Really Right Stuff BH-40: Ok, so along the same line as my travel tripod, I’m wanting to upgrade my ball head. I have read the B&H reviews on the BH-40 and there is a common complaint...

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Ok, so along the same line as my travel tripod, I’m wanting to upgrade my ball head. I have read the B&H reviews on the BH-40 and there is a common complaint that the locking lever sometimes is not easy to use due to camera body position. Does anyone have one and do you have any issues with the lever being difficult to use?
Any other heads people really like?
Thank you!

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

You can simply rotate the head, changing the position of the locking lever so that it doesn’t interfere with the camera’s body.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

The lever is also cleverly adjustable.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As Robertl594 notes, it is very clever. You can pull the lever out and reposition to where it can be turned. Anyone who complains it's difficult to use doesn't yet understand how to use this design feature.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I have an RRS BH-30 and am pleased whenever using it. Classic precision technology and engineering can’t be beat! Pricy yes, but well worth every dime. Looked at the BH-40, but did not select it due to the design issues. UHH Member, “MagPix” is quite correct, however, when he notes all you really have to is adapt and position the BH around the camera. If you all will allow me a little blasphemy however, I also like the Acratech line of precision BH’s. Great customer service from both companies.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ok, so along the same line as my travel tripod, I’m wanting to upgrade my ball head. I have read the B&H reviews on the BH-40 and there is a common complaint that the locking lever sometimes is not easy to use due to camera body position. Does anyone have one and do you have any issues with the lever being difficult to use?
Any other heads people really like?
Thank you!

I have not used any lever clamps or anything by RRS - way TOO expensive ! I am pretty sure you can buy separate lever clamps to install on whatever head you have tho.....like this one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Andoer-Professional-Quick-Release-Clamp-Lever-Knob-Type-1-4-for-Arca-Swiss-Y6B1/401783346860?hash=item5d8c2756ac:g:rwgAAOSwXeZc~cvQ

My preference for commercial ball heads would include a panning feature on TOP to increase versatility like this one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-/133192351631?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=Q%252FsPNJUp8nB9%252B57tL%252FFPRxlTBgE%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc
.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Robertl594 wrote:

The lever is also cleverly adjustable.

Can you explain these statements from the RRS website in light of your statement?

"Our lever-release clamps are not user adjustable, so the plate that you use in our lever-release clamp has to be EXACTLY the right width. Only Really Right Stuff and Wimberley build plates to the same exacting tolerances. But screw-knob style clamps are much more forgiving of slight differences in plate width since you control the clamp jaws by turning the screw."

SCREW-KNOB CLAMPS: THE TRADITIONAL CLAMP FOR ALL APPLICATIONS

Traditional screw-knob quick-release clamps can sustain as much weight and stress as any tripod head can bear-and then some!

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/intro-to-rrs-qr-system

It's the principal reason I have only screw type clamps on my ball heads.This way cross compatibility with plates from different mfgrs is ensured.

jonyrot

I have used the BH-40 for years with nikon ff dslr and never had an issue.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Gene51 wrote:

Can you explain these statements from the RRS webs... (show quote)

I think there's a little confusion about the op question. It's not clear weather they were referring to the locking lever of the ballhead or the locking lever of the QR clamp. The former is adjustable, the latter is not.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Gene51 wrote:

Can you explain these statements from the RRS webs... (show quote)

Do what ball head do you use on your primary tripod?

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ok, so along the same line as my travel tripod, I’m wanting to upgrade my ball head. I have read the B&H reviews on the BH-40 and there is a common complaint that the locking lever sometimes is not easy to use due to camera body position. Does anyone have one and do you have any issues with the lever being difficult to use?
Any other heads people really like?
Thank you!

Are you referring the the lever for the ballhead or the QR clamp?

Dossile

It is a different setup than say Benro or Manfrotto. But it worked wonderfully once I Understood The mechanisms. Like everything with RRS, superb engineering, materials and construction. You can’t go wrong.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

mflowe wrote:

Are you referring the the lever for the ballhead or the QR clamp?

QR clamp.

lil'_r1ch Loc: Roscoe, IL

I have used BH-40 for most of my lenses up to 70-200, and on occasion 100-400, with no issues. Like most things in life, adjust and be happy. Also, the price of quality items in one's kit can be difficult to swallow at times, but eventually the results are well worth the cost.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

I've used the BH-40 ball head with lenses up to 70-200mm with no issues at all. It's a well-engineered, quality ball head, and I don't find that the Q-clamp poses any problem at all. I've got too much invested in my camera kit, and I trust RRS stuff. There might be other areas where you might want to save a little money, but I would suggest that a good ball head is not one of those areas.