Really Right Stuff BH-40 LR medium ball head with compact B2-40 LR lever quick-release clamp

Really Right Stuff BH-40 LR ball head with B2-40 LR lever quick-release clamp

If you’re looking for a medium ball head that doesn’t feel finicky in everyday use but simply runs smoothly, the Really Right Stuff BH-40 LR is a very well-balanced choice. We’re talking about the BH-40, RRS’s medium ball head, combined with the compact B2-40 LR quick-release clamp with lever lock. The setup is deliberately kept slim, but technically quite mature.

The clamp is a 50 mm quick-release clamp without bubble level, specifically the B2-40 LR. Added to this is the 40 mm hollow ball, which allows you controlled, finely adjustable positioning, even when things need to go fast. The large, grippy main locking knob is made exactly for that: reliable, easy to grab, and the handling feels silky smooth without becoming spongy.

made in the USA

The BH-40 LR is made in the USA and uses materials for its components that you would expect in this class: aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel in typical RRS quality. This gives you durability, high precision of fit, and at the same time a pleasantly low weight. And yes, you notice that when the head is in your backpack or permanently mounted on the tripod.

For mounting, there is a 3/8" UNC female thread. The base has a diameter of 5.3 cm, the total height is 7.8 cm, and the weight is 0.445 kg. The maximum load capacity is specified as 8.1 kg, which leaves practical headroom for many setups from DSLR to mirrorless and even medium format.

Arca-style compatible

The B2-40 LR lever clamp is Arca-style compatible and, according to the manufacturer, accepts an Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm dovetail. If you search for ARCA compatible or ARCA style, you’ll find suitable information here. The clamping type is a lever clamp, meaning a fast, clearly defined lever travel instead of a screw knob, which many people appreciate when working with gloves or in hectic situations.

The head also offers a 90° portrait opening, so you can switch cleanly to portrait orientation without resorting to awkward compromises. And for precise rotation there is a separate panning base (yes, truly separate) with laser-engraved 2.5° markings. For panoramic photography, such clear scaling is simply pleasant because you can work reproducibly instead of guessing by feel.

Technical data that matter in the field

The ball Ø / mm: 40 provides a good balance between compactness and stability. Especially in travel and reportage photography, you don’t always want to carry the largest head, but you also don’t want one that gets jittery with telephoto lenses. The BH-40 LR sits pretty much right in the middle, without being boring.

It is recommended for mirrorless cameras, DSLRs and medium format, as well as for landscape photography, architectural photography, macro photography, travel photography, reportage photography, telephoto photography and also panoramic photography. This is not just a marketing phrase, but matches the combination of panning base, portrait cut-out and the finely controllable clamping.

Compatibility with common telezooms and telephoto primes

To give you a sense of where the BH-40 LR is typically used, here are concrete examples of lenses for which it is often a suitable match.

for Canon EF lenses: “Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II”, “Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS”, “Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II”, “Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM”, “Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM”, “Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS III”, “Canon EF 400mm f/5.6”.

for Nikon F lenses: “Nikon 300mm f/4E AF-S PF ED VR NIKKOR”, “Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR AF-S NIKKOR”, “Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S NIKKOR”, “Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR”, “Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR”, “Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR”.

for Sony lenses: “Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS FE [SEL70200G] (2014)”, “Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS FE [SEL100400GM] (2017)”, “Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II FE [SEL70200GM2] (2021)”, “Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II FE [SEL70200GM2]”, “Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS FE [SEL100400GM]”, “Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS FE [SEL70200G]”, “Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II [SAL70200G2]”.

for Canon RF lenses: “Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM (2019)”, “Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM (2020)”, “Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM (2020)”, “Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM (2020)”.

for Nikon Z lenses: “Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S NIKKOR (2021)”.

for Sigma lenses: “Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Contemporary”, “Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Contemporary”, “Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Sports”.

for Olympus / OM SYSTEM lenses: “Olympus 300mm f/4 M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED IS PRO”, “Olympus 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 M.ZUIKO ED IS”.

Materials and workmanship

For materials, RRS relies on 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. This is a combination that is widespread in photo tripod accessories for good reason: stable, low in corrosion, and with good manufacturing also pleasantly precise. The contact surfaces and controls in particular benefit from this, because nothing feels “cheap”, even after many uses.

Scope of delivery and protection during transport

Included is a protective pouch with drawstring. It is not only intended for transport in a camera backpack, but also protects the ball head when it is already mounted on the tripod. The scope of delivery includes: the ball head, the quick-release clamp and the protective pouch.