Arca Swiss Z1 owners chime in!

Wilt wrote in post #13552345
Lest ballhead novices overlook the significance of the drop slot location vs. adjustment knob position, if you do not spend money on an L-bracket for your camera, the drop slot needs to be at 9 o'clock to permit you to turn the camera CCW into Portrait orientation, or at 3 o'clock if you prefer to turn the camera CW into Portriait orientation. That causes the adjustment knob position to be less/more suitable for different folks!

I never knew there was a difference with Arca Swiss. With Markins and RRS, they don't offer this option afaik.

jdizzle wrote in post #13552468
I never knew there was a difference with Arca Swiss. With Markins and RRS, they don't offer this option afaik.

Never said there was an option within any brands...there is merely a difference between brands, about slot position vs. knob position. So the choice of ballhead can be driven by this characteristic.

Markins once offered a 'left' vs. a 'right' but stopped doing that a number of years ago.

Wilt wrote in post #13552485
Never said there was an option within any brands...there is merely a difference between brands, about slot position vs. knob position. So the choice of ballhead can be driven by this characteristic.

Markins once offered a 'left' vs. a 'right' but stopped doing that a number of years ago.

Ok. Well, I've made up my mind on with the knob on the left.

jdizzle wrote in post #13552518
Ok. Well, I've made up my mind on with the knob on the left.

Just have eyes open...with knob on left and drop slot pointed to subject, when you put the camera into Portrait orientation, the knob is directly at you when slot is at 9 o'clock, or the knob is on the far side of the ballhead when the slot is at 3 o'clock.

Wilt wrote in post #13552534
Just have eyes open...with knob on left and drop slot pointed to subject, when you put the camera into Portrait orientation, the knob is directly at you when slot is at 9 o'clock, or the knob is on the far side of the ballhead when the slot is at 3 o'clock.

I see what you mean. Would this matter if I'm using an L bracket? I rarely use the slot unless I really need to point the camera down.

jdizzle wrote in post #13552552
I see what you mean. Would this matter if I'm using an L bracket? I rarely use the slot unless I really need to point the camera down.

Slot position vs. knob position doesn't really matter, if you use an L-bracket. On the other hand, it sounds as if you never have a long vertical shot (Portrait orientation), so the expense of an L-bracket is scarcely justified for you! OTOH, methinks you are limiting your compositional flexibility by shooting only long horizontal shots.

Wilt wrote in post #13552580
Slot position vs. knob position doesn't really matter, if you use an L-bracket. On the other hand, it sounds as if you never have a long vertical shot (Portrait orientation), so the expense of an L-bracket is scarcely justified for you! OTOH, methinks you are limiting your compositional flexibility by shooting only long horizontal shots.

Yeah, I've need to keep my open for those types of shots.

Another nice thing about the RRS 55 & 40 series ball heads is that there are 2 drop slots. They are not at position 12 & 6 but more like 10 & 2. RRS isn't rated at the crazy weight the others are but they are rated for about 50 lbs.

wookiee2cu wrote in post #13552722
Another nice thing about the RRS 55 & 40 series ball heads is that there are 2 drop slots. They are not at position 12 & 6 but more like 10 & 2. RRS isn't rated at the crazy weight the others are but they are rated for about 50 lbs.

Yeah, I've owned the RRS BH-55 in the past. Great ballhead head but, it's time to go OG with Arca Swiss.

Additionally, the double 'drop slots' lessen the grip surface and the heads capacity.
Any questions directly about Arca-Swiss heads you can query me.
Rod Klukas
US Representative
Arca-Swiss Int.

Glad you posted this Julian, I was in the same exact quandry, imagine that

RKlukas wrote in post #13553972
Additionally, the double 'drop slots' lessen the grip surface and the heads capacity.
Any questions directly about Arca-Swiss heads you can query me.
Rod Klukas
US Representative
Arca-Swiss Int.

Thanks for dropping by Rod! I will certainly contact you for any info.!

jcothron wrote in post #13554368
Glad you posted this Julian, I was in the same exact quandry, imagine that

Hehe! I currently run a Markins M10 and Q20. Both are great but, I want the holy grail of ball heads!

Hehe! I currently run a Markins M10 and Q20. Both are great but, I want the holy grail of ball heads! [/QUOTE]

I've got an old Gitzo 1325 MkII with an Arca B1 on it. Love the ballhead still. Love the tripod too but I'm feeling the pull of leg locks that are much easier to operate.

RKlukas wrote in post #13553972
Additionally, the double 'drop slots' lessen the grip surface and the heads capacity.
Any questions directly about Arca-Swiss heads you can query me.
Rod Klukas
US Representative
Arca-Swiss Int.

It does lessen the grip surface but its Load Capacity is 50 lbs. I can't think of too many set ups that are going to be more than 50 lbs and if they are I would think a better alternative for a lens that big would be a gimble set up of some sort. Either way, you can't go wrong with either manufacturer.

Wilt wrote in post #13552534
Just have eyes open...with knob on left and drop slot pointed to subject, when you put the camera into Portrait orientation, the knob is directly at you when slot is at 9 o'clock, or the knob is on the far side of the ballhead when the slot is at 3 o'clock.

Wilt's observation is absolutely correct. I use the drop slot at the front because my only use of it is to point down at the subject which is always in front of me. My medium format camera produces a 6x6cm square negative so no portrait or landscape. You need to think about how you're going to use the ballhead and then take into consideration the positioning of the drop slot and the controls with that understanding. I use Arca-Swiss, Linhof and Markins ballheads and they all work the same way; the way that works for me.