Really Right Stuff — Local services in Lehi

I bought a BH40 ball head used while trying to talk myself into buying their BH55. It seemed like a good deal at $200.00 so even though it wasn't quite what I wanted. I asked my friend why he was selling it, he replied: "I just really don't like it". I bought it anyway. Well the lever to tighten the ball head is too long and runs into my Really Right Stuff L bracket, I guess if you have a regular plate this isn't a problem.

I contacted RRS to see if they had a shorter lever or knob to replace the lever that was too long, the answer was no. I asked them to grind down the lever, the answer was no. Then the lever stripped out and quit working all together. I was in Italy at the time and found I could use the tension knob to loosen and tighten the ball head, so all was not lost.

Upon my return from Italy's photo tour I was leading, I sent my head to RRS for a repair, they wouldn't allow me to pre-approve the cost and give them a credit card number, and they couldn't get me a fix estimate before my next photo tour so I had them send it back unfixed.

I removed the lever and it works OK, although I wish I had a large knob for the tensioner as is the one on the BH55. Don't buy this ball head.

I found this product to not be good, nor was the customer service while I was trying to fix the problem. Since they are based in my home town I'm saddened that they...

A couple of years ago I posted a very favorable review. But things seem to have REALLY gone down hill at RRS. It has been 3 months that I have been emailing the B2B guy and he has never once responded. Ian in customer service responds quickly, but has to pass me on to whoever is never there. I have even stopped in to talk with him. I'm starting to think "he" doesn't even work there anymore and RRS has no clue. RRS makes some premium products, and they charge the highest prices in the industry. With the service they have going on these days, I don't see how they can stay competetive, let alone stay in business. After 3 months, I went with Gitzo. They also make premium products and they treated me like a valued customer. I doubt RRS will care. They didn't care to return emails or calss or show up to work... That said, I have quite a few RRS peices and components. Paid way to much, but the quality is great. Here is what I said a couple of years ago "I now have the best part of the bipod connected to the outstanding RRS adapter and Arca clamp." Now I have a lot more than that. Just not a company I can...

For the past few years I've used a Really Right Stuff ballhead (with quick release lever) with a Gitzo Explorer tripod with both my Canon 5D Mark II and Mark III cameras along with their L-plates especially designed for those model cameras. They would probably work pretty flawlessly if I wasn't so hard on them (they told me I don't need to tighten the knobs as tight as I do), so that's my fault, not theirs. I'm glad I live near them, because I go there directly whenever I have questions or problems. Even if I didn't live nearby their website is great for information and their telephone customer service is excellent as well. One thing I wish they would do is rent out equipment, because I can't afford or justify the cost for some of the specialty products I wouldn't use often enough to justify their high cost. For the products I use regularly they are worth every penny as they save me a lot of time in the field, which also translates to less time on my computer (I'm a professional...