Arca Swiss Monoball Z1+ Double Pan Tripod Head with Quick Set Classic Device (Plate Not Included)

2019-01-10T17:23:08

Z1 DP with classic quick set device weights about 788 grams. It's very steady and smooth.

Zhiqi L.

2017-12-18T06:04:36

Super convenient and stable.

DAVID H.

2017-02-21T14:35:57

Buying this ball head is like drafting the best Offensive Tackle to protect the QB's blind side, yes it will be expensive but you have solved the most important problem, providing stable, highly valuable support for the next 10+ years. Done. Lots of good comments about quality and being a top choice, which I agree with, in other reviews here, so I will comment about setup and use. How to set up and use the Z1+ Mount. Set. Go. Mounting the Arca-Swiss Z1 to the Manfrotto 055 tripod base is simple -- screw down the head onto the base 3/8" screw until it is flush. Hand tighten. Then, raise the center bar to access the retaining screw on the underside of the tripod base, tighten. The Arca head will remain completely stable and locked onto the base, leaving the tripod's swiveling bubble free to rotate about the base. Head controls are oriented with the main knob on the right side when the logo faces you, but you can set up left or right with the base pan. The large knob has an embedded thumb-screw to set the friction point for the ball head -- important to get this set first so you have your safety baseline, and can work the tripod in any situation without fear of human error creating problems, or jamming your head by over-rotating the knobs. Start with your heaviest camera and lens combination safely clamped on the ball head -- the goal is to set the movement friction point so that you can direct the camera movements while mounted, with enough tension to keep the ball from dropping the load. Loosen the large knob gradually until you have some freedom of movement of the camera-on-ball, to a point where you can let it go without movement, you've found a good friction point. You will have plenty of latitude when rotating the large knob to select a good friction point. Now, make two adjustments: (1) tighten the silver thumb screw to secure the friction point setting, and (2) rotate the numerical collar of the large knob so the Zero is on top. This now is your Zero-Point to indicate when you have loosened the large knob enough to safely move the camera around with enough resistance on the ball head with your heaviest setup. Lighter lens combinations will key off this zero point, at increasingly higher numbers on the collar, and you can note those for reference. Once you have set your friction point, you're done with the initial setup and ready to go. So, fit and tighten the clamp around the camera's arca-swiss foot or bracket. Rotate the large knob to the Zero friction point. Now adjust the camera to focus on your subject via viewfinder or Live-View, then lock into final position by rotating the large knob half a turn (to about 5-6). You will be 100% locked into place with zero movement, drift or sag. Using the DP for Panoramas and absolute perfect leveling To set up for panoramas, stitching, rectilinear square corners, etc -- if your tripod has a bubble at the base, get that as close to level first via leg positions..., but the critical leveling indication will be at the top -- the Arca clamp's bubble. Make sure that bubble is dead-center of the circular indicator by maneuvering the clamp and the big ball. Center the bubble and tighten the large knob. Now loosen the panning lock and rotate the top pan about its 360 degree movement, the fluid bubble should stabilize within the circle at every point on the compass. Voila, you should be good to go for panoramas and vertical orientation, as well as square corners and consistent perspective. Don't forget to turn off VR -- makes a huge difference for tripod shots1 This Arca-Swiss Z1+ ball head is clearly designed by a company with a deep, long experienced tradition of making the best of its class. I think the price-value is also very strong, even if it is clearly premium.

MIGUEL L.

2013-01-14T19:00:00

This monoball comes with the most secure clamp in my opinion. The large twist knob is easy to use and grasp in order to apply the nessary force to keep your camera secure. The double pan is another nice option to have which allows you to tilt off axis and still pan.

JASON M.

2009-08-29T21:00:00

An excellent ballhead! Versatile! Handles heavy loads with ease. The double pan feature enables you to position a wide variety of setups. Excellent for panoramas. All the controls and the classic clamp for the quick release plate are easy to operate in cold weather with gloves on. A wide variety of quick release plates are available from Acra Swiss and other sources. The friction clamp for the ball head is very smooth in all temperature conditions. The friction clamp variable tension adjustment enables you to set the perfect tension for any camera lens combination you are using. You can precisely position your camera on the first try. This ballhead provides a very stable platform. I've gotten clear images with a 2400mm mirror lens. Rock solid with 400mm and 500mm lenses.

RYAN V.