2. Many of those same photographers will also admit that they always thought there would be no better ballhead than the Arca-Swiss B1; but their opinions changed as soon as they saw and used Really Right Stuff’s BH-55 Ballhead.
3. The BH-55 is Really Right Stuff’s full-sized ballhead and is perfect for most professional applications, especially when a robust ballhead is needed for studio and macro work and will attach to all Gimbal heads. Landscape and sports photographers will also find it very useful since it is rated for a 300mm f/2.8 lens or larger and a heavy or standard tripod.
4. The first game changer is that the BH-55 Ballhead is packaged in a padded, Cordura drawstring bag. You no longer have to wrapped your ballhead in a towel or let it lie loose in your equipment pack. The bag protects the ballhead when mounted to a tripod, packed in luggage or attach to an equipment backpack.
5. Once you hold the BH-55 Ballhead in your hands, you can feel the manufacturing quality. It’s machined from solid aircraft aluminum or stainless steel to be durable for years and years and reduce the weight you must carry and operate. Inspect it carefully and you’ll further notice the excellent workmanship. The person who made your BH-55 Ballhead was dedicated to making every detail to exacting standards.
6. A minor, but important, game changer for many photographers is that Really Right Stuff designed the BH-55 Ballhead, so the knobs cannot unscrew completely. Nothing is worse than working in an isolated location shooting landscapes and accidentally loosening a knob too much and have it fall and become lost or damaged.
7. Really Right Stuff also consciously gave the BH-55 a low-profile design, placing the ball at the lowest point in the cup. This lowers the center of gravity, which enhances stability.
8. Many photographers have also reported that the main ball release knob has a solid, substantial feel. This is because it is built with stainless steel ball bearings, which allows it to move smoothly.
9. Really Right Stuff also changed the ballhead game when it cleverly made the ball tension knob and panning base knob smaller and different enough that you’ll know which one you are holding without taking your eyes from your photography.
Another important attention to detail is the laser-etched, micrometer scale on the tension knob. Really Right Stuff also made sure the settings were repeatable, so each can be matched with a variety of camera and lens weights.
10. Another reason so many photographers have changed to the BH-55 Ballhead is its dual drop-notches, making it easier to move the camera to a vertical orientation. You won’t have to waste time loosening and tightening the panning base knob. Plus, it means the head weighs less.
11. You’ll no longer have trouble shooting stitched panoramas when you use the small bubble level on the top mounting plate of the BH-55 Ballhead. Landscape photographers will tell you that without this level you can’t determine the angle of the camera on the movable plate mount. Really Right Stuff has made it an easy, foolproof operation: Detach the camera, level the ball, remount the camera and turn the panning base.
12. The Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead is the largest in its line of ballheads and comes in five configurations.
The basic BH-55 is a full-sized ballhead, but with no clamp or platform. It retails for $355 and can only be used with Really Right Stuff or Arca-Swiss clamps.
The BH-55 LR includes the company’s lever-release clamp and retails for $455.
The BH-55 PCL comes with the RRS’s PCL-1 Panning Clamp and is a favorite of panorama photographers. It retails for $575.
The BH-55 PF is packaged with a round platform with 1/4"-20 stud and 3/8"-16 adapter, and is for those photographers who don’t need a quick release. Its retail price is $370.
The BH-55 Pro configuration has a more traditional screw-knob clamp and retails for $415.
13. All the Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballheads will support 50 lbs. (23kg) and weigh approximately 1.9 lbs (862g).
14. Many photographers recommend the use of RRS plates that specifically match your camera and long lenses. For more information, visit the Really Right Stuff Web site at reallyrightstuff.com.
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