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Acratech GP-ss Ballhead

Name: Acratech GP-ss Ballhead
Brand: Acratech
SKU: ACGPSS
Price: 417.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (25 reviews)

BH #ACGPSS • MFR #1185

25 reviews

Key Features

Supports 25 lb / 11.3 kg
Gimbal Head Feature
Reduced Base Diameter for Travel Tripods
Overall Height - 3.75" / 95mm

The Acratech GP-ss Ballhead has the ability to function as a gimbal head and as a panoramic head, providing you with incredible positioning flexibility and stability for your equipment. Gimbal heads are desirable when shooting with telephoto lenses, especially when following moving objects.

The GP-ss Ballhead is designed with a small diameter base diameter of 2.08" to allow it to be used with travel-type tripods where the legs fold around the tripod head. The smaller base diameter allows the tripod legs to fold more compactly.

Even when using your tripod on rocky, uneven terrain the GP-ss Ballhead allows you to pan parallel to the horizon, eliminating the need to carry a separate leveling base to create accurate panoramic images.

More Details

In Stock

$417.95

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Acratech GP-ss Overview

Fits all standard tripods (1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threads).

Easily holds 25 lb (11.3 kg) at any angle.

Works as a gimbal head with lenses up to 400 f/4.0

Weighs 13.4 oz/ 380 g

Reduced base diameter of 2.08" (53mm).

Dual laser engraved calibrated panning scales.

Full movements allow any camera position.

Precision C.N.C. machined.

Compatible with Kirk, Arca, R.R.S., and many other quick release plates.

Beautiful satin black anodized finish.

Long lasting stainless steel hardware.

All knobs are secured so they cannot vibrate loose and fall off.

Oilless and greaseless ball will not attract or hold dirt and debris.

Made in the U.S.A.

Acratech GP-ss Specs

General

Head Type	Ball Head
Base Mount	3/8"-16 Thread & 1/4"-20 with Bushing
Quick Release Plate Type	Arca-Type
Load Capacity	25 lb / 11.3 kg
Number of Bubble Levels	1
Friction Control	Yes
Independent Pan Lock	Yes

Pan & Tilt Range

Panning Range

360°

Physical

Base Diameter	2.08" / 53 mm
Dimensions	H: 3.8 x W: 2.8" / H: 95.0 x W: 72.0 mm
Weight	13.4 oz / 380 g

Packaging Info

Package Weight	1.195 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	7.2 x 4.9 x 4.85"

Acratech GP-ss Reviews

Almost perfect

By Ellen

Rated 4 out of 5

Date: 2021-09-14

This is a beautifully engineered ball head . My one complaint, and it is significant for me, is the inability to use the articulating screen of my Olympus OMD em1 mark iii in portrait mode with my L bracket on. I am just getting into astrophotography, so having an L bracket simplifies the adjustments between landscape and portrait when I am fumbling around in extreme low light and I won't take it off. Unfortunately, however, with the quick release knob on one side and the leveler on the other side, there is no way to bring the articulating screen into the proper position for viewing as it is blocked in both available directions. Grrrrr. Otherwise, just a great addition to my kit

Arcatech GP

By Anonymous

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2017-06-02

Excellent product. Lightweight, solid, and very smooth operating head. A perfect match for the monopod. Easily handled a Sony a6500 with the Sony 70-200 2.8 G master lens + 2X converter.

Has the look and feel of very high quality.

By Dale

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2017-01-30

I really haven't had a chance to put this new head through a complete and extensive test. However, after using it for just a couple weeks, I can safely say that I think I'll be enjoying this tripod head quite a bit. (This is a huge jump up in quality from my previous tripod head.) Customer support at AcraTech has been very pleasant so far. They were very helpful with helping me decide which model was best for my use. Plus, I ordered a couple of quick-release plates today, and Abe at Acra treated me extremely well and fair. And as usual...B&H rocks!!

Super Ballhead.

By Lj

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2016-10-06

After researching many ballheads because my existing tripod head would not support my D750 without slipping, I purchased the Acratech GP-ss Ballhead in addition to the D750 lever clamp. I am very pleased with the simplicity, strength and ease of use and no more slippage. Although the head is pricey, it's worth not worrying that my Nikon is safe in any position.

Won't hold gear

By Bill

Rated 3 out of 5

Date: 2021-08-31

I use a Canon R5 with battery pack and Canon 11-24. Heavy, yes, but I think still well within design specs of the head. Nonetheless, I have to really crank the screws down to keep the ball head from flopping over from the weight.

Very well built smaller head

By John

Rated 4 out of 5

Date: 2020-01-16

I was looking for a really well built head for my Gitzo Traveller to handle my two mirrorless systems - Sony (a7r II with 16-35 and 24-70) and Oly OMD EM1 MKii (primes up to 50-150mm). While not as small as the Gitzo head, it fit the bill excellently. Two things, however, prevent me from giving it a 5th star. First, you can’t get the legs to fit flat against the ball. I reverse the legs and have the ball sticking above them. Secondly, their system oh using two knobs to adjust the ball tension and position is a bit different and you have to get used to this. Really high quality and light weight. Great for hiking.

My best piece of gear

By Sandro

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2018-01-12

I absolutely love it. worth every penny. holds my fuji x-t2 with battery grip and the 50-140 f2.8 lens super stable. in connection with the right tripod (I use a FEISOL) it is just fantastic. very lightweight for what it can hold.

very good quality ballhead

By Andy

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2017-09-18

I got a Reverse-Folding tripod, looking for a small base pro ballhead, this ballhead in very good small size and lightweight for traveling. work with my other smaller size lens it work perfectly. just when I try to use my Canon 70-200mm 2.8is ii on it, Just a bit loose then I expected. and I need to lock it extra tight. but still work OK. Love it

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

Does the GP-ss head interfere with folding legs ...

Does the GP-ss head interfere with folding legs on the BeFree Advanced or GT model tripods?

Asked by: Andreas

You would not be able to fold the legs over the Arcatech head as it is much larger than the ball head that comes with the Befree models.

Answered by: Dan

Date published: 2021-02-24

Can it work with nikon 200-500 as a gimbal head?

Asked by: Aviel

Hi there, the 200-500 will work well with the GPss , just make sure to put the lens over a leg to give it more stability if you will be using it on a travel tripod. If the tripod you are using has a center column with a hook, you can use the hook to hang your bag or ? to stabilize the legs.

Answered by: Acratech Product Expert

Date published: 2019-03-05

I have a Feisol tournament 3442. I need a light ...

I have a Feisol tournament 3442. I need a light ballhead for yse with my Canon 5D Mk 4 with lenses like Sigma 14-24 mm f 2.8 or Canon 100 -400 mm I dont know which is best recommended for this set up. Is the GPss ballhead best for me or the GP? Can the Feisol 3442 fold closed on the GPss and the GP , or just the GPss? Thanks for your help.

Asked by: Theresa-Ann

Hi Theresa-Ann, I would go with the GPss. I am not sure how well the 3442 will close up on the GP model, we have not tried it on that unit. The GPss will hold the same as the GP and is a slighty lighter unit. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Acratech

Answered by: Acratech Product Expert

Date published: 2019-09-17

question

Is there a way to reverse the control knobs (the ones that control tension and motion)?

Asked by: Sara H.

I don't see that there is a way to do this.

Answered by: Susan B.

Date published: 2018-08-28

question

This is probably a stretch but do you think this ball head could handle a 70d with 100-400 lens?

Asked by: Michelle W.

Of course, yes! It can handle easily that weight because it is rated to load 11kg. Mine use it with a canon 5DIII, L bracket, lens, filters and sometimes flash. Thats a heavy load which manages easily.

Answered by: Jos Luis .

Date published: 2018-08-28

question

What is the difference between the GP-s and the GP-ss?

Asked by: Michelle W.

The GP-s is an older discontinued model. The GP-ss replaced it.

Answered by: Robert

Date published: 2019-04-28

question

Which universal quick release plate would work best with this head and a Nikon D750? I want a 'universal' plate because I would also use it on the battery grip. Is there also a plate that does not require an allen key but just your fingers or a coin to attach/remove the plate from the camera?

Asked by: David

Not sure as I decided on a FLM bh, although the Acratech is very good too. My guess(es) are either try Really Right Stuff plate or Acratech's. Contact RRS to confirm.

Answered by: Bruce J.

Date published: 2018-08-28

question

I had the opportunity to test both the screw knob and lever versions of the gp-ss ballhead. I much preferred the lever version as it has a smooth, almost effortless closing action, and you do not need to think about turning a knob to a certain tension point. I found once the lever was was closed the camera was very secure. With the screw knob clamp the knob would be facing away from me which does not feel right. When the knob is facing me it prevents my face getting closer to the viewfinder. So if the lever version is much easier to use why are there many more reviews for the screw knob version indicating a strong bias towards it over the lever version? - if the answer is because acratech recommends the screw type for heavier loads - why would you use heavy loads on a ballhead designed to be used with lightweight reverse folding travel tripods? Also, my main gripe about the gp-ss is the ballhead tension control knob. It is nowhere near as good as the Markins q3i-tr. But I do love the ability to invert the ballhead for panos :)

Asked by: Jon

The reason I chose the screw type was because even though the ARCA QC mount is some what of a standard there are variations amongst manufacturers. The screw mount allows for this without adjustment that a lever mount would. Also I normally use a nodal rail. This allows balancing the camera and lens better. This comes in handy for the use of the head in gimbal mode and gives the best results for panoramics for stitching pictures. Also since I use the rail the screw is off to the side and not in the way.

Answered by: Brian G.

Date published: 2021-04-05