Anyone used the Beike BK-45 gimbal head ?

Has anyone got any experience of using the Beike BK-45 gimbal head?
I see them for sale new for about £50-60 on Amazon.
Obviously they won't be the same quality as a Wimberley, but for the huge price saving they look to be a tempting alternative.

Try searching here for Opteka GH-1. Many say it is the same item just re-branded.

C Scott IV wrote in post #17775255
Try searching here for Opteka GH-1. Many say it is the same item just re-branded.

It does actually look the same. Unfortunately not much shows up in a search.

That is odd as I have read many posts and commented on the GH1 a few times in the past.

The tilting movement is pretty smooth. Panning was not smooth for me straight out of the box. I took it apart and found it doesn't have a bushing or bearing, just aluminum rubbing against aluminum. Do not use the knob as a damper because it makes it grind together rather than just rub. Then panning is even rougher.

I ended up locking the panning knob down and placing an Arca Swiss compatible plate on the bottom. Now I can mount it on my ball head allowing the ball head to do the panning.

It could have been a decent gimbal if they just used a bushing or bearing.

A discussion in this thread about them:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1441191

Rick in Ontario wrote in post #17775986
A discussion in this thread about them:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1441191

Thanks I didnt see that thread...
I think that for the price I will order one and give it a go....if it works out ok then good, if not I will post it back and buy a better version...
Thanks for the link...

I have the Opteka GH1 (Beike 45) and love it until I noticed some movements like rocking it forward/backward after tightening it will go back to normal but after a few usage it would go back to that same movement so I decided to replaced it with MOJO GIMBAL HEAD I like this one better, Looks the same with Wimberley 200. I think for only $100.00 it does a very good job like any other expensive gimbal.

Here is the link

http://www.amazon.com …ick-Release/dp/B00GK4IYP8

I received the Beike BK-45 today but will be sending it back.. It rocked about a little when fitted and I don't think I would trust it with my 500 f4...
Will be checking some reviews and ordering something a bit better built..

It's nice to save money but with a lens like yours (or mine) it can be a false economy. Naturally you should try out the alternatives but be prepared to spend if you can't find a viable alternative to the likes of Wimberley etc.

don1163 wrote in post #17777580
I received the Beike BK-45 today but will be sending it back.. It rocked about a little when fitted and I don't think I would trust it with my 500 f4...
Will be checking some reviews and ordering something a bit better built..

This was the reason I bought the Movo Gimbal. What I did also was I open and tighten the screw in the center it goes away but goes back after a few outings so I decided to get another gimbal, Movo if you look closer it is almost Identical with Wimberley 200. and it does a very good job.

Found another alternative I'm thinking of trying, it is the Lensmaster RH-2... It's made by a company in the UK and has some good reviews online..
The only thing I don't like is that the panning and tilt movements can't be locked solid by doing up the knobs. Not very good if you are carrying it over your shoulder on a tripod.

don1163 wrote in post #17785052
Found another alternative I'm thinking of trying, it is the Lensmaster RH-2... It's made by a company in the UK and has some good reviews online..
The only thing I don't like is that the panning and tilt movements can't be locked solid by doing up the knobs. Not very good if you are carrying it over your shoulder on a tripod.

Rob makes very serviceable heads at very sensible prices. For my 800mm I use the Wimberley 2 but for my 300 F2.8 I use the Lensmaster RH1. Given that you have the 500 F4 then the RH2 is a better option. They do not pretend to be the ultimate Gimbal heads nor do they have the finesse and smoothness of the likes of Wimberley (or similar models), but they work and they do work well. Possibly more importantly they are very robust and very reasonably priced. If you are in any doubt then get in contact with him - he is very helpful.
The RH2 is not perfect, as you have noted, but it certainly works and it works well. If you can't stretch to one of the top models then (as a customer) I would recommend that you look long and hard at Rob's RH2.

johnf3f wrote in post #17785344
Rob makes very serviceable heads at very sensible prices. For my 800mm I use the Wimberley 2 but for my 300 F2.8 I use the Lensmaster RH1. Given that you have the 500 F4 then the RH2 is a better option. They do not pretend to be the ultimate Gimbal heads nor do they have the finesse and smoothness of the likes of Wimberley (or similar models), but they work and they do work well. Possibly more importantly they are very robust and very reasonably priced. If you are in any doubt then get in contact with him - he is very helpful.
The RH2 is not perfect, as you have noted, but it certainly works and it works well. If you can't stretch to one of the top models then (as a customer) I would recommend that you look long and hard at Rob's RH2.

I have since been in touch with Rob and he seems to be very helpful, I will be placing an order with him in the near future and will put up a short review on here once I have put the RH-2 through its paces.....Just need to save for a more sturdy tripod now !!!!

Pity I didn't know a couple of moths ago as I sold a cabon Gitzo 3 series that was surplus to requirements!