It works every time. Easy operation. Not cheap, but good value for money.

None.

The BH-3 has it where it counts: solid build quality, smooth operation, and reliability. I also have an Arca-Swiss B1, and that is a wonderful head, holding a heavier load than the BH-3. But, the B1 has locked up on me a few times. This has never happened with the Kirk head. While the BH-3 is quite as finely finished as the Arca, I find myself reaching for the BH-3 most of the time because I know it will always work. Highly recommended.

Customer Service

Not ever needed.

Similar Products Used:

Arca B1 Bogen 3055

Load capacity, friction control, pan base. Cheaper than an Arca Swiss B1.

3 week back-order.

An excellent ballhead. Holds heavy loads at any angle, adjustable friction control, pan base. Ball does not move while locking down, or while locked. This has become my most used ballhead, everything about it is top notch.

Customer Service

Excellent, very nice to deal with.

Similar Products Used:

Acratech Ultimate.

Very well made and it works! It makes my shooting easier. Good sized, easy to use knobs.

None

Yup, it cost some bucks, but just buy it and don't worry. I do a lot of macro work and find myself and my tripod with the Kirk head in some unbelievable positions. It is really flexible in terms of what it does and it just flat works well. I have had zero problems with it. I bought this head at the urging of a professional photographer friend, and he knew me well enough to know that I wouldn't be satisified with anything less.

Smoothness, Weight, Smoothness, Made in the USA, Build Quality (obviously from being made in America), and did I mention smoothness.

Hmmm, can't think of anything.

Wow! After fighting with various pan & tilts, and a Giotto head, I have finally found the light. This ballhead opereates ultra smooth and is built very solid. All of the knobs are well-sized and work effectively. It doesn't require a lot of pressure to lock the head or panning motion in place. Although this ballhead costs a good chunk of dough, it is SO well worth it, especially considering how much use tripod heads usually get.

Customer Service

Excellent! I made a few special requests and they MORE than accomodated me.

Similar Products Used:

Slik Pan & Tilts, Giotto 1001 (Junk)

Light weight 3 control knobs - well positioned

Use for lenses less than 300/2.8. The arca can handle larger lenses.

I have really enjoyed using the Kirk BH-3 ballhead. It is relatively light and easy to carry. The ball head is precision crafted and very smooth. The three control knobs are well positioned and worked well. I have never used the Arca-Swiss side by side but i did try the Arca in a store and the ball head did tend to get jammed whereas I have never had this problem with the Kirk.

Customer Service

Outstanding, helpful

Similar Products Used:

Velbon pan head

Compact, light weight, smooth and sturdy

The frition control could use more fine tuning, or a clicking feature.

The new BH-3 ballhead is very compact yet smooth and sturdy. Lighter and smaller than the BH-1 and Acra Swiss B-1, but can hold up to medium format cameras. I like the separate frition control (instead of inside the main knob) to avoid the potential lockup problem like the B-1. The friction control is easy to use, though it would be nice to have the clicking feature of the Bogen 3435 head. The main knob is smooth, and you can tighten the ball without using too much force. I bought this head to use with RRS plates for my upcoming Contax 645 system.

Customer Service

Internet ordering is easy.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen and Gitzo

Everything.

None.

This is an execellent ball head. It locks up tight and moves smoothly. I don''''t know why the previous buyer of this ballhead rated it bad. I am sure if the customer wanted, they would have repaired it or replaced it free of charge if he requested it. The people at Kirk Enterprises went out on a limb to help me in a bind for a photoshoot that I had to go to. I just don''''t think he gave them a chance. This is a very high quality ballhead. It is a little expensive but not quite as expensive as a Arca Swiss ballhead. That is an overpriced ballhead!!

Customer Service

Excellent.

Similar Products Used:

Bogen.

Good capacity, I guess. Doesn''t creep.

Not smooth (mine had a very loose spot in the head''s travel!); tension could not be consistently and properly adjusted, no progressive tensioning of head.

This head is way overpriced. The sample I received was anything but smooth in operation, and the tension was all but impossible to properly adjust. Actually, it was impossible. I returned it the next day. Not even close to the Arca Swiss B-1. In fact, this head, save for the Arca-style quick release system, was barely better than my Manfrotto 308RC head. I''m getting the Arca-Swiss for smoothness, reliable and repeatable tension, and progressive tensioning.

Customer Service

Good. Kirk refunded my money within a week.

Similar Products Used:

Arca-Swiss B1; Bogen/Manfrotto 308RC

Most everything!

Other than over-priced QR plates, no weaknesses yet.

Excellent quality! I have now used it in freezing temperatures (down to -15 deg F), snow, and rain. Never a problem. It also gets banged around, I don''''t baby equipment and am very klutzy. Again, nothing seems to bother it. Silky smooth operation, accurate no-slip locking, controls easy to use even with gloves. Holds a Pentax 67 easily. Well worth the price. It''''s an Arca-Swiss without the constant QC problems.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Various heads from Bogen and Gitzo.

Perfect stability, no creep. Smooth.

None, not even price...yes, they are expensive, but buying junky stuff only creats hastles.

Amazing!! I have been using the bogen 468RC ball head and had to switch back to my pan tilt. There was so much movement between the QR plate and camera I could not position anything. The Kirk is amazingly smooth even at a tighter tension. It just feels so good. With the specific QR plates from Kirk to match my camera, there is NO creep or movement between the camera tripod. My battery grip slightly moves if I look really closely, but I can line up closeups perfectly. Arca clamp is so much better too...ther is no snap and bang when I put the camera on and it is always locked in place...unlike bogen where it can pop out.

Customer Service

not used yet

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 468RC...bad news!!