Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head, Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp, 18 lb
Really Right Stuff BH-40: Picture 1 thumbnail
Really Right Stuff BH-40: Picture 2 thumbnail
Really Right Stuff BH-40: Picture 3 thumbnail
See all Really Right Stuff items
Top Rated Gear

Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp, 18 lb Capacity

SKU: RRSBH40LRII MFR: BH-40 LR II
(15)2 questions, 3 answers
$485.00
OR
$81/mo suggested payments with 6‑month special financing. Learn how.
Earn VIP Reward Points
See all Used options (1) from $342

Key Features

  • This BH-40 Ball Head supports up to 18 lb, perfect for various photography needs.
  • Enjoy smooth movement with this ball head, ideal for precise camera adjustments.
  • The Arca-Swiss compatible clamp makes switching gear a breeze for photographers.
  • Built with high-quality aluminum, this tripod head ensures long-lasting durability.
  • Achieve secure locking strength, keeping your camera safe during every shoot.
  • Compact and lightweight at 17.1 oz, making it an excellent travel ball head.
See More Product Details
FREE 2-Day Shipping

See Options

1
Add to ListGet Sale Alert

Protect your gear with Adorama Protect.* Learn more

1 Year

$34.99

2 Year

$59.99

3 Year

$79.99

Available to U.S. customers only.

Need help? Ask our experts.

Overview
Compare
Accessories
Specs
Protection
Q&A

Questions & Answers

RORY H : Does it have a bubble level? The specs say not, but the image shows oneThomas O : Yes, it does.DARREN M : Yes, it does. It’s simple, but works well enough for panoramas.
Alan H : Is the lever clamp removable?BRIAN M : no it would make the L clamp unusable.
Shopper : Why Did You Choose This?FAN K : I like itRICHARD F : Recommended by Neil Silverman.JEFFREY M : Previously owned.AMY W : Really Right Stuff makes quality ballheads. I've used this model before and wanted one for day job.JAMES M : in need of a travel tripod head for semi professional work.NICOLE R : The BH 30 was not availableALAN M : RRS Ball heads are the best!STEPHEN S : Quality of RRS products and compact sizeQIN Z : friend recommendDEBBIE F : recommended by photographer for travelQUIN G : Photography jobCOLLEEN M : I am getting this RRS ball head for my tripod. I have always wanted a really nice ball head for my camera and lenes. This should last me for years.RICHARD S : Best for my cameraTHOMAS W S : Best Reviews, perfect for my applicationJUNG P : Because of someone's suggestionLisa L : Quality is outstandingJoseph L : High quality, fast free shippingREBECCA R : Because the BH-55 was on back order.DWAIN H : Many recommendations from fellow photographersLISA J : Easy to setupMark J : Excel inequality and functionJIM C : it's good.DALE L : Choosing between three quality heads -- RRS BH-40, Acratech GP, and Markins Q10i. A very close call. Markins has limited US presence for sales and service. Acratech GP is a taller head and so won't fold quite so compactly, though it has other great qualities. I already have a RRS BH-30 so I knew what quality to expect.Ari J : Best ball head for my landscape photography trip.DONALD H : Their products are qualityMARTIN S : good reviewsRICHARD Y : from reviews the action is smooth, and the quick release lever is key! lots of professionals who I trust have this and the BH-55BRIAN J : I've got he RRS BH-55 and love it. The craftsmanship and quality is second to none, but I needed a lighter weight head for travel and the BH-40, being almost a full pound lighter, fit the bill perfectly.ALAN G : Top quality albeit expensive.NICHOLAS J : RRS is known for being the best, their lever release clamp is the easiest and fastest in the industry.DOUG W : I needed a really good quality ball head and RRS products get top reviewsJEFF M : Recommendation from a friend who is a professional photographer.ROBERT W : Really Right Stuff has a reputation for a high quality build and rock solid, camera/lens support.Andi S : I allready have the BH-55, and I am very happy with this, for a smaller tripod I need the smaller head in the same quality.James C : For use on Landscape and Portrait photography

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2024-03-12T19:28:40

Rated 2 out of 5

High Price, Low reliability

Sorry to do this. I know RRS makes a fine product but I'm not happy. I take care of my gear and I I've been using this for two years. Just used it the other night and everything was fine. Today, I drove to my location, hiked all the way there, pulled out my equipment, set up and, BOOM, it's broken. The knob that adjusts the panning was vice grip tight and the camera had no tension on the panning. So, it's broken and I'm upset because this was an expensive piece of equipment and I have ballheads that are 25% the cost of this and I've used them ten+ years and they still work. I know I'm not supposed to use the drag knob to lock the ball head, so If I did something wrong that stinks because everything is normal use for a ball head. The thing just stopped working and it happened within the last 48 hours. Thankfully I wasn't on an important trip but how am I supposed to trust this brand when the equipment just breaks suddenly with normal use?

Joseph L.

2023-01-28T03:00:50

Rated 5 out of 5

Really right stuff ballhead

First class build

Michael C.

2022-07-12T09:41:13

Rated 5 out of 5

Small yet mighty

Excellent quality. I have the larger RRS head but needed a second head for another tripod. With todays mirrorless bodies being lighter I didn?t need the big brother. The size and weight savings is awesome.

DAVID T.

2022-05-07T09:06:23

Rated 5 out of 5

Great product1

much lighter than my current ball head. I like the quick release ans simplicity of the knobs.

Adrienne A.

2022-05-04T15:15:16

Rated 5 out of 5

Sturdy and easy to use.

A few cosmetic defects but nothing that prevents it from functioning as when it was new. It will hold up to 50lbs. Very steady and dependable.

JANIE L.

2021-11-15T08:03:31

Rated 5 out of 5

RRS BH 40--Solid Ballhead!

This is a rock solid ball head worth every penny. I have used it so far doing Macro (flowers) and landscapes this past weekend, and it is rock solid. Great service from Adorama!

RENE C.

2021-11-10T17:31:54

Rated 5 out of 5

An awesome built ball head

An extremely well built ball head, it?s everything it was described to be and more.

DWAIN H.

2021-10-28T10:24:52

Rated 5 out of 5

Solid ball head.

Rock Solid ball head. Pricey but worth the extra money.

Richard Y.

2021-09-09T18:02:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent ball head.

I had another ball head from a different brand which was driving me crazy every time I needed to make adjustments to the drag of the ball. I sold that one and got this one after reading great reviews. Solid construction. Good size knobs and it works as intended.

JAIME L.

2021-06-30T05:17:46

Rated 4 out of 5

Manfrotto to RRS

I after years of using Manfrotto, I wanted to swap over to an Arca style quick-clamp. I swapped out my trusty 486 RC2 for the RSS BH-40, and have been completely pleased since. I like to have the clamp lever at the rear of the camera, so the position of the bubble level on this model makes it fairly useless, (hence the 4 stars) but no big deal for me......

paul k.

2021-06-11T08:33:09

Rated 5 out of 5

Happy!

Wonderful!

THOMAS C.

2021-04-22T14:16:48

Rated 5 out of 5

Professional, Smooth & Very Well Built

This ball head is truly a fine piece of machinery. Very well built and nice smooth controls. The locking lever securely holds camera in place.

ROBERT J.

2021-04-14T08:47:22

Rated 5 out of 5

A thing of beauty

Not only a thing of beauty, but also well engineered, smooth, precise, and secure in its movements. Well worth the money and perfect for a Field camera in my opinion. Bob Wood

Robert W.

2020-12-10T08:42:31

Rated 4 out of 5

Good, but could be better.

RRS has some incredible products. Unfortunately, this one falls a little short. Mainly it’s the design of the knobs. Pull out, turn, twist, pull out again, and don’t let the slight frustration seep in when you’ve accidentally over tightened one of the screws. Get the pliers out. I like the ease of movement, the quick clamp design, and the weight.

Thomas O.

2020-02-14T10:00:07

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent ball head

This is my third tripod and the first time I've bought a separate ball head. With my previous tripod, I would frame up my shot and tighten everything down, let go and the camera would drop just a little. With this ball head, that doesn't happen! I'm delighted - it's a joy to use. I love that I can tighten it with just one lever. I also like the lever-release version to secure the camera - easier than tightening a knob. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are times that the lever gets in the way of the camera, and I find myself having to swivel the base of the ball head to keep the lever from restricting where I want to aim the camera. But all in all, it's a wonderful experience to use this ball head.

Julia O.

Select a plan in the Add Protection section above and purchase with this product by clicking “Add to Cart”.

image-protection

TRUSTED PROTECTION PLANS, EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.

Invest In Your Gear and Peace Of Mind!

Accidents happen. Protect your favorite Adorama products and purchase a protection plan to stay covered from accidental damage, mechanical or electrical failures, and more.

Repair or Replacement

Repair or Replacement

If we can’t fix it, we’ll replace it at no additional cost.

Accidental Damage

Accidental Damage

Protect your product from drops, spills, and more.

Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind

Enjoy your gear without fear. We have you covered!

Failure Protection

Failure Protection

When regular use of your product over time results in mechanical or electrical failure.

Zero Deductible

Zero Deductible

We will never charge you a deductible after the purchase of a plan.

Customer-Focused Support

Customer-Focused Support

Our claims process is simple & easy and our customer service team is happy to help.

Adorama Protect powered by Extend is available for purchase to customers in the United States. Not available for international or U.S. territories purchases. Plans on open box items do not cover pre-existing damage.
Adorama Protect plans are available for ABS clients. If you have any questions or require assistanse, please call 800-223-2500

Browse our FAQ

See Terms & Conditions

Really Right Stuff BH-40 Specifications

  • Head Type

    Ball Head

  • Base Mount

    3/8"-16 Thread

  • Quick Release Plate Type

    Arca-Type

  • Load Capacity

    18 lb (8.1kg)

  • Number of Bubble Levels

    None

  • Friction Control

    Yes

  • Independent Pan Lock

    Yes

  • Material

    Aluminum

  • Vertical Tilt

    0 to +90 Degree

  • Panning Range

    360 Degree

  • Ball Sphere Diameter

    1.6" (4.06cm)

  • Base Diameter

    2.1" (5.33cm)

  • Dimensions

    Height: 3.0" (76mm)

  • Weight

    17.1 oz (486g)

  • UPC Code

    818413022416

7 Accessories for Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp, 18 lb Capacity

  • All Accessories (7)
  • Tripods & Monopods (1)
  • Quick Release Plates (3)
  • Laptop Stand (1)
  • Casters & Accessories (2)
3Pod Arca-Swiss Quick Release Plate, Medium, 60mm
3Pod Arca-Swiss Quick Release Plate, Medium, 60mm
$12.95
Recommended
Flashpoint Pre Cut Tennis Ball for Light Stands (3-Pack)
Flashpoint Pre Cut Tennis Ball for Light Stands (3-Pack)
$7.95
Recommended
Flashpoint Pre Cut Tennis Ball for Light Stands 9-Pack
Flashpoint Pre Cut Tennis Ball for Light Stands 9-Pack
$23.85
Recommended
3Pod 2-In-1 Arca Swiss Quick Release Plate for Cameras and Smartphones
3Pod 2-In-1 Arca Swiss Quick Release Plate for Cameras and Smartphones
$24.95
3Pod 2.75" Arca-Swiss Quick Release Plate, Large
3Pod 2.75" Arca-Swiss Quick Release Plate, Large
$14.95
3Pod Arca-Swiss Quick Release Plate, Small, 54mm
3Pod Arca-Swiss Quick Release Plate, Small, 54mm
$10.95
Flashpoint Laptop Tray Platform for Tripod and Light Stand (16 x 18")
Flashpoint Laptop Tray Platform for Tripod and Light Stand (16 x 18")
$59.00

About Really Right Stuff BH-40

FEATURED REVIEWS

Excellent ball head

By Julia O.

This is my third tripod and the first time I've bought a separate ball head. With my previous tripod, I would frame up my shot and tighten everything down, let go and the camera would drop just a little. With this ball head, that doesn't happen! I'm delighted - it's a joy to use. I love that I can tighten it with just one lever. I also like the lever-release version to secure the camera - easier than tightening a knob. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are times that the lever gets in ...

View full Review

Really right stuff ballhead

By Michael C.

First class build

An exceptional addition to any photographer's toolkit, the BH-40 Ball Head with Full-Size Lever-Release Clamp from Really Right Stuff offers a blend of durability, versatility, and high-quality construction. This sturdy and reliable ball head is designed to provide fast, accurate control and robust support for your camera or lens, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of photography applications.

The BH-40 Ball Head features a full-size lever-release clamp, a unique feature that allows for quick and easy attachment and detachment of your camera from the tripod. This not only enhances convenience but also saves valuable time during shoots. With a maximum load capacity of 18 lbs, this ball head can comfortably accommodate heavier cameras and lenses, offering you greater flexibility in your choice of equipment.

Aiming and horizon leveling with the BH-40 Ball Head can be achieved in one instinctive motion, thanks to its intuitive design. The rigid lockup requires just a quick twist of a single control, making this ball head faster to use and inherently more stable than traditional 3-axis pan-tilt tripod heads.

The compact profile of the BH-40 Ball Head, devoid of protruding handles, makes it easier to carry and pack, adding to its appeal for photographers on the go. Crafted by Really Right Stuff, a trusted name in photography equipment, this ball head is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and innovation.

Really Right Stuff BH-40 Features

  • Patented lever-release clamp for fast & easy mounting
  • Ergonomic design gives superior handling and unsurpassed reliability
  • Lowest height profile in its class
  • Knobs are captive and uniquely shaped, making operation "by feel" very intuitive
  • 90 degree drop-notched allows maximum flexibility for positioning the camera for portrait-orientation or extreme angle shots
  • Micrometer drag tension adjustment is repeatable and absolutely reliable
  • Precision panning base is finely laser-engraved at 2.5 degree intervals and features our unique drum & brake design for effortless locking
  • Laser-engraved millimeter scale offers precise centering and positioning within the clamp jaw
  • Spring-loaded lock knob can be repositioned

Warranty Information

This product has a limited warranty of 60 months.

Join VIP PRO

2 Day Delivery on thousands of items!

Sell or Trade your Gear

Get started in 3 easy steps

Key Features

  • This BH-40 Ball Head supports up to 18 lb, perfect for various photography needs.
  • Enjoy smooth movement with this ball head, ideal for precise camera adjustments.
  • The Arca-Swiss compatible clamp makes switching gear a breeze for photographers.
  • Built with high-quality aluminum, this tripod head ensures long-lasting durability.
  • Achieve secure locking strength, keeping your camera safe during every shoot.
  • Compact and lightweight at 17.1 oz, making it an excellent travel ball head.

What's in the box:

  • BH-40 Ball Head
  • B2-AS II Lever Release Style Quick Release Clamp (Installed)
  • Padded Cordura Pouch with Drawstring Closure
  • 5/32 " Hex Key (Required to Remove/Replace Clamp)
  • User's Guide
  • 1/4 "-20 x 3/4 " Stainless Steel Flat Head Mounting Screw
  • Really Right Stuff 5 Year Limited Warranty