Features full-size sure-grip knobs (same size as our BH-1) for easy control, even while wearing gloves!
Weighs just 19 ounces!
Constructed of aluminum, brass, and stainless steel for rugged dependability and light weight
Height: 4 inches Ball Diameter: 1.65 inches Pan Base Diameter: 2.4 inches Ball tilt: 45 & 90 degrees Pan Base: 360 degree rotation with positive lock
Load Capacity: 15 pounds
Five-year warranty
Features new sleeker design with safety stop grooves and built-in spirit level
Kirk's compact BH-3 panning ball head delivers American-made quality, precise handling, and rugged stability ...guaranteed!
Kirk Enterprises now offers compact precision ball head designed for a lifetime of trouble-free performance. Featuring the same efficiency and rugged construction that have made the Kirk BH-1 ball head an industry standard, the BH-3 features our Satisfaction Guarantee and Five-year Warranty--the best in the industry. And they're made right in Angola, Indiana.
Weighing only 19 ounces (compared to 30 ounces for the BH-1), this ball head features the same silky smooth ball-and-socket action as its big brother. You have fast aiming and framing control just by releasing and locking a single knob. Two smaller knobs control the 360-degree panning base and the amount of ball friction. Both the BH-1 and BH-3 feature our new quick-release platforms with a built-in spirit level that accept all Arca-style plates and mounts. To avoid corrosion, all external components are crafted from tough 6061-T aircraft aluminum including the solid, captive-design knobs, and the internal metal parts are stainless steel and brass. The ballcup is a self-lubricating Delrin composite, and the tripod socket accepts 3/8-inch thread. This could be the last compact ball head you ever need to buy!
Price includes a special universal Arca-style quick release body/lens plate, so you can immediately upgrade to quick-release convenience.
BH-3 Ball Heads are currently in stock.
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The even quicker Quick Release Platforms
Read what our customers say about our BH-3 Ball Head
Retrofit your old-style BH-3 with our new Quick Release Platform
Retrofit your BH-1 here
If you have an older-style Kirk BH-3 ball head and would like to upgrade it to our current standard, for a limited time, Kirk will not charge any labor fees for installing our new Quick Release platform onto your old ball head. Simply send us your BH-3 ball head and a $64.55 payment (which includes U.S. postage) and we'll attach our new platform with safety stop grooves and a spirit level to it and then return the converted unit to you.
Send your old-style BH-3 and payment for $64.55 to:
Kirk Enterprises
333 Hoosier Dr
Angola, IN 46703-9336
Be sure to provide your return address.
For conversions outside of the United States, email us for a shipping quote.
Accessories for Ball Heads
Ball-Head Snap Collars
A snap collar offers low-cost protection when you plan to carry your camera on your tripod with a lens attached. Now available for the Markins Q3, M10, and M20 ballheads, we also offer snap collars to fit the Kirk BH-1 and BH-3, and Arca Swiss B1 and Z. The collar prevents the ball from flopping to the side and damaging your equipment. They also help avoid undue stress on the locking mechanism, helping your ball head perform and last longer.
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All new replacement locking knob for the BH-1, BH-3, QR-3, QR-4, QR-7, and QR-8
Replace the old-style knob on your Kirk heads with this captive knob for better grip.
Better grip than our old style
Aluminum Construction
Hard coat anodized
Captive design
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What customers say about our BH-3 Ball Head
Galen Rowell, Mountain Light Photography, Inc.
"Kirk's new BH-3 ball head is just what I've been looking for to put on the smaller carbon-fiber tripod that I carry into the wilderness. Its light weight and full range of controls similar to the best larger ball heads are unbeatable in a unit of this size. The head is unbelievably smooth, compared to other smaller units I've tried.
Your new quick-release plates are fantastic! Their lighter weight and shape contoured to each camera or lens base really does the job for me."
Art Wolfe
"The BH-3 produced by Kirk Enterprises has delivered a thoroughly usable, lightweight tripod head for people hiking in the backcountry. The precise construction of this tripod head and the smoothness of its operation make this an absolutely perfect tool for people engaged in serious photography while traveling in remote country. I am very happy to bring it along on all of my future trips."
Jim and Donna Erhardt,
Editors of Nature Photographers On-line Magazine
"Featuring the convenience and build quality of the BH-1, the BH-3 is the perfect solution for those looking for a quality ball head in a down-sized configuration." Read the complete review!
Andreas Kaufer
"I just received my new BH-3 and the D2X L-bracket. Thanks for these beautiful pieces of craftsmanship! I couldn't work without Kirk products anymore. With best regards from Chile"
David Cerutti
"In my opinion, the BH-3 ball head has no competition. It is well designed, expertly crafted, and backed by a first-class company. Kirk Enterprises is truly customer driven. They are always willing to spend time with you to make sure your questions are answered.
I was ready to buy a BH-1 until Jeff asked me what equipment I was using and what type of photography I did. After I answered, he suggested I purchase the lighter-weight BH-3 instead. I saved money and got the product I needed. Instead of just trying to sell equipment, Kirk is more interested in developing a long-term relationship with their customers."
"The BH-3 is an incredible product. It is a very strong, easily adjustable, compact ball head. A real selling point for me is that it does not wear me out on long back-packing trips where every ounce counts. When you clamp it down, there is absolutely no movement. I recently put the BH-3 through testing with a Nikon 400mm f2.8 and it passed with flying colors. I give this product 5 out of 5 stars. Thanks Kirk!!"
Nikolas Taviarios
"I'm very impressed with the abilities and design of this compact and extremely powerful tripod head. It is unbelievably steady and easy to use. The controls are well laid out. I'm much more inclined these days to bring my tripod along than in the past."
Martin Hnatov
"I would like to express complete satisfaction not only with Kirk Enterprises' products, but also with their customer-service driven staff.
Based on recommendations from several professionals, I purchased a Kirk BH-1 ball head from the company's web site. Within twenty-four hours, i received a call from Kevin asking if it would be a problem if my order was delayed a day due to heavy demand. Appreciating the phone call, i advised him I would wait for my order. Kevin then took the time to ask about my photographic interests, specifically the lenses I use. Based upon our conversation, he recommended the BH-3 for its lighter weight. I took his recommendation, saving $100, and received a top quality, no-compromise products. The BH-3 is beautifully made and its support is rock solid.
A few days after receiving the ball head, Kevin called as a follow-up to ensure my satisfaction with the recommended product. It is rare to find a company with such exceptional products AND employees devoted to customer satisfaction. It is apparent Kirk Enterprises values their customers. This attention to detail has turned me into a life-long customer."
Bob Pizzurro
"When traveling light, I am now using the BH-3 ball head with my Nikon N-80, and am very impressed with this ball head's stability and dependability."
William Jude, William Jude Photography
"I'm really pleased with the Kirk BH-3 ball head. The quality of the materials and the precision machining of the ball and the locking control are outstanding. Its function and performance are equally impressive, even with the use of heavy telephotos."
Bob Dickinson
"I have found the Kirk BH-3 ball head to be very smooth, solid, precise, and lightweight. It is unquestionably perfect for my Gitzo 1128 backpacking tripod."
Jack R. Yardley
"My wife and I each purchased one of your new 'half-size' versions of the BH-3 ball head in November. We just returned from a four-week trip to Southeast Asia where we put them through a rigorous shakedown. It's an incredible head! I see no great difference from the BH-1 except it weighs less. It's by far the best travel head we've ever used."
Bob Ballenger
"I bought the BH-3 for my wife and have found it is as strong and smooth as the BH-1 that I have been using for over three years. It works super with my 300mm f2.8 that weighs 5.5 lbs. And the best part is it's 12 ounces lighter than my BH-1. It is a great companion to any carbon fiber tripod. I highly recommend it."
Bill Fortney
"I really love the new smaller Kirk BH-3 ball head. It is solid and stable, just like the bigger BH-1, but lighter. It's ideal for your hiking tripod set-up. I have also successfully used it for high stress remote camera locations, like my ultralight airplane. It's that strong!"
Liability: The acceptance and/or use of any Kirk Enterprises Merchandise by the customer
shall release Kirk Enterprises from any and all liability pertaining to the use of such merchandise.
All prices and product designs subject to change without notice.
All products sold separately. Cameras, lenses and accessories shown
not included.
