BrianBirch
Active member
I am considering purchasing a new ball head. I use a d800 and a Z6ii with a 70-200 currently and will likely purchase a Nikon 200-500. Is the bh-40 from RRS enough or do I need the bh-55?
Bh-55 or bh-40 head
- Thread starter BrianBirch
- Start date
If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
The 40 is good for twice the weight your camera/lens weights so yes it would likely do fine. However bigger is always better! For $75 difference I'd buy (and did buy) the bh55
IainD
Well-known member
Yep The 55 for me too.
I
I
What head are you using now?
BrianBirch
Active member
Right now I am using a Benro geared head. I had an Iston ball head for 20+ Years and that finally needed to be replaced, in came the geared head for a bit of RE photography, but, I miss the ball head and hope to move up to the 200-500mm lens.
aolander
Well-known member
I think I'd consider something other than a ball head for a lens like the 200-500mm unless you add a Wimberley Sidekick to it.
StephenP
Member
I chose the BH-55, and I also have the 200-500mm, and for that, I purchased the Wimberley Sidekick to go on the BH-55. I haven't had a lot of time using the setup yet, but it's been fine when I've used it.
I've had a BH-55 for more than 15 years, and also have a BH-40. My BH-55 is still in great shape after 400,000 photos under all conditions. It's worth more than I paid for it.
The BH-55 is a little better for wildlife - especially if you are using a Sidekick or something similar.
The BH-40 is a little smaller and lighter - and more than enough for most lenses.
Take a look at the platform of the tripod you are planning to use. The BH-55 is better for the Gitzo 3 series or RRS 3 series platform. The BH-40 is closer to the size of a Series 2 Gitzo or RRS.
The BH-55 is a little better for wildlife - especially if you are using a Sidekick or something similar.
The BH-40 is a little smaller and lighter - and more than enough for most lenses.
Take a look at the platform of the tripod you are planning to use. The BH-55 is better for the Gitzo 3 series or RRS 3 series platform. The BH-40 is closer to the size of a Series 2 Gitzo or RRS.
I have used both the BH-55 (mine) and the BH-40 (my wife's). I find the BH-40 awkward to use. Knobs hit the camera occasionally. BH-55, while definitely heavier, feels more solid to me. Unless weight is a major concern I will go w/ the BH-55. When weight is a concern I opted for an Acratech ball head.
The initial BH-40 had a lever type main control knob. If not positioned perfectly, it did hit the tripod base. The modified that ballhead 3-4 years ago so it has a rounded knob now that cannot hit the platform. I have the original as well. I was surprised that they did not offer a replacement service with a modest cost.
I would seriously check out the Flexshooter Pro if you’re looking at that kind of quality and price. It’s a ball head that also is basically a gimbal in terms if functionality. My gimbal sits now and my bh55 is still in the box after using it a dozen times. Flexshooter is awesome!
I would say a good compromise, not awesome (sorry Steve). The Flexshooter seems to be a better version of the unique ball. I used it when I need to use long (collared) and short lenses.
Do you expect that RRS would admit that their products are not perfect (even after they upgrade them)!?!?!
They make great products but have never provided an upgrade path which is too bad. I'll need to check out their newer BH-40
I agree - I was disappointed in their response. A friend bought the original BH-40 and was so frustrated by the lever positioning that he sold it. He's a moderator on a popular online forum and probably has posted about the problem 20 times through the years. It probably cost RRS a number of orders even though it is corrected now.Do you expect that RRS would admit that their products are not perfect (even after they upgrade them)!?!?!
The new BH-40 (the current model in use for several years) should be a lot better.
Fair enough. Like anything, it comes down to what you do. For me it absolutely has been awesome. And if you travel, it’s only one thing, versus a ballhead plus a sidekick or full gimbal.
I have a BH-40 newish model with the rounded off lever that I use with a Wimberly Sidekick for the 200-500mm and 500mm pf.
No interference from the lever on either my Induro 304 flat plate top or old Manfrotto center column 190 tripods and the BH-40 is more than enough head for the lenses. The BH-40's lever is easy and handy to use for tightening and loosening the ball. I looked hard at a BH-55 but for my use and lenses it was overkill.
No interference from the lever on either my Induro 304 flat plate top or old Manfrotto center column 190 tripods and the BH-40 is more than enough head for the lenses. The BH-40's lever is easy and handy to use for tightening and loosening the ball. I looked hard at a BH-55 but for my use and lenses it was overkill.
agree if you need a head for short and long lens, a very good solution. I decided to give the lever clamp a try (versus my current knob), so I ordered from Europe. A lot cheaper than ordering from Art Morris. If the lever clamp works well, I will sell my knob version.
I asked RRS about upgrading the knob, and still they say say no. In general they have very good CS, but in the case of upgrades, they get an F (or at least a C-)
Of course you can pull the lever out and rotate it and the reseat it. While not ideal, it works. And the lever is probably easier to tighten than the knob
Last edited:
Owney
Active member
I bought the 40 and returned it and got the 55 instead. My go to for long lenses is Wimberly WH-200 with quick release plate. I recommend you watch Steve’s video on how to use RRS quick release parts for your tripod and heads. It made my life so much easier.
I have the bh-55. I love it. If you don't have a gimbal you might look at those for wildlife with big lenses
D
Deleted member 115
Guest
I didn't even look at the BH40 honestly, I have a couple BH-55 with lever release, they are perfect ball heads. Rock solid, easy to use and feel good.
Not A Speck Of Cereal
Active member
I have the 40 and 55 both. I use the 40 for the Girzo Series 1 Traveler while backpacking and nothing more.
I use the 55 for the larger (series 3 XL) legs and it's more than just a head that has a higher capacity, it also has better feel/ergonomics and works better under your hands while keeping your eyes trained on the subject.
I also have a Arca-swiss Z1-DP that holds way more. It's rock solid, but I haven't used it much since I got the BH-55.
Chris
I use the 55 for the larger (series 3 XL) legs and it's more than just a head that has a higher capacity, it also has better feel/ergonomics and works better under your hands while keeping your eyes trained on the subject.
I also have a Arca-swiss Z1-DP that holds way more. It's rock solid, but I haven't used it much since I got the BH-55.
Chris
I'm thinking of getting a Acratech GXP Ball Head. Same 50 lb load limit as the BH-55 but half the weight. It will also work as a leveling head for panos. I love the video of it supporting a pick up truck.
Rogereh
Active member
I have both plus probably a dozen other makes and models that I've tried over the years. I keep going back to the BH-55 for general use on my Gitzo series 3 & 5. I use the BH 40 on my series 2 but I'm not overly fond of it. I do prefer heads with the lever lock plates. I also like my Acratech long lens/panorama 1160 head. It's almost as good as using a gimbal head and doesn't have the ball head flop over when loosened.
Yellowboard
Well-known member
I have the BH-40 with lever release. It works really well with a D5 and a Nikkor 200-500 mounted on it. For me, the BH-55 was just too big for the rest of my rig.