The BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp from Really Right Stuff is a 17.1 oz mid-sized ball head that will support camera-lens combinations weighing up to 18 lb. Crafted from aluminum and stainless steel, the BH-40 has all of the features you'd expect from a professional-level head. An over-sized, ergonomic locking T-knob allows 45-degree tilting in all directions and a 90-degree drop-notch facilitates quick and accurate switching from the horizontal landscape position to vertical portrait orientation. A separate tension knob is provided to apply the appropriate pressure that safely corresponds to the weight of your camera. A third knob loosens and locks the panning base which is laser-engraved with markers every 2.5 degrees from 0 to 360 degrees.
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Key Features
- 18 lb Load Capacity
- Max Height: 3.0"
- 90-Degree Notch for Portrait Orientation
- Separate Tension Control Knob
The BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp from Really Right Stuff is a 17.1 oz mid-sized ball head that will support camera-lens combinations weighing up to 18 lb. Crafted from aluminum and stainless steel, the BH-40 has all of the features you'd expect from a professional-level head. An over-sized, ergonomic locking T-knob allows 45-degree tilting in all directions and a 90-degree drop-notch facilitates quick and accurate switching from the horizontal landscape position to vertical portrait orientation. A separate tension knob is provided to apply the appropriate pressure that safely corresponds to the weight of your camera. A third knob loosens and locks the panning base which is laser-engraved with markers every 2.5 degrees from 0 to 360 degrees.
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Really Right Stuff BH-40 w/ Full-Size Lever C... Overview
Benefits
UPC: 818413022416
Really Right Stuff BH-40 w/ Full-Size Lever C... Specs
Key Specs
| Head Type | |
| Drag Control | |
| Load Capacity | |
| Weight |
Head
| Head Type | |
| Base Mount | |
| Counter Balance |
Pan & Tilt
| Drag Control | |
| Independent Pan Lock | |
| Vertical Tilt | |
| Lateral Tilt |
General
| Load Capacity | |
| Bubble Level | |
| Weight |
Packaging Info
| Package Weight | |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) |
Really Right Stuff BH-40 w/ Full-Size Lever C... Reviews
7 Years Old and Still Flawless!
By Chad
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-06-01
You get what you pay for. I bought this from B&H in 2018. Seven years later, after heavy use on hundreds of outdoor locations and zero maintenance, it still performs flawlessly. Holds my camera rock solid even in vertical position. The locking mechanism is still totally dependable. The BH-40 is horribly expensive but absolutely worth every penny. My tripods come and go; this ball head outlives them all.
A magnificent Ball Head
By Gerard
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-04-10
French, living in Paris, I regret that RRS is not distributed in France. I am very happy to have used B&H services for my order of the BH-40 which was delivered ahead of schedule ; BH paid the import customs duties on my behalf. This ball head is superb ; it is compact, the Quick Release Clamp is very secure and the ball is firmly blocked without forcing. Just a small regret : the Drag Set Knob is really very difficult to turn.
See any errors on this page?
Smallrig L bracket / bento plate / Kirk foot on ...
Smallrig L bracket / bento plate / Kirk foot on long lens. Will BH-40 work with some or all of these? Would a screw knob be safer bet that a clamp?
The clamp is very stable and easy for easy attachment and removal of camera body. If you are using a long lens, give some consideration of attaching to the lens bracket if there is one with the long lens. I find this very useful for my Nikon D850 and all lenses except for long and heavy telephoto, like Sigma 150mm-600mm zoom. You should use a Gimbal device which is designed for heavier than usual lenses.
The Ball head and Lever release clamp works very well.
Date published: 2021-02-11
Screw versus lever release - comparing ...
Screw versus lever release - comparing durability, security, and ease of use. Wondering which bh-40 to get. I've only had lever release heads before and while theoretically they're quick release, I've had them "stick" on me. As I'm getting this head for my heaviest, most expensive gear, I'm in some ways more interested in what clamp style keeps that gear from falling OFF the head than in being able to get the gear off the head fast. Any thoughts from experienced users who have used both clamp types?
Hi, I have experience with both but for the last 2-3 years I have been using both RSS BH-40 and 55 with lever release clamp instead of screw or others combinations and it works great in any ways, faster more secure in my hands and works great in different situations here in Iceland regarding weather and more. These are great, fully recommended, never failed.
Date published: 2022-08-26
Does it need to buy extra accessories to put on ...
Does it need to buy extra accessories to put on the camera? mine is a sony a1
You will need an arca-swiss camera plate in order to use the RRS BH40. See the following for some examples: https://bhpho.to/36MXJVu https://bhpho.to/3xQdhTe
Date published: 2022-04-24
What’s the difference between BH-40LR II and ...
What’s the difference between BH-40LR II and BH-40LR? Does this represent the second generation? If yes, is there any problem solved?
The only difference between the B2-LR II and the B2-40-LR is the size of the clamps. The LR II is our full-size 60mm Lever release clamp with a bubble level. This uses the SKU B2-LR II. LR is the 50mm lever release clamp with no bubble level on it. This uses the SKU B2-40-LR. There is no issue with either of the versions.
Date published: 2023-11-30
Has anyone tried BH-40 with Nikon Z9 with Z ...
Has anyone tried BH-40 with Nikon Z9 with Z 70-200mm lens?
If yes, How is the performance?
The Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp is a very sturdy ball head that can hold a full size camera with a telephoto lens. This will easily hold the Nikon Z9 Mirrorless Camera and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens.
Date published: 2022-10-02
Has anyone had specific experience using the ...
Has anyone had specific experience using the Lever-Release on the BH-40 ballhead with Markins and Sunway L-brackets and Kirk replacement tripod foot for Canon 100-400? They work with my Markins Lever Release ballhead, and I'm now looking for an additional lever-release ballhead. RRS website says to use knob release for non-RRS plates. (Yes, I know B&H sells Markins ballheads, but apparently only the knob release, and not the lever release heads. Thanks in advance.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond! I appreciate it.
Date published: 2020-01-16
Is anyone using the BH-40 with Gitzo 1545 Tripod? ...
Is anyone using the BH-40 with Gitzo 1545 Tripod? If so, are you able to fold it somehow with the reverse legs to fit in a bag?
When using the Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp on the Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod, you can not reverse fold the legs to fit in a bag.
Date published: 2023-02-16
does it works well with sony 600gm
does it works well with sony 600gm
Weight shouldn't be a problem but it may depend on the clarity of a shot you wish to have. We've noticed that the BH-40 is great for handling lenses up to 600mm. But this is for those who are agreeable to using higher ISOs and/or wider apertures in order to keep the shutter speed fast enough to avoid soft images resulting from lens vibration. If not, then we would recommend the BH-55 for greater stability and strength.
Date published: 2022-05-04