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Ultra-light Travel Ballhead


samuel_lipoff

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<p>I have a large tripod and a full-size ball head that I normally use, but I also have a very small Gitzo G0027 tripod that I carry when I'm hiking or traveling very light. It extends to about 30" high and weighs just under 1 lb. I'd like a small ballhead with QR clamp to match this tripod. I have been using an Acratech GP ballhead on this setup, and it's a great ballhead, but is just too large and heavy for this role.<br /><br />I normally carry a D700 (with a RRS L-bracket always attached), and either a 28mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.4 lens. <br /><br />I have heard great things about the RRS BH-25 ballhead and generally am a fan of RRS equipment. I was also thinking about getting their PCL-1 panning clamp. The BH-25 doesn't rotate separately from the ball moving, and in any case it's useful for panoramas to have the the rotating base above the ballhead (in lieu of a leveling base). Does anyone use this combination? Does the larger PCL-1 obviate the benefits of an ultra-small ballhead? Are there other very small ballhead solutions that are recommended?</p>
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<p>The RRS BH-25 is great for what it is designed for--a really lightweight ballhead for an ultralight tripod and a lightweight SLR. I would not recommend this combination for shooting panoramas. Get at least the BH 30 or 40 for that, and a sturdier tripod.</p>
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Like Peter E, I wouldn't recommend the BH-25 with a panning-clamp. Especially as the PCL-1 is big and heavy, and actually weighs nearly twice as much as the BH-25.

 

If you want top-panning, go for a bigger ballhead. Aside from that, the BH-25 is a great match for Gitzo traveller tripods.

 

A possible solution if you only occasionally need top-panning would be to get the PCL-1 with the PCL-DVTL adapter. That way you can get the BH-25 with a normal clamp, and slide in the PCL-1 only if you really need it (and preferably after you've levelled the ballhead).

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