Time To Ditch Manfrotto

I'm not happy with my Manfrotto ballhead with RC2 system. I find the RC2 plates have a lot of play in them when mounted up to the lens collars of the bigger lenses in particular.

I'm looking for an L Plate and base plate for my 1D-X, and two plates for my 100-400 and 70-200.

I prefer to order everything from one place saving me on paying international shipping charges multiple times.

I've had a productive morning working the google machine and have come up with 3 solutions.

Option A
RRS BH-55 LR: Full-sized ballhead with B2 AS II clamp
RRS B1DX-L L-Plate
RRS L84: Multi-use fore-aft plate x 2

This L plate is two piece so I don't need to shell out for an additional camera plate.

Price including delivery US$891.85 direct from RRS

Option B
Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with Quick Release
Kirk BL-1DX L-Bracket for Canon 1D X
Kirk PZ-150 Camera Plate for Canon 1D X
Kirk LP-41 Arca-Type Quick Release Lens Plate/Foot x 2

Price including delivery US$809.86 from B&H

Option C
Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with Quick Release
Kirk LP-41 Arca-Type Quick Release Lens Plate/Foot x 2
Sunwayfoto PCL-1DX L-Bracket for Canon 1D X

This is also a two piece L plate once again saving me having to buy an extra plate for the body.

Price including delivery US$646.66 from B&H

Which would you choose and why?

Are there any other options which you think may suit?

Thanks

RRS is top notch equipment. I have RRS on top of a Gitzo CF tripod and you really can't go wrong.

If you have an L bracket, a straight bracket is pretty much unnecessary. You won't save much weight or size by swapping between an L and a straight plate (or removing the side bracket), and you'll add the issue of keeping straight where you left the #%@* thing last time you changed configurations. I use RRS L brackets across the board; the only one I have with a removable side piece is for the EOS M, and the screw holding on the side plate always seems to work loose. If you go with one of the 2-parters, I'd get some LocTite and use it on that screw.

Dear El Pedro,

If you buy a Manfrotto gimbal mount # 393 and second plate and you'll solve your problem for about $ 215.00 plus shipping.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Thanks Jon, it's not the weight that bothers me it's the extra bulk. I like the option of the smaller bracket for landscape work. Good idea with the loctite.

Anyone have feedback between the two ballheads?

From what I've read they both seem to be good choices.

jtmiv wrote in post #16597498
Dear El Pedro,

If you buy a Manfrotto gimbal mount # 393 and second plate and you'll solve your problem for about $ 215.00 plus shipping.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Thanks Tim, will check it out. Manfrotto gear is usually available locally as too.

Edit
Just checked it out and it's massive. I think long term I'd rather go with a smaller solution. Good suggestion though.

CoPhotoGuy wrote in post #16597464
RRS is top notch equipment. I have RRS on top of a Gitzo CF tripod and you really can't go wrong.

I agree, RRS is top notch in design and fabrication, and customer service. Spend the money once, and never look back.

I have all RRS plates and ball heads. Highly recommended.

I don't know the weight of the Z1, but compared to the Markins M20 the RRS BH-55 has been criticized for its weight. While some might not object to the heft, in terms of fatigue, the weight of the ballhead can matter in terms of relative balance of the tripod+ballhead combo, resulting in a head-down tendency if carrying it on a shoulder strap.

edit: Just looked it up...RRS BH-55 816g, Arca Z1 655g, Markins M20 568g

Are you planning on using the Z1 with the Arca-Swiss brand clamp that it comes with?

I love my Z1 but I got the version without a clamp and installed my own RRS screw clamp. Best of both worlds.

Yeah I was planning on getting it with the quick release clamp. Is there issues with the Arca Swiss clamp?

Dear El Pedro,

Does the Manfrotto ball head work and hold your gear with the exception of the play in the mounting plates?

If it holds properly couldn't you just swap out the Manfrotto clamp for an A-S compatible clamp? That would save the expense of the new ball head and you would only need to buy a couple of new plates along with your "L" bracket.

I can't help making suggestions like this, I'm a cheap SOB at heart.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Based on my experience with the BH-40, I'd go for the RRS BH-55. It is almost a work of art.

Tim I checked it out and the saving of getting all the plates and the clamp is pretty much the same as I could sell my two manfrotto ballheads for.

Thanks for everyones input, it seems the RRS is the most recommended. I have seen others use the Arca swiss ballhead with the RRS clamp but I wanted to order everything from the same vendor.

I had both RRS and B&H carts loaded and ready to order, in the end I went with option A. It had the most people recommend so hope you guys are right!

I have a combination of the two, RRS plates with the Arca Z1 dp. I preferred the locking quick release and all black finish on the Arca. Though I don't think you could go wrong with either choice.