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07/24/2012 07:57:20 AM · #1 |
So, in several other threads I have posted about getting a cheaper non-name ballhead for my own purposes. My goal was to find a rather inexpensive Arca-Swiss format ballhead.
Well, I finally took the plunge.
Here are my findings. All comparisons will be against the Acratech GV2, which is a great ballhead and costs, at this time, $329 more (GV2 cost is $369, Smith Victor BH5 is $49)
Here is the GV2, and here is the BH5.
Weight:
GV2:.99lbs (.45kg)
BH5:1.2lbs
Stated capacity:
GV2:25+
BH5:26
First and foremost, a decent ballhead's first priority is to lock in place. If it can't do that, there's no point in buying it. To this end, the BH5 does great. I have included pictures of both heads attached to my monopod, which is secured to my countertop. The load upon each head is a D300, an MBD10 battery grip with EN-EL4 battery, EN-EL3 battery in body, Acratech MB-DB10 custom plate, SB900, Cybersync reciever+ cable (this was only included for added weight), Sigma (Bigma) 50-500 + camera strap. The QR is purposefully faced to the ground to illustrate that the plate is being completely held by the clamping force. The ballhead is at a 90 degree angle, maximum force, to illustrate locking power. Both perform very well, as you can see, with zero difficulty locking off a relatively heavy load (the heaviest realistic setup I can test).
Beyond that, let's discuss ergonomics.
The GV2 has far less material than the BH5. As a consequence, the GV2 can be cleaned far easier. The other major difference outwardly is that the GV2 has a large rubber knurled knob, while the BH5 has a larger knob with small texture. In practice, I found the BH5's knob easier to twist and lock down. On the other hand, the tension adjustment on the GV2 was vastly superior, and stayed at tension through lens changes, while the BH5 required constant attention to ensure things were proper.
Both heads offer a detent pin, which is great, but this is a mixed blessing. The BH5 detent pin works great on the plates made by SV, which are very cheap, btw ($8.50 actually). While they are cheap, these plates, unlike various other manufacturers, are not shaped to lock onto the camera, grip, and/or lens. The lack of such tabs means you rely purely on tightness of the screw, which can be problematic (particularly in the case of hte ABR800, due to its plastic housing). One other interesting thing is that the SV can only accept the AS plates I have from Acratech by sliding them in from the side, not by placing them in from above. This means that the detent pin must be removed in order to use the plates I have, and my whole point for getting this head was to NOT have two plate systems (if you want to do this, you can remove the pin yourself very readily). This would be an issue if it weren't for the confidence inspiring locking power of the head itself, both onto the plate and to prevent head movement. As such, I'm okay with it after my testing and have yet to have any issues, but I am particularly diligent, knowing there is now no detent pin.
The other interesting quirk is that the QR knob can be a bit fiddly, because although the supplied SV plates work fine, as do typical AS plates from Acratech, the SV are slightly smaller and have a different lip on them. They lock perfectly well, but ALWAYS ensure they have locked properly or face certain disaster. This is the same thing that is true of checking the tensioner knob, which alters tightness periodically.
The SV BH5 does have a nice pan feature, and while it is in some ways damped better than the GV2, it is somewhat unpredictable. . It is very smooth, but the degree readings are somewhat difficult to read, particularly in comparison to the clearly marked and smoothly rotating GV2.
Final Verdict:
The BH5 is certainly worth the cost savings, and while it does have some quirks, it is still a very capable ballhead. If you are on a budget and desire a BH that locks very securely, consider this one. Though it weighs a great deal, it does also lock quite well. There is also a toned down version (BH2) that I have not seen or reviewed, but it might be promising, as well. Is the Acratech head better? Definitely. Is it $329 better? No, perhaps not, depending upon your needs. Because I have had the GV2 for several years now, and only just received the BH5, long term durability is impossible to say, but I will update with any repairs/problems. As of now, after nearly 12 miles of hiking in very inclement conditions, things are fine and working great. The GV2 has been exposed to heavy snow and rain and is still working exactly as well as when I bought it.
If you have any questions, please ask them. I posted the comparison because I was buying the BH5 as a head for my monopod in any case and did not need the same support. Hopefully, this will help people.
Photos of both- 
GV2 
Message edited by author 2013-03-29 05:34:31. |
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07/24/2012 09:06:47 AM · #2 |
- reposted tri-pod deal in another thread.
Message edited by author 2012-07-24 10:30:36. |
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