Acractech GP Ballhead

OK, product spotlight time. I haven’t done one of these in a while, but it’s been a while since I stumbled across something cool like this. So, from the school of thought that goes “Hey! The top camera tripods cost me like 400 bucks, I need a ball head that rivals that.” So, here’s the Acratech GP, a nice $390 or so ballhead, but this one i think earns every single dollar they’re asking for it.

First, there’s the “mundanity”, which says the sucker can hold 25 pounds “at any angle”– remember that, we’re coming back to it in a moment. It weighs less than a pound, and takes Krik/Arca style plates. All very cool, but maybe not open-my-wallet-shell-out-390 cool.

Except, see how the degree scales are printed right side up and upside down as well? I wandered about that when I first saw it. Turns out, you can take the quick release off and mount the head upside down as well, giving you a nice panning, level head. Perfect for putting macro rails on. Flip it around the other way and you’ve got a ball head, but weight, with gimbal action. That’s right. It’s a ball head, it’s a pan head, it’s a gimbal. That’s pretty A-OK with me. Saves space inthe luggage, that’s for sure.

I don’t think we have these in yet, but that just means they’re coming. Me, I’d say if you want a ballhead worthy of a product highlight from me, I’d go with. How’s that for faux arrogance, eh?

About Derek

Our resident web guru, Derek graduated from Ball State with a BFA in Visual Communications. When not in the office slaying CSS dragons, jousting social media windmills, or working on the blog, he's also a fine artist, working in oil paints and photography. Derek Martin+