Can I Change The Clamp On A Kirk Bh-1

Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-1 ball head?

Sep 17, 2007

I accept been trying to pull the trigger on a ball head via e-bay and the procedure is frustrating the hell out of me. 90% of the sellers Will Not ship to Canada for no reason at all. They have to go to the same post office to send it, and they get the coin the same way (paypal). It blows my listen. Anyways, I am unable to always find one on due east-bay because of that. I take decided to buy new as I tin can't ever seem to get one on eastward-bay.

I am considering the Kirk BH-one, RRS BH-55 and Markins M20. I would accept to buy a photographic camera plate in addition to the head/quick release clamp if I buy either the RRS or Markins head, adding $70 CDN to my price. I think I like the RRS caput the best only it sure is expensive.

Anyways, I noticed the Kirk BH-1 comes with both a quick release plate AND a camera plate if I'chiliad reading the item description properly. It says "Kirk Panning Ball Head with QR platform with universal body/lens plate--weight: thirty ounces" Perhaps someone tin ostend if it indeed comes with a camera plate but it may be just be talking about the QR plate on the ball caput.

It'southward also cheapest at $355 USD. Is this head every bit good as the others? The price is significantly better and Kirk seems to make pretty decent stuff. The biggest lens this will ever be supporting is the 300F4 w/ TC.

My main business organization is smoothness of the panning base of operations for use with the wimberley sidekick, equally well as no movement when the ball is being locked for macro photography. I won't exist using the head for much else.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Mark

ith • Regular Member • Posts: 242

Re: Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-1 ball caput?

All these are good ball heads. I would likewise consider the Arca Swiss z1 ($327). Personally I like the z1 meliorate than the Markins and the Kirks. I have no experience with the RRS. Arca Swiss is the only ball that is elliptical. The tension will increment every bit you increase the angle hence will minimize the run a risk of flopping your lens.

I would forget near buying one from eBay. The saving is minimal on these. The Arca Swiss you lot can become from either Adorama or B+H.

ith

Re: Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-1 ball caput?

In reply to ith • Sep 17, 2007

Thank you lot very much for your reply. I was unaware of the Z1. What is the difference betwixt the Arca Swiss Z1 and B1? The look exactly the aforementioned to me.

Mark

Sorry I forgot to add together to the previous post....what is the difference too betwixt a single pan and double pan Z1?

Thanks again,
Mark

ith • Regular Member • Posts: 242

Re: Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-1 brawl head?

The Z1 is the new and improved version of B1. If you are using wimberley equipment, they highly recommend the Arca Swiss. The double pan version includes an boosted panning base via the quick release (similar to the RRS PCL-one). Over killed IMO unless you are into panoramic photos or require panning at an angle for macros. Bank check out the review for the z1 below.

http://world wide web.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Arca-Swiss-Monoball-Z1-Ballhead-Review.aspx

For your awarding, I highly recommend the Z1 with the screw clamp QR.

ith

BRJR • Forum Pro • Posts: 13,641

Well, Kirk BH-i, Is The Only Ane I Apply & I Have Been More Than Satisfied With It

AllOtherNamesTaken wrote:

I accept been trying to pull the trigger on a ball caput via e-bay and
the process is frustrating the hell out of me. 90% of the sellers
Volition NOT transport to Canada for no reason at all. They have to get to the
same postal service office to ship it, and they get the money the same style
(paypal). It blows my listen. Anyways, I am unable to e'er find one
on eastward-bay because of that. I have decided to buy new as I tin can't ever
seem to become one on e-bay.

I am considering the Kirk BH-ane, RRS BH-55 and Markins M20. I would
have to purchase a camera plate in addition to the caput/quick release
clamp if I buy either the RRS or Markins head, calculation $seventy CDN to my
price. I think I like the RRS head the best merely it certain is expensive.

Anyways, I noticed the Kirk BH-1 comes with both a quick release
plate AND a photographic camera plate if I'm reading the item description
properly. Information technology says "Kirk Panning Ball Head with QR platform with
universal trunk/lens plate--weight: 30 ounces" Perhaps someone can
confirm if it indeed comes with a camera plate merely it may exist just exist
talking nearly the QR plate on the brawl head.
It's also cheapest at $355 USD. Is this head as good every bit the others?
The toll is significantly better and Kirk seems to make pretty
decent stuff. The biggest lens this will ever be supporting is the
300F4 w/ TC.

My chief concern is smoothness of the panning base for utilize with the
wimberley sidekick, as well equally no movement when the ball is being
locked for macro photography. I won't be using the head for much
else.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Mark

AllOtherNamesTaken:

1. And, as listed in my profie, I only use Kirk & their Camera Plates as well ---- for both my D200 & D80 Bodies. Y'all tin bet, that I'll be using Kirk Plates for the D3, too, as soon every bit they become available,

ii. No doubt, you have already seen it, but below is the link to the Kirk site (they mostly use FEDEX when aircraft to their International Customers):

http://www.kirkphoto.com/

-- hide signature --

BRJR ....(LOL, some of united states of america are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

Leica M9 Nikon D700 Leica Summilux-Yard 35mm f/1.4 ASPH Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH Leica Summilux-K 24mm f/one.4 ASPH +21 more

Re: Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-1 ball head?

I am trying to make the same decision - and I accept narrowed it down to the Markins M20, RRS BH-55, and Kirk BH-1.

I have heard of too many issues with the Arca Swiss brand to seriously consider it.

I really like the Kirk products I accept purchased, merely if I were to pull the trigger today it would be for the Markins.

If you do some reading on http://www.nikonians.com in the tripod forum yous will exist aware concerning these heads. Most pros at that place highly recommend the Markins over all other brands.

David - an Atlanta Nikonian

Re: Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-i ball head?

In answer to ith • Sep 17, 2007

Cheers for your reply. I am wondering, though, if the Z1 is the new and improved B1, why is the B1 still $499 USD and the Z1 only $330 USD? Perchance the Z1 is just smaller or something?

Anyways the Z1 has really got me intrigued, particularly if Wimberley recommends it for apply with their sidekick.

Thank you,
Mark

Re: Anything wrong with the Kirk BH-i ball caput?

I similar Kirk heads and Wimberley plates and clamps.

-- hibernate signature --

regards
Mike Parker
Frederick, MD

Mike Neary • Veteran Fellow member • Posts: 3,355

Why not Markins M10 ?

AllOtherNamesTaken wrote:

I have been trying to pull the trigger on a ball caput via e-bay and
the process is frustrating the hell out of me. 90% of the sellers
Volition NOT ship to Canada for no reason at all. They accept to go to the
aforementioned mail role to ship information technology, and they go the money the same way
(paypal). It blows my mind. Anyways, I am unable to ever discover one
on east-bay because of that. I have decided to purchase new as I can't ever
seem to get i on e-bay.

Well, you probably have to thank the U.South. customs section for that! I've sold stuff on eBay, and only consider shipping to Canada if the value of the item is pretty high. It's simply not worth my time to spend an actress xxx minutes at the post office filling out community forms and such for low priced items! No idea why it is and then complicated in North America, even with NAFTA - in the EU, you simply send from one fellow member land to some other with no paperwork, thanks to the mutual market!

I am considering the Kirk BH-1, RRS BH-55 and Markins M20. I would
have to buy a photographic camera plate in addition to the head/quick release
clamp if I purchase either the RRS or Markins head, adding $70 CDN to my
cost. I recollect I like the RRS head the best just information technology sure is expensive.

Why not the Markins M10 ? It'southward rated at a higher load capacity than the Kirk, and costs less at $329 USD!

Anyways, I noticed the Kirk BH-one comes with both a quick release
plate AND a camera plate if I'm reading the item description
properly. It says "Kirk Panning Ball Caput with QR platform with
universal body/lens plate--weight: 30 ounces" Maybe someone can
confirm if it indeed comes with a camera plate but information technology may exist just exist
talking about the QR plate on the ball head.

Hmm. The Kirk plate that comes with the head is a universal one, so information technology will twist on your camera body if you get to portrait orientation. Improve to budget for a dedicated plate for your camera body!

It's besides cheapest at $355 USD. Is this caput as proficient equally the others?
The price is significantly improve and Kirk seems to brand pretty
decent stuff. The biggest lens this volition ever be supporting is the
300F4 w/ TC.

I take the 300/4, and utilise information technology with the TC-14 and TC-17. The Markins M10 is perfectly capable of holding that lens philharmonic. In fact, the M10 should practise fine for anything upward to a 300/2.8 or 500/4. If y'all're planning on getting a 400/2.8 or 600/4 at some point, y'all volition need a sturdier ballhead - simply and so you're more likely to become a full Wimberley head anyway

My main concern is smoothness of the panning base for use with the
wimberley sidekick, equally well as no motion when the ball is being
locked for macro photography. I won't be using the head for much
else.

The Markins is very shine for panning, used with a Wimberley Sidekick.

Cheers

Mike

Re: Why not Markins M10 ?

When I send to the United states of america, the customs form takes about 30 seconds to fill out and just includes what the item is, it'due south value, and where it'south going. I didn't realize customs forms were different in the U.s.. I suppose that sort of explains things.

I was reading on nikonians that the M20 has significantly smoother panning than the M10, and too that the M20 has a better lock-downwards mechanism on the panning base as well. Also, the M20 is but $50 more than the M10 then fifty-fifty though the M10 is more than capable, I would likely just spend the actress $l for the M20.

Thank you very much for your informative reply. I think realistically, for me, information technology is between the Markins M20 and the Arca Swiss Z1. At present if only I could find someone with feel with both....

Thank you once again,
Marker

I finally ordered one....

Merely ordered the Markins M20L, the protective pouch, and a camera plate for my D80. Total after shipping + GST $552 CDN.

Thanks for anybody'south help, it made a large impact on my decision.

Marker

maverick01 • Contributing Fellow member • Posts: 773

Re: I finally ordered i....

AllOtherNamesTaken wrote:

Just ordered the Markins M20L, the protective pouch, and a photographic camera
plate for my D80. Total afterwards shipping + GST $552 CDN.

Thanks for everyone'southward help, it made a large impact on my decision.

Marking

I but went through the procedure of deciding on a ballhead. After reading a gazillion posts, I as well ordered the exact aforementioned combo which, surprisingly comes to $552.23 Canadian taxes included.

I specified in my social club not to loctite the clamp to the ballhead. I will put on my own blue loctite instead of the reported red loctite they use in case I want to modify the clamp downwardly the route. Simply I hear their new clamp is very good (and information technology'southward only an extra $xxx over the balhead only selection).

mstar • Contributing Member • Posts: 536

Re: Why not Markins M10 ?

Hmm. The Kirk plate that comes with the head is a universal one, then
information technology will twist on your camera torso if y'all get to portrait orientation.
Better to upkeep for a dedicated plate for your camera body!

I use the BH-iii and the included universal plate and have never had that problem on whatsoever of my cameras.

Re: I finally ordered one....

Aye I saw that loctite question in the FAQ but didn't know exactly what it meant - thanks to yous at present I practice! Anyways, if you want to use the wimberley sidekick, lever clampes (such as the popular RRS level clench) are not recommended without an adapter plate due to clearance problems. Considering of this, I volition non exist changing my quick release clamp anyways, so that I do not take to purchase extra pieces for the wimberley sidekick so I'thou perfectly fine with them loctiting the QR plate onto the brawl caput =). I don't want annihilation falling off the sidekick.

I'1000 sure we volition thoroughly bask our purchases. I'k adjacent door to BC in Alberta, then I hope it ships fast.

Mark

maverick01 • Contributing Member • Posts: 773

Re: I finally ordered 1....

I'm sure we will thoroughly enjoy our purchases. I'm next door to BC
in Alberta, and so I hope it ships fast.

Mark

Hi Mark,

I'm sure we volition savor them. Mine just came in yesterday. I can't believe how small-scale the head is. Still it looks very sturdy. Now I take to wait for the tripod to examination the whole unit.

On a side note, I can't help noticing how the deviation in price between the US and canadian version when we know that the two currencies are now at par.

Re: I finally ordered 1....

Mine came in yesterday and I love information technology too. Very, very well built and the panning base of operations is super smooth which was a large consideration for me since I will eventually be using this with the wimberley sidekick. I was wondering about exchange besides, considering the CAD/US dollars but even when it dropped their prices remained the same. Likewise, creditcards/banks don't give you a rate as expert equally it actually is so maybe that has somethign to practise with it? Either way I couldn't exist happier.

Mark