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):

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 selected this ball head mainly because it's 100% American made. The quality was second to none that I have ever used. Really smooth operation and very steady. Worth every extra penny for the excellent USA made quality.

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

I have to hide it from my other half!!!

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

Frist time around I purchased the BH-3 Kirk Ballhead, it worked great for my shorter lens but found it had a little to much play in it for longers lens (the canon 70-200 L-is).Ordered BH-1 and couldn't be more pleased. I love shooting marco & this head holds rock solid.

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

Just received my BH-1 from B&H. Totally awesome upgrade from my Manfrotto 322 action grip. [...]This Ballhead is everything I expected it to be. It mounted effortlessly onto my Manfrotto 3021BN tripod. I love the silky smooth operation of the ball. The locking knob, tension knob and panning knob all are very easy to turn and lock/unlock. I don't have anything really heavy per say: 30D, 70-200L f/2.8 IS, 580EX Flash. So this ballhead might be a bit of overkill for my gear...but I'm so glad I bought it. The peace of mind knowing that it's securely locked, and effortless motion and locking…mmm…mmm…mmm. Plus, no more drifting like I was experiencing with my 322 action grip.

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

I've never experienced such fine craftsmanship. The Kirk BH-1 is so smooth and locks into place so sturdily I know camera movement will never be a problem again. I have nothing bad to say about this fine equipment.