Acratech GP-SS and the Arca Swiss P0. The Arca is more elegant in design with the single tension ring and small panning lever. It is not as durable in saltwater compared to Acratech as mentioned by others.
If you do get the Acratech, by all means get it with their lever clamp. It is the best designed clamp out there.
RRS:
BH40 w/compact lever lock- 15.7oz working capacity- 18lbs
BH30 w/compact lever lock- 11.2oz working capacity- 15lbs
Acratech:
GPss w/lever clamp- 13.5oz based on screw clamp
Nomad w/screw clamp- 16oz
capacities: 25lbs for both.
on capacities: there are those who are conservative and then those who are less so. all stated mfgr capacities are to be looked at carefully
on clamp design:
RRS- uses a limited variable throat design which is non user adjustable. fits most well designed/manufactured plates
Acratech- uses a user adjustable (screw) variable throat design. good if you have plates from many sources that are lacking in design/manufacturing tolerance. less of QR type if one is having to adjust or the variations in plates across ones collection. greater need to check for fit on each use.
opinion:
if one goes for the Acratech product I would stay with the screw type clamp. less moving parts. their lever design provides another potential point of failure if one is not completely situationally aware. I do feel that RRS got the lever clamp right by keeping it simple and pretty darn secure in use.
True about the weight Acratech vs. RRS. One difference for me is that I do a fair amount of stitching frames so it is nice to have a leveling head. The Acratech GP-SS (inverted) will do that as is. For the RRS you have to add a panning clamp which adds weight, bulk, and money.
rw11 wrote:
or put an RRS lever clamp on the Acra ball head (which I think is best relegated to harsh env. usage)
Markins also makes a good, light wt. ball head...
in the case of the RRS and the Acratech in harsh conditions real world its 6 of one half a dozen of the other.
Acratech cleanable
RRS just keeps it out to begin with.
If you choose to go with RRS heads, stay away from the lever clamps. I bought four, years ago, and all have failed in the same manner. Admittedly, I use my equipment far harder than most.
The problem is the pin which connects the lever to the shaft which moves the piece to tighten or loosen the clamp gradually creeps out of the lever. This will allow the clamp to fail spectacularly and expensive equipment will hit the ground. The pin can be tapped back into place with a hammer, punch and anvil, but will work out more quickly in the future.
RRS does not seem to recognize the problem, although I have returned a clamp to them with the failure. It does not looks as if the design has changed. They refused to honor their warranty. I now use the RRS clamps in secondary capacity, like holding up flashes. backgrounds. They are not to be trusted with expensive gear.
juststeve wrote:
If you choose to go with RRS heads, stay away from the lever clamps. I bought four, years ago, and all have failed in the same manner. Admittedly, I use my equipment far harder than most.
The problem is the pin which connects the lever to the shaft which moves the piece to tighten or loosen the clamp gradually creeps out of the lever. This will allow the clamp to fail spectacularly and expensive equipment will hit the ground. The pin can be tapped back into place with a hammer, punch and anvil, but will work out more quickly in the future.
RRS does not seem to recognize the problem, although I have returned a clamp to them with the failure. It does not looks as if the design has changed. They refused to honor their warranty. I now use the RRS clamps in secondary capacity, like holding up flashes. backgrounds. They are not to be trusted with expensive gear.
RRS has the regular clamps which I also prefer. I was burned by the lever as well, not to mention all of the width compatibility hassles and high force required. The only one I use now is the integrated level clamp on the leveling base, but it is not opened/closed very often compared to a ball or other head.
