1- ball diameter vs clamping area makes a bit of difference. where some think the ergonomics is wrong i beg to differ using the BH40 from RRS. actually i now have 2 of them. not a fan of Acratech
yeah, i have a different setup than yours. i use a more modular system between the 2 tripods i use.
my work as of recent has been more urban. but i still get a chosen work out to get to some point of view. so i carry my gear to and up in the case of the 2 images was a 4km city walk to the base of the trail that had a vertical rise of 346m. just an afternoon evening walk. in JP they have lots of observation points that are nifty deliberate hikes or drives (i don't drive there) to get to. the country is 70% mountainous
camera sitting on a RRS BH40 head and RRS TQC14 tripod.
statistically speaking how much of your optics do you actually use?
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens70mm30s64 ISO
NIKON Z 9NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens70mm13s64 ISO
The GXP is more than capable of dealing with your 100-500. As is the BH40, Kirk BH1, FLM, etc. If you want the ultimate in stability (and numerology) go to the center column, sort their rankings along your favorite metric(s) and buy the top on the list.
Hun7er wrote:
Currently I take my Gitzo Mountaineer GT2542 tripod mounted with the Markins Q10i-P + Canon R5 + Sigma 14 24 2.8 art + RF 24-105 or RF 24-70 + RF 100-500 + accessories so about the photo gear I carry about 8kgs.
About my hiking/bivy gear I think it's towards 10 kgs.
A ballhead that have the same weight of the Markins Q10i-P it's OK, that means 600 grs, if I can save some weight I will be happy.
I'm leaning towards these ballhead
Acratech GXP but the ball diameter is only 38mm and my Q3i that has the same ball diameter lack stability for long lenses
FLM CB-48 F II with my panorama plate Markins QR70-P, but tension knob need pratice to be properly used
Arca Swiss Z1 with my panorama plate Markins QR70-P, don't how it's reliability
I think I will ended up with a FLM ballhead, the MKII is even better and the critical frame is very good (one of the thing that annoy me with the Markins).
I have used the BH-55 from Really Right Stuff for 13+ years in temps as low as -33f it has never given me any problems. The large main ball knob is easy to use with heavy gloves. I use a sidekick when shooting wildlife with lenses as large as 500 f4 and I’ve never had a problem with that setup
GroovyGeek wrote:
The GXP is more than capable of dealing with your 100-500.
While I don't doubt that this is true, I feel that the Acratech does not feel as solid as some other ballheads I have used. When setting it up for a perfectly level shot I always fight the slight creep when locking the main knob. I don't remember having to do that with my RRS ballheads. I might be wrong, but it just doesn't feel quite as easy to use as a BH-40 or 55. Is that me mis-remembering or is this something other people also see?
