Really Right Stuff BH-40 PC medium ball head with PC-LR 40 panoramic quick-release clamp

Really Right Stuff BH-40 PC Medium Ball Head with PC-LR 40 Panoramic Quick-Release Clamp

If you’re looking for a ball head that doesn’t go for flashy show but for precise control, then the Really Right Stuff BH-40 PC fits the bill quite well. It’s RRS’s medium ball head, combined with the compact PC-LR 40 panoramic quick-release clamp, which works pleasantly directly, especially for panorama shots. With a height of 9.2 cm the setup remains nicely compact, and at 0.53 kg it doesn’t feel like a brick in your backpack, but neither like a toy.

At its core sits a 40 mm hollow ball that moves as smooth as silk. The large, grippy main locking knob is not just “nice to have”, but in everyday use it’s really the point where you notice that reliability is taken seriously here. On top of that there is a 90° portrait opening so you can quickly switch to portrait orientation without having to improvise awkwardly.

made in the USA

The BH-40 PC is made in the USA, and you notice that in the details you usually only pick up on after months. The components are made of aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel, specifically 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. This combines durability, precise fits and low weight without it feeling “thin”. On the bottom there is a 3/8 UNC internal thread, the classic tripod thread that simply fits most tripods.

The base measures 5.3 cm in diameter. That sounds like just a number, but in practice it’s exactly the kind of footprint that stays steady when you’re working with telephoto lenses or want truly straight lines when leveling for architectural photography.

Arca-style compatible

The PC-LR 40 is a lever clamp designed for a 38 mm dovetail; the coupling accepts: Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm dovetail. If you’re working ARCA compatible, that’s the decisive point, because you can typically use plates and L-brackets from the ARCA-style ecosystem without detours. A note if you are specifically looking for this: ARCA compatible.

And because this is about panoramas: the ball head has a separate panning base, yes, and it is marked with a laser-engraved 2.5° scale. That’s convenient when you want to pan reproducibly instead of turning by feel. For panoramic photography this is simply practical, especially if you’re planning multiple rows or defined overlaps.

The maximum load capacity is 8 kg. This is not meant as a “marketing number”, but rather as a realistic range for DSLR, mirrorless and also medium format setups, depending on how you build your rig. We therefore often see the BH-40 PC as a solid middle ground: stable enough for serious reportage photography, yet still handy for travel photography.

As far as fields of use are concerned, it’s well suited for panoramic photography, wedding photography, travel photography, reportage photography, landscape photography, telephoto work, macro photography and architectural photography. That sounds like a lot, but it’s logical: a smoothly operating ball head with panning base is a universal tool if it’s well made.

It’s also a good match for longer focal lengths, for example with Canon EF lenses such as 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 and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6. For Canon RF lenses we often mention 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) as well as Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5 - 7.1 L IS USM (2020).

For Nikon F lenses the setup also works well, for example with 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 and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR. For Nikon Z lenses, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S NIKKOR (2021) is a typical candidate.

In the Sony camp it works with 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] and also Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II [SAL70200G2]. And if you use Sigma: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Contemporary, Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Contemporary as well as Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Sports are also typical combinations. For Olympus or OM SYSTEM it matches well with Olympus 300mm f/4 M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED IS PRO and Olympus 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 M.ZUIKO ED IS.

Included is not only the ball head itself, but also the PC-LR 40 quick-release clamp. There is also a drawstring protective pouch, which you can either use for transport in your camera backpack or simply as protection when the head remains mounted on the tripod. It’s one of those details you only miss once you don’t have it.