First! Lol I'm a ProMediaGear fanboy I'm watching vid now see how you compare the PMG to the RRS EDIT: Good review! I've had the PMG ball head for a while now and have used it many times. I love the single large knob design and as far as I can tell it's unique. I've never used the RRS ball heads specifically, but I've used other ball heads with two smaller knobs and it's a pain. I see that they've done a little redesign; the bubble level used to be directly under the ball and was a little hard to see. I wonder if my earlier copy can be modified to add the bubble level off to the side as in your newer copy. I would also say that you should save your pennies and get an L Bracket which makes all ball heads much easier to move landscape to portrait! I haven't had any issues with the screw knob to tighten the Arca Swiss clamp vs the lever. I hope this ball head gets more traction in the market as it is really a well-made and different take on this category of kit. Two things to note: the PMG Quick Disconnect system is proprietary, whereas the RRS version is standardized, and the same as you find used in firearms. Also the PMG ball head knob is large and does not require a lot of hand torque to tighten it down firmly so you need to be careful not to overtighten, but that's a feature not a bug.
Hey, Thanks for your comments they are well received !!! Yeah maaaan, I really like it a lot It's a new Take on an old invention ProMedia Gear is coming up with some awesome products I look forward to their future and really hope they make a smaller version of this ball head for the newer lighter Mirrorless cameras and lenses Contact Tony in marketing and tell him you saw my video with a different base and see if he'll trade it out for you
UPDATE: Tony from PMG read my earlier comment, contacted me via email and offered to send me out the leveling bubble for my older copy. It arrived today and screws right on in a two-minute retrofit thereby taking care of the one little nitpick I had about the ball head as described above. If you have an older version of the PMG ball head I would definitely recommend this upgrade...
@@Lance_Magillicuddy Now if that doesn't say what kind of company Promedia Gear is than i don't know what does Koodo's to Promedia Gear (& Tony) for paying attention to there customers Best regards, Rick
It's quite possible to use the BH-55 in the same manor as you're using the PMG. Just leave the small drag dial lose and use the large control knob. But the drag control is great when you don't want to have to fiddle to find that friction point, just set & forget.
Acratech heads are half the weight, can be had with quick release arca clamps, and instantly become a tiny gimbal head when flopped to their side position
I love the design of the BH-1 PMG but it’s huge, i wish they made a smaller version, their new BH-50 is also pretty big and heavy and lacks the amazing design
Not being able to tilt down is the most irritating problem with ballheads. The RRS BH55 size head is more for lenses not quite large enough for a Wimberley and I love the 2 cutouts. The promedia head looks even better. I wished the Promedia head was available when I bought my BH55. Arca swiss isn't perfect but its found on nearly everything. Most heads are exchangeable with other clams...
The BH 40 can accept much more weight than what you put on the BH55. I own the Bh40 for several years now. I regularly load my D810 and 70-200 on it without any issue at all.
I don't know about you but My heavest D850 with the 300mm F/2.8 lenses only weights 13.5 lbs with the battery bracket I don't know of any camera that would weight what these ball heads are rated for...... Not even a Hollywood cine camera weights 50 lbs Thanks for your coments regards, Rick
Informative piece. I own the Manfrotto as well as the RRS heads you showcase. And no doubt the PMG head is a stellar bit of kit but to diss RRS over PMG regarding portrait mode adjustments without mentioning using an L plate on the camera and its many advantages when used with ANY Arca Swiss-compatible head is a bit disingenuous if not deceptive. Just my two cents.
My Comments about going vertical on the RRS are correct and accurate and to suggest that I need to purchase another piece of equipment after spending over $400 on a ball head just so I can go vertical is a bit silly. The fact that I DO NOT have to spend more money on an "L" bracket when using ProMedia Gear's Boll Head is a valid point that I am making not just an opinion. Thanks for your comments Regards, Rick
My point exactly. To suggest as you have that one must spend over $400 on a ballhead which you suggest is superior to another in large part because of the ease of portrait orientation. obfuscates that if that is a major concern, an L bracket would solve the issue with whatever head one was already using. To spend more than $400 to acquire quick portrait orientation is silly.
I bought the promedia gear tripod and its nice. But promedia took forever to make ahead because something was wrong with the old head so I bought really right stuff instead and love it. Really right stuff just seems to have there act together better then promedia. I also like really right stuff plates being they work with the QD Strap Swivel which is great no strings hanging off the camera. So... When I decide to buy another tripod it will most likely be really right stuff because promedia just takes way to long.
@@rickvestuto BH-55 with screw knob. I also run zoomf4 recorder. I run a 100ft mic cable into the winderness guessing where the animal will appear. With the canon Eos R and a 100x400 lens . Heres the setup with my canon80d ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1MSXZPgFrZA.html But now I have the Eos R I need to make another video. Just been so hot here in TN you do not want to be out there. I even emailed promedia like 4 times in a month asking them when is your head going to come out. I think its been almost a year now since they finally have in stock. Really Right Stuff customer service is just far better.
Now this is something i still need to get but i have never got around to buying bakl heads. I just have a normal tripod with no ball and its no good for most situations.
Hi Violet Yes a ball head is a must have in my book There are much cheaper Ball Heads out there Such as Induro but I had two of those and they had worn out after a year or two To Me, Ball heads are like Tripods and cameras... Buy the best one you can afford so you don't have problems down the road and have to buy it again Best regards, Rick
If only it were that easy The plates have different configurations on the bottom The BH55 has a cross hatch while the ProMidia Gear ball plate has a square Would be cool though Thanks for your question Regards, Rick
@@rickvestuto no worries, I thought it was a stretch but just watched your video the other day and thought I'd ask, thanks for the KEH tip, ill check them out.
You can work the BH55 with only one knob as the BH1... I have both. BH1 it is stiff altogether that's why use one knob the BH55 it is loose and you can use the tension knob to your like BUT you can tighten a bit the knob in BH55 and have the same results!!! Stop advertising when you saying it is review and one more question, 15-20 years in photography and still don't know that the Arca Swiss style plates and clamps are the STANDARDS???
