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Smith Victor BH8 Metal Alloy Ball Head with Quick Release Plate, 40 lb Capacity

Brand: Smith-Victor SV

4.5 7 ratings

Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.

Lock and drag controls
Head pan marked in 5 degree increments
Quick-release plate
Smith Victor One-year warranty
(Extra Quick Release Plates are available for the BH8 head, order part number 701259)

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ASIN

B002JXTZL6

Customer Reviews

4.5 7 ratings

4.5 out of 5 stars

Date First Available

October 6, 2011

Manufacturer

Smith-Victor

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4.5 out of 5

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xstarfirex08

Great Quality for Good Price

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2013

Verified Purchase

I needed to replace my old tripod head because it would not support my new heavier lenses, but I didn't have a few hundred to drop on a top of the line replacement. This ball head works perfectly. I have the Canon 100-400 L lens on my T2i and this head holds it rock steady when locked down. I love the dual knobs for tightening the ball down. It makes fine tuning the position much easier. The ball head is on the heavier side, but I don't mind the weight if it's going to work that well. I've been using for over a year now and it's just as good now as when I bought it.

My only gripe is the quick release plate is just large enough to cover my camera's battery door, so I have to remove it to change the battery each time. Overall, that's a very very minor gripe. The flathead screw holding it to the camera is easily turned using a car key, so battery changes only take 30 extra seconds over what they used to. Not enough of a bother to take a star away.

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Ronald

Great ballhead for the price

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2011

Verified Purchase

I realize that this is a budget ballhead, so I won't be too harsh.

Pros:

This thing will hold any weight you throw at it, I use it for my 5dmk2, and 70-200mm 2.8 and it holds no problem even when using the camera plate instead of the lens ring plate.

It feels really well built. I don't think I will ever have to replace it due to faulty components

Cons:

My number one con on this is that it will not work with the plates that come with the Capture camera carrying system. The unit is arca-swiss compatible, but the range the screw provides is very narrow, so it does not work with all Arca Swiss compatible plates.

Heavy. And I mean block of steel heavy.

It is not buttery smooth. I realize this is a cheap head, but I was hoping for smoother action.

One person found this helpful

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darock

It's really good so far...

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2011

Verified Purchase

I find this ballhead to be pretty good. I fail to see why some others cost so much and have the same quality. I saved a lot with this, and even if it does not last for three + years, I can just buy another one and still save a bunch.

2 people found this helpful

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Patrick A. Morgan

Great for the Money

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2010

Verified Purchase

Very nice ball head for the money! It holds my camera very steady and seems to be very well built. It isn't a $300 head but for the money, I would highly recommend it.

2 people found this helpful

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Richard K.

Very Nice Ball Head

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2010

My BH8 is perfectly mated to my Induro 8M AT213 tripod and supports a Canon 60D with a 18-135 lens.

Tightening the locking screws with normal force clamps the ball and camera rigidly, even tilted over in the challenging cantilever portrait orientation that creates the greatest twisting moment of force. When I moderately slapped the camera or tripod or pulled on the lens in the portrait position, the camera did not budge, the BH8 demonstrating the mighty grip provided by its 40 lb load rating. This is exactly the kind of overkill I had been looking for and why I spent a few dollars more over the BH5.

Setting the smaller ball knob lightly snug provides drag to prevent surprises while loosening the larger main knob to free the ball. The instructions advise tightening both knobs as needed for ultimate rigidity. While the assembly does not pivot about completely smoothly unless further loosened, this is a non-issue for me as far as its intended purpose goes: gripping my camera securely in any position I place it. When looking through your camera and finalizing the tightening of the knobs to freeze the head, there is a tiny vertical drop of about 1 to 2 degrees if the knobs start from a loose grip, as the load of the camera shifts from your hands to the tripod and head. However, closing the smaller screw just loose enough to move the ball results in almost zero drop upon locking the screws, since the head is already bearing most, if not all of the load of the camera. This is neither a defect nor a problem, and only for the most precise of shots requires a few extra seconds of positional tweaking prior to clamping down, as would any ball head.

For horizontal articulation, clamp down the large and small ball knobs, loosen the panning knob, and you're rewarded with a very smooth, fluid action with perfect drag. Angular rotation markings provide a reference for panoramic shooting.

In my hands, the 1.6 lb unit with its robust knobs feels husky, indestructible, yet has nicely finished edges and handsome black exterior that give it a refined look. Other ball head manufacturers will look you right in the eye and ask upwards of $300 to provide virtually the same performance and aesthetics. At $59 including shipping, the Smith-Victor BH8 is absolutely a no-brainer, must-have component. Did I mention there are no annoying arms to poke you in the face or complicate folding up and putting away when attached to a tripod?

Get a BH8 and enjoy it for a long, long time.

5 people found this helpful

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Michael J

Great value in a massive ball headl

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2012

Yes, it's not an Arca-Swiss, but then it doesn't cost $500, either. Unless you're mounting a $4,000 camera with a similarly priced lens, this is a fantastic value in a very functional product. Once you figure out that the smaller side knob sets the tension, and the larger one locks the ball, it's very intuitive in use.

Mine is mounted on a beat-up set of Gitzo legs I found at a yard sale, and the combination is great for everything from DSLRs to my old 4x5 Graphic. In fact, it's almost overkill for most uses. For more typical portable use, SV's smaller BH5 and BH2 are excellent values, too. I have a BH2 that I like to use with my Micro 4/3rds cameras on a set of Cullman legs.

One person found this helpful

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Leonidych

A very good head with minor problems

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2011

This is a good, solid head that holds a heavy camera/lens combination well as stated, and is reasobaly priced. Minor issues: 1) The quick release plate must be attached with a coin or screwdriver (no handle). In addition, it takes a few seconds to slide the plate in place as it is positionaaed laterally as opposed to from top to bottom as implemented in many other heads (Manfrotto, Sunpack, Ravelli etc). 2) The panning piece has a graduation scale, but the numbers on the scale are from 0 to 90, then back to 0, then again to 90 and then to 0. It is sometimes confusing, I wish the numbers were from 0-90-180-270-360, but not a big deal. After I compared this ball head to several pistol grips, I actually favor Opteka TS-1 TacShot Pistol Grip Ball Head with Quick Release Plate for Tripods & Monopods (only $29 at Amazon) as it is quicker to orient, holds firmly at least a 6 Lb camera/lens in portrait orienation, has a better designed quick release plate, and panning is possible, although panning is more precise with Smith Victor BH8 head.

2 people found this helpful

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Smith Victor BH8 Metal Alloy Ball Head with Quick Release Plate, 40 lb Capacity

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Smith Victor BH8 Metal Alloy Ball Head with Quick Release Plate, 40 lb Capacity

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