Bob wrote:
Has anybody used the new ball heads by RRS?
I have the BH-55 LR head (the one with the lever clamp quick release). I use it with my 20D (for which I bought the "L" bracket), Canon 180mm macro, Canon 100-400mm IS, Sigma 50mm EX, and 65mm MP-E macro (which I use with focusing rails). I'm very pleased with it. It's very solid, and the quick release is convenient. If I have a criticism of it, it's that it moves *very slightly* out of position after I have tightened it. I only really notice it with 1:1 or greater macro shots (especially with the MP-E, but also with the 180mm). On the other hand, I've never seen a head (ball head or otherwise) that does not move ever so slightly after tightening. I'm being rather picky here -- the movement is not enormous.
The thing I most like about the RRS setup is the "L" plate when using the 50mm macro. It makes it very easy to switch between vertical and horizontal. I'd strongly advise anyone planning to use the RRS heads with lenses that do not have a tripod collar to get an "L" plate for the camera body. Of course, you don't have to have an RRS head to do this, as they also sell quick-release platforms for other heads.
I was torn between the BH-55 and the BH-40. The RRS people (very friendly, very helpful) advised me to choose the BH-55 when I said I'd be using the MP-E lens with it.
Although I'm very satisfied with my RRS ball head, I can't say that having a ball head has made a huge difference to how I work. Previously, I used a Bogen 3029 3-way head, which was equally stable, and I was used to making the three adjustments. The thing that has been the most helpful is the "L" plate which, as I mentioned, could be used with other heads.
Something that I particularly liked about the RRS head is that it is shorter than many other heads (including my old 3029), which is useful for low-to-the-ground macro work.
I use it with the Gitzo 1348 legs, by the way (also good for low macro work). Gerry * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
