Acratech GV2 Ball Head / Gimbal Head with Lever Clamp, Supports 25 lb

2017-02-04T11:38:35

I have the Acratech leveling base and pan head that I've used for years. Both have held up very well, neither showing any signs of wear. Needing a sturdier ball head, the first place I looked was Acratech. I also wanted a gimbal head, but I don't take enough photos needing a gimbal to purchase a stand alone. This ball head is said to handle gimbal functions. I have as yet not used it for such. It is rated to a 400 mm lens. I have the Nikon 200-500 mm lens and am assured by Acratech that this ball head will handle the lens as long as a tripod leg is under the weight of the lens. The ball head is a beauty and all functions are smooth and knobs hold tightly, are rubber coated, and don't get in the way of other operations. My overall use will be macro and close up work, but also some gimbal-function needs.

STEPEHEN R.

2017-01-09T14:31:59

Very well made. Works as intended. Overpriced.

JIM P.

2012-06-17T21:00:00

I tried several different heads on my monopod until I put this one on it. I'm done trying different monopod heads. This head tops them all. I purchased this without a clamp and topped it off with my RSS clamp. Using an RSS L plate on my camera and the gimbal feature of this ballhead gives my camera a well balanced, stable monopod platform with smooth vertical movements in the gimbal position. The best platform I've found for a monopod. The gimbal feature is surprisingly versatile and smooth, but, I doubt it would compete with a true gimbal head. Don't kid yourself...there's good reason a true gimbal head costs what it does. I haven't tried this on a tripod...it's staying on my monopod.

DAVE R.

2012-05-06T21:00:00

I love the dual control for tightening and releasing. It is very easy to set the tension for different camera/lens combination weights to get optimal control. It is also nice that the knob can't come off.

JOHN M.

2011-11-25T19:00:00

Light and easy to use. Would like the camera bases to have screws won't fall out when not in use.

RICHARD B.

2011-09-17T21:00:00

I use this ballhead mostly for macro work with the fabuoulus Manfroto 055XPROB and a Novaflex CASTEL-Q precision rail. All angles - overhanging and up-side-down.. Solid support! Of course everything attaches with ARCATECH Arca Swiss mounts ! Very nice friction control - not on/off like some.... Smooth and Progressive. This is one of those products that are an absolute joy to work with. The price - yes high - but this is a porsche - and once you drive one you will not go back.

JOHN M.

2011-09-05T21:00:00

I love this ball head. Lightweight and easy to use.

Mel

2011-09-03T21:00:00

I have not tried other high-end ballheads, but this is everything I need for daily use. It provides a very stable platform for my DSLRs. My combo of D7000 with a 300mm F4 probably maxes out its capacity.

Yuen S.

2011-03-05T19:00:00

OK, I read many reviews and decided to pop for this model. The engineering is amazing; thoughtful and out of the box. I have only used a few times and pleased overall with it's performance. I have noticed that you must tighten the the knob holding the ball in place pretty well when using larger DSLRs (I use a D300). I assign my lack of familiarity with the controls. I am impressed with the design and uses enabling movement in all directions and leveling as an added bonus. So far, I am very impressed with this head. The range of motion is terrific. I have noticed that I will need to re-work the head where it attaches to the tripod because it has a tendency to loosen and unscrew. Again, it may be my lack of familiarity (it's been a long, cold winter here)

The G.

2011-03-05T19:00:00

I love how light and well built this ball head is. The rubber knobs enable precision adjustments with ease. The ball and movement within the socket is ultra smooth. Overall well built and completely satisfied. If your thinking about it, get it! Easily holds my D700 and 70-200vr2 with ease. Totally dependable and flexible for all types of uses.

Potato p.

2010-09-04T21:00:00

Nicely engineered tripod head. Fully functional and well designed. With little practice, it becomes a wonderful tool to assist in recording images.

CHRISTOPHER V.

2010-07-04T21:00:00

This ball head is one of the best heads we have every used. The head provides rock solid support and is very light weight. We have found to increase support and minimize the slightest camera movement; you might consider an L-bracket over a camera plate. We switched to L-brackets for our camera, the camera body remained firmly attached with no movement of any kind. So if you are looking for a light weight and firm support, this is the head you want.

Richard

2010-03-20T21:00:00

Compared to my other ballhead there is no drift when I use my Sigman 150-500mm zoom. It's balanced and very easy to use.

RICHARD B.

2009-08-08T21:00:00

By far the best and most versatile ballhead I have ever used!

John Z.

2008-02-25T19:00:00

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.

Yukihyo