Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg)

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I purchased the BH-1 as an upgrade from my BH-3 for better support for my long lens setup which includes a Canon 1D MkIII, a 300mm f2.8 with 2X teleconverter, and a Wimberly Sidekick. My new BH-3 is mounted on my new Gitzo 3532 which is upgrading my Feisol tripod. Don't get me wrong, I love my BH-3 and the Feisol, but that combo was too light weight to adequately support my long lens setup. The BH-1 was the right choice.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I am really enjoying this bullhead. My previous tripod head was failing and would drift down. Very robust system that is well designed and easy to operate.

It is a bit heavy but i chose the BH-1 that supports 50lbs to "grow into"

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Very solid feel. Smooth ball movement and firm locking.Cosmetically not fancy, but functionally excellentFairly heavy, but this comes with its ability to hold large mass

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Great ballhead, Ive used quite a few other brands and my Kirk BH-1 by far is the best thus far. Very smooth, a bit heavy and pricey, but well worth the money

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I rated it 4 stars because to me The quick release is good but I would have preferred a lever/clamp. It does work really well just something I will probably fix on my tripod gear to make things easier for myself. Holds my 50D plus 100mm Macro IS very stable. I have not had any problems!

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This ballhead worked like a charm...very smooth movement, easy to manipulate. I can't believe how much easier this has made my tripod shooting. Be sure to buy the L-shaped bracket for your camera too. This makes horizontal / vertical changes even faster and easier. This product has really been worth the investment.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

landscape, nature, sports

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This ballhead is simple to use but supports more weight than I'll ever put on it. It was chosen after a great deal of research and a search to see what very active photographers were using. This is the last ballhead I ever expect to buy. It is a solid piece of steel and I can't imagine what it would take the break this thing and I never expect to find out. I wanted a ballhead that would safely carry and support my camera so I would not have to be concerned about it's safety. This ballhead is silly expensive but in relation to what my camera is worth, buying it was pretty much a no brainer.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Greeting, I am in the process of returning this inasmuch as I did not even get out of the Fedex parking lot! I love my photo hobby and I know you wouldn't be reading this if you also didn't love photography too!

The good news is that the way this ballhead feels is wonderful. The panoranic rotation can be a bit tight but the rotation is accurate.

However, the bad is mystifying to me. There are 360 degrees in the complete rotation in panoramic mode, it's smooth as silk. The degrees markings start at zero, then increase to 90,the decrease to zero as this makes half of a full rotation. Then the other sidehas the same degree markings. The markings are 0, 15,30, 45,60, 75,90, 75,60, 45,30, 15, 15,30, 45,60, 75,90, 75,60, 45,30, 15.

Notice anything? The second zero is missing. There are two lines between each consecutive number, i. e. say between 45 and 60, there's two lines. Sincethis is 60-45=15 degrees between each lines, easy.

Stay with me as the arithmetic gets complicated starting right now. The missing zero located between 15 and 15 ; someone forgot that there's 5 degrees on EITHER side has of zero ; thus there's one line MISSING!

Now, figure this out, where there is a "zero", then that location is a shorter circumferential distance than the 2 lines on EITHER side of 90.

Ok, so you are doing a panoranic photo and the distances around the circumferential are marked unequally.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I bought this product 3 weeks ago, and since then, i've used it for landscape, portrait and macro photography.
I like the smoothness of the controls, and the overall stability.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This is a great ball head. Smooth operation and locks up solid as a rock. It is a bit heavy but that seems like nit-picking frankly for something that works as well as the BH-1 does. I am very pleased. Pares very well with my Gitzo GT3530LS tripod to provide a vary stable and easy to work with shooting platform.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Solid, stable, smooth adjustments.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Selecting a ballhead is now second place on my list of "Most Daunting Tasks" . . . just behind tripods. Most of the challenge was arbitrarily justifying the cost of "higher-end" items. No doubt, some are better than others but the huge range of choices mixed with undisclosed specifications creates quite a mission to accomplish. That said, purchasing the Kirk BH-1 removes me from the ballhead market forever as I'm sure it will last that long. Movements are smooth and precise with a 100-400 mm lens and it's solid as a rock when tightened.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This is the ballhead that made me forsake all others I've owned. It's a heavy thing, but it's rock steady and locks solid in all positions. I've already learned about lightweight tripods: they're for carrying, not for shooting. I've adapted.

A bit on the pricey side; but it's well-made, built to perform, and built to last. I don't expect to need another for quite some time. Money well spent. My old Manfrotto ballhead is now a paperweight.

Don't forget the appropriate QR plates when you order.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Purchased a 2nd BH1 ballhead after the 1st got damaged a a flight to Alaska.

Heavy duty, easy to operate head that is durable for all types of photography.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

The BHD Ball head is a dream to use. This is a great value, it very durable and precise, these are 2 things that normally are not said in the same breath. It is so smooth to use you would think that it is half the size it is. Even loaded up with my heaviest lens and camera it still operates with great ease and is incredibly stable.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Very sturdy ball head that can be used with lightweight DSLRs, medium format film cameras and 4x5 and larger cameras. It's a bit on the heavy side.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Only thing that keeps this from perfection is the extremely stiff panning even when screw is completely loose. I basically have to force it to move.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This is my first ballhead, paired with a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod, and it's really changed the way I look at capturing images. I'm sure all the options at this level are very good, and I can only speak to the performance of the BH-1, which is tremendous.

I have used it to support a variety of EOS bodies and lenses for stills and videos, and it's been wonderful. I have owned a couple nice aluminum tripods and heads in the past, but usually left them at home since they were too heavy/clunky/cold to the touch in bad weather. The BH-1 is rock solid, smooth, and quick to use.

I will say when I got the ballhead, the motion wasn't as smooth as I anticipated. Kirk recommends occasional cleaning with WD-40. When I wiped the ball down with WD-40, then a clean cloth, the motion became wonderfully smooth.

I know it's hard to drop this kind of cash on a tripod head, but over a lifetime (which is how long I plan on keeping mine), it's absolutely worth it!

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Very user friendly, functions as expected.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I purchased the BH-1 as an upgrade from my BH-3 for better support for my long lens setup which includes a Canon 1D MkIII, a 300mm f2.8 with 2X teleconverter, and a Wimberly Sidekick. My new BH-3 is mounted on my new Gitzo 3532 which is upgrading my Feisol tripod. Don't get me wrong, I love my BH-3 and the Feisol, but that combo was too light weight to adequately support my long lens setup. The BH-1 was the right choice.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I am really enjoying this bullhead. My previous tripod head was failing and would drift down. Very robust system that is well designed and easy to operate.

It is a bit heavy but i chose the BH-1 that supports 50lbs to "grow into"

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Very solid feel. Smooth ball movement and firm locking.Cosmetically not fancy, but functionally excellentFairly heavy, but this comes with its ability to hold large mass

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Great ballhead, Ive used quite a few other brands and my Kirk BH-1 by far is the best thus far. Very smooth, a bit heavy and pricey, but well worth the money

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I rated it 4 stars because to me The quick release is good but I would have preferred a lever/clamp. It does work really well just something I will probably fix on my tripod gear to make things easier for myself. Holds my 50D plus 100mm Macro IS very stable. I have not had any problems!

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This ballhead worked like a charm...very smooth movement, easy to manipulate. I can't believe how much easier this has made my tripod shooting. Be sure to buy the L-shaped bracket for your camera too. This makes horizontal / vertical changes even faster and easier. This product has really been worth the investment.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

landscape, nature, sports

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This ballhead is simple to use but supports more weight than I'll ever put on it. It was chosen after a great deal of research and a search to see what very active photographers were using. This is the last ballhead I ever expect to buy. It is a solid piece of steel and I can't imagine what it would take the break this thing and I never expect to find out. I wanted a ballhead that would safely carry and support my camera so I would not have to be concerned about it's safety. This ballhead is silly expensive but in relation to what my camera is worth, buying it was pretty much a no brainer.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Greeting, I am in the process of returning this inasmuch as I did not even get out of the Fedex parking lot! I love my photo hobby and I know you wouldn't be reading this if you also didn't love photography too!

The good news is that the way this ballhead feels is wonderful. The panoranic rotation can be a bit tight but the rotation is accurate.

However, the bad is mystifying to me. There are 360 degrees in the complete rotation in panoramic mode, it's smooth as silk. The degrees markings start at zero, then increase to 90,the decrease to zero as this makes half of a full rotation. Then the other sidehas the same degree markings. The markings are 0, 15,30, 45,60, 75,90, 75,60, 45,30, 15, 15,30, 45,60, 75,90, 75,60, 45,30, 15.

Notice anything? The second zero is missing. There are two lines between each consecutive number, i. e. say between 45 and 60, there's two lines. Sincethis is 60-45=15 degrees between each lines, easy.

Stay with me as the arithmetic gets complicated starting right now. The missing zero located between 15 and 15 ; someone forgot that there's 5 degrees on EITHER side has of zero ; thus there's one line MISSING!

Now, figure this out, where there is a "zero", then that location is a shorter circumferential distance than the 2 lines on EITHER side of 90.

Ok, so you are doing a panoranic photo and the distances around the circumferential are marked unequally.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

I bought this product 3 weeks ago, and since then, i've used it for landscape, portrait and macro photography.
I like the smoothness of the controls, and the overall stability.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This is a great ball head. Smooth operation and locks up solid as a rock. It is a bit heavy but that seems like nit-picking frankly for something that works as well as the BH-1 does. I am very pleased. Pares very well with my Gitzo GT3530LS tripod to provide a vary stable and easy to work with shooting platform.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Solid, stable, smooth adjustments.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Selecting a ballhead is now second place on my list of "Most Daunting Tasks" . . . just behind tripods. Most of the challenge was arbitrarily justifying the cost of "higher-end" items. No doubt, some are better than others but the huge range of choices mixed with undisclosed specifications creates quite a mission to accomplish. That said, purchasing the Kirk BH-1 removes me from the ballhead market forever as I'm sure it will last that long. Movements are smooth and precise with a 100-400 mm lens and it's solid as a rock when tightened.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This is the ballhead that made me forsake all others I've owned. It's a heavy thing, but it's rock steady and locks solid in all positions. I've already learned about lightweight tripods: they're for carrying, not for shooting. I've adapted.

A bit on the pricey side; but it's well-made, built to perform, and built to last. I don't expect to need another for quite some time. Money well spent. My old Manfrotto ballhead is now a paperweight.

Don't forget the appropriate QR plates when you order.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Purchased a 2nd BH1 ballhead after the 1st got damaged a a flight to Alaska.

Heavy duty, easy to operate head that is durable for all types of photography.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

The BHD Ball head is a dream to use. This is a great value, it very durable and precise, these are 2 things that normally are not said in the same breath. It is so smooth to use you would think that it is half the size it is. Even loaded up with my heaviest lens and camera it still operates with great ease and is incredibly stable.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Very sturdy ball head that can be used with lightweight DSLRs, medium format film cameras and 4x5 and larger cameras. It's a bit on the heavy side.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Only thing that keeps this from perfection is the extremely stiff panning even when screw is completely loose. I basically have to force it to move.

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

This is my first ballhead, paired with a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod, and it's really changed the way I look at capturing images. I'm sure all the options at this level are very good, and I can only speak to the performance of the BH-1, which is tremendous.

I have used it to support a variety of EOS bodies and lenses for stills and videos, and it's been wonderful. I have owned a couple nice aluminum tripods and heads in the past, but usually left them at home since they were too heavy/clunky/cold to the touch in bad weather. The BH-1 is rock solid, smooth, and quick to use.

I will say when I got the ballhead, the motion wasn't as smooth as I anticipated. Kirk recommends occasional cleaning with WD-40. When I wiped the ball down with WD-40, then a clean cloth, the motion became wonderfully smooth.

I know it's hard to drop this kind of cash on a tripod head, but over a lifetime (which is how long I plan on keeping mine), it's absolutely worth it!

Comments about Kirk BH-1 Ballhead with Quick Release - Supports 50 lbs (22.6kg):

Very user friendly, functions as expected.