RRS BH-55 - screw knob or lever release? (Page 3): This is another one of those questions about gear that you will get different answers to mainly because of users personal...

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Laura72568 wrote:

On the RRS BH-55, is the lever release or screw knob the best way to go? I have the opportunity to buy a friend’s ball head and it has the screw knob. Just want to make sure it is the best fit for me. I do nature photography...mostly birding. I use a 200-500mm NIKKOR lens. Hoping someday to have a 500mm f/4. Any advice would be appreciated.

This is another one of those questions about gear that you will get different answers to mainly because of users personal preferences. I prefer screw knobs as I am always afraid of a lever catching something and opening, or accidentally opening it myself. As I said, its user preference.

Do you like the knob for the clamp release on your friends ball head? Do you have any photo stores near you that may carry RRS Ball Heads where you could compare lever release against the screw knob? Or know anyone else that has a lever release clamp ball head you can try out?

It comes down to what you feel best with.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Vince68 wrote:

This is another one of those questions about gear ... (show quote)

AFAIK, RRS products are only available direct AND at B&H in NYC. Best of luck.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

cjc2 wrote:

AFAIK, RRS products are only available direct AND at B&H in NYC. Best of luck.

Thanks for that info on RRS products.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Laura72568 wrote:

On the RRS BH-55, is the lever release or screw knob the best way to go? I have the opportunity to buy a friend’s ball head and it has the screw knob. Just want to make sure it is the best fit for me. I do nature photography...mostly birding. I use a 200-500mm NIKKOR lens. Hoping someday to have a 500mm f/4. Any advice would be appreciated.

Personally I prefer the screw knob versus lever. I just feel more secure, tightening it down myself rather than relying upon cam action and/or springs.

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

rmalarz wrote:

Laura, I'm on the lever side of this. I use an Arca Swiss mount on my tripod. It has a lever for release and fastening. It also has a small knob that needs to be moved to activate the lever so accidental movement is virtually eliminated.
--Bob

I was wondering if there was some type of “safety” on it...thanks!

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

Vince68 wrote:

This is another one of those questions about gear ... (show quote)

I like the screw knob but had always figured when I splurged on this purchase I would likely get the lever release.

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

Have used the lever release with that exact ball head for over 12 years.
Would use nothing else.

Jeff

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I've only lost one camera from falling off a tripod. Unfortunatly it was a TV camera worth $50,000. Moving too fast. Put it on the tripod. Forgot to flip the locking lever. Turned away. Heard a crash. A room full of people gasped. (I was at the front.) Camera dead. Insurance was $5000 deductible. Repair was $7800. Ouch. I always thought that if I'd had a knob and not a lever that maybe this wouldn't have happened. I'll never know.
..Cam

Laura72568 wrote:

On the RRS BH-55, is the lever release or screw knob the best way to go? I have the opportunity to buy a friend’s ball head and it has the screw knob. Just want to make sure it is the best fit for me. I do nature photography...mostly birding. I use a 200-500mm NIKKOR lens. Hoping someday to have a 500mm f/4. Any advice would be appreciated.

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

lever only

DMGill Loc: Colorado

I have a lever on my RRS Ball Head in my studio tripod and a screw clamp on my field tripod. My plates are Wimberly and RRS and both work well with each type of clamp. You can’t go wrong with either type. When carrying over my shoulder, I like having a camera strap or a lens strap around my hand although I’ve never needed it.