Acratech Ultimate Ballhead or Kirk BH-3

[drandy1]

Thinking to purchase a new ballhead (under $300) and having difficulty working through very "polarized" views on the Internet for the Acratech product. Kirk product seems highly rated and consistent. The advantage on the Acratech is the weight but some issues seem to prevail on the lock-down ability of this head. Anyone out there tried both or happy to indicate their preference if they have considered both products?

Thanks

[CyberDyneSystems]

One thing I have noticed,. Acratech owners often move on,.. Kirk, RRS, Arca and Markins owners do not.

I have a Graf StudioBall which is similar to the Arca Swiss,. I'd trade it for the new RRS, Kirk or maybe a good Markins,. but I wouldn't trade it for an Acratech,. even though I got mine used for less than a new Acratech.

[MarkoPolo]

Interesting CDS. I have the Kirk BH-3 and like it a lot. Maybe because the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, I have considered getting an Acratech, especially if I could spring for a Gitzo 1228 CF to use as an ultralight travel set-up. I have good things about the Acratech, but have not personally used one.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I generalize of course,. I base my statement on two things,. what I have read on various forums,. and of course based on what I see for sale used..

Nothing scientific. :)

Here on this forum I think there are a number of very happy acratech owners.. that I'm sure will eventually get in here and flame me! :)

[BearSummer]

Flame, flame, bah humbug, rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb.....;)

I had the acratech shipped to me in the UK and it is wonderful. Solid as a rock and I have no complaints or intention of changing to anything else. It copes easily with what I ask it to do, max load that i have used it with is a 1ds+100-400 IS.

Best regards

BearSummer

[Icecamp]

Two very different kinds of heads. The BH-3 is very conventional with an enclosed ball, drag control, locking knob, and panning base. The Acratech is unconventional with it's open design, and no drag control. The Acratech is very lightweight (less than a pound!) and locks down very solidly, I have had no problems throwing my tripod across my shoulder with my 80-200 f/2.8L(heavier than my 300 f/4). Kirk offers a locking collar for their heads.
I like my Acratech it locks very solidly, but I would like to try one of the other top heads out there to see if I might like it better. I guess the biggest difference is having drag available so your camera won't flop when you loosen the locking knob. I haven't really found that to be a problem, but I haven't had a decent head with it either, so maybe I don't know what I am missing.

[IanD]

I had an AcraTech and changed over to a Kirk BH-1. While the AcraTech is very solid, it unconventional design made it difficult, for me, to flop over left and right. Made tracking birds in flight a little dificult. The Kirk on the other hand is rock solid, never slips and "flops" left and right. I also like the pre-tension adjustment, something that was lacking on the AcraTech.

[21farms]

i had the acratech and just switched to a a BH-3. i actually liked the acratech very much but i switched because it was not very easy to flop over to the portrait orientation (something i like to do often)...that was the only negative in my book. i like my new BH-3 too BUT i wish it were available in a true left-sided main control knob...the main knob faces back toward you and is a little awkward to position. i also like fact that the BH-3 comes with a universal plate include. kirk's customer service is also out of this world. still, if i had to do all over again, i'd spring the extra bucks for a markins for the true left-side controls...the tightly checkered QR knob looks a lot more comfy too.

[ssim]

I started out with the Kirk BH-3 head. I certainly don't have any issues with it. Having seen the Acratech head and played with it a little bit I am happy with the choice that I made. I added a Wimberly sidekick for heavy glass and it is a combination that is hard to beat in my opinion.

[dhbailey]

Could someone please fill me in on why ball heads in that price range would be superior to the Manfrotto/Bogen ball heads in the $80-$100 range? The Manfrotto heads claim to hold up to around 18 pounds, what benefits does a $250 ball head offer over the Manfrotto (or others in that price range)? Thanks for any insights you can offer!

[21farms]

Could someone please fill me in on why ball heads in that price range would be superior to the Manfrotto/Bogen ball heads in the $80-$100 range? The Manfrotto heads claim to hold up to around 18 pounds, what benefits does a $250 ball head offer over the Manfrotto (or others in that price range)? Thanks for any insights you can offer!

the size of the ball is much larger on the others which allows it lock down much tighter and operate smoother. the more expensive ones also have a lockable panning base, adjustable tension control plus a quick-release platform compatible with the pretty-much standard arca-swiss camera and lens plates (which, unlike the bogen plates, are very low profile and can be left on the camera or lens at all times without getting in the way). hop over to a camera store with a variety of ballheads and play around with them...i less than 5 minutes, i think you'll come to the same conclusion

[radar-eclipse]

Using the Kirk head -you won't even doubt your decision making. I have bought more since my original purchase from them. You can get them on the phone, and they love to do business with you.

[Belmondo]

FWIW, I bought my Acratech head used from someone who was 'upgrading' to a Kirk BH-1. I'm very happy with it, but have decided I want something a little heftier and have ordered a Kirk BH-1 for myself. I'm keeping the Acratech for my old tripod, but will be using the Kirk as my primary (along with the Wimberly).

[Moses]

Isn't the Markins the least weight, smallest, and highest load/weight ratio of all the high-end ball heads?

I have read so much about the Markins M10 (http://www.markins.de/en/) being better than the Arca Swiss, Kirk BH-1 (http://www.kirkphoto.com/ballheads.html), that I get confused why so few people talk about it in this forum. I hear that the new Markins M20 is now less than a pound. Is it just because it's a little harder to find?

I'm about 30 minutes from clicking buy on the https://www.photoproshop.com/product_info.php/cPath/21/products_id/29 (Markins Q-Ball M20)

[radar-eclipse]

Wow, I would love to have a titanium ballhead. I hadn't heard of the Markins product before. The weight savings is only close to a pound. Hmmm. Almost $900 euros. Ooof! Not needed, but so bada##.