On Monday I called and talked with Carla at Really Right Stuff. She was extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I ordered a Gitzo 3531, a BH-55, and a quick mount plate for my 70-200 2.8L IS. I recieved a tracking number via email moments later. My 1D IIN already had a RRS L plate on it.
Everything arrived today. My first impression of the BH-55 is that it is one high quality piece of kit. It comes with a nice drawstring bag that can be used as a cover when it's left on the tripod. The three adjusting knobs are well placed so as to not get confused with one another. The knurling on the knobs is very easy on the fingers.
I extended the legs on the GT3531, 1/4 turn is all it takes, and all leg sections, while requiring a small effort, slide smoothly. I mounted up the BH-55 and it makes a very solid feeling setup. The rapid column raises and lowers easily, and like the legs, can't rotate. The extendable hook at the base of the column appears ample enough to hang a pretty substantial camera bag or other weight there. The tripod has three positions, the lowest requiring removal of the column.
I mounted the plate on my 70-200, put it in the quick release clamp and adjusted the drag knob so that even with the main locking knob loose, it would support the weight without moving on it's own. The quick release clamp works pretty slickly. With the clamp all the way open you can drop down into the clamp from the top, no need to slide. I tried it in a dark room, and it's easy enough to get it in, even in the dark. With the clamp in the half way position it holds onto the plate, but you can slide back and forth. With the clamp closed all the way it has a substantial hold.
I mounted a 24-70 2.8L on the 1D and mounted the L plate. Switching from landscape to portrait orientation was quick and easy. It probably doesn't take much longer than loosening a lens collar and rotating the body.
The 3531 with the BH-55 is the setup RRS reccomends for pro body SLR's and lenses up to 500mm. I think it's probably a good reccomendation, and is no doubt somewhat conservative. I'll be shooting at the beach next week with this setup, no doubt with some wind. I'm anxious to test it's stability under those conditions. A previous post here has me thinking that maybe I should get one of those condom dispensing machines like you see in the bathrooms at the tavern to mount to my truck so that I have protection for my tripod feet with me when needed.
Glad to hear your report, I'm planning on the same head after the holidays. Can you comment on the "smoothness" of the ball and let us know what you are moving from (if anything). Thanks for posting.
No issues EB-1. I just didn't see a way for me to post in the review section, so thought I'd do it here in case anyone was considering the same setup.
Rob S, the BH-55 incorporates a totally spherical ball. It is my understanding that RRS used to incorporate an aspherical ball, and that some others probably still do. RRS says they went to the spherical ball to avoid sticking problems in cold or humid conditions. With my 1D & 70-200 mounted it feels very smooth throughout the entire range of motion. The drag adjustment knob has a numberical indicator so that you can repeat the settings for different gear/weight combos easily. The panning base is engraved in 2.5deg increments.
My tripods tend to take some pretty good abuse. Not because I'm not careful, but because I hike into some pretty remote places (and sometimes fall, etc), and also travel quite a bit by dualsport motorcycle. My last couple of tripods have been older Bogens that I had either a pan head attached to, or used just a platform. With the heft of the 1D and not being happy with longer exposures on lesser tripods I decided I might as well invest in some good support. I also hate to think of the camera and lens taking a spill. I plan to get a Thinktank padded tripod case.
I'll post back to this after a week of shooting at the beach next week.
I know it is hard to not worry about dirt and abuse for your new tripod and ball head, but they actually do very well with neglect. I am hard on my gear, and have no issues with any of my Gitzo legs, or either of my RSS ball heads, after several years of use. I especially love the way the BH-55 operates, and it becomes so natural that you forget to even think about its use. You get to concentrate on images, and not on tinkering with your support gear. You are going to enjoy your purchase, and keep enjoying it for many many years to come.
A brief usage tip: After I set my tripod, I loosen the pan base and rotate the head to get the large main ball lock knob on the left side of the tripod. I then lock down the pan base, and from then on, I never need to look for the main knob. My left hand finds it quickly and easily even with my eye still looking through the viewfinder, and my right hand stays on the camera grip as I do the framing. The BH-55 works so smoothly that I can release and lock the main ball with fingertip action.
Nice choice, I too, just waiting for my BH-55 to get here, Monday. Though I got my 3531 from amazon.com. RRS got enough of my money with ballhead, L bracket and QR plates and feet for the lenses.
monochrome wrote:
Nice choice, I too, just waiting for my BH-55 to get here, Monday. Though I got my 3531 from amazon.com. RRS got enough of my money with ballhead, L bracket and QR plates and feet for the lenses.
I hope you're as happy with it as I am so far monochrome. I had some product type shots to do outside today and the ground was pretty uneven. Even with a decent breeze everything was rock solid, and easy to adjust.
I have heard a report that the clamping action of the BH-55 moves the camera position slightly. Can any other users confirm this? I hope not, as I have ordered one!
Dec 07, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
pixNW wrote:
The 3531 with the BH-55 is the setup RRS reccomends for pro body SLR's and lenses up to 500mm. I think it's probably a good reccomendation, and is no doubt somewhat conservative. I'll be shooting at the beach next week with this setup, no doubt with some wind. I'm anxious to test it's stability under those conditions. A previous post here has me thinking that maybe I should get one of those condom dispensing machines like you see in the bathrooms at the tavern to mount to my truck so that I have protection for my tripod feet with me when needed....Show more →
Of course RRS recomends the BH-55 for 500mm lenses. They are selling it the recomendation is not conservative, probably the opposite. I have the BH-55 and it's a very nice ballhead. But no ballheads are very good for this kind of lenses when you compare them to gimbal heads.
pixNW wrote:
Rob S, the BH-55 incorporates a totally spherical ball. It is my understanding that RRS used to incorporate an aspherical ball, and that some others probably still do. RRS says they went to the spherical ball to avoid sticking problems in cold or humid conditions.
More likely, they were forced to stop using the aspherical ball design by Arca Swiss, since they have the patent on it.
The BH-55 is okay for lighter loads, but I eventually sold mine and upgraded to an Arca Swiss Z1 DP. The Arca setup is about half a pound lighter than the BH-55 and panning clamp combo I was using, cost considerably less money, and the Arca has a significantly higher load rating. Best of all, the Z1 doesn't move after you tighten it, a common complaint with the BH-55.
I have heard a report that the clamping action of the BH-55 moves the camera position slightly. Can any other users confirm this? I hope not, as I have ordered one!
Yes, this is a known problem, and one of the main reasons I sold mine and switched to the Arca Swiss Z1.
1- RRS never used a aspheric ball in their heads. i have one of the first 10 made. nore did they have any intentions due to the issues that AS never addressed for owners and then revised the design.
2- lighter loads my posterior. how much do you need to exceed your rig by to be satisfied?
3- clamping action makes the camera move slightly as in how? yet another urban legend trying to be born here. it clamps and locks with 50lbs plus clamping force. there is no movement.
have no fear. your BH55 is a suberb piece of gear. and you won't be sorry. remember molson that little issue the Z1 had while with the neck while they tried to optimize its design.
please reference your known situations to factual data to support your statements.
sjms...have you ever used an Arca Swiss and be able to compare the BH55 with the Z1?
molson provided his opinion and you are certainly entitled to yours. He backed his claim by having tried the BH55 and eventaully selling it because he wasn't satisfied with the way it locked and then making the switch to the AS Z1. The little issue with the Z1's 2 piece neck being glued together wasn't a wide spread issue as not every person owning that ballhead had the problem. At least I didn't see it all over the net.
I'll speak for myself now as I too own a RRS BH40 and not the BH55. I just received the ballhead last week and when it arrived, there was grease coming out of the separation between the panning base and the main body. Not a big deal as I can wipe it off but really, couldn't RRS make sure that a $375 ballhead come out of the factory brand spankin' new for a proud customer? Leads me to wonder whether someone over greased it? As for the locking of the ball head, I do see a slight sag of the camera/lens combo and this is with my D3/70-200. This is rated for the occasional 500 f4 usage. By the way, I have it mounted on a Gitzo CF 3530 tripod as well. A friend of mine reported the same thing happening with his brand new BH55 but I haven't done a hands on comparison with his 55 to my 40. I also have an Arca Swiss ballhead (tested it on the same tripod) but an older B1 and when I turn the knob to lock down the head, no movement is observed.
For all those who owns the BH55 or 40, try putting the focus point onto a subject with a horizontal line, tighten the lock knob and remove your right hand from the camera and see if the focus point is still lined up with the horizontal line. With the AS, it sure does but not the BH40. However, once it's settled, the BH40 doesn't move anymore.
I bought the BH40 for its lightness and compactness to go hiking with. To this end I am not disappointed but for its locking abilities, I'd have to say the Arca Swiss wins.
As a side note, I have never experienced the dreaded AS freeze up of the ballhead. I read somewhere a long time ago to make sure the ballhead is loose during non-usage to prevent the freeze up.
Jack
Dec 09, 2008 at 01:37 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I own both the BH-55 and Arca-Swiss Z1.
They are both very good ballheads. I don't see any real sag( sometimes maybe a little bit when using heavy lenses) when locking my BH-55. But the Z1 locks even better and have a smoother feeling.
Passionate eye wrote:
I'm going to weigh in on this one.
sjms...have you ever used an Arca Swiss and be able to compare the BH55 with the Z1?
molson provided his opinion and you are certainly entitled to yours. He backed his claim by having tried the BH55 and eventaully selling it because he wasn't satisfied with the way it locked and then making the switch to the AS Z1. The little issue with the Z1's 2 piece neck being glued together wasn't a wide spread issue as not every person owning that ballhead had the problem. At least I didn't see it all over the net.
I'll speak for myself now as I too own a RRS BH40 and not the BH55. I just received the ballhead last week and when it arrived, there was grease coming out of the separation between the panning base and the main body. Not a big deal as I can wipe it off but really, couldn't RRS make sure that a $375 ballhead come out of the factory brand spankin' new for a proud customer? Leads me to wonder whether someone over greased it? As for the locking of the ball head, I do see a slight sag of the camera/lens combo and this is with my D3/70-200. This is rated for the occasional 500 f4 usage. By the way, I have it mounted on a Gitzo CF 3530 tripod as well. A friend of mine reported the same thing happening with his brand new BH55 but I haven't done a hands on comparison with his 55 to my 40. I also have an Arca Swiss ballhead (tested it on the same tripod) but an older B1 and when I turn the knob to lock down the head, no movement is observed.
For all those who owns the BH55 or 40, try putting the focus point onto a subject with a horizontal line, tighten the lock knob and remove your right hand from the camera and see if the focus point is still lined up with the horizontal line. With the AS, it sure does but not the BH40. However, once it's settled, the BH40 doesn't move anymore.
I bought the BH40 for its lightness and compactness to go hiking with. To this end I am not disappointed but for its locking abilities, I'd have to say the Arca Swiss wins.
As a side note, I have never experienced the dreaded AS freeze up of the ballhead. I read somewhere a long time ago to make sure the ballhead is loose during non-usage to prevent the freeze up.
yes i have with AS B1 but not the Z as i have had no reason to need to. i had a B1 for 4 years (and that is going back 10 years) and then went to a markins M10 and now both a BH55 and 40. the B1 would move off of target often and slowly droop unless an unusual amount of locking effort was administered. the M10 i just plain retired but i have to say still required more force to lock then both my RRS heads. if you have had a B1 you would have discovered the dreaded ball lock. but it took them awhile to getting to the fix. the fix was a complete redesign of the ball geometry which is a whole lot more spheroid these days on the Z series. i shoot regularly with both the RRS heads and seem to get what i shoot at with less drama then what i had previously. so here is where we stand you have your "facts" and i have my "facts" so that being you enjoy what you got and i'll enjoy what i got.
you know when i took delivery of my companies first B777 back in 1998 and i put my hand on the nose gear during my maintenance walk around inspection and darn i got grease on my hand. you'd think that after buying a $164,000,000 aircraft they'd have it perfectly clean for delivery.
you know grease is a fluid and subject to shipping and environmental changes. at least you know it got good amount of lube in it. check the inside of a D3 mirror box. it too is well lubed.
sjms, you're right about the aspherical ball. I previously misread something from the RRS literature, it states "Input from many of our heavy/extreme weather-use customers revealed numerous problems (sticky, inconsistent action) in humid or very cold conditions with ballheads that have an aspherical ball, so to ensure smooth operation under adverse conditions we adopted a completely spherical ball. This equates to lower weight-handling capacity, but we are confident our BH-55 capacity of 50 pounds is certainly more weight than required by any sane photographer."
I previously thought it said that they'd switched designs, but it obviously doesn't.
I'm not one to bash others equipment choices. I think we're fortunate to live in a time where there are a lot of great choices from many manufacturers. I don't always believe that spending more will always get you a better product either. I have a Rolex that I've had for years. It's been an okay watch, but has needed some work. I also have Seiko that cost a fraction of what the Rolex did, and it's been flawless, and keeps better time without ever needing any work.
I put a 300 2.8 on my set-up (I know it's not a huge lens) and focused on a point and then tightened the ball knob and didn't get any movement. I leave my drag knob set on 9 though, so even with the ball knob loose, it takes a little effort to move things. With the drag knob set for less friction it may be possible to get some movement when tightening the ball knob, but I couldn't get it to happen.
i to use a 300/2.8 regularly (my favorite long). but when i use it i'm also using a sidekick. sort of pointless to me to try to precision point a 10lb or heavier lens/body assy on a ball when just putting it on the BH55/sidekick setup just works quicker and better.
when i shoot macro the ball proves to be the best. move it lock it shoot it.
i try to make things work as easy as possible along with my job.
the recomendation is not conservative, probably the opposite. I have the BH-55 and it's a very nice ballhead. But no ballheads are very good for this kind of lenses when you compare them to gimbal heads. 