Hi,
Here is my take on the issue:
I used to have Velbon Sherpa Pro 630 (also nown as the Carmagne) first with the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead than the Really Right Stuff BH-40. Both these heads are good. I mostly bought the RRS BH40 because it has a lever type QR-plate. Tripod and heads work well with all my lenses up to 400/4.5 with extender.
I recently upgraded to Gitzo GT3541LS. That tripod is even more stable. The main advantage is that it lacks center column. My Acratech and RRS BH50 heads work both fine and I have not decided yet which one to use. My major issue with the Velbon was that there was a certain amount of sag when locking the head so composition was shifted. On the Gitzo I don't see that kind of sag so I think it may have been caused by the center column.
In my view the Velbon Sherpa Pro 630 is a very good tripod, certainly worth consideration.
Regarding QR I'd suggest that the Arca type QR is the best design. I hade Manfrotto QR's for a long time and arrived at the conclusion that they are bad designs.
I hade quite a few tripods:
Gitzo Reporter 203? (Nice but not good)
Manfrotto 190 (Quite good)
Manfrotto C55 (Quite bad)
Two Velbon Sherpas, both 630 (Very good)
Gitzo GT3541LS (Promising...)
The Gitzo is very close in weight to the Velbon 630, perhaps 200 grams heavier. (The Gitzo with the Acratech is 65 grams heavier than the Velbon 630 with the RRS BH40).
Best regards
Erik
I'm in the process of buying myself a new tripod and ballhead. Gitzo seems the overwhelming (if expensive tripod). Now I'm looking at ballheads. My needs
- D300 and 80-200/f2.8 - its a slightly older model (9yrs?) so it weighs a bit.
- Shooting a bit of everything: Landscape; Macro; Portrait etc.
- Lightweight - will be used while travelling and hiking.
The two obvious ones so far are the Kirk BH-3 and Really Right Stuff BH-40. The Kirk seems to be about $100 cheaper. Is there a big difference between the two? Is there another ballhead to consider?
In addition what Quick Release plates to you use? Do any of them have DRings that I can use with my Black Rapid Strap?
Confused in Ottawa
Mark Levison
Mark Levison - Agile/Lean Transition Coach || Agile Editor @ InfoQ || Blog: www.notesfromatooluser.com