I was getting really irritated with my ball head for all the reasons in your video. I have been thinking of buying the Acratech LLH for a few years, and finally purchased one last week. Can’t wait to get out there and enjoy the photography instead of battling with the ball head!
Thanks for the feedback! I am still very happy with mine and now spend more time on my composition instead of fumbling around with a ball head. I hope you enjoy yours!
Dear, sir, agreed in all your important points in regarding the practical use of an ball head in the field! Thank you, so very much for sharing! Best regards from Sweden!
Experienced the same issues with ballheads- really like the novoflex magic ball 50 for shorter focal lengths- for longer lenses the leofoto G20 with a long arca plae or the Wimberly WH2 gimbal head gets everything perfectly balanced - problem solved!
Looks great, but mainly in conjunction with the levelling base. Without the base, your back to fiddling around with the legs to level the camera - which is where ball heads allow for a much faster setup and adjustment. That said... I'm thinking the setup you've now got is one that would improve my life too. Thanks for the video.
@luzr6613, thanks for taking the time to comment. No doubt, with the leveling base it makes a great system. However, using your ball head to level doesn't work well for a panorama...you need to level the base with the legs in that case. After using both setups, I find that the Acratech with leveling base is faster, easier, and more stable than with a ball head.....and using a long lens increases it's advantage.
@@johnrobertsonphotography I use a LeoPhoto 2-way head + levelling base and it works just the same as the AcraTech Long Lens Head + Levelling base does. It's fast and efficient. I like it a lot.
@@TimvanderLeeuw I saw the Leofoto version, I think it is VH-30R. It wasn't available in the US when I bought the Acratech. I like Leofoto products, in fact I use their ranger series tripod with the built in leveling base. It is a fantastic setup. Did you also change over from a standard ball head setup? I think anyone that tries the 2 way with leveling base will never go back to a ball head. John
@@johnrobertsonphotography It's the VH-30R indeed which I have. And yes before that I did use a standard ballhead, but I find this much easier to use, just like you. (I got this recommendation of Thomas Heaton btw from one of his TH-cam videos). I'm now temporarily back to the standard ballhead on the tripod since I put the 2-way head on my new monopod but plan to get a simpler and cheap 2-way monopod head for that in the near future so that I can put the Leofoto 2-way head back on the tripod! My other tripod has a Benro geared head to replace its original ballhead and that works well too, mostly for use at home though more than for in the landscape. And the geared head doesn't really work well for panoramas without putting a levelling base beneath it.
@@TimvanderLeeuw I understand, I occasionally use a monopod with a Wimberley monogimbal I think it is. I'm just happy to finally get rid of the ball head from my tripod!
I just bought this 3 weeks ago. I'll be honest the first 2 weeks I was having my doubts...I was just so used to a standard ball head. But it was like a light went off and I really appreciate this beautiful piece of machinery from Acratech. And yes I also bought a new tripod...the iFootage Gazelle TC7 which has the leveling bowl. This too was an adjustment to learn but once you do I don't see me ever going back to any other setup.
Thank you for the video. I have been using a Gitzo ballhead for many years. I love to make panoramas and my tripod is fine for that but like you said , the ballhead is fiddly. After watching your video I just vent ahead and ordered Acratech LLH on ebay. Now I just need to wait a little bit for it to arrive to Iceland where I live.
My exact setup too, perfect legs and head. Wish the Acratech came with a clamp and even contacted them for producing one but didn't get anywhere. Nevertheless, it's near perfect as it is!
Except that it's redundant. If weight matters, just put a rotating pan atop the Leofoto leveling base and be done with it. You don't need the Acratech, it adds nothing but weight
Nice video! Not sure I can do away with my ball head even with the cons. For one of my lenses (Sigma 100-400) I have to flop my camera 90 degrees with the ball head as the 3rd party tripod collar won’t let me rotate the lens.
Thanks Jeffrey! This is honestly the way to go, I’ll never use a bobble head again. The leveling base seals the deal. I’ve been using mine several weeks now, so much easier and less disruption when composing. You’ll have to check it out in October.
Hi John, using the same Sirui Head as yours, i am really desappointed when tilting up the camera with a 70 180 lens, the camera moves a little bit down ! Do you have the same problems with the Acratech ?
The "sag" that you are describing was one of the reasons I disliked ball heads so much. The acratech LLH does not suffer this problem. I often use a 100-400 and it does not sag. I think I included this in the video around the 3:00 minute mark, perhaps I didn't discuss it clear enough. In fact, I think this was one of the major design goals from acratech - prevent sag when using a longer, heaver lens. It honestly works great for me, and has solved this problem and others. Thanks for watching and commenting!!
@@johnrobertsonphotographyYou made that point quite clear sir. I too have the same Sirui KX series ball head (KX-30). For a ball head it’s very good compared to others and I was thrilled to use it as it’s quite heavy duty. But it suffer from ‘sag’ or ‘creep’ where the lens sags or creeps downwards when the head is completely tightened up. Normally a bigger ball head helps solve the issue, but it never completely goes away (at least for me). When I stumbled on your video I was looking at the Archatec and Geared heads, and you happen here to have upgraded from the Sirui, so it caught my attention. I haven’t had these non ball heads in hand so I’m relying on videos such as your’s. Benro, Manfrotto and K&F Concepts are quite popular options for geared heads for those that do architectural or Real Estate photography and I can see why. But this Architec appears better made than the aforementioned and looks like it would provide more substantial results for those seeking this type of head. Looks like made in the U.S. too, whereas the others are overseas and significantly less expensive for the most part (Manfrotto can get up there but I keep reading how their quality had dropped off). Thanks for doing this. With the $ I spent recently on some decent ball heads like the Sirui, I could have had one of these for at least one of my tripods and had a high end support system for landscape and wildlife photography days.
As a landscape astrophotographer, forget the ball head. Best pano head = Acratech. Best 2 ways head = Leofoto VH-20 or Sirui L-20S. Using them with leveling base and you are good to go anywhere.
I was getting really irritated with my ball head for all the reasons in your video. I have been thinking of buying the Acratech LLH for a few years, and finally purchased one last week. Can’t wait to get out there and enjoy the photography instead of battling with the ball head!
Thanks for the feedback! I am still very happy with mine and now spend more time on my composition instead of fumbling around with a ball head. I hope you enjoy yours!
Dear, sir, agreed in all your important points in regarding the practical use of an ball head in the field! Thank you, so very much for sharing! Best regards from Sweden!
Thank you for the feedback.
Experienced the same issues with ballheads- really like the novoflex magic ball 50 for shorter focal lengths- for longer lenses the leofoto G20 with a long arca plae or the Wimberly WH2 gimbal head gets everything perfectly balanced - problem solved!
Looks great, but mainly in conjunction with the levelling base. Without the base, your back to fiddling around with the legs to level the camera - which is where ball heads allow for a much faster setup and adjustment. That said... I'm thinking the setup you've now got is one that would improve my life too. Thanks for the video.
@luzr6613, thanks for taking the time to comment. No doubt, with the leveling base it makes a great system. However, using your ball head to level doesn't work well for a panorama...you need to level the base with the legs in that case.
After using both setups, I find that the Acratech with leveling base is faster, easier, and more stable than with a ball head.....and using a long lens increases it's advantage.
@@johnrobertsonphotography I use a LeoPhoto 2-way head + levelling base and it works just the same as the AcraTech Long Lens Head + Levelling base does.
It's fast and efficient. I like it a lot.
@@TimvanderLeeuw I saw the Leofoto version, I think it is VH-30R. It wasn't available in the US when I bought the Acratech. I like Leofoto products, in fact I use their ranger series tripod with the built in leveling base. It is a fantastic setup.
Did you also change over from a standard ball head setup? I think anyone that tries the 2 way with leveling base will never go back to a ball head.
John
@@johnrobertsonphotography It's the VH-30R indeed which I have.
And yes before that I did use a standard ballhead, but I find this much easier to use, just like you.
(I got this recommendation of Thomas Heaton btw from one of his TH-cam videos).
I'm now temporarily back to the standard ballhead on the tripod since I put the 2-way head on my new monopod but plan to get a simpler and cheap 2-way monopod head for that in the near future so that I can put the Leofoto 2-way head back on the tripod!
My other tripod has a Benro geared head to replace its original ballhead and that works well too, mostly for use at home though more than for in the landscape.
And the geared head doesn't really work well for panoramas without putting a levelling base beneath it.
@@TimvanderLeeuw I understand, I occasionally use a monopod with a Wimberley monogimbal I think it is. I'm just happy to finally get rid of the ball head from my tripod!
I just bought this 3 weeks ago. I'll be honest the first 2 weeks I was having my doubts...I was just so used to a standard ball head. But it was like a light went off and I really appreciate this beautiful piece of machinery from Acratech. And yes I also bought a new tripod...the iFootage Gazelle TC7 which has the leveling bowl. This too was an adjustment to learn but once you do I don't see me ever going back to any other setup.
Thats another great combination. I enjoy my Acratech more each time I use it.
Excellent video, my friend! Love the close-up detailed views. I'm considering buying one. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful. I’m still learning how to shoot these videos!
@@johnrobertsonphotography me too! 😀
Thank you for the video. I have been using a Gitzo ballhead for many years. I love to make panoramas and my tripod is fine for that but like you said , the ballhead is fiddly. After watching your video I just vent ahead and ordered Acratech LLH on ebay. Now I just need to wait a little bit for it to arrive to Iceland where I live.
and how do you like that Acratech LLH?
@@gosman949 I love it :-). Its a lovely combination the Gitzo 1227 LVL ( has a built in leveling center column) and this head. Perfect for panorama´s.
@@Aki-f5v the Gitzo must be discontinued. Don't see it on BH Photo site.
What’s the max angle of tilt? Trying to use it for astrophotography.
I don’t have exact measurement but I have used it for Astro. I can measure later.
Nearly 90 degrees each way from level. So, nearly straight up and straight down. I will include video of it in my next video release
Hey its my setup! Leofoto LS-284CEX + Acratech Panoramic is god blessed combo.
@opezdol. It's a great combo, too bad I spent money on other gear before finding this combo! I'm surprised more people haven't discovered this.
My exact setup too, perfect legs and head. Wish the Acratech came with a clamp and even contacted them for producing one but didn't get anywhere. Nevertheless, it's near perfect as it is!
Except that it's redundant. If weight matters, just put a rotating pan atop the Leofoto leveling base and be done with it. You don't need the Acratech, it adds nothing but weight
@@johnrobertsonphotography - You have it wrong.
Thanks for your feedback. It seems we have different results with the setup, as it often the case in photography.
Nice video! Not sure I can do away with my ball head even with the cons. For one of my lenses (Sigma 100-400) I have to flop my camera 90 degrees with the ball head as the 3rd party tripod collar won’t let me rotate the lens.
Thanks Jeffrey! This is honestly the way to go, I’ll never use a bobble head again. The leveling base seals the deal. I’ve been using mine several weeks now, so much easier and less disruption when composing. You’ll have to check it out in October.
@@johnrobertsonphotography Yeah - I’ll definitely check it out!
Hi John, using the same Sirui Head as yours, i am really desappointed when tilting up the camera with a 70 180 lens, the camera moves a little bit down ! Do you have the same problems with the Acratech ?
The "sag" that you are describing was one of the reasons I disliked ball heads so much. The acratech LLH does not suffer this problem. I often use a 100-400 and it does not sag. I think I included this in the video around the 3:00 minute mark, perhaps I didn't discuss it clear enough. In fact, I think this was one of the major design goals from acratech - prevent sag when using a longer, heaver lens. It honestly works great for me, and has solved this problem and others. Thanks for watching and commenting!!
@@johnrobertsonphotographyYou made that point quite clear sir. I too have the same Sirui KX series ball head (KX-30). For a ball head it’s very good compared to others and I was thrilled to use it as it’s quite heavy duty. But it suffer from ‘sag’ or ‘creep’ where the lens sags or creeps downwards when the head is completely tightened up. Normally a bigger ball head helps solve the issue, but it never completely goes away (at least for me). When I stumbled on your video I was looking at the Archatec and Geared heads, and you happen here to have upgraded from the Sirui, so it caught my attention. I haven’t had these non ball heads in hand so I’m relying on videos such as your’s. Benro, Manfrotto and K&F Concepts are quite popular options for geared heads for those that do architectural or Real Estate photography and I can see why. But this Architec appears better made than the aforementioned and looks like it would provide more substantial results for those seeking this type of head. Looks like made in the U.S. too, whereas the others are overseas and significantly less expensive for the most part (Manfrotto can get up there but I keep reading how their quality had dropped off).
Thanks for doing this. With the $ I spent recently on some decent ball heads like the Sirui, I could have had one of these for at least one of my tripods and had a high end support system for landscape and wildlife photography days.
That’s exactly my problem with same ball head sirui
As a landscape astrophotographer, forget the ball head. Best pano head = Acratech. Best 2 ways head = Leofoto VH-20 or Sirui L-20S. Using them with leveling base and you are good to go anywhere.
어디서구입하나요
Accratech Long Lens Head: www.acratech.net?aff=25
Williams Kimberly Robinson Kimberly Jones William