Anyone have experience with the Sirui K-20X Ball Head? I’m thinking about getting it but have concerns with the rubber encased knobs wearing out.
I’m looking to get a good quality ball head with arca type release without breaking to bank. That while I don’t want dollar 99, I’m also not willing to pay $400 RRS price as well.
Don’t need anything heavy duty as the most it’ll handle is a D850 with flash and a 70-200 F2.8 lens. I already have a Manfrotto MH054M0-Q2 054 with quick release, but I’m looking to upgrade and go arca plates.
I had one - bought it in like 2014. Was better than the price point, but not in the same league as my current one (Acratech GP). The Leofoto BH-40 knockoff was a bit better, but was bigger.
But for the price, it is worth it. BTW I have seen Acratech heads sell on here for low to mid $200 range.
Acratech tripod heads are CNC machined from high grade aluminum and are a quality product. They're excellent for use in inclement weather and environments; -° temps, deserts, beaches, sea water etc. They are not cheap.
peter_n wrote:
Acratech tripod heads are CNC machined from high grade aluminum and are a quality product. They're excellent for use in inclement weather and environments; -° temps, deserts, beaches, sea water etc. They are not cheap.
Yeah, I just looked at their site and didn't see anything I liked. And certainly not at those prices. And my shooting endeavors won't have me shooting in extreme environments.
I have the K10x on a rather light tripod and the K40x on a big old aluminum beast. I only use them infrequently but haven't had any problems with them. I might consider the K30x if dealing with a D850. While the 70-200/2.8 is hefty, it is collared. Might depend on if expecting other uncollared lenses or the tripod leg set involved.
Good point about looking at 30X though my shooting style wouldn't have me getting anything past the 70-200 range as I don't do sports or birding. And also why I don't see a need to drop 3-4 hundred dollars on a ball head.
I used to think that way - but after moving to the Southwest and shooting a lot in the desert, I find that sand gets everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE lol. The Acratech pretty much is sand proof as it doesn't have a huge casing; where as most ball heads do - including the RRS. When I was in Banff last winter in sub 0 temps, my Leofoto RRS knock off had freezing issues, as condensation can get into the said casing.
This is "deva" details , but i shoot enough that i get annoyed with these situations. Other than that, the Sirui is actually a nice product - and again exceeds the price point (mostly - some of their legs are getting up there in price)
Dustin Gent wrote:
I used to think that way - but after moving to the Southwest and shooting a lot in the desert, I find that sand gets everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE lol. The Acratech pretty much is sand proof as it doesn't have a huge casing; where as most ball heads do - including the RRS. When I was in Banff last winter in sub 0 temps, my Leofoto RRS knock off had freezing issues, as condensation can get into the said casing.
This is "deva" details , but i shoot enough that i get annoyed with these situations. Other than that, the Sirui is actually a nice product - and again exceeds the price point (mostly - some of their legs are getting up there in price) ...Show more →
If I was one who carried a tripod with me everywhere, traveled a lot, and shot in extreme conditions, I might have a different mindset, but I don't, and thus my choice.
And trust me, I have Cadillac tastes, but in this instance I don't need everything I own to be in the Cadillac category. That said, if I were going to spend that type of money on the Aratech, I'd just go further and get the RRS BH-40. Anyway that time isn't here so I'll have to go with something a little more affordable with good quality. As they say... a good bang for the buck ($250 max).
And BTW, what specific Aratech ball head are you guys talking about?
Anyway, please, don't be put off by my "insistences". I am open to suggestions, I'm just not willing to break the bank.
I'm happy with my Sirui K10X on my travel tripod. No problems with the rubber on the knobs, haven't had it lock up even in very cold weather. My tripod is not an every day item, but it has been dragged through 30+ countries with me and on a whole lot of backcountry hikes with no issues.
Only downside that I have experienced is that the nubs on the knobs are low profile enough that occasionally they'll be hard to grip and your fingers will slide. This hasn't been a regular issue, but occasionally in cold weather or when my hands were slick, I've had to pause and wipe off my hands or something. This is an area where the big knurled grip of the Acratech GP, or the lever style of the Really Right Stuff BH-40, can help. On the other hand, I don't feel like it's been annoying enough to upgrade the head, so I guess that tells you how big a problem it is.
Rigorous, precise, thorough and very well-designed/thought-out testing procedures behind those numbers. Of course, lots of things apart from the numbers may drive your decision, but it's a good starting place.
For the ballpark of money you are willing to spend, it seems the INNOREL N44 comes out as a slightly better ballhead for quite bit less? Caveat: I myself have never heard or used this.
Andrew2 wrote:
That said, if I were going to spend that type of money on the Aratech, I'd just go further and get the RRS BH-40. .
IMHO the BH-40 is two steps backwards from the Acratech, not ahead!
I've had the RRS BH-40 for years. I liked it well enough.
Then got a Markins Q-20i. Realized how much better things could be in EVERY respect, from weight/strength ratio to smoothness etc..
Then an Acratech GXP. Not as smooth as the the Markins (but still smoother under tension than the awful stick-and-jerk of the BH-40), but a better performer for my usage in the field (and on par in most other criteria).
The BH-40 is, by far, head and shoulders, the worst of these ballheads. It's a decent enough ballhead as long as you don't expect to much beyond a firm lock (which all these ballheads deliver on), but overhyped and (way) overpriced. And by far the jerkiest of the ballheads under tension. The Markins is the smoothest of the lot (like butter!), and, in terms of operation, probably my favorite. However, the Markins clamp seized up on me in an Australian (wet) winter. Had to use a rock to open it. Then a few weeks later, up in Laguna's, the head itself locked up. I had to move the whole tripod around to get my shots. That's when I started looking at alternatives.
The Acratech came through in spades.
The Acratech is my current ballhead. I love it: it's tough, versatile, resilient in all sorts of conditions: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1628679/ . It us strong as my Markins ever was, but I can use it not just worry free but full confidence in a wider range of environments/climates. It's just designed from the get go for the rough/dusty/sandy/dirty field conditions that I (like to!) shoot in. What's more -- it's got great (AWESOME, really) customer support. You deal with the owner/designer most of the time, who is as passionate about his ballheads as he is about his photography. . My Markins lives in a box now, while the Acratech lives on my tripod/camera. I just trust it more in both deserts as well as freezing mountaintops.
I've played with the Sirui for a while. My subjective impressions put it roughly on par with the BH-40. In other words, meh. But at least it's not overpriced.
That's fine. But let me say this as politely as possible.... I don't like the looks of the Aratech and therefore have no interest in getting one. In short... the Aratech is NOT an option.
Anyway I also clearly said in my initial post that I wasn't interested in paying RRS prices. However, "if" I were willing to pay a high price for a ball head it'd probably be the BH-40. That's me.
We all have our subjective opinions and this is mine.
OK, so perusing another thread on tripods and ball heads someone suggest the OP there look at Leofoto's offering. Well I thought why not take a look myself. Seems they have some nice products at an affordable price and (in a good way) are accused of being a RRS copy cat (or rip off).
Regardless, after reading some reviews and watching a few videos, I've decided to go with the Leofoto LS-324C+LH-40 tripod/ball head combo. The price is outstanding for what you get and and with a $75 dollar coupon from B&H I can get this combo for $350.
I'm not a heavy tripod user and don't travel so this should be just right for my needs. Will place the order once B&H comes out of their Shabbat holiday.
I've used a K20x for several years now. I do see some play in the rubber around the adjustment knobs, and there's a bit of a catch on the panning base which means it's not a smooth 360 degree -- just a bump in the road vs a stop, but it can be annoying. Weight and price were excellent, wear a bit less so. It went from being smooth and very sturdy to sturdy, with a bit of fiddling.
I have not been hard on this particular head -- no seawater, very little sand, just some dust from use in the field (and a reasonably careful cleaning).
I retired it in favor of a very cheap Benro geared head (ged3wh) and have relegated the Sirui to being attached to an astro/star tracker.
peter_n wrote:
Acratech tripod heads are CNC machined from high grade aluminum and are a quality product. They're excellent for use in inclement weather and environments; -° temps, deserts, beaches, sea water etc. They are not cheap.
OK. so after all the back-and-forths here, forgoing the purchase of the Leofoto setup, and fully assessing what I wanted in a ball head (features, quality, versatility) I CHOSE the… Acratech GXP Ball Head with Lever Clamp.
In the end after all was said and done, the GXP's features and versatility was just hard to overlook for my current and future needs. To that end, the price became an none issue. Ironic since its more than I was willing to pay for the BH-40 RRS head.
The GXP will be here tomorrow. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it didn't come with a quick release plate so I had to order one for my D850, and that won't be here till next week
One other thing about Arcatech, calling them I was highly impressed about how they care about their products and customers. Also impressed that they understood not just their product, but their competition as well.
All said, the GXP was more than I'd initially intended to pay, but I believe I got what I wanted. Time will tell.
Anyway, I'm still looking to get the Leophoto LS-324 tripod, but for now I'm sticking with my Manfrotto 3021B Pro until I'm ready to upgrade it. Seriously considered getting the Peak Design tripod, but I'd wind up replacing that integrated ball head, and thus negating the Peak's core selling feature - it's minimal stowage size.
Thanks to those pointing out the Acratech. And sorry for the "not interested" comments. Let this be a lesson to never say never
Craig Gillette wrote:
A little aside: Manfrotto 3021B Pro. Blast from the past. That sure speaks to quality products lasting. And it's good for some aerobics, too.
And it's in remarkably good shape for a tripod I've had since 2001. All I've replaced thus far is the rubber feet. Yeah, it's a tad heavy but it works so.... Why I decided to hold off on replacing
I have a Sirui G20KX ball head and a Sirui monopod. I'm a notorious cheapskate when it comes to photo gear (except for my 15yo Gitzo from an ins settlement) and Sirui stuff fits in a real sweet spot. Really well built and the controls all work smoothly and have held up for a couple years. I had manfrotto/bogen stuff for years (again: cheapskate) and also have a cache of it for loan at the Univ I work at and my Sirui stuff blows it away. [/2¢]
, but i shoot enough that i get annoyed with these situations. Other than that, the Sirui is actually a nice product - and again exceeds the price point (mostly - some of their legs are getting up there in price) 
