I have recently purchased both the BH-55 and BH 40 ballheads from really right stuff. In this video I talk about the differences, and which one is right for the average user.
Nick, thank you excellent review. I am a travel photographer and I am using BH40 (lever clamp) on a 22L tripod for 5 years now. Perfect for DLSR. I moved from Gitzo to RRS and I am so glad I did it. RRS is exceptional and yes it is expensive but it is worth.
I highly recommend the BH-55. It's been on my tripod for close to five years now and performs as well as it did the day I purchased it. Extremely solid ballhead! Great video, love the shake test. That's a really good comparison.
I got the BH-55 and was surprised at how large the head was. I also got the screw instead of the lever head because I just didn't trust a lever. The weight is worth the quality. I also shoot Canon and have large glass. I was replacing a less than year old Gitzo head that lost its panno knob somewhere on a hike. Gitzo was no help in getting it fixed even though it was about 6 months old. One other thing to note that I like about the BH-55 is there are two slots to rotate verticle compared to one slot on the BH-40. I have not needed it yet but you never know. The quality, engineering, and function of the Really Right Stuff are worth the money! Good Review Thanks for your videos.
Hi Nick! Great review and yeah... it was one of those things I aspired to own... LOL I just upgraded to the BH-55, as I need the stability for my D800/800e bodies, with battery grip and the RSS L-bracket, with the Sigma 14-24 f/2.8 Art Lens. I am shooting interiors with that setup and that heavy Art lens really made leveling difficult. Anyway, I was excited about that carrying case, as I used the ball head carrying cases in the past to cover the ball heads, when transporting it. They all got poked through by the lever after a while... THIS one is sturdy... and my recommendation is to use it upside down and secure it over the ball head when attached to your tripod. Since this ball head is so expensive and a precision instrument, it really deserves extra care until you put your camera on it. Just a tip! :)
I have both ballheads and love them. the larger is used on my RRS tripod and the smaller on my Gitzo air travel tripod. I LOVE RRS products and swear by them.
Yeah the 55 is MADE for that fit on your tripod. Looks so professionally beefy!! I got my 55 right after they changed the logo so I have the new logo on the head but I don’t have that cool pouch with the new logo - it’s the old one. I wanna rebate!! Ha ha. Nice video
RRS BH-40 all day long on my Fujifilm GFX kit! Keep on, keeping on Nick! edit: Holy s***! I didn't know that about the ratcheting tension lever! Not a video has been posted and I haven't learned something. Now I do have the screw-knob instead of the lever release on the upper part of my BH-40. I almost dropped my camera with the LR when walking with the camera tossed over my shoulder. Lever caught on something. If I was still using the LR I would find a way to tether it somehow or not walk with it over the shoulder. Thanks Nick!
Been using a BH-40 for a few years with my GFX 50S and X-T3. Wonderful ballhead, no complaints whatsoever other than the ball lever sometimes interferes with the panning head. Very minor issue, all I have to do is pull it out and relocate it as you showed in the video. I just pulled the trigger on a BH-55. The reasons: Cold weather, I expect that the large knob will be easier to deal with than the relatively tiny lever, particularly with gloves. In the cold I had trouble setting the lever tension so that I could accurately move the camera around. The GFX is heavy and I found I was having trouble getting the tension just right. I think that a fat knob will be easier to manage. The other reason is I recently acquired the full multi-pano set from RRS, and with the GFX, the 32-64 zoom, and all the pano crap things were feeling pretty heavy and cumbersome for the BH-40. The setup just demanded a beefier ballhead. I'm relocating the BH-40 to my backpacking tripod. Either one is an awesome ballhead and you cannot go wrong. If you are mirrorless, the BH-40 is probably all you need-- It is perfect for my X-T3. Great video, Nick. Thanks for sharing.
You are right about getting addicted to RRS. I have a BH-55, BH-40 and a BH-30 ballhead on the TFC-14 Series 1 Tripod. I also have a TFA-01 with the BC-18 Micro Ball. It is amazing how much weight the BC-18 can hold.
Lets not forget about customer service after the sale. RRS in my experience has answered their phone after two rings and answered their emails with in the hour(I got two responses, both answering my questions), while gitzo not so much. Still waiting and its been three weeks since I have inquired. I do do followups but to no response. So quality is king and so is taking care of the buyer after sale. Go with RRS.... Sorry if off topic, just mt experience after purchasing the BH-55(love it!!).
RRS makes the best ball heads and I too have a BH-55 and I love it to death, it even works well with my Nikon 400mm f2.8 VR FL lens and D4s combo. However I decided to buy a ProMediaGear www.promediagear.com/TR424L-PMG-Pro-Stix-77-inch-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-w-42mm-diameter-legs_p_253.html tripod, because its just a little better made than the RRS tripod and it has 42mm diameter legs. I first bought their TR42L monopod and absolutely loved it, it really made my 400mm f2.8 much more stable than a smaller diameter monopod. If you haven't heard about ProMediaGear tripods and ball heads, gimbals, etc, you should really look into them before buying an RRS. Both tripods from both RRS and PMG are made in the USA and Pro Media Gear is just a slightly better tripod and slightly cheaper price. The tripod I bought is 80in tall and has 42mm diameter legs, so it's huge and a little bigger and better than the biggest RRS tripod. If you have a super-tele like a 400mm, 500mm, 600mm or even 800mm lens than you need one of these tripods.
@@patricksmith2553 Bought a Gitzo on a Thursday went to zoo on Saturday, it broke! Went back to where I bought it and the Gitzo manfrotto rep was there, she said np we don't have one here but asap one on Monday, I said ok great. 2 weeks later still no replacement, 3rd week I said forget it, I borrowed my friends RRS and returned the Gitzo. Never again will I get or recommend a Gitzo, if it breaks down good lucky getting it fixed let alone in a timely manner.
I've had a BH-55 since 2009 and love it! Even used it with a 500 f/4 nikon lens and it was fine although admittedly a Wimberly style would be a better choice for that combo. Going to get a BH-40 for my hiking tripod.
I went with FLM Centerballs. Attached the RRS lever clamps on top instead of the native ones. Nice feature: base is rotating and clicks every 15 degrees. Click can be switched off if needed.
Hey Nick, just found and subscribed to your channel. Great channel. Yeah I love my bh55 head, it's added some weight to carry but once your mounted and shooting an inspiring landscape or some long exposures it makes you forget about lugging it for the stability it empowers. I am a fan of their heads but not so much on the legs. I find the leg locks on my TVC-33 freeze quickly in cold temperatures and leaves me frustrated. Although I will stay with the rrs head I will probably move to a set of Gitzo sticks in the future. Cheers!!
Great presentation Nick...as per usual ...Steve Perry recommends the BH55 also...as im sure a lot of togs do...good chance to wind up T.H. re his acratech over his ballhead !
“Shooting out of the car often” haha I had to remind myself you were referring to photographers and not firearm users since I’m researching ball heads for tripod and rifle shooting lol.
I use the BH-55 on a Really Right Stuff TVC-33 tripod when using my 6x17 view camera and RZ-67 film camera...very sturdy, with no slippage. For my lighter gear, I have an older Gitzo 4-section tripod with a Markins Q-ball. One thing I don't like about the Markins is the panning knob...unless you lock it down gorilla tight, the head is very likely to move on you. Been meaning to swap it out with a BH-40, just haven't gotten around to it (yet). RRS gear is expensive, but the quality of materials and workmanship is well worth the sacrifice.
Great review. I am trying to decide between the Innorel L44 and Innorel N44 for both shooting and photography. Do you think the large knob on the side (similar to the BH-55) is an advantage in a rifle shooting scenario, being that it is easy to grab ahold of?
Just returned my acratech ball head because of the same issue. I had to tighten it so far just to feel like it wouldn’t move. Also when tightening the ball would adjust just a bit enough to change my framing anywhere above 100mm, that was pretty annoying. Now moving on to the BH-55 I think! Thanks for the info!
Hi Nick. Really great video as I’m undecided on which one to get but after watching your video think the BH55 is the one for me, so thanks for helping with that. At the moment I have Wimberly plates on all my lenses & camera body, can you tell me if the RRS BH55 would take the Wimberly plate? Mark. 🏴.
I'm right now using the Arca Swiss Z1+ which for Europe based people as myself is slightly cheaper, it also has a 2 step locking/unlocking mechanism and it is fairly solid, would be interesting to see a comparison with the BH-55
I have both the 40 and the 55 and found i prefer the big knob on the 55 to the lever on the 40. The knob on the 55 just gives me more sensitive control on whatever camera and lens I have mounted. I found I always had a little creep on the 40.
Thank you so much for this review. I am putting one of these on my carbon fiber tripod with an extendable center column. Will the BH-55 be too large for a center column or is the weight centered enough that it would be alright? I like the controls of the BH-55, which is one of the reasons why I am shopping for a new head. Thanks!
RRS is soooo expensive and soooo worth it. You don't know that you need something that good until you try it and realize you can never use something less again.
I shoot at a theater and moved up to the 100-400 canon which is a beast to hold for two hours but gets nice tight shots. Would the BH 40 work on a monopod with that lens and a 5DMK4? Can you recommend a plate?
Hey Nick, thank you for this video! I got a question. You mention in the video that the BH40 would be just fine for a mirrorless setup. Now that you have switched to Sony, do you feel the BH40 is able to handle a A7riii with a telephoto like the 70-200 GM? I am trying to talk myself into the BH40 paired with the TVC 24L as an every day tripod for me. I have plans on stepping up from the a6300 to full frame A7iii or A7riii. I am a hiker and it is not uncommon for me to walk 5+ miles for a shot. Thanks again for all that you do! -Jeff
Nick Page thanks for the reply! Sorry to bother again, but is your new main tripod the 24 or the 24L? The 24 I think only goes up to 40 inches. Thanks!
I would recommend getting some replacement 70mm plates for the tripod. Then, you can mount the ballhead and use the set screw to make it secure. When you want to swap the ballheads, you replace the plate in the tripod and go.
It really doesn't add weight unless you are carrying two ballheads where you go. You just leave the plate on the ballhead at home. When you go to switch, plate and head come out as one. The reserve one and attached plate goes in as one. A desmond gitzo copy is about $30 on amazon. It's the "DSYS-F Flat Adapter 3/8" Stud Gitzo Series 5 Compatible / Tripod Video Head" item on amazon.
Thank you for a very informative review. It comes at a time when i am looking for a new head to go with my new Pod. It's true you do get what u pay for.. I also have the Aqratech on my lighter series 2 Gitzo.. Thanks again.
My Acratech is still going strong. If it should ever fail, I guess I'd be torn on replacing it with a RRS. I just really love the look of the Acratech ballheads!
@@gewglesux 1+ years in it's a pretty good head, my head of choice when wanting light (hiking/travel etc). But it's not by any means perfect, but then again is anything? There is always a trade off - performance or weight and/or cost etc. Biggest issue with my GP is it let me down twice! Once my Sony a7r3 fell out of QR clamp onto a concrete floor, circa 6ft, onto lens front, ruining metal lens hood and compromising a £700 lens. It seems the ball head, unless really tightened, can look/feel OK but only to suddenly slip forward with a heavy lens. In my accident the shock hitting the limit of forward travel meant enough force to 'bounce' my camera lens combo out of the quick release clamp. Expensive and disappointing from what I had previously perceived as a superb head. OK to some extent it was user error, but I was 'suckered' into thinking the ball was clamped down tight enough and had been trying not to overtighten. My error was compounded by not fully tightening the smallish screw to set the appropriate lever clamping force on the QR plate. Driven by using different size Arca style base plates (Peak Design QR base isn't exactly same size as my Small Rig L base or another Arca type I routinely need to accommodate - each needs re-setting for optimum lever force clamping). Sudden ball breakaway and rotating forward has happened once more, but this time camera stayed in QR clamp (better care taken to set appropriate force to hold properly. Accidents aside it's a good head, but I later bought a geared head for more precise control when framing macro, product shots and astro work. So Acratech is pretty good, expensive but not the 'do it all' solution that better replaces any other head in all situations IMO. I would love to try a RRS head but never found the chance and tricky to find in Europe/UK. I know one occasional associate who uses the RRS 55, so may see if I can borrow/try. However I already know that on a weight basis alone, even if I owned one it wouldn't substitute for my Acratech GP when hiking or generally traveling. Bottom line.... Acratech GP is good but not perfect. It's not just the money, or quality......but whenever possible it's desirable to select the right tool for the job in hand. As well as knowledge on how to get best from each tool and how to operate properly.
@@rickymcc8624 Hey Dude, Thanks for the reply. I was actually thinking of swapping my Acratech for the comparable RRS. I mean all of my heads are all RRS. I do prefer the ergonomics on the RRS. I use the BH55 on my Big Gitzo for wildlife shooting with my 500mm pf.(the biggest Lens i own)The Sudden ball break away i dont think would ever happen on a RRS.. Seems that it's bulletproof. I have a buddy who was interested in my Acratech. I am sure that i can talk him back into taking it from me. That would free up some money so i could purchase my RRS. My question to you is that if you had the Gitzo GT2532 currently topped with the Acratech and you needed to swap out the head- with the 500mm pf being the biggest lens( I have a rig specifically set up for the 500) which RRS head would get? The 2532 would probably not ever see the 500mm but just incase it did.. other than that the 70-200 and maybe a 300pf - and smaller would be the only glass on it. What head would you put on it? a BH30/40 ? Thanks. I'm glad that you made the right choice for you.- but i am sorry about your mishap.
God I'm an idiot - I didn't realize the lever on the bh-40 was ratcheting. It'd get caught all the time and I'd think "they let you pull it out to get past whatever is blocking it, but it's never enough" and thinking I needed the larger ballhead.
I just upgraded to a feisol tournament CT3442 tripod and the RRS BH-40 with the full size lever clamp to future astrophotography sessions and workshops. They do not seem to do well together. The lever on the BH40 is large and keeps getting in the way of the Feisol tripod's large platform base when you try to angle the camera upward towards the sky. Also, the lever clamp on the BH-40 always seems to hit the large key knob when you angle the camera up towards the sky. The BH-40 is just not a good option for astrophotography due to its very low profile. This ballhead is better for landscape or nature photography where you mainly shoot towards the horizon, but not upwards towards the sky. I am returning the BH-40. I am not sure if the BH-55 has these issues.
@@NickPage Thank you for pointing that out. Yes, I had seen your video and had previously tried ratcheting it. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. It depends on how much of an angle you point the camera towards the sky. The top of the key knob and the bottom both seem to get in the way. In regards to the problems working with the Feisol Tournament CT 3442, I tried another tripod that had a center column to lift the ballhead up and this solved that issue. However, using the center column did make a long exposure a little shaky. Let me know how it does on your tripod. I believe you have a Feisol tournament tripod too.
once you invest in RRS its game over haha, I have 3 BH55s, a BH40 and 2 BH25s, 2 of their tripods, quick release plates on my manfrotto heads and Kessler gear, hands down the best camera stabilising system for photographers/timelapsers.
that lever would cheese me off , why didnt they cut the lever down on the 40 . or put a knob on it ? if your pointing the camera up the lever lock is useless , bh55 its looking like; the bh 40 reminds me of something similar that really bugged me having to swivel the lever to the opposite side of the plate when tilting up or down to lock out . big flaw
Nice ballhead, but not on the wallet. I went with the Sirui K40X for my 7d2 and the 150-600. Works well and a lot lighter on the wallet. Next step, gimbal head.
Being poor and cheap, I bought the Chinese copy of this ball head @ almost 10% of the price of this one.. Bloody good for a Chinese product, in fact bloody good for any one's product including my Gitzo ball head.
Do you have link to your ballhead you got? I just got this one smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08B5ZBRMG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title It’s got a leveling clamp on top. It only missing drag knob.
@@SentimentalMo Yes mine is missing the drag knob too. www.amazon.co.uk/Profile-ARTCISE-Panoramic-Diameter-Camcorder/dp/B081TP7FSS/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=arca+ball+head&qid=1597560476&sr=8-13
lensman57 I found this: www.aliexpress.com/item/4001121542495.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4d154c4duxBrby Has drag knob, leveling clamp, US $83.60. So I ordered one . They have a larger 40 size but the price is US $120.93. Weight limit: 18kg vs. 22kg. I prefer my gear small and light. So small is better for me. Will find out if this thing is any good or not.
Are both BH-55 and BH 40 in the same smoothness level and confort? Besides the size, is there any other difference in confort? Is the BH 40 good enough for a canon 90D and a canon 100-400? Thanks!
He should of said Bently vs Mersedes ! But he gets the point across anyway. Good review & glad your happy with your new tripod. Also , digging the channel
BMW has NEVER been known for pure "luxury". It has always been more performance. In fact many of their cars in years past have been quite spartan as far as interior amenities. So in this case I'd say YES, Cadillac is more "luxurious". I have owned 6 BMW's in my lifetime....from an M3 all the way up to the 740 and many in between. It's a performance car...not a luxury car.
Totally agree. Me too - bought a US ballhead. Own a European sports car. Think US car design is handicapped by blanket 55mph (or thereabouts) limits and predominantly straight (well straitish) roads. Not many twisty 'alpine style' passes in US. I laughed when I saw San Fran's Lombardy St. Reflected on oval race circuits too Vs. the Formula 1 tracks that predominate elsewhere. Never understood though why USA seem so good at making ball heads (e.g. RRS, Acratech, ProMedia). Still, each to their own - just my probably biased opinions.
@@rickymcc8624 Goes to show that one shouldn't form impressions without more experiences in the country one is traveling in. I live in Marin Co., just north of San Francisco, which by the way we NEVER call San Fran! I road raced motorcycles for many years and we have some epic roads! There used to be a Sunday morning ride from Tam junction to Point Reyes that would challenge any rider. The CHP would use helicopters to try and catch us as the cops couldn't get near us in their cars. Sears Point Raceway was our local track. I've seen Kenny Roberts, Mario Andretti, Hans Stuck and many more racers there. Unfortunately NASCAR is the racing which most people associate with the United States. The stupidest and most boring racing ever. And it's true that we've never really had good touring autos. Really a shame. Next time you're in America, I'd be glad to show you some of the finest driving roads anywhere! By the way it's Lombard St., not Lombardy....
I am very disappointed about RRS. I bought a BH-55 ballhead from them. After the ballhead arrived, the clamp and the quick release plate were full of scratches. I sent a video to them to show them the scratches, their staff saw and admitted the existence of them. They said I could mail the clamp and plate back to them to check. After they received and checked the clamp and plate, they said they couldn't see any scratches and refused to replace new ones for me. They also said if there was any, they were made by the machines and were normal. I wonder why products of other brands like Gitzo and Manfrotto have NO scratches?! They are nearly perfect. I swear to God I will never buy from RRS again. I will buy from brands that have dealers in my country, because I can check the products when buying them. Once I find anything wrong, I can ask for a replacement immediately without any transportation cost.
I sincerely doubt that they would ship out anything new with a bunch of scratches on it. I would love to see images of the blemishes you’re talking about. No one has quality control like really right stuff
@@njrtech it's always hard. I'm pretty 'tight fisted' and generally look for good value items (balancing cost v performance). However I'm also a 'sucker' for quality engineering. Sometimes I just buy because I think it's technically the best (even if I don't need that level of performance). Nice kit can be a 'joy' to own/use. I find the 'pain ' of paying top dollar soon fades but the satisfaction from great quality endures. I must have bought at least 10 ballheads now. Arguably lowest cost route would have been to buy a premium head initially. Easy to know with hindsight. Not many beginners can afford top quality, or understand that they will eventually seek that level of excellence.
