Arca Swiss P0?

I got one 6 months ago. I paired this with a sunway discal Arca Swiss clamp from Amazon. This clamp was designed for the Arca Swiss P0.

http://www.amazon.com …8-9&keywords=Sunway+clam​p

I really like the setup. It's rock solid even with my 5D with grip and 70-200 2.8 is II. Just like Jacobsen said it feels natural to adjust and tighten.
Feels quicker than my Arca Swiss Z-1.
The P0 works really well with my gt1541t tripod. Compact and solid just like the tripod.

GeneC wrote in post #11855546
Nope, not even one, it's dropnotchless.

That's the P1
http://www.arca-shop.de …-p1-series:::115_117.html

This is an interesting design, but besides integrating the panning base with the cup is there any benefit to the upside down design? It seems like there could be quite a few negatives to it such as more weight being held above the clamping point, the controls never staying in the same position, and the controls being placed really close to the camera body and possibly preventing the use of some clamps.

It seems to me you'd just be better off buying a normal ballhead (they do them with just one knob if you don't like have loads of controls) and then sticking a panning base on the top of it.

Maybe for long lenses… The point of rotation is a bit higher.

If you own a Gitzo Systematic, there's also this one. (Not upside down, but similar in locking)

(Tried one at Photokina and in a shop, found it to be inferior to my M10 as far as smoothness was concerned both times: Almost, but not quite, at RRS level )

^ that looks interesting (the gitzo), but it's twice the price and it looks like it's got a weird lock on the ring to avoid loosening it?

The Ran wrote in post #13393593
This is an interesting design, but besides integrating the panning base with the cup is there any benefit to the upside down design? It seems like there could be quite a few negatives to it such as more weight being held above the clamping point, the controls never staying in the same position, and the controls being placed really close to the camera body and possibly preventing the use of some clamps.

the beauty of this is the controls DO stay in the same place because the only control goes all the way around the head. That's why I wanted it, no more reaching for knobs. As for the upside down part, well this weights <1lb and my camera in it's lightest config weights ~4lb? Moving it upside down really only makes the balance worse when there's nothing in the head, with a camera in ANY ballhead, and it loose (fully) they're all very topheavy. That's the nature of a ballhead.

I will say your point on clamps is good though. I use a RRS lever clamp and the base of it blocks the panning knob a bit. I've got it working after some careful alignment and tightening though. I DO NOT LIKE/USE panning bases though, so I'm going to replace their fancy knob with a setscrew today so I can set it and forget it.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #13396811
^ that looks interesting (the gitzo), but it's twice the price and it looks like it's got a weird lock on the ring to avoid loosening it?

From the Gitzo site:

René Damkot wrote in post #13396855
From the Gitzo site:

it sounds like another one of those things that I'll have to try IRL before even considering... The P0 was the same though honestly, saw it at photo expo and fell in love after liking the idea from their magazine adds. I'll check out the gitzo the next time I'm at a dealer...

not only does it cost twice as much though, it also weighs over twice the P0 as well.

jnd wrote in post #13396865
Hi Ben! Which tripod do you use with the P0 ballhead? Would you be so kind and show photos of it?

best I have for now:

well, if you want to use the pano function a lot it's less than ideal. The way the clamp threads on, you have to work the pano knob's position a bit as you threat the clamp onto the head. but here's how mine looks:

jnd wrote in post #13397437
Do you know if there's a round clamp on the market which better fits on top of the P0?

Maybe a Novoflex Q=Base?
I have one on my monopod:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?t=413435&high​light=base

jnd wrote in post #13397437
Thank you Ben! Which RRS clamp is it? Looks like it's way too big for this ballhead. If you don't need the panorama function why don't you use a classic ballhead like the Markins Q series ballheads? In my opinion the panorama function on top is one of the outstanding features of the P0 ballhead. But that doesn't make sense for someone who's not using the panorama function anyway, does it?

I don't use a markins because I want LESS knobs, not more. I have a traditional ballhead like that and I don't like it at all. I like my GV2 a lot but I find the way I setup my legs I often have the knobs in the wrong spot (in front). It's an easy fix by loosening the pan, spinning the whole thing around under the camera, and locking it again, but if I don't have to why bother?

As for panning, I agree the clamp should always be at the top. I just don't personally use it often, but if you're going to the top is the right place to put it so you can level the clamp then pivot it after it's leveled with your head. Leveling with legs is a massive PITA. And FYI, you can take an arcatech GV2 and simply mount it upside down. That will give you the same functionality as the P0 and it's more friendly clamp choice wise.

well, they make their own but then you're stuck with their plates. RRS makes a (new?) smaller clamp that's only 50mm wide (mine is 60) which sounds like it'd be a much better fit:
50mm wide lever clamp: http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …clamp-with-1%2f4-20-screw
60mm wide (what I have): http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …AS-II-clamp-with-M6-screw

eventually I'll pick up the 50mm wide version so the 60 can go back on my GV2....

Hi Ben,

Do you have any updates to add to this ball head? Been thinking about changing mine for some time now and quite like the thinking for this head.

Cheers

Simon

Still digging it. The only thing I don't love is I haven't lock tightened (however you'd spell that) my clamp onto it yet, so sometimes I end up spinning it lose if I have the lock tighter than I think and try to recompose. But that's laziness on my part, 100%.

Cheers for the update, mate, think I might try one out at the large photo expo here in the UK in March.

Do you have any problems with the camera clipping on the tripod when the head is tilted 90degs on its side? Its sometimes just looks as if there might be problems when the head is on its side.

Cheers

Simon

I use an L-bracket, so no.

What would you say about this as a potential monopod head?