- In further to a proven, law Arca-Swiss features, together with aspherical round heads, axial clamping as well as PMF
- The monoball Z DP with a second panning resource next a camera mountain keeps a camera ideally straight to a overhanging plane
Product Description
ARCA-SWISS monoball Z Stronger, lighter A personality of tripod conduct pattern for over 40 years, ARCA-SWISS is environment latest standards revisiting their B-series models as well as introducing a Z-Series, only as elegant, as well as even some-more perfect. The distance as well as weight of a round heads have been significantly reduced. The round as well as fixture have been right away fabricated regulating a law bayonet mount. Various accessories can to illustrate be fast mounted to conform a tripod as required. In further to… More >>
ARCA-SWISS Monoball Z1 SP Single Pan with Classic Quick Set Device , Supports 122 lbs.
I bought the Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead to use in conjunction with the Wimberley Sidekick gimbal. The Sidekick puts a side load on the ballhead it’s used with, loading the weight of the camera, Sidekick and a super-telephoto lens on the ballhead with the head flipped over 90-degrees. The Sidekick has vertical panning bearings, but no horizontal panning function, so it relies on the panning function of the ballhead to provide horizontal gimbal action. Hence, the ballhead must be strong and have a smooth horizontal panning functions. The Z1 is excellent for this use, offering very high load capacity and a smooth panning function separate from the ballhead. When the Sidekick is mounted there’s no play in any plane.
I also use the Z1 for scenic photography and macro. One important need was for me to switch from a body with a super-tele lens to another body with a wide angle lens in just a few seconds. That’s easy to do with the Arca-Swiss/Sidekick combination. I just slip off the Sidekick and slip on my full frame camera with a quick release plate on the bottom.
For lining up a macro it’s very important that the ball doesn’t “drift” slightly as you tighten down the ball. With the Z1 there’s absolutely no drift. Also, the minimum tension is adjustable. You can adjust the minimum tension to taste very easily. I’ve got a progressive setting that will grab the ball with only a partial twist and then lock solidly with a “full twist”. You don’t have to keep crank and you can work to align the camera with eactly the tension that you like.
I have a couple of minor issues. There are degree marks on the panny gear, but no numbers, which would have been very helpful for doing panoramas. Also, those markings are only painted on rather than etched, which I expected in the premium price range. Finally, I wish that I could adjust the tension of the panning function. I’m pretty happy with the fixed tension, but would have it slightly looser if given the option.
Construction quality is evidently very high, but I’ve only used it for a couple of thousand images so far. Apparently the earliest edition of the Z1 had a weakness where the quick release attaches, but that’s been fixed, I’m told. Speaking of the quick release, I bought the screw type because I’m often walking through the woods with the camera and lens on the tripod slung over my shoulder. A lever quick release might catch on a limb and dump the whole thing, so I’m putting up with the minor inconvenience of the screw style clamp.
By the way, this is a heavy duty ballhead that should be used with a heavy duty tripod. I’m very happy with the way that it mates with my Induro C414 carbon fiber tripod.
Rating: 5 / 5