RRS VS Kirk enterprises Ballheads

Between Really Right Stuff and Kirk enterprises,who makes better Ballheads?
Thanks.

Personally, I bought Markins over both of them.

I've had markins, Kirk and rrs. I still have rrs.

I haven't tried all three but I don't know how my RRS could be any better.

I've got RRS and Markins ballheads. I prefer the RRS one. And I definitely prefer the RRS lever clamps to the Markins ones.

mckinleypics wrote in post #14084389
I haven't tried all three but I don't know how my RRS could be any better.

By using an aspherical ball like in an Arca Swiss?

mckinleypics wrote in post #14084389
I haven't tried all three but I don't know how my RRS could be any better.

Weight. RRS ballheads are porky compared to Markins!

Bryan

I rarely have the opportunity to use a Kirk ballhead. Most people who are in that upper market seem to go with RRS - and their plates and clamps over Kirk products, as well. In the wild I don't see many Kirk ballheads. But RRS are all over the place. (Of all the instructional videos I've seen, and it's been way too many, produced by professionals, RRS ballheads by far have the highest representation in the gear these guys use. By far.)

Without mods, the RRS quick release clamps are smooth and fantastic. Strictly based on that, I vote for the RSS heads.

I own both a Kirk BH-3 and a RRS BH-55. Two different weight load heads. Love them both.

RandyS wrote in post #14084615
By using an aspherical ball like in an Arca Swiss?

The Kirk heads like the Markins are copies of the Arca-Swiss B1 but without the asymmetric ball. Kirk seem to have fallen behind a bit as the Markins is a better ballhead. Of the two brands you name I would choose the RRS over the Kirk but the RRS BH-55 is too heavy, at least for me.

This may help you decide, I went the Acra Swiss and it has been excellent.

When it comes to buying any camera gear, if RRS is an option, RRS is the answer.

gakoenig wrote in post #14095302
When it comes to buying any camera gear, if RRS is an option, RRS is the answer.

...


I'm not saying they're not. I've only played with one or two of their ballheads.

I'm just wondering if all the people who are saying that RRS is the best can offer any explanation as to why.

RandyS wrote in post #14095763
...

I'm not saying they're not. I've only played with one or two of their ballheads.

I'm just wondering if all the people who are saying that RRS is the best can offer any explanation as to why.

They're prettier? I dunno I guess, I've had my Markins for a few years now and have never had a problem with it. Sorry but I have zero experience with Kirk ballheads.

It's simple: RRS simply cuts zero corners. Their design work is extremely thoughtful and they clearly test the heck out of stuff in real-world conditions. They choose the very best materials to manufacturer everything. Their machining is aerospace/medical grade levels of quality. Everything is done here in the US.

The end result is a set of products that simply work. Every time. In all conditions. It is also the sort of gear that is simply a pleasure to use - even something as simple as their plates. Their tripods are not the lightest, definitely not the cheapest, but using them blew me away; they are flexible and tremendously stable, even when doing crazy stuff with them.

The *only* thing I can ding them on is their anodizing. For their prices, their parts should be Type III hard anodized, not Type II anodized. We're talking $0.25 in cost difference that would make the product better, but at their prices, it is something I expect. It is a livable issue and I am sure an RRS engineer could probably give a solid reason why they use Type II vice Type III. The only reason I bring it up is to not sound like a total RRS fanboy.

In any product category where RRS competes, I can almost guarantee you that their stuff kicks the snot out of the competition in precision, quality, stability and reliability. Hence, if RRS is an option, RRS is the answer.*


(Except for camera straps. If they ever make one, I'm going to need to amend that line...)