Ballheads Discussion

Hi all,

I checked RRS website about ballheads, and as i said before, i will go with BH-55 for my 5540 tripod, but i don't know which level clamp should i get.
I really like that LR versions but there are few of them, which one is recommended?

And with that ballhead and the chosen one clamp what more accessories or parts i need to use that ballhead [not talking about plates].

About my another tripod [1540T] i said that i will go with Q3, but when that Q3TR coming out i got confused, and i couldn't buy that ballhead any without its Markins clamp to use RRS clamp instead, unless i call them to take it off and this is really worrying me to call for, so should i keep looking at Q3 and really i want it for my light tripod or better stay with RRS ballhead?

I will use RRS plates if someone ask.

Im kinda in the same boat here... I am pretty sure I have settled on upgrading to the Gitzo 1540T. But as for a ballhead I really like how that Markins Q3T is looking perhaps with an RRS QR system. But I waiting for that Q3T head to come out is going to kill me!

ben_r_ wrote in post #5820821
Im kinda in the same boat here... I am pretty sure I have settled on upgrading to the Gitzo 1540T. But as for a ballhead I really like how that Markins Q3T is looking perhaps with an RRS QR system. But I waiting for that Q3T head to come out is going to kill me!

I think i saw that Q3T available in a Korean or Japanese site, but as long i can't read that language and can't trust it so i am waiting to be in another site more trusty and in English language.
I hope i can get Q3T before my vacation in November, otherwise i have to go with Q3 instead which is great as well, but just that Q3T is really tempting on that base.

I recently purchased a Q3 (non T), for a 1541t. While it would have been nice to have the q3t, the only real difference is the panning base. It would let the legs fold up a bit tighter, but still not as tight as my smaller BH25 head. So, I have no regrets purchasing before the Q3t made it to the US. YMMV.

I have the RRS B2 LR II. Because it has the dual mount(threaded for 3/8"). Someone else is using the B2 AS II with a reducer(removing the stud and using a 1/4" bolt, I imagine). I find the 60mm(B2 LR II) LR to be a bit large, but not enough to go buy the 40mm(B2 AS II)

My setup:

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JC4 wrote in post #5820881
I recently purchased a Q3 (non T), for a 1541t. While it would have been nice to have the q3t, the only real difference is the panning base. It would let the legs fold up a bit tighter, but still not as tight as my smaller BH25 head. So, I have no regrets purchasing before the Q3t made it to the US. YMMV.

I have the RRS B2 LR II. Because it has the dual mount(threaded for 3/8"). Someone else is using the B2 AS II with a reducer(removing the stud and using a 1/4" bolt, I imagine). I find the 60mm(B2 LR II) LR to be a bit large, but not enough to go buy the 40mm(B2 AS II)

My setup:

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YESSSSS, in fact i was confusing between LR II and AS II, those two only got my attention, but really i don't know the difference rather than screw thread, so i don't know which i can get, in fact if i choose LRII then i saved about $20 as i can find that ballhead BH-55 with that clamp, but if i decided to go with AS II then have to buy the ballhead alone without clamp and then buy the AS II separately and that will cost about $20 more which is not an issue at all.

The LR series are good - however read and heed the RRS warning - only RRS and Wimberly plates tighten up properly with the RRS LR clamps. I have an acaratec plate, and it will slide - however a piece of paper makes it tight enough to be usable. Be careful if you use the paper trick, though.

The RRS screw clamps have no problems with other manufacturers plates. If speed is not the main issue, the screw clamp will give you the most versatility.

fxk wrote in post #5826436
The LR series are good - however read and heed the RRS warning - only RRS and Wimberly plates tighten up properly with the RRS LR clamps. I have an acaratec plate, and it will slide - however a piece of paper makes it tight enough to be usable. Be careful if you use the paper trick, though.

The RRS screw clamps have no problems with other manufacturers plates. If speed is not the main issue, the screw clamp will give you the most versatility.

I just will use RRS plates, so i am not talking about Acratec or Archswiss or Kirk, the only another head i will use will be Wimberley Head II later for longer glasses, but right now i will use those above ballheads for light gear, so which one you will choose LR II or AS II?

And i forgot to add that i am looking for to do some panoramas, so are those heads above good for that, or would you recommend me another head special for panos?

I was just commenting on the clamps - not the entire head assembly.

What RRS lever clamp you get will depend on the head you settle on, and how the clamp attaches to the ball. In general terms, the B2 LR II has the most mounting options - of course, the markins QR clamp is fine, too - one can customize and optimize just so far.

Are you still deciding on the head itself?

If you are looking for a light head for your light tripod, buy Acratech Ultimate - $269 and 1.25 lbs. Easily handles 300mm f/2.8 and a 1dm2n - http://acratech.net/ and use their QR clamp. The head has separate pano lock, and engraved degree markings.

My setup is Manfrotto 3021 legs, Acratech Ultimate head and Acratech double-speed clamp
My Manfrotto 334B monopod is the one with the RRS lever clamp on it.
My Gitzo G-1564L monopod has a Markins clamp on it.

Of course, I've standardized on RRS plates - though the lever clamp was the last one in my collection...

I said above that i will buy RRS BH-55 and maybe Markins Q3 for my another light tripod, but i am mostly asking about RRS BH-55

Sorry, Tareq. I kinda got lost along the way.

The bh55-LR is an all-round fine choice. Materials and workmanship are second to none.
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/ballheads/02.htm​l

Note, For panos, that with any ball head, you must level the legs and the clamp. Only then will the pano rotate on a true, flat, horizontal plane. Some shoot panos with the camera in a vertical orientation - truly that requires an "L" bracket.

Gitzo and Acratech make "leveling bases" for fine control of the leveling process - if you get it within 10 degrees, the leveling head will easily adjust out the difference - rather than going back to the legs. The Acratech gets good reviews http://www.luminous-landscape.com …s/acratech-leveling.shtml. It is less expensive and lighter than the Gitzo version...

RRS takes a different approach - their additional piece fits in the ball clamp - uses the ball head as a leveling device, and adds a second pano mechanism to the top clamp - with its own clamp to mount your camera or lens.

You asked about accessories - if you plan on a lot of panos, and speed is of the essence, then consider a leveling base, or the RRS BH55-PCL kit.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/ballheads/02.htm​l

fxk wrote in post #5829073
Sorry, Tareq. I kinda got lost along the way.

The bh55-LR is an all-round fine choice. Materials and workmanship are second to none.
http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/ballheads/02.htm​l

Note, For panos, that with any ball head, you must level the legs and the clamp. Only then will the pano rotate on a true, flat, horizontal plane. Some shoot panos with the camera in a vertical orientation - truly that requires an "L" bracket.

Gitzo and Acratech make "leveling bases" for fine control of the leveling process - if you get it within 10 degrees, the leveling head will easily adjust out the difference - rather than going back to the legs. The Acratech gets good reviews http://www.luminous-landscape.com …s/acratech-leveling.shtml. It is less expensive and lighter than the Gitzo version...

RRS takes a different approach - their additional piece fits in the ball clamp - uses the ball head as a leveling device, and adds a second pano mechanism to the top clamp - with its own clamp to mount your camera or lens.

You asked about accessories - if you plan on a lot of panos, and speed is of the essence, then consider a leveling base, or the RRS BH55-PCL kit.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/ballheads/02.htm​l

OK, thank you very much

I know about those links, i visited that site millions times, and still didn't fix 100% of what i buy, ballhead is BH-55 no doubt, but not sure which clamps, sme prefer LRII and others ASII and i think both are just fine, so i have to choose one of them, you didn't tell me which one to choose and instead telling me about the ballhead itself, thanks again but i am waiting to see what most people prefer of both clamps for that ballhead.
And about panos, yes you are right, i must leveling my tripod first, i bought that hotshoe bubble leveling, isn't it good enough to use it with my tripod or camera? or i should get something else for leveling? I have some friends did panos just with simple or good tripod such as manfrotto and Slik with any of these leveling, but i don't want to leave anything for luck and i have to be serious or more pro in my gear and skills.

so come on people, which clamp do you prefer?

No news about Q3T [or TR] yet? only that asian langauge site? help me to order it please, tell me the process, as i can't read something rather than arabic and english.

I was just thinking of going with the RRS B2-40 LR quick release clamp. Why do you need the extra mounting holes if its just going on to a ballhead? I also contacted the US Markins website and they gave me a price quote and said I could order the Markins Q3T with no problems. I am going to wait till the Gitzo 1542T comes back in stock and I get that first though.

I got a 5540, BH-55, & a B2 AS II which is 60mm. I talked to RRS and that is what they recommended so I went with it.
Overall I thought it was a good choice but I got a warning from a pro on a photo shoot to watch the latch. He dumped his 400 f/2.8 and 1dsmkII in the drink when it got cought up in a branch, he now uses the B2 PRO II. It always in the back of my mind but I think its safe. I lug my 40d and 100-400 around over my shoulder with no problems at all. Although, if I was carrying $13000 worth of equipment through woods next to a creek I don't think I would let it touch a branch .
Overall I think the 60mm (AS II) is a perfect fit, the 40mm (40-LR) seemed to small and the 90mm (LLR II) seemed to big. Just my two cents but I hope it helped...Jeff

Theres a gitzo 1542T? Maybe a 1541t?