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RRS ballhead; woobly main lock T-lever

KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
edited June 2013 in Other Manufacturers
I am using the BH-40 ballhead and have a question;

The main lock T-lever, i.e. the big tightening knob for the ballhead is working just fine. However, even when tightened, it is a bit wobbly, and I would like to know if others are experiencing the same, or if my ballhead is a bit "off"?
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    Can you take a video of what you mean about "bit wobbly?" I do not have this happening at all on my BH-40.
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
    I don't really have a place to upload a video, but if you say yours is totally "solid" when tightened I'll talk to RRS...

    Mine works fine, but the knob itself can still be jiggled and is wobbly, even ig tightened and the ballhead is totally tight.
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    You can upload video's to Flickr. ;)
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • haroldpharoldp Posts: 984Member
    RRS stuff should not 'wobble'.
    D810, D3x, 14-24/2.8, 50/1.4D, 24-70/2.8, 24-120/4 VR, 70-200/2.8 VR1, 80-400 G, 200-400/4 VR1, 400/2.8 ED VR G, 105/2 DC, 17-55/2.8.
    Nikon N90s, F100, F, lots of Leica M digital and film stuff.

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  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    @Killerbob, youtube has been around since 2005
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  • KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
    You are all right, I am using Flickr, just didn't know I could do video there as well...

    Anyways, here is a small video, where it is very evident at the end:

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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @Killerbob
    The "wobble" appears fully as intended. This allows easy positioning of the lever out of one's way. All the ball-heads I have with a lever such as this are like this.
    Msmoto, mod
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  • JJ_SOJJ_SO Posts: 1,158Member
    edited June 2013
    Msmoto already explained one reason for the wobble. The other is the "limiter" screw on the other side, which allows to adjust the pressure of the "released" ball so the camera won't fall down if the lever is fully open. This limiter sometimes works the way to press a packet of springs against the ball. And the main screw does also have to work against that pressure. Even a ball-head like a Gitzo GH3780 has that play although it's never in the way like a lever. And all levers with such a star- or crown-clutch for turning them into the best angle for use do have this kind play, that's okay.

    Just enjoy the obviously smooth movement of the ball :)
    Post edited by JJ_SO on
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  • JJ_SOJJ_SO Posts: 1,158Member
    edited June 2013
    double post - and all the edits are gone. Thank you so much, forum-software.
    Post edited by JJ_SO on
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    @Killerbob: Ok now I have a better understanding of what you mean. I, too, have that type of play in my BH-40 head. To be honest I have never even noticed it till now. I do not believe to be a defect but I will call RRS tomorrow and find out.

    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    @killerbob - When you talk to RRS don't call it 'wobble' or the next sound you hear will be any credibility you have flying out of the window. The correct term for it is backlash in the locking knob.

    Using the correct terminology makes the need for multiple postings and a video superfluous.

    Always learning.
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  • KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
    OK, I guess it is acceptable with an amount of play/backlash in the T-knob. It just feels a bit wrong as I am certainly using that knob to fine-adjust the tension on the ballhead.

    Thanks for all the feedback and language lessons:)
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    edited June 2013
    Talked to RRS and they informed me that the little "play" is perfectly normal.
    Post edited by Golf007sd on
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • SymphoticSymphotic Posts: 711Member
    edited June 2013
    I've pretty much gone 100% RRS, even to the point of filing down my manfrotto plates to fit the RRS clamps on the few bits of gear that still use them. RRS is about to take a garnishment on my paycheck!
    Post edited by Symphotic on
    Jack Roberts
    "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought"--Albert Szent-Gyorgy
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  • KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
    From getting a new ballhead, a mount for my monopod, the L-plate for my D800, and a plate for my BlackRapid, I am now awaiting a shipment with an all-new tripod, monopod, flash bracket, various plates, tool, and a new collar for my 80-400mm.

    RRS is great, but Symphotic and Msmoto are right; I might as well have signed over a paycheck to them...
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    In the long run, you will see the path you have taken is, IMHO, a good investment in your photography gear.
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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