Really Right Stuff BH-30 PRO: compact ball head with B2-mAS screw clamp

Really Right Stuff BH-30 PRO ball head, compact, precise, amazingly robust

Sometimes it just takes a tiny component in your setup to make your camera suddenly feel as if it were mounted on rails. The Really Right Stuff BH-30 PRO is exactly that kind of part: a compact ball head with B2-mAS screw clamp that packs an astonishing amount of control and stability into a very handy format. Ideal when you’re traveling light but don’t want to make any compromises on stability.

RRS explicitly recommends the BH-30 PRO for the popular Gitzo Traveler tripods, and in terms of size it’s a perfect match for lightweight travel tripods. Despite that, its 30 mm hollow ball confidently supports cameras up to about 6.8 kg. For mirrorless setups with telephoto, macro rail, or L-bracket, that’s more than sufficient—nothing wobbles, even when the wind picks up a bit.

Precise control thanks to 30 mm hollow ball and grippy main knob

At the center of the BH-30 PRO is a 30 mm hollow ball that allows very fine, silky-smooth adjustments. You can precisely control the ball movement with the large, easy-to-grip main locking knob. You can loosen the camera easily, align it cleanly, and then lock it rock solid again with a short twist.

This sensitive handling really pays off in macro photography, where you’re making corrections millimeter by millimeter. And in travel photography, when things sometimes have to move quickly, it’s nice not to have to fiddle around: you simply loosen the camera briefly, realign it, and tighten it again. It seems inconspicuous, but in everyday use it’s a real gain in comfort.

B2-mAS screw clamp, secure quick-release coupling for everyday use

On top sits the B2-mAS quick-release clamp with screw locking and grippy knurling. This medium-sized quick-release clamp is designed for secure, controlled clamping. You turn the knurled screw, feel the resistance, and the camera sits firmly in the clamp. No frantic lever guessing, no surprises.

According to the manufacturer, the clamp accepts 38 mm dovetail plates that are Arca-Style compatible. That means you can use compatible quick-release plates, L-brackets, and rails based on this standard. For anyone using multiple cameras or lens collars, this is a very flexible solution because you don’t need a separate system for every combination.

Arca-Style compatible, work flexibly with plates, L-brackets, and rails

The B2-mAS screw clamp is designed to be Arca-Style compatible, so you can use a wide range of quick-release plates and L-brackets. This standard is extremely practical, especially when switching between portrait and landscape orientation or when using macro rails. You can usually continue using your existing ARCA accessories and don’t have to buy everything new just because you’re changing the ball head.

The screw clamp gives you very direct, controllable clamping force. You turn until it fits, and even with slightly differing plate geometries you can usually still clamp safely. For a travel tripod setup, this is a very reliable solution that gives you little cause for concern in everyday use.

Panorama base with 2.5° scale, clean pans and repeatable settings

Beneath the ball is a separate panorama base that can rotate independently of the ball. This is particularly practical when you’ve already aligned the camera precisely and only want to pan horizontally. The base features a laser-engraved 2.5° scale so you can execute your pans reproducibly.

For panoramas, series shots, or simply smooth pans in landscape and architectural photography, this fine scale is very helpful. You can rotate the head step by step, remember or note the degree values, and later still reconstruct how you set up your shots.

Robust materials, 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel for long-term use

On the BH-30 PRO, all key components are made of 6061-T6 aluminum or stainless steel. This aircraft-grade aluminum is lightweight yet very strong, which is ideal for a ball head in the travel class. Stainless steel parts are used wherever additional strength and wear resistance are required.

Weighing only about 0.280 kg, your setup remains pleasantly light without feeling like you’ve got a toy head on your tripod. The base has a diameter of around 4 cm, and the total height is about 7.4 cm. This keeps your camera’s center of gravity relatively low, which has a positive effect on stability, especially on slimmer travel tripods.

Made in the USA, RRS quality down to the last detail

The BH-30 PRO is manufactured in the USA, and you can tell from the attention to detail. The surfaces are cleanly finished, the engravings are clearly legible, and the controls operate smoothly. Everything feels like it’s made from a single piece.

Really Right Stuff has been a firmly established name in the pro scene for years when it comes to high-quality tripod heads and quick-release systems. This ball head fits seamlessly into that lineup. No over-the-top design, just functional, well-thought-out engineering that simply works and is intended to serve reliably for many years.

Ideal for mirrorless cameras, travel photography, and macro photography

The BH-30 PRO is particularly interesting for modern mirrorless cameras, which are inherently lighter than classic DSLRs. With a maximum load capacity of about 6.8 kg, it covers typical mirrorless combinations with standard zoom, telephoto zoom, or macro lens very well.

It really plays to its strengths in travel photography. The low weight, compact design, and reliable clamping make it an unobtrusive but very valuable companion in your backpack. You can keep your travel tripod slim and still have a head that doesn’t immediately give way during longer exposures.

For macro photography, the sensitive ball movement in combination with the separate panorama base is particularly appealing. You can set up your subject precisely, make small corrections, and then lock the camera in place without it springing back a bit after tightening. Especially in close-up work, this is something you quickly learn to appreciate.

Thoughtful connections and compatible threads

On the underside, the BH-30 PRO features a 3/8" UNC internal thread. This is the common standard for high-quality tripods and can therefore be combined without issues with most travel and studio tripods. If your tripod has a 1/4" thread, you can use a suitable adapter.

The combination of compact design, smoothly operating ball, and solid base makes the head very versatile. Whether you’re working in an urban environment, in the mountains, or in your home studio, the BH-30 PRO integrates unobtrusively into your setup and simply does its job.

For photographers who travel light but still want to work seriously

If you’re looking for a travel tripod and a ball head that doesn’t just “somehow hold” but really supports your camera reliably, the Really Right Stuff BH-30 PRO is a very coherent option. It’s small but not fiddly, light but not unstable, and technically designed so that you can use it in a wide variety of situations.

In short: a compact ball head that is particularly well suited for mirrorless cameras, travel photography, and macro photography, with a smooth panorama base, B2-mAS screw clamp, Arca-Style compatible mount, and a robust construction made of 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. Not a show star, more like a reliable colleague in the background who noticeably makes your work easier.