The BH-55 from Really Right Stuff is big, heavy and chunky. Lets be honest, you can’t escape that! But…it’s also a work of art…and not only a work of art, but a very practical work of art! Simply put it’s one of the best and most versatile ball heads on the market, so should you consider it? Absolutely yes!
The BH-55 ballhead from Really Right Stuff
Overview
Weight: 889g (1.96lbs)
Height: 92.7mm
Max load: 23kg (50lbs)
Links: Really Right Stuff.com
A quick word about load ratings
The head is designed to ‘only’ support 23kg (or 50lbs) which is a lot less than some of it’s rivals. However, it is worth remembering two things, the first is that there is no standard for measuring load ratings and figures are provided by the manufacturers with no word of how they arrive at these results, and second…whilst you may think compared to it’s rivals it’s load bearing is not up to the task, it’s worth pointing out that my D3 and 600mm only weigh in at around 7.5kg…which gives you some idea of just how overpowered the BH-55 still is regardless of it’s modest load rating. Have I used my 600mm with it? Nope. But that’s not because I don’t think it would support it but because with a lens that big I personally feel it’s easier and safer swing about on a gimbal like the Wimberley MKII. American photographer Doug Gardner, who makes the wildlife photography tv show Wild Photo Adventures uses this ball head almost exclusively in conjunction with the Canon 500mm f4 IS.
Nikon D3 with 28-70 on RRS BH-55
Build
The RRS BH-55 is built like a tank! Pictures simply do not do it justice. The engineering that has gone in to it is second to none. From the chunky machined aluminium knobs to the smooth movement of both the pan and the ball itself, this thing oozes quality. Plus, the low profile shape and over size knobs certainly help it stand out from the crowd. No matter what angle you look at this from, it looks like it means business!
Rear view
If you are used to shooting with pro sized camera’s and metal bodied pro lenses then you will feel right at home with the BH-55. If you aren’t familiar with such cameras and lenses then you’ll be in for a treat when you take delivery of the BH-55.
Left side profile
Controls
Of course, the BH-55 features the standard issue controls you would expect from a ball head, but it offers you them in a way that makes it stand out from the competition.
Main locking knob for the ball
Obviously the most important part of any ballhead. The first thing you will notice about the BH-55 is it’s over sized locking knob. Whilst this may seem like overkill at first glance, once you start using it you will soon appreciate it’s size. The beauty of it being it is very easy to grab and use quickly if you are using the head along with a large telephoto lens for wildlife. The size also makes it very easy to use even with thick gloves on, perfect for those who need to shoot in cold conditions. Locking it down tight is also very easy thanks to it’s size, and when locked down this thing is solid as a rock with no movement at all.
Large, easy grip, locking knob
Pan and tension fine tune adjust knobs
Another big plus point, as well as the over sized main ball knob, you also have quite large locking knobs for not only the pan of the head but also the tension fine tune of the ball. The tension fine tune being especially nice as it has 1 – 9 marked on it so you can easily set the tension to where you need depending on what lens you are using. You can turn the knob round a couple of times so you can go from 1- 9 then back to 1 and on again so there is quite a range of movement to go from a full loosened tension setting to a fully tightened one. It would have been nice if the range went from 1 – 9 only without the need to keep turning through the numbers a second time, but that’s a fairly small negative as the large tension knob is a welcome feature compared to the way some other manufacturers implement this feature.
Tension fine tune and pan knob
The large panning knob is also very welcome because again, it makes operation very quick and easy even with gloves on with thanks to it’s size. Again a vast improvement on the way some of the other ball head manufacturers offer much smaller and more fiddly panning knobs.
Tension adjust and pan knobs
Another nice touch is the tension and pan knobs are also machined slightly differently so that you can tell which is which without the need to look down at them. As you can see from the image above, the pan knob has a groove machined in to it and also sticks out slight further than the tension fine tune knob.
Vertical drop slots
You will notice straight away another distinct different between this and other ball heads is the inclusion of two vertical drops for the ball to slot in to. If you are a serious landscape shooter then you’ll no doubt have an L bracket but regardless, they are spaced 45 degrees apart and help offer just that little bit more flexibility should you ever need it – maybe for the macro shooters out there.
Dual dropslots for flexibility
Plate options
I picked up my head with the quick release clamp but there are a couple of other options as well such as a non-quick release clamp and a panoramic head, see the RRS website for more details. At this point I should tell you that although I prefer the quick release clamp for it’s speed of use, only certain plates will fit. It is Arca Swiss compatible and of course RRS own plates work but if in doubt, again a quick look at the website will help you. If you have plates that will not fit or do not require quick release then the screw clamp is the one to go for as that will fit any width plate…and it’s cheaper! Every clamp also has a spirit level built in to help get a nice level base if you need it.
Built in spirit level
Operation
All those features above make for a ballhead that is an absolute joy to use. It is designed so that you have the large ball knob to the left with the smaller pan and tension fine tune knobs to the right, this layout means you can lock and unlock the ball with your left hand whilst keeping a firm grip on the camera with your right hand. A very sensible and intuitive layout that works very well giving you great confidence, especially if you are shooting with a telephoto lens attached which was my main concern. The downside of course, is that if you need to adjust the pan you need to let go of the camera and use your right hand to do so, which may not appeal to everyone. However, for my style of shooting that is not an issue as I’ve found I only really adjust the pan when using wide angle lenses for landscape etc, in which case I am generally taking my time and not in a rush. When shooting with a telephoto the pan is always locked down as I am just using the ball itself. And when locked down, this thing is solid with no visible creep, easily holding my 200-400 in any position needed – let alone light weight lenses such the 50mm or the 28-70.
Nikon D3, 28-70 on RRS BH-55
As I said at the start of this review, the Really Right Stuff BH-55 is a heavy and large bit of kit. Those of you looking for something lightweight should look elsewhere. But those of you shooting with other heavy equipment that requires sturdy support well, this will certainly make a welcome addition to your kit bag as it’s one of the toughest ball heads on the market. As I’ve mentioned I made my purchase based on the need to shoot wildlife with my 200-400 VR when travelling abroad, and the over-sized knobs of the RRS had me sold as I didn’t want to fiddle about with smaller controls in situations that required speed of operation. As I said if I ever go ‘light’ when I travel over seas I take my 200-400 with me and the BH-55 compliments the lens perfectly, allowing me to leave my Wimberley MKII at home along with the 600mm. Then I have one head that will allow me to use both my telephoto and do some landscape, macro or time lapse work too. In fact my first time using the BH-55 was doing my time lapse of Miami.
Due to it’s size, in my opinion it’s not really designed to be used with a monopod, but then I wouldn’t use any ball head on a monopod. For that, something like the Really Right Stuff monopod head is much safer as it only allows tilting movement of the lens.
Nikon D3 with 200-400 VR on RRS BH-55
Conclusion
Due to it’s size and control layout you will either love or hate this ballhead. Personally, I think most will love it once they have had a go but as with most things, it’s all down to personal preference. But one thing is clear from where I’m sitting, like I said at the start…from the beautiful finish to the over-sized, easy grip controls to the attention to detail, the Really Right Stuff BH-55 is not only a work of art, but a very practical work of art!
Want to buy?
You can only get the BH-55 direct from the Really Right Stuff website. They are based in the USA but do ship worldwide. I had to ask them about a couple of things before I placed my order and they were nothing but fast and friendly in dealing with my emails, so top marks on customer service too!
Super review of a fabulous piece of equipment, I have used one for the last 4 years and its bomb-proof and totally reliable.
Serious? 23kg? Geez, that’s amazing. Sounds like a perfect travel head. Easier to transport than the Wimberley, that’s for sure.
Damn you Richard, another toy to add to the collection now.
Anyone want their car windows washed?
Richard:
Glad to see I could help steer another informed convert to the RRS ball head. After much hemming & hawing, I just put together my new/final hiking/travel pod: Gitzo GT1541+RRS BH-30+RRS PCL-1. This replaces an ol, pre-”G-lock” Gitzo 1128 & HORRIBLE Linhoff ball head. It will allow level panning for stitching, etc. Pricey? Yes, but extremely versatile.
IMO, Kirk Enterprises the best alternative if you aren’t enamored with RRS. They both have first-rate products, and complimentary philosophies. Everyone else seems to over-complicate/under-build/over-design their “solutions”. RRS & Kirk keep it simple & solid.
P.S. – Yes, Wimberly makes beautiful stuff, but I’d encourage/challenge anyone to try the 55 & sidekick, first. After all, it is “really right stuff”.
Thank you so much Richard for this review. I was unsure of which tripod head I was going to get to replace my cumbersome manfrotto, now I have no doubt. I also considered other models, but this is definitively my next piece of work.
Hi Richard
Great review, as always. Interested in the BH-55. Use Nikon D3s and 200-400mm.What else do I need to use the kit?
How did you get on with postage etc from the USA, did you have to pay duty this end? How long did it take to arrive. Any further comments since the review.
Many thanks Roy
Thanks Roy. You’ll need a plate or lens foot for the 200-400, I just went with a plate so I could use it on other lenses like my 70-200. I also got a plate for the D3 itself for use with wide angle etc. I still love the BH-55, really good solid piece of kit. I picked mine up when I was out in the States and brought it back myself
Thanks Richard. Guess I will have to consider a trip to the US of A
Great review and on the money!
Just for those wondering, and who have no experience with RRS, I had a clamp failure with my BH55-Pro last week while out shooting. This was three weeks before I leave on a long anticipated 4 week trip overseas. I immediately called RRS the next morning and before I could even finish telling them what went wrong (I started the conversation by telling them I was in a real pickle because of the coming trip) they told me to pack it up and send it to them ASAP. I did, and three days later I got an e-mail telling me that my ball head was already being repaired and that it should ship out within a couple of days. I then received a tracking notice from them two days later and I am now waiting for my repaired BH-55 to arrive tomorrow!
Even though I also own a Kirk BH-1 and use the two ball heads in rotation, I always take both of them with me on every trip. I do not consider being fully equipped otherwise, but I digress. The point of this story is to relay to the readers my own experience with RRS and their commitment to supporting their customers. Very few companies these days stand behind their products like RRS does and put so much effort into designing and producing equipment with the user in mind.
Another vote for RRS ( Cheers for all the help Casey).
I recently ordered a load of gear from RRS, BH-55 with QR, Panoramic nodal rail, PCL-1 panoramic plate and 70-200mm VRII Foot, L-bracket etc etc … so that it would be delivered to a hotel in Vegas so that I could bring it all back with me. This was a few days before all flights out the UK were cancelled due to the Iceland Volcano (don’t even ask me to spell it
Mirage hotel (completely useless) returned it to RRS (took Mirage a week), RRS sent it “across the pond” within 3 hours of receiving it, i.e. I was emailed a tracking no. from UPS, and got it within 48 hrs after that.
Top, top service.
Glad to hear it all came good in the end! Great service indeed!! Did you get hit with customs etc?
Yep £300 !!! Ouch
And I lost the cost of the hotel too … It was an expensive week not going to Vegas, probably still cheaper than going though, although I did miss not being able to go to Red Rock National Park to take some photos.
Ouch indeed!! Still, here’s to the next trip when it does all go to plan
Hoo yar !!!
Been looking at some of Peter Lik’s shots of the place, it look amazing.
In fact if I was made redundant next week I be would off, Yellowstone, Utah, Grand Canyon, White Sands of New Mexico, then south to Patagona, the list is endless.
I’ve been to two of Peter Lik’s galleries, one in Key West and the other in Miami. He has some amazing work and they look all the better printed and framed 6 foot wide on the wall! I’m off to Yellowstone Jan 2011 for a 8 day wolves in winter work shop/tour type thing. Should be amazing!
Wow … That will be amazing.
I’m just hoping that some major change beyond my control enables me to jack in what is a good existence in Blighty to go and see these woderful places I spend so much reading about.
The BBC three part documentary on Yellowstone last year very nearly had me booking a one-way ticket. Esepcially the Winter one, and I’m not even that fond of the cold !!!
Hi Richard, thanks for the informative review.
On a related topic, I’m currently using D700+battery grip, and looking for a monopod for my heaviest (yet) lens on my arsenal, the nikon 200mm f/2.
What monopod+other accesories would you recommend?
Thanks.
Hi Alf, I responded to your questions in your other post in the monopod review here
Hi Richard
Ive been using the BH55 on my Gitzo 2540 for two year now and have been very pleased with the way it handles and the results, as written below it really is a fabulous piece of equipment.
Regards
Philip
I’m really interested in your test, Richard. I was told that from the 200-400 up to the 600mm, the BH-55 would not be enough (from birds watcher mainly), and I should go for the Wimberley. Are you still confident that the BH-55 is more than enough today for anything up-to (and including) the 200-400? Usage: mainly wildlife with a D300s/D700. Thanks a lot.
Hi Eric. The issue isn’t so much if the BH-55 can handle these lenses but more how easy the lenses are to handle when attached to it. For me, the 200-400 is about the limit with a ball head for wildlife, but only for subjects that don’t move too quickly. For things such as birds in flight etc I would still suggest a gimbal as the balance and ease of use is far superior for heavy lenses, plus will take the weight away from the lens so it’s easier to swing about. The BH-55 is a clumsier setup for large telephoto wildlife photography – although as my review mentions, there are those out there who use it exclusively with a 500mm. Would I be without my BH-55? No, because it’s versatile and will take the 200-400 if I need, as well as small lenses. But if I was buying ONLY for large telephoto wildlife I’d get the gimbal.
I’m temped to buy this head with the L-plate for my 5DMKII. I’m getting more serious about landscapes and I would like to have a better head to mount on my tripod.
It’s alot of money though
.
Jelle:
The RRS BH-40 a little cheaper, half the weight & far more compact. Depends which legs you’re using. The BH-40 on Gitzo 2530/40 legs will travel very well, while stout enough for any pro DSLR and 70-200 2.8 lens. You’re 5D a much lighter body. You can use cheaper aluminum legs, too; Manfrotto & Gitzo offer several excellent alternatives.
The BH-55 was the first head from RRS, but it’s overkill for most casual/semi-serious shooters. Again, if you’re using high-capacity legs and larger lenses regularly, you will want/appreciate the BH-55. I own both the 40 & the 55; I use/travel with the 40 most often, and I’m using a heavy D3S.
The L-bracket a wise accessory for landscape/portrait work.
Is this the GT5541LS with the BH-55 in the review’s pictures ?
Hi Dominic thanks for the question, yes, the tripod in the images is the Gitzo GT5541 LS.
Thanks. Great reviews btw, very helpful.
I will probably get the GT5541LS but I’m still not sure between the RRS BH-55 and the Markins M20.
Thanks buddy, glad you liked it! Personal choice with which to choose but I went with the BH-55 because I really liked the over sized controls. When you have gloves on, or it’s cold, the large locking knobs are way easier to use and operate than any other ball head I’ve looked at. The BH-55 is quite large though, but again I like that because it makes operation better in my opinion. Hope that helps in some way
I haven’t chimed in in a while. To me, the Markins looks like a re-hashed Arca-Swiss B-1 I once owned. I sold the Arca-Swiss in 2005 to the less-informed to obtain the then-new RRS BH-55.
IMHO, you will get a better head in the RRS unit, both in design & construction. They seldom, if ever, have any mechanical issues. I don’t know how you could break one. The lower-profile design is a real winner, and the construction & level of parts used are unexcelled, especially for the field photographer. Everything Richard has said is true, and I’d like to think I helped steer him to the RRS products.
The main control for the Markins, which looks just like Arca Swiss, is, well, hokey. I did’t like it on the B-1, and the B-1 developed sticking issues, as well – just like everybody said it would. RRS’s customer service has improved over the years as the company has grown under Joe’s leadership. They are top-notch in both products & service at this point.
I say NO to Markins, and YES to the RRS head. You’ll love it, especially the lever-release version. Any of their products are exemplary.
I’ve always wanted one of these, having seen Thom Hogan’s recommendation.
However for those of us in the UK, the price is not dissimilar to getting a Wimberley. I’m not sure I can afford both and probably need the Wimberley more.
Now I realise these are two different tools, aimed at solving different problems. However would you say that the Wimberley can cover at least some of the roles that the BH55 does well?
For me the Wimberley and BH-55 are for two different purposes, as you say. The Wimberley is best suited to swinging a big lens about and the BH-55 is best suited to wide angles for landscapes use, or at a push some telephotos (I’ve used the 200-400 with it). But Really, if you need to support a big lens AND wide angles then you need both, or a ball head plus a side kick, but don’t really like that method for heavier telephotos.
Hi Richard, well I managed to get a second hand Kirk BH-1 and Wimberley Sidekick. They go together well and the BH-1 seems fine (not as overtly well engineered as your RRS, but seems to do the job).
Actually the biggest improvement over my previous Manfrott and the QR plates is the use of Arca Swiss plates. Now the link from camera/lens to tripod seems much more solid.
Your review is 100% spot on. I also have a BH-55 and have completely satisfied. The team at RRS are first class and very helpful. I also own their ‘L’ brackets for my 1DMKII & 5DMKII. In addition their small tripod for photographing subjects low to the ground yet another item that is well engineered.
They recently produced a plate that fits the Wimberley. This works with a quick release as opposed to the Wimberley version that has a knob.
A number of the team at RRS are photographers. As a result their equipment answers many problems that photographers encounter.
Great review!