Acratech Ballhead Questions

travischance

Anyone using Acratech ballheads? My CF legs arrived today and I need to add a ballhead & quick release plate. I'm looking at both the GV2 & Ultimate. There is almost a $100 price walk between the two. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Jabba

I've got a GV2 that I'm thinking of selling. Send me a PM if you're interested. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you've got about them- Very well made product, btw.

Manfr3d

Hi Travis!

I Got the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead V1 and V2 but love the V2 more. The newer ones you mention seem to be interesting too but I'm not complaining or planing to upgrade any time soon. The older verions are just fine and it's easy to work with them. I think you cannot go wrong with any of them, just pick the one which matches the features you need most .

stuffjunkie

uncletrav wrote:

Anyone using Acratech ballheads?...

Yes, I have the V2. I've had it for a ouple years and am quite pleased. I've used the gimble feature only sparingly...just need that long lens

Miguel Delinquento

I have Ultimate V1. Works great. I like the lightweight and easy pack-ability. Quick-release is secure and fast too.

M

Scott_Quier

I also have the Ultimate and have had it for a number of years. It is a good ballhead, most (if not all) of what your read about it is spot-on, and I am quite pleased with it. It's not perfect though. Some comments/thoughts:

• Depending on how much weight is catilevered, I've had some issues with getting the ballhead to lock without it dipping .... meaning you have to learn to compensate for the slight movement of the camera after you lock down the ballhead - but only sometimes.
• The angled ball retainer ring is unique and a truely simple design. However, you have to think ahead to what you are going to be shooting and what, if any, movement in the camera position you anticipate when you mount your camera/lens. The angle of that ring will restrict movement of the ballhead a bit. I have missed a few shots to this "feature" - mostly BIF shots that, in the end, turned out to be not so important.
• I've never had to "clean" the ballhead. It's all exposed and it's a simple matter to remove any dust with either a good puff of breath or a clean cloth.
• The fit and finish is first rate.
• Working with the manufacturers is simple and easy. I once ordered the wrong QR plate for one of my cameras. After I received the plate, I called them. They cross-shipped a replacement (of course I plaid the shipping on the second plate - that's only fair). Easy stuff.

If I had it to do all over again, I think I would give the Really Right Stuff BH-40 a good hard look. The price differences are not enough to matter, especially if you mentally amortize that cost over the expected life-time of the ballhead (something just short of "forever").

Jabba

PM sent-

travischance

Jabba wrote:

PM sent-

Jabba:

Took to long to respond - I purchased a GP directly from Acratech on Monday & I should have it tomorrow.

Scott_Quier

uncletrav wrote:

Jabba:

Took to long to respond - I purchased a GP directly from Acratech on Monday & I should have it tomorrow.

Congratulations! Nice! Let us know how you like (or don't) once you had a chance at a play with it.

aj986s

Jabba,
I've just sent you a PM about the GV2.

Jabba

GV2 is still for sale- I'll post a thread in the flea market if anybody's interested.