Building the ultimate ballhead system - am I crazy?

[Marv800]

So I tried the new Acratech GV2 ballhead last week and I LOVE IT! I prefer over the Really Right Stuff BH-55 even.

Its light, super-pretty, strong as hell, and the action is silky smooth with perfectly linear friction.

However, I hate the lack of a lever based quick release system.

So i decided to assemble my own "Frankenstein" ballhead assembly using the best of both worlds.

Taking the Acratech GV2 ballhead, and puting a Really Right Stuff quick release clamp on it. Also I do a lot of panorama stitching so I got the levelling base. I just wish it had two axis levels instead of a single spirit level.

Prefer the Really Right Stuff camera and lens plates, so I got those. Also, I figured those plates would likely fit better on the Really Right Stuff QR clamp system.

So order it all and *GULP*...

Acratech GV2 Ballhead - $280
Acratech Levelling base - $150
Really Right Stuff QR clamp - $120
Really Right Stuff 5D MK2 plate - $55
Really Right Stuff 5D Mk2 L Plate - $140
Really Right Stuff Lens Plate - $$55
Total -$800

"WHAT?!?!?!?!?" How the hell did i just spend $800 freaking dollars on a ballhead system?!?!??! AM I INSANE??!?!

Guys, please tell me, is this really worth it, or did I get snowed in the madness of it all? And waste my hard-earned money :(

[Dobick]

One question -- is the money worth more to you than the hobby, or do you work and have a job to support your hobby. If the reason that you have a job is to support your habits and hobbies, then you absolutely did not waste your money. (unless it all turns out to be crap, in which case you just paid a very expensive tuition payment to the school of life!)

[texxter]

Well, it's just holding hardware. The good news is that a good setup may last a lifetime. The bad news is that you'll get the same results at a fraction of the cost, so it's not going to make you a better photographer.

[Marv800]

Originally Posted by Dobick

One question -- is the money worth more to you than the hobby, or do you work and have a job to support your hobby. If the reason that you have a job is to support your habits and hobbies, then you absolutely did not waste your money. (unless it all turns out to be crap, in which case you just paid a very expensive tuition payment to the school of life!)

Well, technically I can afford it, but its likely that my 8 kids won't eat a proper meal for the next 2 months. Oh well, they're togh! They can eat ramen noodles and celery!

[PhotoByLeal]

The name of the product says it all!
It's the RIGHT STUFF, so NO you did not make a mistake on buying that!
The kids still get fat off Roman Noodles! J/K
I see it this way, if you can afford IT, and you need IT, then get IT!


I'm out,
angel m. leal jr.

[jeffkohn]

Not sure why you need both the regular plate and L-bracket for your 5DMk2, unless you have two of them. The brackets and clamps are well made, they'll last at least as long as the cameras/lenses you use them with. I don't know much about the Acratech head, but I have the Acratech Leveling Base on one of my tripods and like it a lot. The bubble level in the Acratech base is nice and big (much bigger than the rinky-dink level in most of the RRS plates/clamps), I think it's actually better than the two-axis hotshoe levels I've used.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by Marv800

...but its likely that my 8 kids won't eat a proper meal for the next 2 months...They can eat ramen noodles and celery!

Now wait a minute -- since when did ramen noodles get classified as not a "Proper Meal" I love ramen noodles!

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by texxter

Well, it's just holding hardware. The good news is that a good setup may last a lifetime. The bad news is that you'll get the same results at a fraction of the cost, so it's not going to make you a better photographer.

Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. I have owned 'cheaper' tripods and ball heads and they 100% do not perform the same. You might think so if you've never shot with one over an extended period of time. Once broken in and if maintained (minimal) properly, a high end ball head's operation will be consistent and predictable every time. I've owned cheap pan/tilt, inexpensive Manfrotto, and now Gitzo/RRS tripods and shoot all my headshots mounted on one. There is a reason my portraits are sharp and it's more than just the glass.

As far as making you a better photographer, I again disagree. If you don't have to think about your gear, you can concentrate on the subject and your photography. I never worry that my $7K camera/lens is going to fall over or off my tripod, because it just isn't going to happen.

As always, YMMV.

[Jake]

If you can afford it and want it, then I say get it.

I personally would spend that on one. I've used cheap ones and expensive ones, and at the end of the day, I can't tell which photos were shot with which.
You are pretty much paying for better handling.

Although Scott does says this:
"I've owned cheap pan/tilt, inexpensive Manfrotto, and now Gitzo/RRS tripods and shoot all my headshots mounted on one. There is a reason my portraits are sharp and it's more than just the glass"
So some photographers can tell the difference in the photos from different heads. But I'm not that good....yet

[texxter]

Scott, I am not saying that all holding hardware is the same. I am saying that spending $800 on a ballhead setup may be overkill. A $400 set up may be just as good. I agree with you, and I have said it myself, that cheap stuff is a waste of money. But super-expensive stuff may not make much of a difference. I use a Kirk BH-1 ball, it works super smoothly and I don't remember paying $800 for it. I did pay handsomely for my Gitzo because I dont want to buy another tripod ever.

[johnastovall]

You are spending only 800 dollars on a system that might some day beholding up 5-6 thousand dollars worth of camera and lens. It's worth it.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

You are spending only 800 dollars on a system that might some day beholding up 5-6 thousand dollars worth of camera and lens. It's worth it.

I doubt it.

[Marv800]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

You are spending only 800 dollars on a system that might some day beholding up 5-6 thousand dollars worth of camera and lens. It's worth it.

Thats what I thought about. As it is, I was a little nervous in Moab a few weeks ago with my tripod perched on a rocky outcropping an a winday day, as the camera strap was flapping around in the wind.

$5k on a single configuration is hardly a stretch.

[srwatters]

Paco, what I'm trying to get across here is that we as more experienced photographers have a responsibility to be clear in what we suggest. We also need to assume that the reader hasn't viewed another thread that we may have previously posted. Go back and read your post exactly as written and I think you'll have a different interpretation than you may have intended.

Plus the OP has added some camera and lens mounts in his purchase which are needed for ANY arca-swiss style ball head. Did you consider that as part of the $800 setup when comparing it to your cheaper solution? If you look again, the total for the ball head is $550 including $150 for a leveling device that is specific for landscape or other purposes. If you compare that to your Kirk BH-1 @ $355, it's not a huge premium ($45).

That's all I'm trying to say here...

[texxter]

Scott, those are going points. I appreciate your pressing for clarity, as I agree it's a necessity these days with too much information and opinions flying around.

So if I had to repost my opinion, I would say:

A professional ballhead is one of the best investments you can make - get a good one. I don't have direct experience with the brands you listed, but I am happy with my Kirk BH-1. It cost me less but I probably don't need the same components you do. Good equipment saves you money in the long run.

Thanks!