Kirk BH-1 Ballhead Review Round-Up
The Kirk BH-1 Ballhead is a very high quality ballhead for general-purpose use. Put a quick-release body plate or lens plate on your camera or tripod collar and tighten them into the Kirk BH-1 Ballhead’s universal Arca-Swiss style quick release clamp and nothing moves. Adjustments are smooth to make and immobile when tightened. The Kirk BH-1 Ballhead is functionally a very good ballhead. My biggest issue with the BH-1 is that I occassionally/accidentally (usually in the dark or while looking through the viewfinder) adjust the friction knob instead of the panoramic knob as they are similarly sized. It generally is not a big deal – just an inconvenience. As for capacity, it did not have a problem with my Canon EF 500mm f/4 L USM Super Telephoto Lens mounted on a Wimberley Sidekick. The bottom line? The Kirk BH-1 Ballhead is currently one of the best ballheads. READ FULL REVIEW AT DigitalPicture.com
If you own or have used this tripod, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.
The Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head is made from magnesium to ensure light weight and high performance. Its design keeps the weight of the camera plus lens as close as possible to the tripod’s centre of gravity. This head only adds 10.3 cm to the height of the tripod and 700 grams to overall weight. Targeted mainly at photographers with SLR cameras with relatively light lenses or advanced, long-zoom digicams, it can also accommodate lighter medium format camera/lens combinations. Maximum recommended load is five kilograms. Flexibility of movement is the key feature of this novel tripod head, which is designed to allow single-handed positioning in all directions, freeing the photographer’s other hand to access the camera’s controls. The head supports 90 degrees of lateral tilt in each direction and front tilt from -90 degrees to +3 degrees. Panoramic rotation of 360 degrees is provided. This head is the most flexible tripod head we have used and it’s very easy to get used to manipulating the direction and orientation of a camera through the adjustments provided by the grip. Freeing one hand to control the lens and camera adjustments while the other controls the framing position is a big advantage in many shooting situations. All movements are smooth and the head is easily locked into place when the correct camera position is achieved. 
If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.
The 804RC2 Basic Pan/Tilt Head, which is constructed from tough, technical polymer, is suitable for use with camera/lens combinations weighing up to four kilograms. It adds 12 cm to the height of the basic tripod and 750 grams to overall weight. As supplied, the 804RC2 requires some assembly before it can be used. This involves screwing-in two handgrips, which control adjustments for lateral leveling and forward/backward tilt. Both these controls cover an angular range from -30 to +90 degrees. A smaller fitted handgrip controls 360-degree panning movement. Large, handles give a secure and positive grip, while spring-loading provides compensation for heavier, off-centre loads. The 804RC2 provides the traditional directional controls that photographers require with easy controllability. Although designed to be operated with both hands, the controls are comfortable to use and lock positively and securely into place. Overall balance is excellent. 
The Really Right Stuff BH-55 (on the right in the comparison pictures) is another excellent ballhead that is often compared to the Arca-Swiss ballheads. I’ve used both (BH-55 and B1) about equally for the last year and can say that I’d be very happy with either. The RRS BH-55 is shorter (3.65″/85.4mm vs 4″/101.6mm) but wider and about 7 oz (198g) heavier at 1.96 lb (889g). The BH-55 main friction knob is most notably larger but the entire head is beefier (see the top-view photo above for a comparison that shows this best). The BH-55’s load capacity is rated at a much lower but seemingly far more conservatively at 50 lbs (23kg). I still would not want to handle this much load on a ballhead. ? ?RRS does not cut corners in manufacturing and insures their products look great as well as work great, but the price is a differentiator that shows this. The RRS BH-55 design (appearance) including laser engraved index markings and classy-looking knobs is a notch above the Z1 (which is nice). Really Right Stuff’s Lever Lock quick release plate is nicer than the Arc Swiss equivalent but requires Wimberley or RRS brand plates (though these are the best anyway in my opinion). The Z1 uses an elliptical ball whereas the BH-55 uses a spherical ball. The BH-55’s knobs are a higher grade than the Z1’s. The Z1 knobs are all near the same location on the same side while the RRS head places them on opposite sides. The BH-55 sports a more-matte finish but also shows marks (fingernails, sticks …) more easily. The BH-55 has two drop notches giving you a choice of two positions for the knobs when using a notch. The location of the drop notches are different as well – I think the BH-55 has a small advantage – especially when shooting downward. ? ?In real use, I find the RRS BH-55 to slip/stick when making fine adjustments at a tight friction setting while the Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 Ballhead remains smooth. The BH-55 is otherwise very consistent and repeatable. I also find the Z1 to lock tight with very little effort while the BH-55’s main knob gets consistently tighter as the ball locks. My personal preference on this point is for the Z1, but you could just as easily prefer the additional pressure feedback provided by the BH-55. As I said before, I could be very happy with either ballhead. 
