Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ballhead Review | Landscape Photography

[@GBB70]

Found myself doing the same by downsizing from the BH-55 to the BH-40. Going mirrorless will do that.

[@brucepritchett6124]

Great Video Mark very helpful for me. I have the Bh 55 for my Nikon with the grip and it is spectacular works fantastic especially with 70-200 2.8. After seeing your Video I was able to pickup a Bh 40 for my Fuji xt3 The Bh 40 is perfect size for Mirrorless and hiking.

[@mihailfridljand8977]

Interesting thoughts about all those upgrades... Thanks a lot!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Mihail Fridljand Glad to do it! Thanks for watching.

[@johncallery814]

Thanks for the video. It would help to show the ballhead on a tripod. That way you can really demonstrate the functions and superior handling you get with a setup like that. Having a good ballhead and tripod, when you are hiking and you come upon a scene (clouds, storm, sunset, sunrise), allows you to quickly get setup and get the shot vs screwing around with a $150 dollar tripod/ballhead that droops and takes too long to adjust.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

John Callery My pleasure, John! 100% agree with you - there’s nothing worse than being in a hurry and having to mess with an unreliable tripod/ballhead setup. I’m planning to do a video of the tripod I use with the BH-40 as well. Last weeks video centered around L-brackets - here you can see the ballhead mounted on the tripod, albeit just for a few moments, but it’ll give you an idea as to what it looks like mounted.

[@caryconover]

Very helpful. I think you just sold me on it!

[@robertbarta4912]

Even a 1DX and 500mm f4 lens is going to come in well under the 18lb weight limit of this head. I have the BH-55 which is a totally awesome ball head but most people will find the BH-40 to meet all their needs and it is 1/2 the weight (1lb vs 2lb) and is less bulky than the BH-40 which would be useful when hiking or traveling. RRS quick-release is brilliant.

[@kurtgremer]

Great video as always I was looking at the same ball head a while back at B&H very high quality. My personal thoughts on the video I think that if you're going to be doing product reviews on small objects such as ball heads lenses and other stuff I would use a black or white Mat. The reason being is because I think my eyes we're wondering off with the grain of the plywood. Other than that keep up with the awesome videos

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Kurt! Very much appreciate that - glad you liked the video. Indeed it is, very high quality and surprisingly light for how solid it is. Thanks for the feedback on the surface, it didn't occur to me that it might be distracting to some, but I see what you mean - more than likely I wont use that one again as I still have 2 remaining splinters in my left hand :)

[@galensinkey]

Hey Mark, I just bought this ballhead with the lever release clamp. I'm finding that for my L bracket on my camera, the clamp is set perfectly for that. But I'm finding that my lens plates are just a tiny bit thinner and the clamp doesn't get those tight -- it needs to be adjusted. I was hoping you would cover how to adjust the clamp when you need it a bit tighter... Have you had to do that?

[@garryjohns351]

When using an “L” bracket (in landscape) is the“ball head’s lever” restricted by the bracket? From the video, it appears that the lever (when closed) would hit up against the base plate, especially in the landscape mode. Or would you position the bracket to the far left?

[@jameshyde149]

Nice job!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thank you, James! The feedback is VERY much appreciated.

[@Sams911]

Just got the RRS TVC-24 tripod, TU swivel mount and BH40 ball head for my Leica M10P and Noctilux kit... I wouldn't trust anything cheap on a $20K camera kit.

[@nxtlightdesign7440]

If purchasing again, would you gt the TVC-24 or the TFC-24? Not sure how the bowl attaches on the TVC. thx

[@stephenschmid492]

I just purchased the BH-40. It seems really well built, but I was shocked that the design is such that both the main ball lever and the tension adjustment knob get in the way of the camera/plate/locking lever when you swivel it in certain positions! You can't just swivel the ball where you want, you actually have to re-orient the entire head, depending on what angle you want to be shooting at. I don't know if I want to use a head like that.

[@Helloworldwrjfjrjrj]

Just bought the BH55 as I use a heavier DSLR. Yet to try it out.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Darrell Wood Appreciate the comment, Darrell! You’ll love it as a heavier DSLR user - it’s great. What do you shoot with?

[@Helloworldwrjfjrjrj]

Mark Denney a Nikon D810. Replacement for my trusty d700 which died 3 months after a wave engulfed me whilst taking s picture. Fortunately Insurance helped with replacement

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Very nice! BH-55 will be perfect for your D810. Good thing you had insurance coverage or that would have been one expensive trip to the beach!

[@Helloworldwrjfjrjrj]

Mark Denney yes would likely have either sold all gear or bought old d700

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Well I'm glad it worked out the way it did for ya, Darrell.

[@alicenhardy]

do you think it can handle the cannon R5 mirrorless with the 100-500 lens? It's only 5 lbs and 7 ozs together but it is long. thanks for your time!

[@pamblair9787]

Hey Mark, I purchased the RRS BH-40 and its respective L Plate for Canon, and have just mounted it on to my my 6D Mark II. While I do not yet have it mounted on a tripod, can you tell me if it is "normal" to have some interference with the monitor --door opening not quite as position-flexible? I cannot wait to take this new gear on the road, but meanwhile, I need a new tripod to mount this very cool BH-40 to. I am looking at your Ifootage tripod recommendation --the RRS appears to be more than I need and also too long for me to travel comfortably with I think. As always, thanks for the great recommendations!

[@irajnaghash]

This Model also comes with air Bubble for balancing.

[@Lexxo777]

Cheers for the video, good details! I would have been nice to see you mount a camera on it. So do you think thumbs up for use with a Sony A7r3 and a 16-35Gmaster lens? The 55 might be overkill.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Absolutely! I use my BH-40 with A7rii and 16-35GM and 70-200 all the time - works like a dream. My recent video I posted last week shows the camera mounted on the ball head with a 70-200 if you want to take a look at that.

[@njrtech]

Mark Denney will be using this head (BH40) with my a7riii and 100-400GM.

[@njrtech]

Picked up this head...BH40 and it’s fantastic

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

madmaxx72 Indeed! I love mine. Enjoy it👍

[@njrtech]

@ it's plenty strong for a100400gm and gripped a7riii with headroom left for extenders. No need for bh55. Good luck

[@keithshuley5893]

Now that you are shooting a Fujifilm GFX 100s, are you still using/recommending the BH-40 ball head or have you moved back up to the BH-55?

[@reallukx]

Mark, I have old 2009 BH-40 and the big T-Knob is quite long and hits tripod platform. I see that RRS brought it up and I see you're able to rotate it without hitting table so it's shorter right?

[@anthonyalvin25]

Hi. Thanks for the review! I am looking for the Bh40, but i cannot decided whether to pick the full size or compact one. In the video, which one is it? Iam using a7riii and 16-35gm. Thanks

[@ninjaexp8084]

nice video Mark (as always :D ) btw i bought a month ago genesis ball head bh-40 it costed me like 50 $ and it can handle 15kg and the best part is it's light weight

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Ninja Exp Many thanks - I very much appreciate that. Sounds like you got one splendid deal - that’s fantastic!

[@ninjaexp8084]

Mark Denney actually i did :)

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Ninja Exp Yep👍 I’d have to agree with you.

[@Shotsmoky]

Why do you insist in getting me in dutch with the wife Mark. Good vid. Thanks.

[@kape06111]

Which is better, between the Gitzo GH1382QD and RRS BH40? I’m trying to decide between theses two options.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Hans Lewinnek Both are great, but my personal opinion is the BH40.

[@nbaresejr]

Why did you decide the BH-40 over the Acratech GP-SS? I am deciding between those 2 heads right now to fit on my Gitzo Traveler Series 2 tripod.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

I’ve actually never used the Acratech GP-SS, but the BH-40 has been a great option for me. No issues at all👍

[@nbaresejr]

thanks for you reply. I hope to see them both in person this week and make a decision. Your review of the BH-40 was very helpful. So difficult to find reviews of these higher end products.

[@SentimentalMo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r32rc4OerpKqiZI&feature=share Forward to 5:25 he said the. Arcatech is taller, pan knob too small, require more tightening to securely lock the ball.

[@jamescrowl4289]

What are your thoughts on a ball head vs pan head?

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

James Crowl I personally like a ball head more than a pan head mainly because of the size and awkward shape of a pan head. Some would say that a pan head offers more precision control, but I don’t really feel that I’m lacking any control by using a ball head. And, the reduced size and weight of all ball head is a big benefit for landscape photography.

[@jbilly24]

So expensive and it doesn't even come with a base plate?

[@Lakefilms]

Do you feel the 40 is better than the 30 for fuji mirrorless mostly for landscape shooting?

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Lance J. Reha If your shooting with one of the smaller mirrorless cameras then you could prob use the 30 but I prefer the 40 for the Sony a7rii

[@Lakefilms]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto Thanks for the reply. Yea the ballhead would be used with a gripped xt2 and xt3.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Lance J. Reha Id say BH40 for that setup.