Acratech ballheads

[Rudi]

Hi everyone,

Looking for opinions on Acratech ballheads. There are three models, priced from $270 USD to $350 USD. Any one of those would suit me, IMO, although I am leaning towards the more conventionally designed V2 or GV2 (although the Ultimate Ballhead is still in he running, too :)).

I am looking for opinions on these products, and how they might compare to other, similar products from other manufacturers (Kirk, RRS, Markins, etc.) The largest ring that I will be mounting on this (as far as I can tell :D) is an EOS 1 series with 300/2.8 IS plus 2x TC attached (in which case it is likely to be loosened, acting like a poor man's Wimberley :)).

Any and all opinions welcome, but please - only offer opinions if you have actually used an Acratech ballhead (especially if you know how it compares to the competition!.

Oh, if anyone is using the Acratech Leveling Base, I'd love to hear from you, too! :D

Thanks in advance.

[Ak Photos]

Rudi, I have tried RRS ballhead, (did not like the way it worked in COLD weather at all), and my buddy's Kirk (felt too heavy and just did not feel right in my hands while shooting) and now I have 2 of he Acratech V2, and should be getting the new GV2 in the next week or so. I helped a friend of mine pick a new ballhead out, and she is also now a member here, Roxanne got the GV2 which she took with her to Alaska last month and she loves it as well. The quality is top notch!!! Its also nice to be able to talk to the owner of a company (Scott) if you got a question as well. I was at their facility when I got my first one, and was very impressed by being able to see them made right there and then each one tested by hand! And all the people that work there it seems, and makes sense are photographers, so they care about the product also.

The GV2 is awesome and with that set up is what I would suggest. my GV2 is going on my expedition tripod for my 500 F4.5 and my Mark 3 or my eos 3.

I give them 2 thumbs up!

Hope this helps and if you got specific questions let me know. I have not used the leveling base, but do have the hotshoe mount level which I use sometimes, when I remember I have it... LOL :)

Later

Kevin
aka,... Ak Photos

[Rudi]

Kevin,

Do you know what the differences are between the V2 and the new GV2??? I don't mind paying the extra (pay once, save in the long run), but I'd like to know what I'm paying for... :)

[Rudi]

Scratch that, I just watched the YouTube video - it helps for the slower ones amongst us! :D

[Ak Photos]

no prob. its a great improvement and I think its worth the few extra bucks! that little machined bulb type think to fit in the notch for the gimble/wimberly type swivel head is really nice!

thanks and talk later. I need some sleep now... :)

Kevin Patterson

[MorrieC]

Another ballhead worth looking at and reading about is the Markins M10 and M20. I have been using the M10 for quite some time and have found it to be silky smooth. The following link will take you to a review that is on the Nikonians web site and Fredmiranda.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=282

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/index.html


Morrie

[Rudi]

Thanks Morrie! I have seen those, and will check them out as part of the pre-purchase ritual. :)

[imageswest]

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[Ak Photos]

one think I love about my GV is how compact it is, some of the other ones out there are rather tall and just increase the center of gravity for your setup. No wasted materials or added weight....

[Rudi]

I'll have an Acratec Ultimate ball head for sale in about 3 weeks... as soon as I get back from the Yukon. :)

How do you like yours, Cliff? The Ultimate is one that is still on my radar (it would suit my shooting style)...

[Rudi]

Well, after much to-ing and fro-ing, I have decided (and ordered) the following:

****
ubh Acratech Ultimate Ballhead 1 $269.95 $269.95
Left or Right Knobs: left control
Metal or Rubber Knobs: All rubber knobs; Pan, QR, Main (add $20) $20.00 $20.00
QR clamp options: Clamp with detent pin (add $10) $10.00 $10.00
2135 EOS 1V with PB-E2, EOS 3 with PB-E2, EOS 1D, 20D with BG-E2 1 $39.95 $39.95
2133-b Canon 5D with BG-E4 1 $39.95 $39.95
1142 Quick release clamp with detent pin, rubber knob and double speed thread 1 $99.95 $99.95
2130 Lens plate 2 1/2" (63 mm) long 3 $39.95 $119.85
Shipping: $0.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $599.65
****

The extra QR clamp is for my monopod, since I will NOT be removing the plates just to mount stuff on my monopod - I just won't! :)

[Ak Photos]

Rudi,

I think you will really enjoy the ballhead. I have to order the CR clamp for my main monopod also, thanks for the reminder.

Enjoy
Kevin

[Rudi]

Thanks Kevin, I'm sure I will... It's interesting how quickly a ballhead order turns into a $600 purchase... :wacko:

[Ak Photos]

Yah, Im sure Scott and group appreciate it however!!! Let me knwo how you liek the QR for the monopod. I think I need to get one also.

[Rudi]

Received my order today, and I'm NOT HAPPY!

The head is absolutely amazing, as are the plates, and the QR clamp will be great on my monopod. So what's the problem???... I ordered left hand controls, and received right hand controls! On top of that (to add insult to injury, I guess), the 5D lens plate came with the wrong screw (the thread was wrong). Luckily, I didn't force the issue and had a good look before proceeding, but I could have ruined the tripod socket on my camera!

This is not acceptable! I mean, I can understand the screw being the wrong thread - they probably pull them out of a large container to pair them up with the plates, it looks the same size as all the others, it just got past them... but the head? How hard is it to figure out which hand is your left???

I mean, really - how many orders do these guys ship to Australia? Would it really be that hard to double-check it before shipping???

I've sent an email, see how it goes from here, but so far, I am unimpressed with the service (the products themselves are another story). :(

[Rudi]

It's been a while since I've posted here, but just for the record:

Acratech and Scott in particular sorted everything out for me, even shipping a new ballhead before they had confirmation that mine was sent back. I got a free upgrade to the GV2 instead of a refund for return shipping, and a free universal plate thrown in for my hassles. Top-notch service, after an early hiccup. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them, they are a class act!

[paul weston]

You gotta love a happy ending,glad it worked out for you.

I just had a look at there site, the long lense head looks VERY interesting and iam probably going to get one............. oh boy, more stuff:)

[Ak Photos]

Rudi,

Glad it all worked out. Scott is a great guy and loves photography as much as we all do! How do u like the GV2. I have one of them now as well, and i love it. Put it on my old nikon medium/large format tripod (its a tank tripod) and its great for bad conditions!

That large lens mount is great. I got to try out the final prototype when I down there in late aug/early sept. It was really smooth! and a lot easier to carry around than a large gimbal head!!!!!

Take care all.

Kevin in Alaska

[Rudi]

Yeah, it was a bit slack of me not to post here earlier, I just forgot all about it - I was playing with my new ballhead setup! Scott did his best to minimize any inconvenience, as I said - shipping the replacement head before getting confirmation that mine was sent back - a class act indeed!

The whole Acratech system is just beautifully engineered. I'm surprised that they are the only outfit manufacturing lightweight heads, you'd think others would catch on, but no... rolleyes;