Acratech ballheads are built like tank and lasts forever. The only time you need to change this is when you are fed up of looking at it 😀 I have been using GP-II ballhead for last 10 years and it is still going strong. Thank you David for sharing your thoughts.
It is such a brilliant review, detailed and straight to the point, no fluff, got covered a lot of nuances of real world usage scenarios. It was a delight to watch, thanks David! Now I consider this ballhead, it is a beautiful and smart piece of engineering. BTW, I always though it was Arcatech (like Arca-Swiss), not Acratech, ha-ha.
Interesting video clip on what looks like a terrific Acratech GXP ball head. I like the way you speak at a nice pace, but you come through loud and clear. Your demonstration is very well done, as you go through the benefits of the Acratech ball head. It looks like one I'd like to have on one of my tripods. Well done! Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate the different ways to use this fine "ball head". Bravo!
Of course you can also get the RRS Lever-Release Panning Clamp either with the BH-55 or standalone for use with another ball head and do the same thing.
Hi David. Great review and excellent explanation of the features of the GXP. I have the Acratech Ultimate and love it over some other ballheads I have. After seeing your video, I am thinking about getting the GXP for the pano feature and the free movement of the bullhead vs. what I have.
I'm fairly tired of my current bullhead rolling over with my 200-600mm lens on it and slowly creeping after I've locked it down with my standard lenses. I hadn't considered the GXP until tonight so I'm glad I found your review. The GXP is now on my my wish list at B&H and I'll be taking it with me to Alaska next month!
So it looks like the Nomad would be a better choice if your tripod legs has a levering base and the GXP if you don't have a levering base. Thank you for this review.
David, how has the gimbal feature worked for you? I’m in the market for a new tripod and head, but would prefer to avoid spending money on both a ball and a gimbal. I’d be primarily using my Nikon 200-500 with the gimbal setting. Thanks!
Hi David, I just got the GXP today and I have an issue, on the bottom where the whole head rotates when that knob is loosen I noticed that the whole head will move or wobble when I the ball tension a but snug and only until I tighten the rotation knob tight it's much better and won't move have you noticed that? If you would put your longer lens on the GXP head and loosed the rotating knob and move the camera & lens up and down and do you see the whole GXP move and not until that rotation knob is tight does then it won't flex or move s bit? It's like on mine the 360 rotation plate is very sloppy or just not that well made and this is the first time on $500 ball head seen this issue and thinking do others GXP do this or the 2 I got today? Thanks David nice video!
When I loosen the knob that controls rotation or panning, there should be some movement. Depending on how loose the knob is will mean more or less movement. Some is natural in any ballhead. I have used my longer lens, 150-600mm, on it and not had any issue. You may want to contact the folks at Acratech to see if yours has too much movement.
The problem with the inverted design is that you have to shoot your pano with the camera perfectly level. Any tilt up or down and the design fails. Maybe I'm the exception but I don't know that I ever shoot panos with the camera aimed perfectly level, making a leveling base the far better solution.
A leveling base is better, but you can make the tilt adjustment using a tripod leg in some cases. With one leg forward, I have lowered the leg and adjusted the angle. I do agree though for someone doing a lot of panoramic images their panoramic head and leveling base is better.
Thanks for the review, David! I currently have the GP and the Acratech leveling base, thinking about selling those in favor of this as finally the bubble level is in a spot that you can easily see when in pano mode. Having used this for a bit now, any additional comments? I'm thinking of always having it in the pano setup (I do landscapes almost exclusively), have you noticed anything that might deter me from doing that (I had some concerns with things staying tight since the 'locking' nature of the plate to the ballhead in its usual orientation isn't available in that mode)? Thanks!
I haven't noticed anything that would deter using it like that, but I have only used in pano mode for pianos. I am completely happy and satisfied with the head! It is the only head I have used in negative temps without an issue.
Not at all. I shoot Sony as well as Nikon. The system is lighter, but the conditions that you might shoot in would dictate a heavier duty ballhead like the GXP. I do night skies, and time lapse, the head stays locked in tight so I don't worry about movement over time. The pano feature of the head is awesome for any camera too.
@@alansarpy thank you! The sad thing is now I have a bunch of heads gathering dust while this one gets to travel all over the place! I will be in some extreme cold in a few weeks and can't wait to test it there!
Wants to do a pano shot in the field, oh dam dropped a screw, shit light is going, ahhh lost the shot. Seems like a great idea but a lot of fluffy about to change it out.
Acratech ballheads are built like tank and lasts forever. The only time you need to change this is when you are fed up of looking at it 😀 I have been using GP-II ballhead for last 10 years and it is still going strong.
Thank you David for sharing your thoughts.
It is such a brilliant review, detailed and straight to the point, no fluff, got covered a lot of nuances of real world usage scenarios. It was a delight to watch, thanks David! Now I consider this ballhead, it is a beautiful and smart piece of engineering. BTW, I always though it was Arcatech (like Arca-Swiss), not Acratech, ha-ha.
Thank you! I never though of Arcatech!
I just bought it. Thanks for all the good advice. Hugs
Interesting video clip on what looks like a terrific Acratech GXP ball head. I like the way you speak at a nice pace, but you come through loud and clear. Your demonstration is very well done, as you go through the benefits of the Acratech ball head. It looks like one I'd like to have on one of my tripods. Well done! Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate the different ways to use this fine "ball head". Bravo!
Thanks for the kind words.
i was debating this vs the BH-55 and the feature that converts the GXP into essentially an Arca-Swiss P0 is a nice surprise.
Of course you can also get the RRS Lever-Release Panning Clamp either with the BH-55 or standalone for use with another ball head and do the same thing.
Hi David. Great review and excellent explanation of the features of the GXP. I have the Acratech Ultimate and love it over some other ballheads I have. After seeing your video, I am thinking about getting the GXP for the pano feature and the free movement of the bullhead vs. what I have.
Great video and demonstration!
Thank you!
50 lbs. rated David. Great video. Placed my GXP order this evening.
You are correct! The initial figure I heard was 25 lbs, the information wasn't available on the website at the time I did the video. That is awesome!
Thanks David, this video was a big help
Thank you!
I'm fairly tired of my current bullhead rolling over with my 200-600mm lens on it and slowly creeping after I've locked it down with my standard lenses. I hadn't considered the GXP until tonight so I'm glad I found your review. The GXP is now on my my wish list at B&H and I'll be taking it with me to Alaska next month!
Mine is going to Alaska with me next month as well!
What would be the down side of just leaving it in "Panorama" mode/upside down?
As a ballhead it is much quicker, for single images
@@davidakoubian3025 SUBSCRIBED!
It’s even better rated for 50 lbs👍
So it looks like the Nomad would be a better choice if your tripod legs has a levering base and the GXP if you don't have a levering base. Thank you for this review.
Either one with a leveling base, without one definitely the GXP
David, how has the gimbal feature worked for you? I’m in the market for a new tripod and head, but would prefer to avoid spending money on both a ball and a gimbal. I’d be primarily using my Nikon 200-500 with the gimbal setting.
Thanks!
It has worked well, more of a "side arm" but it does well.
David Akoubian, thanks for the reply! 👍🏼
Hi David, I just got the GXP today and I have an issue, on the bottom where the whole head rotates when that knob is loosen I noticed that the whole head will move or wobble when I the ball tension a but snug and only until I tighten the rotation knob tight it's much better and won't move have you noticed that? If you would put your longer lens on the GXP head and loosed the rotating knob and move the camera & lens up and down and do you see the whole GXP move and not until that rotation knob is tight does then it won't flex or move s bit? It's like on mine the 360 rotation plate is very sloppy or just not that well made and this is the first time on $500 ball head seen this issue and thinking do others GXP do this or the 2 I got today? Thanks David nice video!
When I loosen the knob that controls rotation or panning, there should be some movement. Depending on how loose the knob is will mean more or less movement. Some is natural in any ballhead. I have used my longer lens, 150-600mm, on it and not had any issue. You may want to contact the folks at Acratech to see if yours has too much movement.
The problem with the inverted design is that you have to shoot your pano with the camera perfectly level. Any tilt up or down and the design fails. Maybe I'm the exception but I don't know that I ever shoot panos with the camera aimed perfectly level, making a leveling base the far better solution.
A leveling base is better, but you can make the tilt adjustment using a tripod leg in some cases. With one leg forward, I have lowered the leg and adjusted the angle. I do agree though for someone doing a lot of panoramic images their panoramic head and leveling base is better.
Thanks for the review, David! I currently have the GP and the Acratech leveling base, thinking about selling those in favor of this as finally the bubble level is in a spot that you can easily see when in pano mode. Having used this for a bit now, any additional comments? I'm thinking of always having it in the pano setup (I do landscapes almost exclusively), have you noticed anything that might deter me from doing that (I had some concerns with things staying tight since the 'locking' nature of the plate to the ballhead in its usual orientation isn't available in that mode)? Thanks!
I haven't noticed anything that would deter using it like that, but I have only used in pano mode for pianos. I am completely happy and satisfied with the head! It is the only head I have used in negative temps without an issue.
Thanks for the quick response!
Do you feel the GXP
Is over kill for a Sony mirrorless system ?
Not at all. I shoot Sony as well as Nikon. The system is lighter, but the conditions that you might shoot in would dictate a heavier duty ballhead like the GXP. I do night skies, and time lapse, the head stays locked in tight so I don't worry about movement over time. The pano feature of the head is awesome for any camera too.
Thank you I just started shooting panos and lots of landscape ... ! Thank you for the thorough review .. best I’ve seen
@@alansarpy thank you! The sad thing is now I have a bunch of heads gathering dust while this one gets to travel all over the place! I will be in some extreme cold in a few weeks and can't wait to test it there!
WOW David, I'm ready to trade in what I have!!!!!
It is a really great ballhead!
What tripod was it?
Sirui SR 3204
Man, inverting that in the field will be a pain in the arse; who the hell is going to do that? I'll stick to the levelling base thanks.
I do it all the time.
@@davidakoubian3025 You have far more patience than me then. A levelling base is far quicker.
@@Mrbluesplayer43 LOL, I just enjoy simple, compact and light.
Wants to do a pano shot in the field, oh dam dropped a screw, shit light is going, ahhh lost the shot. Seems like a great idea but a lot of fluffy about to change it out.
Lots of stuff can always go wrong with anything. That's why you practice.