Top Rated Gear

Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with PC-LR-40 Compact Lever-Release Panning Clamp

SKU: RRSBH40PR40 MFR: BH-40 PCLR40
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Key Features

  • Get precise control with this BH-40 ball head, perfect for landscape photography.
  • Enjoy smooth movement for seamless panning, ideal for stunning panoramic shots.
  • Its lightweight design makes this tripod head a great companion for travel photography.
  • The Arca-Swiss compatible clamp ensures quick setup for any photography adventure.
  • Confidently mount your gear; this ball head offers a high capacity of up to 18 lbs.
  • Achieve stable, secure shots with the strong locking mechanism on this tripod head.
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Questions & Answers

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.

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Really Right Stuff BH-40 Specifications

  • Load capacity

    18 lbs (8.1kg)

  • Tripod Mount

    3/8"-16 socket (only compatible with studs no taller than 3/8")

  • Height

    3.6" (91.8mm)

  • Base diameter

    2.1" (53mm)

  • Ball diameter

    1.6" (40mm)

  • Weight

    18.7 oz (531g)

  • UPC Code

    818413020542

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

When precision and reliability are paramount in your photography or videography endeavors, the BH-40 Ball Head with PC-LR-40 Compact Lever-Release Panning Clamp stands out as the quintessential tool for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Crafted by the esteemed Really Right Stuff, this ball head is engineered for durability, sturdiness, and high-quality performance, making it a versatile choice for various shooting conditions.

The BH-40 Ball Head is designed to offer fast and accurate control, ensuring solid support for your camera or lens. Its intuitive operation allows for seamless aiming and horizon leveling, which can be executed as one fluid motion. The rigid lockup is achieved with a mere quick twist of one control, setting this ball head apart as faster and more inherently stable than traditional 3-axis pan-tilt tripod heads. Its compact profile, free of protruding handles, makes it exceptionally easy to carry and pack, catering to the needs of photographers on the move.

This ball head is not only an excellent choice for general photography but also excels in specialized scenarios such as ground-level macro photography, backpacking, travel, and tabletop use. It boasts a robust capacity while maintaining minimal weight and elegant simplicity. The included padded Cordura protective draw-string pouch provides convenient storage and protection, whether the ball head is mounted on a tripod, carried in luggage, or attached to a photo backpack.

The PC-LR-40 Panning Clamp is a testament to the innovation of Really Right Stuff, offering precision horizontal panning as a modular item. It features a patented lever-release clamp jaw combined with a lockable 360-degree panning bearing, creating a robust yet lightweight solution for single-row panorama shooting. The lever-release clamp is designed for the fastest action, allowing quick and secure release of plates and rails. With its patented stainless-steel lever that flips to three distinct positions - closed, half-open, and fully-open - you can easily ascertain the clamp's lock state at a glance.

Precision laser engravings on the panning clamp facilitate accurate panning angles and camera positioning, while an integrated 8mm bubble level ensures quick and effortless leveling. The PC-LR-40's built-in, patent-pending R-Mount allows for rigid mounting onto any Really Right Stuff ball head stem, which can eliminate the need for a separate leveling base in many applications. This feature enhances the speed and accuracy of setup for single-row panoramas.

For those who engage in panorama shooting occasionally, the PC-LR-40 can be paired with a modular dovetail accessory (TH-DVTL-40), which adds an RRS 1.5" dovetail to the bottom of the clamp. This modularity enables users to streamline their tripod setup by removing unnecessary weight when not in use. The clamp also includes a central 3/8"-16 threaded socket and comes with flat-head 1/4"-20 and M6 screws, ensuring compatibility with Really Right Stuff and Arca-Swiss ball heads.

In summary, the BH-40 Ball Head with PC-LR-40 Compact Lever-Release Panning Clamp is a reliable, sturdy, and high-quality choice for photographers and videographers who demand quick setup, versatile use, and dependable performance from their equipment.

Really Right Stuff BH-40 Features

  • Patented lever-release clamp for fast and 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 and 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.

Key Features

  • Get precise control with this BH-40 ball head, perfect for landscape photography.
  • Enjoy smooth movement for seamless panning, ideal for stunning panoramic shots.
  • Its lightweight design makes this tripod head a great companion for travel photography.
  • The Arca-Swiss compatible clamp ensures quick setup for any photography adventure.
  • Confidently mount your gear; this ball head offers a high capacity of up to 18 lbs.
  • Achieve stable, secure shots with the strong locking mechanism on this tripod head.

What's in the box:

  • Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with PC-LR-40 Compact Lever-Release Panning Clamp
  • Padded Cordura Pouch with Drawstring Closure
  • 1/4"-20 x 3/4" Stainless Steel Flat Head Mounting Screw
  • 5/32" Hex Key (Required to Remove/Replace Clamp)
  • R-Mount Adapter
  • User's Guides
  • (QR Plate Not Included)
  • Really Right Stuff 5 Year Limited Warranty