Kirk Enterprises BH-1 Ballhead Review

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Kirk Enterprises BH-1 Ballhead Review

Рет қаралды 21,744

Күн бұрын

Just a quick review of my favorite ballhead for photography, the Kirk Enterprises BH-1. Being a gear-head, I've tried many different models of ballheads for my cameras since I change gear constantly, and I've settled back on this one as my favorite. In retrospect I should have just kept the first one I bought and I would have saved myself a lot of money searching for the "ultimate". I also use Kirk's lens plates. They're made in the USA and while not inexpensive, they're the best and make tripods a pleasure to use.
Thanks for Watching!

Пікірлер: 36

@elvee5520 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for a great review without unnecessary annoying loud intro music a welcome relief ! Keep up the great work

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, thanks!

@alandombrow908 7 жыл бұрын

I use the Kirk Enterprises BH-1 ballhead with my Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR camera and Cannon 100-400mm zoom lens with 1.4X extender. But I lost the instructions on how to fine tune the ballhead adjustment knobs. This video was perfect for me.

@BrandonBurk 6 ай бұрын

Their plates fit my canon r5 perfect! MFR #PZ-184. It is sad they are not making these ballheads any longer at the moment as of 2014.

@vladepast4936 6 жыл бұрын

NIce review, up to the point, short... Thank you!

@blanex1 9 жыл бұрын

you must no and i'm slowly finding out myself,that most if not all ball heads are copy,s of the ARCA SWISS B1/Z1,some brands get it right and others not so much !kirk did it wright with this BH-1 BH.vary nice video and thank you.

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 11 жыл бұрын

You'd be fine. I had a 12lb lens setup on it before. Just tighten it good while before you sling it over your shoulder. A gimbal head would probably keep the camera more balanced when shooting though, but for one all around head this is the one for me.

@bigstick5278 5 жыл бұрын

Fine tune starts at 3:11 stops at 4:01, pretty self explanatory what the knobs do. Rest is how great this head is I love my BH-1.

@hermanlugo9999 8 жыл бұрын

I just ordered the Kirk BH-1 ballhead with an Induro tripod model CLT303. I hope they get together well. Bought from B+H.

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 8 жыл бұрын

+herman lugo Oh they will. That's actually the exact tripod I'm using now. Nice piece and much better priced than some of the big names. The BH-1 is still my fav. Happy shooting!

@hermanlugo9999 8 жыл бұрын

+Photo314159 Thank you for your review, which was very helpful.

@mtbboy1993 2 ай бұрын

How long have you used it? I saw Harold Davis had issue with BH-3, kink in the retaining plate bracket and knob, so he he replaced it a new one. I don't know how it happen. But is concerning.

@franktodd3247 10 жыл бұрын

Nice. Thanks for the review.

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 10 жыл бұрын

Sure, thank you.

@pressureworld1 7 жыл бұрын

Two thumbs way up!

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 11 жыл бұрын

In this video I've got it on the Enduro 8m AT214.

@artmaltman 8 жыл бұрын

Important. What other ball heads have you tried? How did they compare to the Kirk? This is crucial information.

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 8 жыл бұрын

+Art Altman Lots of them. Gitzo, Manfrotto, RRS BH-55, Arca Swiss, Foba etc. Kirk and RRS are the top two. I didn't like the low profile of the RRS, the camera kept hitting the top of the tripod when I dropped into the vertical notch. It's an art piece and probably holds a bit stronger, but the Kirk is ergonomically my favorite. It holds a 300mm f/2.8 with TC and camera just fine. Foba's are too heavy but the best looking IMO, Gitzo's and Manfrotto's aren't even in the same league, and Arca's are pretty decent. I just prefer the Kirk. John Shaw and Art Wolfe used them for a long time, that's good enough for me. It's the only piece of gear I own that I have no interest in upgrading. It just works every time I take it out.

@MasteringHow-To 8 жыл бұрын

Look at my most recent video on an Induro. You might like it

@MrYou76tube 7 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed your review. I was leaning toward the RRS combo but having seen this I think this head would be suitable for my long exposure. I noted that in one of your comments that you use an induro tripod - 303 or even the more expensive induro GIT403 - load capacity 66 pounds... Would you recommend this set up for LE?? Appreciate your thoughts.

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Most of what I do is long exposure. The bigger and stronger the tripod, the better. The RRS head is very nice too, I just preferred the handling overall of the Kirk. 303 legs would work great, I'm using the carbon 303 legs right now. I've had Gitzo 3 series legs before and the Induros are just as good. RRS has the best legs you can buy, but they're near $1000, so it's up to you. Made in America is nice. If you go RRS, get it before Christmas, their prices are going up. Adding weight to the tripod can help, like hanging your camera bag from the center post. Tripod weight is always a compromise of ease of transport vs stability. A 30lb studio tripod would be great for LE, but nobody would ever want to carry it in the field. If you're using a DSLR, I'd suggest the 303 Carbon legs. Carbon is a bit stiffer than the aluminum too, so it works like a bigger tripod. The 403 legs are more for Large Format, or 600mm+ lens shooters.

@bigstick5278 8 жыл бұрын

Just picked one of these up on Craigslist for $100.00 super clean.

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 7 жыл бұрын

That's a crazy deal, enjoy it!

@dalsphotographydanielaarga3370 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I would have love that you showed in first place how is it installed on your tripod. I have a Sirui tripod, wich has been great in the field, as it is quite light to carry about , but the manrotto head is not working as good as I would love to, even though prepared to set for more than 20 pounds, it's not stable when the camera lens (Sigma 150-600) is flipped down a little bit. Is there quick relase there as well? Thanks for your answer, best regards from Uruguay.

@sidvicious3129 4 жыл бұрын

Clint are you still using this ball head and if not what did you replace it with?

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 4 жыл бұрын

Yep, still using it. It's working like the day I got it.

@sidvicious3129 4 жыл бұрын

I think I might be looking to order this and have you finished the McIntosh setup in the living room?

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 4 жыл бұрын

Yea it's a workhorse of a ball head. You won't be disappointed. I went to a more expensive head thinking it would be better, but ended up selling it and rebuying this head because it's the best IMO. I did finish the Mac set-up. I've got to get the video edited. Maybe this weekend I'll get that up since it's too hot to be outside, haha.

@mtbboy1993 2 ай бұрын

Is it compatible with Peak Designs plates?

@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy 2 ай бұрын

If they are the Arca Swiss standard, then yes. Most are.