Posted by Wayne Jones on December 1, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Arca Swiss Monoball vs. Photo Clam Pro Gold?
ADDENDUM: Thanks anyway, but I found a third choice that I just bought: Acratech GP Ballhead. It can be used right-side-up as a normal ball head or gimbal head; OR upside-down with the panning disk on top for panoramas! Costs $400, but looks like the best choice. Unlike the other brands, Acratech has a GREAT Web site, is a U.S. company (more accessable for me, at least), and has "max load" numbers that you can believe, because they show you the test. (Other companies' "max load" figures appear to be inflated and unrealistic.)
I am satisfied with the tripod legs I use for hiking, but I'm looking for a way to reduce the combined weight my ball head (about a pound now) and leveling base for shooting panoramas (an additional pound now). I discovered two ball heads that eliminate the need for adding a leveling base:
1. Photo Clam Pro Gold II Easy PQR with Lever Clamp and Top Panning Base. http://reallybigcameras.com/PhotoClam/Pro_Gold_II.htm . This is a conventional ball head, but it eliminates the need for a leveling base because an additional panning base is attached to the top of the head, just beneath the QR clamp.
I like the innovative "upside down" design of this head. It makes a lot of sense, especially for people who shoot single-row panoramas. The locking mechanism looks very solid and easy to use, too. (Insanely, the QR clamp that Arca-Swiss makes for this is not Arca-compatible, so I need to buy a Sunwayphoto Discal QR clamp for it to use my plates, including my L-brackets.)
3. (ADDED) Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System. http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=69 . I ended up buying this. Best choice for me. Even though max. load is 25 lb., that's more believable than other companies' list max loads, which are not realistic and not demonstrated or explained. See "ADDENDUM" above.
COMPARISON: PHOTO CLAM - vs. - ARCA-SWISS + Sunwayphoto clamp - vs. - Acratech GP
WEIGHT: PHOTO CLAM = 16.8 oz. - vs. - ARCA-SWISS = 12.72 oz. -vs. Acratech = 16 oz.
MAX LOAD listed: PHOTO CLAM = 77 lb. - vs. - ARCA-SWISS = 44.1 lb. -vs. Acratech = 25 lb.
COST (w/shipping): PHOTO CLAM = $ 366 - vs. - ARCA-SWISS = $ 334 - vs. - Acratech = $400.
NOTES: Acratech is the only one with a Web site; and is the only one that has believable max load info. Photo Clam is sold by two companies, and the specs on the same model conflict, depending on which company sells it. Don't know which one to believe, or even if they still make some models. (May be good products, but very sloppy business with unknown reliability.)
QUESTIONS:
Do any of you have experience with either of these ball heads?
ESPECIALLY, how about durability and reliability in the field?
Is there any industry standard for calculating maximum load for a ball head? (If not, I don't think the max loads listed by the manufacturers mean much.)
Wayne,
I think I can't be much of help, however couple of years ago when I was looking for a new set of tripod I had a look at Photo Calm Pro Gold on line. I could not find any shops in Perth - Australia selling them and no one I knew had one. But I red very good reviews on Photo Calm producs, and the Gold version is similar to Arca Swiss Z1. I purchased Z1 and I have replaced the quick release with RRS quick release (I did not used the Arca's QR came on the ball head maybe as good as RRS) becase I use RRS L plates and plates on my camera bodies and lenses I jsut chaged that as well.
I love Arca Swiss Z1 ball head it is very smooth and very solid, It sits on my GT3541LS, I love them and they love each other as well.
I don't have a problem with Z1 panning lock at all, however I heard that photographer in colder contrries wearing gloves, the panning lock is a bit small for them.
I don't know if this helps or confuses you more with another option.
Mo
Posted by Wayne Jones on December 2, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Thanks for the info, Mo. Interesting that you mention that the Photo Clam is similar to the Arca Swiss Z1 because I am trying to decide between a Photo Clam versus another Arca Swiss head. I would guess that the basic design of the photo clam and the A-S Z1 make them both good choices. But at the same time, the good reputation of the A-S heads in general leave me wondering if another design (P0) made by them might also be a good choice. There seems to be more user reviews of the heads made by the older, established company at this point in time. With the info I have so far, I am inclined to go with the best-known, reputable company, rather than one that appears to have copied their design.
Today I discovered that Acratech -- another "established" ballhead maker -- also has a head that meets my needs, so I think I try another post about Acratech vs. Arca Swiss, in the hope that it attracts more attention. UPDATE: Bought the Acratech GP. See "ADDENDUM" in my original post."
Discussion
2 repliesADDENDUM: Thanks anyway, but I found a third choice that I just bought: Acratech GP Ballhead. It can be used right-side-up as a normal ball head or gimbal head; OR upside-down with the panning disk on top for panoramas! Costs $400, but looks like the best choice. Unlike the other brands, Acratech has a GREAT Web site, is a U.S. company (more accessable for me, at least), and has "max load" numbers that you can believe, because they show you the test. (Other companies' "max load" figures appear to be inflated and unrealistic.)
I am satisfied with the tripod legs I use for hiking, but I'm looking for a way to reduce the combined weight my ball head (about a pound now) and leveling base for shooting panoramas (an additional pound now). I discovered two ball heads that eliminate the need for adding a leveling base:
1. Photo Clam Pro Gold II Easy PQR with Lever Clamp and Top Panning Base. http://reallybigcameras.com/PhotoClam/Pro_Gold_II.htm . This is a conventional ball head, but it eliminates the need for a leveling base because an additional panning base is attached to the top of the head, just beneath the QR clamp.
2. Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/658802-REG/Arca_Swiss_801211_Monoball_P0_with_Panning.html and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXlZcQxJfs4
I like the innovative "upside down" design of this head. It makes a lot of sense, especially for people who shoot single-row panoramas. The locking mechanism looks very solid and easy to use, too. (Insanely, the QR clamp that Arca-Swiss makes for this is not Arca-compatible, so I need to buy a Sunwayphoto Discal QR clamp for it to use my plates, including my L-brackets.)
3. (ADDED) Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System. http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=69 . I ended up buying this. Best choice for me. Even though max. load is 25 lb., that's more believable than other companies' list max loads, which are not realistic and not demonstrated or explained. See "ADDENDUM" above.
COMPARISON: PHOTO CLAM - vs. - ARCA-SWISS + Sunwayphoto clamp - vs. - Acratech GP
WEIGHT: PHOTO CLAM = 16.8 oz. - vs. - ARCA-SWISS = 12.72 oz. -vs. Acratech = 16 oz.
MAX LOAD listed: PHOTO CLAM = 77 lb. - vs. - ARCA-SWISS = 44.1 lb. -vs. Acratech = 25 lb.
COST (w/shipping): PHOTO CLAM = $ 366 - vs. - ARCA-SWISS = $ 334 - vs. - Acratech = $400.
NOTES: Acratech is the only one with a Web site; and is the only one that has believable max load info. Photo Clam is sold by two companies, and the specs on the same model conflict, depending on which company sells it. Don't know which one to believe, or even if they still make some models. (May be good products, but very sloppy business with unknown reliability.)
QUESTIONS:
Do any of you have experience with either of these ball heads?
ESPECIALLY, how about durability and reliability in the field?
Is there any industry standard for calculating maximum load for a ball head? (If not, I don't think the max loads listed by the manufacturers mean much.)
Are there any other choices I should consider?
THANKS!
I think I can't be much of help, however couple of years ago when I was looking for a new set of tripod I had a look at Photo Calm Pro Gold on line. I could not find any shops in Perth - Australia selling them and no one I knew had one. But I red very good reviews on Photo Calm producs, and the Gold version is similar to Arca Swiss Z1. I purchased Z1 and I have replaced the quick release with RRS quick release (I did not used the Arca's QR came on the ball head maybe as good as RRS) becase I use RRS L plates and plates on my camera bodies and lenses I jsut chaged that as well.
I love Arca Swiss Z1 ball head it is very smooth and very solid, It sits on my GT3541LS, I love them and they love each other as well.
I don't have a problem with Z1 panning lock at all, however I heard that photographer in colder contrries wearing gloves, the panning lock is a bit small for them.
I don't know if this helps or confuses you more with another option.
Mo
Today I discovered that Acratech -- another "established" ballhead maker -- also has a head that meets my needs, so I think I try another post about Acratech vs. Arca Swiss, in the hope that it attracts more attention.
UPDATE: Bought the Acratech GP. See "ADDENDUM" in my original post."