How to reverse the RRS BH-55 so the panning takes place above the ball

[Howard5252]

There are several easy steps and they can be seen at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-758670-1.html
Sorry Steve, it was just much easier to put it there and refer people to it.

 

[Steve W]

There are several easy steps and they can be seen at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-758670-1.html
Sorry Steve, it was just much easier to put it there and refer people to it.

If you use two clamps you can invert amidst any head. The Acratech does it with one clamp.
Between 3 and 4 minutes in the video they show how to convert.

 

[BillW]

I bought a RRS panning clamp that has a built-in Arca Swiss compatible dovetail base. So you can attach this panning clamp to the BH-55 without having to change anything on the BH-55. You can then use the ball head to level the panning clamp. Simpler, I think, but I suppose more expensive. https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pc-lr

I also use a leveling base (with a dovetail bracket on the bottom) between the BH-55 and my tripod at times. I have clamps on the tripod and leveling base to make adding the leveling base or taking it off easier and quicker.

 

[Steve W]

I finished up putting an Acratech levelling base directly on the tripod and use a Kirk TQR quick disconnect to mount, ball, 3 way or gimbal head as required. One levelling solution for all heads

 

[Howard5252]

I only posted this method to point out that owners of the BH-55 could make the conversion. There are always many ways to do things. I just put the idea out as something that can be done..

 

[Howard5252]

I bought a RRS panning clamp that has a built-in Arca Swiss compatible dovetail base. So you can attach this panning clamp to the BH-55 without having to change anything on the BH-55. You can then use the ball head to level the panning clamp. Simpler, I think, but I suppose more expensive. https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pc-lr

I also use a leveling base (with a dovetail bracket on the bottom) between the BH-55 and my tripod at times. I have clamps on the tripod and leveling base to make adding the leveling base or taking it off easier and quicker.

If you spend enough money, you can do pretty much anything. This was simply to let owners of the BH-55 know that it could be converted w/o buying something like the RRS Panning clamp for close to $300. I could have bought the clamp but it just seemed to me that if Acratech could do it with their ballhead, why not try it with the RRS BH-55. So I did.