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Acratech GV2 Ballhead with Gimbal Feature, with all Rubber Knobs, Quick Release & Detent Pin, Supports 25 lbs. image
 
(based on 1 ratings)
Brand:Acratech
Located in:Tripods, Tripod Heads, Ball Heads
Acratech GV2 Ballhead with Gimbal Feature, with all Rubber Knobs, Quick Release & Detent Pin, Supports 25 lbs.
Product Reviews Summary
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4 stars
(based on 1 review)
 
Give me its little brother anyday!
By Yukihyo from Tokyo, Japan on 2/26/2008
Pros:
Attaches Firmly, Extremely light, Good Stability, Large Range of Motion, Quality Construction, Strong Clamp
Cons:
Poor Gimbal system, Weak QR clamp
Best Uses:
Long Exposures, Photography, Portraits, Reducing Noise (ISO Reduction), Stabilization
Describe Yourself:
Professional
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Quality construction? Most definitely. Light weight? Incomparable.
Gimbal head? Come on now! After using the incredible "Ultimate Ball-head" from this company, I just had to add this newer version after reading all of the hype. But in a nutshell, the gimbal aspect is not what I'd expected.

I also had the horrifying experience of seeing an EOS-1D Mk111 & 300mm f/2.8L IS combo detach itself not once, but twice from the head (I'm using Wimberley plates; supposedly compatible), but fortunately I caught it in time on both occasions.
This combination is supposed to fall well inside the head's weight range capabilities, but this experience aside, it's smoothness when slotted into the 90 degree "Gimbal" recess leaves a lot to be desired. Far too jerky, and not even close to the Wimberley Sidekick (let alone the WH-200!) to be considered a true gimbal head. My old Kirk BH-1 does this job equally as well (if not better).

It's also extremely unnerving to see that large camera & lens sitting out to one side of such a delicate head, especially as mine is mounted on a 2 Series Gitzo Basalt tripod!

It's also much closer to being a conventional ballhead than its cheaper sibling, which I believe to be far better value for money.

The gimbal aspect aside, it's got to be one of the easiest to maintain ballheads out there (along with the Ultimate version), so I would still have to recommend it. Just don't go beyond the lens weight of say, a 70-200 f/2.8.

Customer Reviews about the Acratech GV2 Ballhead with Gimbal Feature, with all Rubber Knobs, Quick Release & Detent Pin, Supports 25 lbs. at Adorama
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