Joby BH1 Ball Head with Bubble Level for Joby GP3 SLR-Zoom Gorillapods

Reviews of Joby BH1 Ball Head with Bubble Level for Joby GP3 SLR-Zoom Gorillapods

1.) Excellent ballhead for any tripod
Reviewed by: Chris A. De Jabet Lincoln, NE, United States
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This ballhead is made by Joby and marketed for Joby's line of Gorillapod tripods. I bought it for use with my Gorillapod SLR-Zoom, but this also works very well with other tripods. It is crafted out of metal and has a good bit of heft to it. Definitely doesn't have a cheap feel. Supports my 20D well. It is rated only for about 6 lbs. so watch how large of a lens you use with it.

2.) Does what it says!
Reviewed by: Lattitude 26 West Palm Beach, FL
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This product should be stock with the GP3 Zoom model. This completes the gorillapod and makes it much more flexible to use. I would also recommend it for other ballhead needs as the price point and quality make it very attractive. It performed well; placed on the ballhead and Gorillapod Zoom was my Canon 20D, battery grip, and 28-135 zoom lens with no problems.


3.) Perfect
Reviewed by: Sean Lancaster east grand rapids, mi United States
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i have a regular Boden tripod that i typically use, but when i went hiking i didn't want to carry my big tripod so i bought a Joby Zoom Gorillapod and this Ball Head. the Gorillapod is adequate, but this BH1 Ball Head really stands out. without this accessory, i would have been disappointed with the Gorillapod, but this is really well designed and implemented and it's very easy to use. i am quite pleased with this purchase.

4.) Excellent value for money
Reviewed by: L. Hui
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I use this regularly with the Joby GP3 Zoom Gorillapod. It is an excellent combo when you are on the go: lightweight, adaptable, and practical. The top part screws onto your camera (just use a small coin) and latches on and off the camera using a quick press of a button.

Note that you don't need to use this ballhead on an SLR camera. I use it both with my point & shoot as well as my SLR. With the point and shoot it is very useful for closeup shots and in low light. With the SLR it is useful when you don't want to lug along a regular tripod.

BTW The fluid level on it is very helpful.




5.) Great ball head
Reviewed by: David S. Mountain Home ID.
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This is a great ball head. It fits my other tripod as well as the Gorillapod I bought it for. Very well built. Great product.

6.) Great accessory
Reviewed by: Laura "photo gal" Missouri
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This is a great accessory for the gorillapod. Makes capturing your subject infinitely easier and faster.

7.) Little Gem
Reviewed by: BookWorm Ohio, USA
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Very compact with low center of gravity and "aerodynamic" - nothing big sticks out. Nice addition to my lightweight and sturdy INDURO A013 for nature trips - fits into the original caring bag with this head! Weighs with the plate only 146g (listed here as 10.9oz=309g???). Your fingers lock on the "Apollo module" shaped knob naturally, no need to squeeze them to get a good grip as with regular cylindrical knobs. Tried to shoot a soccer game with Pentax K-x and Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 on the lens mount - though a single knob control, the ball provided a comfortable drag for tilting/panning, as well as for locking in place. Saw no creeping. I wouldn't put this rig upside down or took the head with it on 2 weeks hike through a desert or mountains (the removable plate is plastic, so is the locking latch) but it is still adequate for day trips and perfect for medium(28-70mm f2.8) or smaller lenses. Panning scale is a nice bonus. Bubble level is clearly visible, no problems with battery compartment, just turn it away when attaching the plate :-) Returned with tears in my eyes...

I didn't have a chance to test the next in line Joby Ballhead X ($70 minus coupon from their website)and ended up with slightly bigger but very lightweight(197g)and sturdy Benro BR368 Aluminium Ballhead (with little effort it fits into the bag attached to the tripod). $48 from Amazon, see my review


8.) Great little ball head for spotting scope
Reviewed by: ASK CA USA
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I'm using this ball head to hold a spotting scope that I use at gun ranges. I drilled a hole in the bar of a Bessey clamp and then attached the ball head with a 1/4-20 screw. With the 90 degree tilt feature, I can attach the clamp to any horizontal or vertical surface.

9.) joby tripod head
Reviewed by: O.E.Chavez El Paso Tx
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A needed addition to joby tripod. Doesn't matter if you are a begginer or not , this is a helpful addition.

10.) camera ball connection
Reviewed by: Victor Fabian
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A great product especially if one uses a telephoto lens on tripod.
The spirit level is a very handy inclusion. I purchased additional camera plates for my other cameras so once they are fitted to a camera one can leave them there for good.
All plates are quick release types and they work like magic.

11.) Perfect match for the SLR-Zoom
Reviewed by: Jason CA
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Bought this to add on to my SLR-Zoom Gorillapod. SIMPLY AMAZING!! Superb build quality! Another home run from Joby!

12.) Tripod head
Reviewed by: Patricia M. Bruce Chicago, IL
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Very solid. The only problem with it is that the level which slides into the holder must be removed to change batteries. Somewhat a pain!

13.) Great ball head for ANY tripod!
Reviewed by: Scott San Francisco, CA United States
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I own a Velbon Carbon Fiber tripod and I instantly shaved a pound or more off that system by removing the large 3-way magnesium head and replacing it with this little gem. Ball heads are already popular tripod heads for their small size and easy maneuverability, but they typically cost a lot more than this Joby.

Pros:
- price point may seem high for small tripods but this is a bargain compared to name brand quality equipment used on large tripods by photo enthusiasts.
- Feature rich including the quick release plate and bubble-leveler.
- Works as advertised.

Cons:
- the coin screw attachment on the quick release plate is not easy to attach quickly unlike other systems.
- only rated for 6 lbs but this is reasonable for the price range.
- Even for cameras under the 6 lb rating, positioning will sag a bit after locking. This is a common problem for heads as high as $200, but the Joby sag is less than many more expensive heads.
- does not support panning since lock screw freezes all degrees of freedom. More expensive Ball heads normally come with a separate lock for the panning direction.


14.) Sturdy does what it says.
Reviewed by: Sam Dallas Tx
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Not much to say, its exactly what it claims which is all i can ask. I do like the larger knob to lock in position. the level is an added bonus. i bought it to use with the gorilla-pod.

15.) Works well for lightweight DSLR
Reviewed by: Adam W Cedar Rapids, IA
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I use this with my Pentax K-X and I have to say it does it's job pretty well. I like that the camera mount is so small that I can leave it on all the time and barely notice it's there. It seems to tighten down well enough to be sturdy; I've set it at odd angles and never had any slippage. I wouldn't recommend this with a heavy camera or a large lens of course.

16.) Joby BH1 ball head
Reviewed by: Livethedream France
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Useful when using the gorilla pod, quick release. The release is a little stiff. Level is useful when setting the gorilla pod for shooting.

17.) Too flimsy for the job
Reviewed by: Bill California
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This ball head was advertised to support SLR camera and lens up to 3 kg or 6.6 lb. Mine (Lumix GH1) weight less than much less than 3 lb; yet one could not use this device to aim anywhere without serious drooping after tightening the head. Furthermore, even more serious defect is that the 'adapter screw' (from 3/8" to 1/4") sags deeper and deeper into the body of the ball head after each mount to and dismount from the tripot. Eventually, it renders itself useless, as it is no longer possible to mount. I had to return it after a few days' struggling. I do not recommend this device to anyone.

Features of Joby BH1 Ball Head with Bubble Level for Joby GP3 SLR-Zoom Gorillapods

Built with the serious photographer in mind, the Joby Ballhead is lightweight and compact, yet still robust enough to support SLR cameras with zoom lenses. It further extends the functionality of the Gorillapod by allowing even more creative camera positions and an improved ability to capture great shots! Full 360-degree panning, and 90-degree tilt Position your camera at virtually any angle; get portrait or landscape shots with ease Adjustment knob easily locks the Ballhead into place, securing it tightly. The slim-line quick-release clip with bubble level stays connected to your camera and snaps into the Ballhead for nearly instant setup. The adapter screw allows the Ballhead to accommodate both 3/8" and 1/4" threads, allowing it to be used with virtually any tripod.

1.) Max weight load: 3kg (6.6 lbs);
2.) Material: Precision-machined aluminum housing, with all-metal ball;
3.) Slim-line clip: Universal ¼-inch camera screw, with additional 3/8-inch adapter;
4.) Size: 68 x 45 x 63mm (2.7 x 1.8 x 2.5");
5.) Weight: 310g (10.9oz);

Package Height x Length x Width: 2.9 in. x 2.9 in. x 2.6 in.
Package Weight: 0.35 lbs.

Accessories for Joby BH1 Ball Head with Bubble Level for Joby GP3 SLR-Zoom Gorillapods