Posted by Nathan Buck on June 15, 2006 at 11:59 AM
Hi all.
I have decided that when I get a new ball head, I will get one with the Arca-Swiss QR system. I notice that there are many vendors out there who sell AS QR plates. I already heard from Pete D., that he felt some time ago that RRS was ahead of Kirk on quality.
So this is my question...Who is best? I realize that this comes down to opinions, but what are your opinions? Wimberley, RRS, Kirk, Acratech, no-name?
While I am at it, who uses an L bracket? I know one of those might be in my future...just maybe not right at this moment.
I've pretty much stuck with Kirk and have no complaints at all. The reason I shy away from RRS is some bad customer service experience in the past, though I've been told by others these have been corrected by the new management.
Either way, I'm happy with Kirk - they are very helpful, have a no-questions-asked return policy and their quality is top notch.
The only exception is my Acratech ballhead. I actually have an old Kirk head but I prefer Acratech's open design that is not prone to dust and grit.
Guy
Posted by Mike Krehbiel on June 15, 2006 at 12:45 PM
I use exclusively RRS plates and have had exemplary service from the new owners. I don't have personal experience with other plates but have been really happy with those from RRS. I also use their BH 55 ballhead and have been very happy with it.
Posted by Peter Carroll on June 15, 2006 at 12:54 PM
I second the Kirk endorsement. I just purchased an L bracket for my D2X and I love it (although I still can't wrap my head around the price!). My old camera was a Nikon F65 and due to the light weight I was able to get away with placing the AS holder down the "U slot" in the ball head and having everything hang off the side. With the weight of the D2X it's not a good idea to do that and the L bracket allows me to keep everything properly over the C of G. Just be aware if you buy the L bracket that you may have to look into the future again to decide which one to buy because there are some made specially to accomodate wireless transmitting.
Nathan, I use the RRS L bracket and have been super pleased with it. The service level with RRS was outstanding - I had heard all the horror stories about earlier management and questioned the new RRS management considerably about this before buying the BH-40 and L bracket. They were very patient and forthright about previous problems and proved to be very helpful in my case. The only reason I went with RRS on the L bracket was because I chose the RRS ballhead at the same time, but I think Kirk would be wonderful as well.
As far as ballheads go, the reason I chose RRS over Kirk or Markins was the lever release feature, and I have patted myself on the back numerous time over this decision. I'm very glad I shelled the extra bucks for the RRS - the lever release works quickly and flawlessly - well worth it IMO.
I was happy enough with RRS's service and quality to return and buy their pano base and rail a little later - just as impressed with them as I am with the other equipment.
I researched ballheads for months before buying - my final conclusion was that all the major manufacturers have excellent equipment and quality, just comes down to what features appeal to you - in my case it was the lever release feature that made the difference. Kirk & Markins ran a close second.
I have Kirk plates and a RRS BH-55 and L-bracket. Product from both companies is excellent. Service is also excellent with both. Whatever shortcomings RRS had under old management seems to have been resolved.
Like Bill I got the lever release on my RRS ballhead. I chose to get it after lengthy discussions with them about the possibility of it snagging things as I carried the tripod, developing a looseness over time and other similar concerns. They were very forthcoming and helpful in their responses.
I have loved having the lever release. I have a bit of arthritis in my fingers and the tightening of knobs can be a challenge. With the lever release it's just a quick flip of the lever to open and the opposite to close. I can switch cameras/lenses very quickly with this set up and would find it difficult to switch back. I've noticed that the speed with which I can make changes is faster than friends with the knob system. I have had no problems with the lever release at all. All lenses/cameras are very secure and I've experienced none of the problems I thought might happen.
I would heartily recommend it. The RRS web site does a good job displaying the lever release and if you have further questions I would certainly call them.
Posted by Lee Robinson on June 15, 2006 at 7:33 PM
I've been using the Kirk B3 and L-bracket for several years. And Kirk has great customer service and prompt response to orders, too.
Posted by Kent Staubus on June 15, 2006 at 9:44 PM
I use both AcraTech plates and A/S brand plates, and have the Kirk collar/plate for my Nikon 80-400mm VR lens. I can't tell any difference between any of them. It's just a chunk of aluminum.
I have Kirk, RRS, and Wimberley plates. All of them are of the highest quality. You can't really go wrong with any of them.
L-Brackets really are worth the extra $$. Kirk and RRS make them and I've used L-Brackets from both. Again, you can't go wrong with either one.
Posted by Kurt Olender on June 16, 2006 at 12:42 PM
RRS says that only RRS and Wimberley plates work with their lever-clamp. If you ever plan to get one of their ballheads with that feature, you might take that into account. The RRS screw clamp will work with any Arca-Swiss type plate.
Nathan: I have both Kirk and RRS plates and a Kirk BH-1 ballhead. I like the stop screw on the RRS plates. Quality and customer service is great at both places. When I bought my BH-1 in 2001 the normal delivery time was 2-3 weeks due to Kirk having trouble keeping up with demand on the then new design. I mentioned that I was going on a trip to Yosemite in a week and they were courteous enough to bump me to the head of the line. Hope no one here had to wait an extra long time for delivery back then. >=))>
Hello Nathan,
I have the BH-1 ballhead with an L bracket for an F5 and other assorted QR plates from Kirk and all have performed flawlessly. If you buy an L bracket you will never go back to anything else. It allows you to place the weight over the ballhead and not hanging over the side like a QR plate. Hope that helps.
I have Acratech, Kirk and Wimberly quick realease plates. I really can't tell any difference betweenw them in build quality or general function.
The Acratech plate has been on the bottom of the camera for two and a half years without incident.
The Kirk plate for my 300 f2.8 twists slightly so that it doesn't sit perfectly parallel to the lens foot, but once seated, it doesn't move. This doesn't seem to affect performance. This Kirk plate is dedicated to the Canon 300 f2.8 and I havent tried to use it on any other lenses. It's slightly shorter than the Wimberly P20 that I have on my 70-200. To balance the rig in my Sidekick, one slides the plate back and forth in the clamp. As the center of gravity of the lens shifts rearward with the addition of a teleconverter or flash, the plate has to be shifted forward in the clamp to maintain balance. The Kirk plate only extends about halfway into the clamp of the Sidekick when balanced with only the lens and camera. The short length of the plate hasn't caused a problem but I'd prefer a longer lens plate. If I had it to do over, I would get the Wimberly P30 for my 300 f2.8. I have no idea if Kirk plates for other lenses are as short, but in a gimbal mount, for peace of mind, I'd prefer a plate that extends for the full length of the clamp.
Wimberly plates have little screws that you can put in the ends of the plate so that they won't accidentally slide out of the clamp. That's a feature that seems desireable to me, but I have never actually used them in either of my Wimberly plates. My Kirk and Acratech plates have half dovetails. The Wimberly plates have full dovetails that make them compatible with some flash brackets that would attach on the top of the plate that sticks beyond the lens foot.
The bottom line - I think mostly it's a case of Ford vs Chevy, Coke vs Pepsi, Canon vs Nikon.
Discussion
17 repliesI have decided that when I get a new ball head, I will get one with the Arca-Swiss QR system. I notice that there are many vendors out there who sell AS QR plates. I already heard from Pete D., that he felt some time ago that RRS was ahead of Kirk on quality.
So this is my question...Who is best? I realize that this comes down to opinions, but what are your opinions? Wimberley, RRS, Kirk, Acratech, no-name?
While I am at it, who uses an L bracket? I know one of those might be in my future...just maybe not right at this moment.
Thanks in advance!
Nathan
Either way, I'm happy with Kirk - they are very helpful, have a no-questions-asked return policy and their quality is top notch.
The only exception is my Acratech ballhead. I actually have an old Kirk head but I prefer Acratech's open design that is not prone to dust and grit.
Guy
As far as ballheads go, the reason I chose RRS over Kirk or Markins was the lever release feature, and I have patted myself on the back numerous time over this decision. I'm very glad I shelled the extra bucks for the RRS - the lever release works quickly and flawlessly - well worth it IMO.
I was happy enough with RRS's service and quality to return and buy their pano base and rail a little later - just as impressed with them as I am with the other equipment.
I researched ballheads for months before buying - my final conclusion was that all the major manufacturers have excellent equipment and quality, just comes down to what features appeal to you - in my case it was the lever release feature that made the difference. Kirk & Markins ran a close second.
Bill, can you (or anyone else) tell me more about the RRS lever release?
Thanks!
Nathan
I have loved having the lever release. I have a bit of arthritis in my fingers and the tightening of knobs can be a challenge. With the lever release it's just a quick flip of the lever to open and the opposite to close. I can switch cameras/lenses very quickly with this set up and would find it difficult to switch back. I've noticed that the speed with which I can make changes is faster than friends with the knob system. I have had no problems with the lever release at all. All lenses/cameras are very secure and I've experienced none of the problems I thought might happen.
I would heartily recommend it. The RRS web site does a good job displaying the lever release and if you have further questions I would certainly call them.
Kent in SD
L-Brackets really are worth the extra $$. Kirk and RRS make them and I've used L-Brackets from both. Again, you can't go wrong with either one.
I have the BH-1 ballhead with an L bracket for an F5 and other assorted QR plates from Kirk and all have performed flawlessly. If you buy an L bracket you will never go back to anything else. It allows you to place the weight over the ballhead and not hanging over the side like a QR plate. Hope that helps.
Ed
I have Acratech, Kirk and Wimberly quick realease plates. I really can't tell any difference betweenw them in build quality or general function.
The Acratech plate has been on the bottom of the camera for two and a half years without incident.
The Kirk plate for my 300 f2.8 twists slightly so that it doesn't sit perfectly parallel to the lens foot, but once seated, it doesn't move. This doesn't seem to affect performance. This Kirk plate is dedicated to the Canon 300 f2.8 and I havent tried to use it on any other lenses. It's slightly shorter than the Wimberly P20 that I have on my 70-200. To balance the rig in my Sidekick, one slides the plate back and forth in the clamp. As the center of gravity of the lens shifts rearward with the addition of a teleconverter or flash, the plate has to be shifted forward in the clamp to maintain balance. The Kirk plate only extends about halfway into the clamp of the Sidekick when balanced with only the lens and camera. The short length of the plate hasn't caused a problem but I'd prefer a longer lens plate. If I had it to do over, I would get the Wimberly P30 for my 300 f2.8. I have no idea if Kirk plates for other lenses are as short, but in a gimbal mount, for peace of mind, I'd prefer a plate that extends for the full length of the clamp.
Wimberly plates have little screws that you can put in the ends of the plate so that they won't accidentally slide out of the clamp. That's a feature that seems desireable to me, but I have never actually used them in either of my Wimberly plates. My Kirk and Acratech plates have half dovetails. The Wimberly plates have full dovetails that make them compatible with some flash brackets that would attach on the top of the plate that sticks beyond the lens foot.
The bottom line - I think mostly it's a case of Ford vs Chevy, Coke vs Pepsi, Canon vs Nikon.