Acratech Detent Pin

Hi all.

In the future, I would like an Acratech Ultimate Ball head, with an Arca-Swiss style QR clamp. I have one question...

Do you (or would you) use one without the detent pin? From what I understand, the detent pin keeps the plate from sliding out if the clamp accidentally comes lose. Having not ever used a A-S style QR, I don't know how important this is.

Thanks in advance.

Nathan

Nathan: I have a Kirk BH-1 and all my lenses and bodies have custom plates. All of the plates are Kirk as well with the exception of one RRS plate I have for my 200mm macro. The RRS plate has the safety pin and I like it much better for my long lens. I actually will swap out the RRS plate and put it on my 300mm f2.8 if I'm not going to be using the macro. If I buy any lens plates in the future I'll definitely go with RRS. For body plates I don't think there is any advantage to having a pin. I have an L bracket for my A100 that I bought from Kirk instead of RRS to save $5-10. One thing I like about the plate for my macro lens is that it functions as a poor mans macro rail over a short travel distance so if you set your 180 at 1:1 you can adjust focus with the rail and not have to micro shift your tripod.

I have the AcraTech without the pin, but would advise buying one with. It is extra security. I have the Kirk plate on my D80 and use the safety pins on it. Screws do loosen up sometimes, you know. With my last head, I did have it loosen once and dumped my Bronica on the ground during a long hike up a mountain.


Kent in SD

My Arca tripod plate does not have the pin. If I'm using my Mamiya MF, I hold the camera strap and the tripod securely. That way, if someting comes loose, my camera is safe. When I'm using my 4x5, I hold onto the camera. In both cases my method is used if I am only moving a few feet. I do not carry my camera/tripod over my shoulder. I cradle it in my arms. Otherwise, I break down and stow my gear in their respective backpacks.

The last thing I need is for either of my cameras to make an 'uncontrolled flight into terrrain', i.e I don't want either of them to do a 'birdman-crater-total' sequence!

-PB

I just bought the Acratech V2. I used to own the Ultimate. I would recommend the V2. I like the design much better. It does not have the support that constantly gets in the way on the Ultimate.

How distractable and or forgetful are you? I got into the Arca-Swiss system before anyone had these safety stop features. I've never dropped a camera or a lens because it slipped out of my old style Arca-Swiss B1 head. I programmed myself to snug up the clamp whenever I move the tripod with equipment mounted. This is such a habit that I sometimes find myself doing it when there is nothing on the tripod yet. There is always that, "oh, it was loose!" reaction, then I realize the clamp is empty.

Pete D.

Not quite related to your question, but if you keep a neck strap in the camera body, wrap it around the legs before you mount it on the ballhead. If later the camera/lens decides to try for an excursion into free fall, the neck strap might save the gear, especially if you boost everything horizontally onto your shoulder. It certainly won't hurt anything.

Hi Nathan.

I have the first model of the Acratech Ultimate . I forgot to tighten down the lens plate the very first time I used it. Caught it in time - no harm done. I've never even had a close call since.

The detent pin seems like a good idea to me, but I don't miss not having it.

Not Acratech, but the Foba Super ballhead we have on one of the heavy tripods in our studio has detents. It's the only one we own with detents, and it makes both my wife and I absolutely nuts. We're too accustomed to releases without detents. I suppose if all of our heads had them we would have long ago accustomed ourselves to their use, but for now removing the mechanism entirely from the Foba is on my "do it someday" list.

Nathan,
I guess the pin is only important when you need it. I recently bought the Acratech Ultimate and got the detent pin. It's only $10 extra and I consider it money well spent. I haven't had any issues with leaving the locking clamp loose (yet), but this is cheap insurance. BTW, I really like the Acratech. I think you will too.
Paul

Get the detent pin. I have used an Acratech Ultimate for years with that pin. It never gets in the way but one time when my clamp came a bit loose it saved my camera/lens from a 20' fall onto slickrock.

The rest of the time you will not notice its existence. It is good insurance.

Thank you for the responses. I figured I would get an Acratech with a detent pin, but I was able to pick up an Acratech Ultimate that does not have a detent pin for only $100. I figure I will use it for now, but I may pick up a new clamp with a pin if need be, and I would only be into the head about $200.

Thank you for the responses.

Nathan