BH-55 on a Gitzo 2531

I am curious if anyone has a RRS BH-55 on a Gitzo 2531 tripod. What are your experience with that combo?

Dont, but the Markins Q10 is a very common, well loved and perfect fit. Any reason why you werent considering that option?

The BH-55 seems like a big head for those sticks.

It is. Bigger, heavier and more expensive.

and worth every penny.

But the RRS BH-40 is likely a better match to 2xxx legs. Use BH-55 on 3xxx or larger legs for 100-400, 70-200 f2, and large primes.

thanks everyone for the input. So, it looks like the bh-40 will be the one. The largest lens that I will get will be either 70-200 f2.8, 100-400 or 300 f4.

I have the 2531 and BH-40 combo. They are definitely sized appropriately for each other. Honestly, I wish the BH-40 had the knob of the BH-55 instead of the paddle. I've been using my Sunwayfoto XB-44 since I did a review for them, but recently decided to send it to a pro I know for his thoughts. Switching back to the BH-40, the paddle wasn't my favorite thing.

Either should be up to the lenses you've mentioned on a 7D. The 2531 is a terrific tripod, though it isn't small enough to pack easily if you travel.

The BH-55 makes a 2500 series Gitzo rather top heavy, and if you carry it on a shoulder strap it will tend to go head downward as you walk about...a nuisance.

I just got a 2531 and a Bh-40. I'm very happy with it. It's a very strong,sturdy and light weight set up. Yes the Bh-40 is a little more expensive,but you get what you pay for. Quality.

I have to disagree. I had the 55 head on my 1 series mountaineer for years and never felt it was too big. It's a far superior head to the 40 with that lever.

That said, I went to the Markins 20 few years back. Lot lighter and better and easier drag control. But now it resides on my RRS 34L

On a GT2531 I use a Markins Q-10 which weighs 490 grams. It's big brother, Q-20, weighs in at 555 grams which I just ordered for a GT3530LS. The BH-55 is 816 grams which is a lot heavier. The BH-40 is only 479 grams. All are excellent products and the choice is personal preference but based on weight I would stay away from the BH-55. After all if your ok with the extra weight of the BH-55 you could move up from a series 2 to series 3 systematic Gitzo for great stability.

For me I prefere the way the drag control is implemented on the Markins (copied from Arca Swiss) where you can set it and forget it. With the third knob approach I always found myself touching the drag control by accident and screwing it up. That wasn't on the RRS ones but that is one of the things that was part of my reason to choose the Markins. The other was that the Q3T, Q-10, and Q-20 all act the same and have the same contols so when I move from setup to setup I don't have to relearn the feel of the ball head. Same reason I stayed with all Gitzo G-lock legs. When using Manfrotto I did the same with two tripods that had he same lever clamps on both.

Whatever you decide take the long term view. A little extra spent now will save you money in the long term. I've learned that the hard way.

It's not learning the hard way Steve it's learning the fun way.