jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

Does anyone have any experience with the Acratech GPs Ballhead with Gimbal Feature or with Acratech products in general? I am thinking of buying this head but would appreciate some feedback. It is suppose to be a 25 pound head which is more than double anything I currently own. I shoot mostly landscape type shots. thank you for your feedback.
Jim

TimS Loc: GA

They make very robust and high quality equipment. I purchased a used GPs from KEH but had to return it because of the "wife factor." The time I spent with it, I really enjoyed it though.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I have it. It is a super head, light and strong. It sits higher than others, knob tightening, easy to clean. But.. it has a funky locking mechanism on the quick release. it a snapping moveable, locking and articulating quick release mechanism. It failed on me and my camera/lens ($5,000!!!) tumbled into the water. Sent the head back to Acratech. They replaced the mechanism and apologized. No idea why it failed. Acratech did not tell me why either. Could have been wear or likely manufactured out of specification.

I now use a head from really right stuff - RRS. I miss the knob tightening on the GPs but the RRS has a robust, stainless steel locking large arm quick release. The have recently redesigned their heads and some are lighter.

The Acratech was $429 the RRS is $390. Your choice. I just had a bad experience and it has shaken my confidence.

Jimi.Photo Loc: Staten Island, NY

I've been using one and love it. Weighs much less than my Arca Swiss ball head with RRS clamp. I like the quick release on the Acratech, it has a locking mechanism that I feel a bit more secure using than the RRS clamp. As an aside, I tether my camera to my tripod so if something fails, it's not a major disaster. Acratech on occasion sells a blemished unit on eBay for much less than new.

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

Thanks for the input. It is much appreciated.

srfotog Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

I have the Acratech you are asking about and it works just fine. I haven't had any problems with the quick release plate and I have used it with my D7000 and the Tamron 150-600mm lens for Nikon. It held quite nicely.

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

Thank you.

reader Loc: Los Angeles

I am looking at the Acratech GP, the RRS B-55 and the Arca-Swiss Monoball Z-1

Does anyone that uses the Acratech since 2014 when this post was last active have any updates? Thank you

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I love the design of Acratech but that locking mechanism is not reliable. I had my D800 and Nikon 24-70 take a swim in the pacific. That hurt, I have since relied on the RRS BH 40 with quick release, and never had a messup or even a close call.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Been using the GP-S head since 2009 with no issues. Largest lens I've used on it was a 135-400mm (with an 1.4 adaptor, a 1120mm equiv.) with my old E-5. It's really my only carryover from my DSLR days. It's rock solid.