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I finally did it! I have joined the ranks of RRS converts. Many, many thanks to Greg (Mr Darcy) who was so kind to allow me to closely examine his RRS kit and then proceed to put in a shared buy with me.

I picked up my BH40LR on Saturday and managed to get out and about that night with it. First thoughts? This thing is superbly built, as are the L-brackets, but more importantly it has made my tripod (Manfrotto 055 PROB + RRS BH40LR) a lot easier to carry compared to my old 055 PROB + 322RC2 combination. This new head is only a bit lighter (479gm vs 700gm) but it feels like a lot more!

In action, the BH40 is a pleasure to use, I have yet to experience the slipping problem that my 322RC2 suffers from. However I did find the location of the Pan lock a bit strange...but then again I most manufacturers position it similarly. The drag feature has yet to be tested properly but from my play with Greg's kit, it is most satisfactory and will see use unlike the useless 'friction' function that my 322RC2 had (only useful if you were willing to spend 5 mins and risk RSI adjusting....and I am not exaggerating!). RRS was even nice enough to provide a black, padded cordura "stubby" to protect the ball with.

There seems to be never ending discussion about screw clamp vs lever release (LR), but we discovered that all it took to make a non-RRS Arca Swiss plate compatible with a LR was a bit of masking tape (I will probably retrofit my Feisol plate - thanks Scott @ Mainline Photo - with some good duct tape of electrical tape in the long run). This discovery fixes the last issue I had with RRS, I own quite a few cameras and cannot afford to get dedicated plates for them all. Now I can get generic Arca Swiss plates and shim them to fit my LR, possibly leaving one in my bag for those people who wish to borrow my tripod....

To think all it took was a little nudge...and lending out your camera

colin_12 wrote:To think all it took was a little nudge...and lending out your camera

A nudge.....yes I was teetering at getting either RRS or Markins, but having the chance to play with RRS nudged me enough towards the purchase. Lets not forget the poor shape my 322RC2 is in these days.....

I have to say that I love my BH-40 LR as well as the MH-01-40LR (monopod head) plus the L plates for the D300 and D7000. It feels so good in the hand, smooth and everything moves so wonderfully. I'm sure it would be metal workers porn.

On my Bogen (Manfrotto) legs, it is definitely lighter than the pan-tilt head I had before and is so much easier to use. When tight it is rick solid and even with the ball slightly loose so I can move the lens it is still solid. I was taking photos of tiny finches at a feeder outside our kitchen window (through the window) with my Nikkor 200mm f/4D with Nikon TC-201 teleconvertor and there was almost no noticeable shake as I panned around.





The monopod head is a real pleasure to use. Takes no time to attach the camera (with L plate) and the tilt head works so smoothly.

Nice one Cameron, don't forget apparently the sucker can be washed as well! That is if you get any sand in it (with sea salt)

Andrew, thanks for all the examples. I am yet to use my BH40 but will do so when I get around to getting a tripod for it.

surenj wrote:Nice one Cameron, don't forget apparently the sucker can be washed as well! That is if you get any sand in it (with sea salt)

Andrew, thanks for all the examples. I am yet to use my BH40 but will do so when I get around to getting a tripod for it.

How could you not use such a beautiful piece? How long has it been sitting around your house?

Hopefully I will never have to wash mine out

aim54x wrote:How could you not use such a beautiful piece? How long has it been sitting around your house?

Several months.

Tis not the equipment Grasshopper. Tis the eye behind the pinhole.

surenj wrote:

aim54x wrote:How could you not use such a beautiful piece? How long has it been sitting around your house?

Several months.

Tis not the equipment Grasshopper. Tis the eye behind the pinhole.

I guess not having a tripod that can mount the head on wouldnt help....did you get a L-plate for your 60D?

aim54x wrote:I guess not having a tripod that can mount the head on wouldnt help....did you get a L-plate for your 60D?

Hell. I've even mounted mine on a super mini. It fell over, but that's not the point

Mr Darcy wrote:

aim54x wrote:I guess not having a tripod that can mount the head on wouldnt help....did you get a L-plate for your 60D?

Hell. I've even mounted mine on a super mini. It fell over, but that's not the point

From memory Suren's Velbon has a fixed head....

aim54x wrote:From memory Suren's Velbon has a fixed head....

Correct.

How is everyone feeling about their RRS stuff now you've lived with it for a while?

I'm going to the US for a holiday in May and since I'll be there for my b'day and the fact I've just found out I'm redundant at the end of June I thought I'd shout myself a RRS setup while I'm over there to save on international postage and import charges.

Magnificent. Nuff said. And I'll fight anyone who says otherwise ! lol

I love the L-Brackets they are permanently on my cameras...the BH40LR does get swapped for my Sirui K10X head (just weight advantage when I travel). I love the BH40, but when weight is critical the K10X gets the duties, it also has the advantage of being able to allow my Sirui T2205X to reverse fold properly as well.

I dont regret my investment, the RRS is a tonne better than the Sirui and will definitely outlast the Sirui but for $119 the K10X is not a bad buy.

Big RRS fan here, too. I just love well-made stuff, I wish they'd venture into telescope accessories

I've got the BH-40 LR as well, along with their TVC-23 tripod and assorted plates. Best accessory purchases I ever made (followed closely by a set of studio lights from Poon).

Cheers
Steffen.

Good to know. Thanks guys.

RRS are happy to send the items to the hotel I'm staying at. I just have to make sure the hotel is happy with that and I'll be all set.

Wink wrote:Good to know. Thanks guys.

RRS are happy to send the items to the hotel I'm staying at. I just have to make sure the hotel is happy with that and I'll be all set.

Fingers crossed that the hotel plays along!

If they don't I'll just cancel my booking and find another hotel that does.