Acratech GP Ballhead

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I bought this to replace a bulky, heavy manfrotto head I had been using for a number of years which just wasn't conducive to travel photography and long hikes. This was certainly a step up in price but I wanted something light, sturdy, easy-to-use, and indestructible!
The GP Ballhead checks everyone of those with aplomb. It's a piece of beautifully machined and well thought-out engineering. There is absolutely no slippage and it's so smooth in operation as to be a joy to use. Most of the time, a tripod is a barrier between the photographer and his vision, and this tripod head just made the hurdle a little lower.
I have no real negative remarks to make about this wonderful head. It's a joy to use. I guess, should I ever want to put some real heavy glass on it, the much touted gimbal-like ability would probably not be quite up to the task. However, I was very much aware of this when I bought it and it is not what the head is designed to accommodate or how I would utilize it. If you want a tripod head that is light,flexible, built like a tank, and a joy to handle look no further. Just don't expect something in this price range or size to be up to carrying the meatiest of set-ups.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I'm very happy with my new Acratech ballhead. Everything about it matches it's description – it's a first-class ballhead, it functions as a gimbal head for shooting with telephoto lenses and can be used upside down as a leveling base for shooting panoramas – it does exactly what I need it to do.
Besides being totally satisfied with this product, the Acratech website was amazingly helpful in my making sure I was purchasing the best product for my needs.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I am a pro outdoor photographer with a heavy emphasis on macro work. I love the light weight and the ease of use but a bit disappointed in that the head seems to creep a bit when I am locked down on a macro subject.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I love this ball head - hands down, it is one of the best on the market. The build quality is top notch, the ergonomics are smart and well-sorted, and it is extremely versatile. The finish is extremely durable; I have banged mine around a lot and there's nary a scratch on it.

The detent pin is great for keeping your camera from sliding out of the clamp side to side, and it's compatible with all Arca Swiss plates, which are pretty much the industry standard these days. Check out some of the videos on Acratech's website for how they make these -- it is pretty incredible!

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

Outstanding & finally engineered ball head. Exceptional value considering it serves as a regular ball head, a leveling base for panoramas and a gimbal head all in less than 1 pound total weight. Excellent quality, ease of use in the field and 3-in-1 capabilities makes this piece of photographic equipment a most valuable addition to my photo backpack!

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

Used the GP bullhead for landscape shots and slow shutter water effects. This is an excellent tool that makes my job of getting the best shot easy. Of note, while hiking on a dangerous portion of a recent hike this ballhead along with my Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 tripod withstood my entire body weight as I fell directly on the rail clamp portion of the head. It survived with only minor scratches. The combo saved me from hitting my head directly on the solid rock! I went on and took my shots and it performed flawlessly.

It does slip alittle if you don't tighten the resistance knob when adjusting the head with a heavy camera setup such as my 7D with a 24-70 or 70-200 f2.8. Very minor. Mostly attributed to user error. Does take some tome to get used to which knob does what but becomes muscle memory quickly.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I gave it its first trial on a recent trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. I used it as a conventional ballhead and as a pano head. Did not have a reason to use the gimbal function. All functions were smooth and it locked up tight when needed. Basically it worked as advertised and lived up to all the favorable comments I had read while researching a new ballhead. It is well designed and well built. As some have mentioned it is a little pricey but when you consider it performs three functions in one body it may be priced just right.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I was torn between this and RRS BH-40 or BH-55. The 40 and the GP are about the same weight, but the GP does the neat head flip trick (see the video on Acratech). The GP also looks like it will be easier to maintain and I liked the simple operation on it.

The clamp is surprisingly good, I have been thinking about putting a RRS lever clamp on, but there's one issue. Both companies have a system to keep the clamp from turning on the head screw, and yes they are different and incompatible. So if you want a RRS lever, get a RRS head.

Overall, I'm pleased with the unit, solid construction with light weight and holds my 70-200 f2.8 without a problem. I also like the poor man's gimble head trick the head can do.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

This is the best ballhead I've ever owned by far. As a landscape photographer of a certain age weight is a big factor for me- this amazing ballhead weighs under a pound! The gimbal and pano functions are terrific.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I've owned this ball head for two weeks now (bought it to replace a Manfrotto 486RC2). It has exceeded my expectations - even at the high price.

It is strong, has a great range of motion, the tensioning knob is fantastic, and the gimbal head was a nice added bonus for sports photography.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I purchased this Ballhead to do macro nature & wildlife pics and in between my camera body and the ball head are a set of macro rails and an L bracket(both by really Right Stuff). I spent a great deal of time agonizing over the weight vs. stability equation and finally settled on this ballhead. In early test use I have been able to swing my camera lens directly vertical(or at any angle I choose) over my photo subject allowing me total control of the picture I am making. This BallHead is really well designed and the both the build quality and machining is first class(if these guys were local I would be banging on their door to get them to do my target rifle machining). Now for the compromise the light weight of this unit makes packing it on trails doable, however that advantage leads to inherent tripod instability which I plan on overcoming by carrying an unfilled tripod sand bag which I will weight down with onsite materials and hang from my tripod center hook if extra stability is needed. I never had a desire to do panorama stitch photos but now I see how easy that can be done with this ballhead so I will have to try that too. I will also be using the "gimbal" setting with my long telephoto lenses and this unit(Canon For all the money you charge for those white f2.8 lenses could you please design a lens collar that works properly and also is machined for an acra clamp) The only weak point that I have found with this ball head is the acra top clamp It lacks a center marking and I's narrow I's not a bad clamp just not as nice as a Really Right stuff quick release lever clamp that I will replace it with eventually. Good accessories with this ballhead are a safety leash from camera to the tripod and the Acratech leveling base if you are doing panoramas.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

This is an excellent ballhead. It is easy to use and has great stability. I am really impressed with the detail in which the ballhead was designed. It has rubber grips that are very easy to grip and gives you a sense of security for your equipment.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I use this ballhead with a Canon 5Dii & lenses up to ef300 f4 in size, along with Benro C297 M8 carbon fibre legs.

I am a full time pro commercial photographer and use the ballhead almost daily and I have to say
I couldn't be happier with the ballhead. Smooth motion, sturdy build, user friendly & it looks great as well!

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

I was a bit hesitant at first to spend this much on a head, but now that I've used it for a while, i can recommend it without reservation. It is a solid, precision machined work of art, that just happens to double as a ball head. I've been using a Bogen 3047 head for close to 30 years, so the transition to a ball head (as well as the square Arca plate) is still going on - I keep reaching for handles to orient the camera! I shoot a lot of moving objects - cars, planes, trains, ships - so the ability to use the camera and lens directly (instead of handles) is almost like holding the camera in my hand, without the heft. Its amazing that something so small and light can be so good! The only down side - it does not come with a quick release lever. Add that, and it would be as close to perfect as you can get.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

The designers as Acratech have really thought about the needs of the photographer in terms of compactness, quality, usuability and versatility. The GP ticks all the boxes. I was looking for a compact lightweight head to make lugging the tripod a little easier and to give me all the essentials - stability and camera manouverabilty. This little beauty is so easy to use with one turn enabling movement in all directions. A separate tension control allows you to release the ball but retain some pressure to prevent camera drop. The quick release is easy to use. When setting up for Panorama shots it can be quicky reversed to create that level platform for the pan which is so time consuming on a normal tripod on uneven ground. Coupled with the universal Acratech L Bracket mount and the set is complete. Finishes are excellent and I cannot recommend the device high enough.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

A really great Ballhead. The indent on the side permits a true portrait orientation of the lens, if the lens does not have a collar. Also, it permits a direct shot down onto the object. The level is also very visible. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars, was because it was a little pricey.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

This ballhead is great. Really easy to use. Gimbal feature works great, really smooth action. Perfect all a round head. I was hesitant bc most things that have more than one feature means that none of the features are that good. Not this one. This one is great.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

This product is a dream come true. Incredibly solid & well-made. Also fairly lightweight. The best ball head I've ever used for still photography and fixed-position video (interview) work with a Canon 5D MkII. Great gimbal head for casual use with mid-sized lenses. The ability to use it upside down as a stitch-pano head is worth the price of admission alone. I have absolutely NO complaints about this product. The manufacture's online video tutorials are a bit dry but very helpful and to the point.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

Does deflect a little when leaned way over. Ability to move the clamp to the base and reverse ball head allows it to work in place of a panning base for stitched panoramas. Haven't tried the gimbal feature.

Comments about Acratech GP Ballhead:

Opened the box, picked up and immediately fell in love. And when installed on a tripod, mount the camera Sigma SD14 with a 12-24 mm lens, checked the work of the head in two positions and took the panorama was ecstatic. Convenient, smoothly and reliably. The first acquaintance with the products Akroteh was very successful! Immediately order a bracket for vertical mounting cameras and anything else!