Quick Change System Recommendation Needed

Whatever ball head I get I'll be attaching the Markins screw clamp to it.

Anyone familiar with the Acra Swiss ball heads that can answer a question for me? See the following two links.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Monoball_Z1_sp​_with.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Monoball_Z1_sp​_with.html

They are both Z1 models and only differ in the type of screw they come with. The first one comes with a 1/4" screw and the second on comes with a 3/8" screw. But the pictures show the large knob on different sides of the ball head in relation to the cut-out on the front of the base. I need the large knob to be on the right side, as shown in the second link, when facing the cut-out side of the ball head. Why would they make them different just because of a screw size difference? Other web sites don't show this difference.

Thanks.

The Z1 comes in both right and left hand versions. However, the Z1 is not compatible with the Markins clamp without modification. PeterN modified his Markins clamp to fit. If you are dead-set on the Markins clamp, then neither the RRS nor the Z1 will work without a custom mod.

You might write to Precision Camera Works (official Arca-Swiss warranty repair shop in the U.S.) if you want the Z1 and see what they can do for you. The Z1 has a female M6 socket with a boss on top of the stem.

Otherwise, write to RRS and see what they can do. The BH-55 has a female 1/4-20 socket with a boss on the stem.

Or get the Markins head. I personally didn't like the Q20i I rented. It was plenty strong but it wasn't smooth (this might be due to being a rental) and didn't offer the tactile feedback I like; the main locking knob kept turning well past where the ball was locked.

Frankly, I would call B&H and talk to them about the FLM again. It will fit the Markins clamp without any mods.

Another strong option is the Kirk BH-1, but you'd have to call them and see if you can get it without a clamp. They ship them with red loctite on their clamps; pretty hard to remove on your own.

And here is the other Z1 with the "proper" orientation for the drop notch:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Monoball_Z1_sp​_with.html

sawsedge wrote in post #17096869
The Z1 comes in both right and left hand versions. However, the Z1 is not compatible with the Markins clamp without modification. PeterN modified his Markins clamp to fit. If you are dead-set on the Markins clamp, then neither the RRS nor the Z1 will work without a custom mod.

You might write to Precision Camera Works (official Arca-Swiss warranty repair shop in the U.S.) if you want the Z1 and see what they can do for you. The Z1 has a female M6 socket with a boss on top of the stem.

Otherwise, write to RRS and see what they can do. The BH-55 has a female 1/4-20 socket with a boss on the stem.

Or get the Markins head. I personally didn't like the Q20i I rented. It was plenty strong but it wasn't smooth (this might be due to being a rental) and didn't offer the tactile feedback I like; the main locking knob kept turning well past where the ball was locked.

Frankly, I would call B&H and talk to them about the FLM again. It will fit the Markins clamp without any mods.

Another strong option is the Kirk BH-1, but you'd have to call them and see if you can get it without a clamp. They ship them with red loctite on their clamps; pretty hard to remove on your own.

Thanks for all of that information. Good stuff.

I don't see what good it will do to talk to B&H about the FLM. They just told me again two days ago that they don't know when it would arrive. This has been going on for a month now. No sense in beating a dead horse. I also have a concern that if it takes so long to get the FLM, I would be concerned about getting any repairs done in a timely manner. They've already refunded my money so I'm moving on.

I'm likely just going to bite the bullet and get this one and either return or sell the Markins clamp.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Monoball_Z1_sp​_with.html

Some additional information that you might find useful:

Arca-Swiss is now shipping their heads with the clamps locked down via some crazy strong threadlocker. If you order a Z1 from Precision Camera Works, they can, for like $30 or so, change the clamp for you. If you prefer a RRS screw clamp, for example, they will put it on for you.

I bought a Z1 last January with the plain plate and was lucky to get one that wasn't locked down. I put a RRS lever clamp on it.

Another good clamp that you might consider is Hejnar. He has several variations.
http://www.hejnarphoto​store.com …cPath=1_3&produ​cts_id=137

sawsedge wrote in post #17097487
Some additional information that you might find useful:

Arca-Swiss is now shipping their heads with the clamps locked down via some crazy strong threadlocker. If you order a Z1 from Precision Camera Works, they can, for like $30 or so, change the clamp for you. If you prefer a RRS screw clamp, for example, they will put it on for you.

I bought a Z1 last January with the plain plate and was lucky to get one that wasn't locked down. I put a RRS lever clamp on it.

Another good clamp that you might consider is Hejnar. He has several variations.
http://www.hejnarphoto​store.com …cPath=1_3&produ​cts_id=137

Do you happen to know if Precision Camera Works were to change the clamp for me would they use that threadlocker to lock on the clamp? I don't particularly like the idea of not being able to change out the clamp myself. It shouldn't be rocket science but it sounds like Arca-Swiss wants to make it that way to discourage using other makes of clamps on their ball heads. They may have valid reasons for doing so but that whole concept doesn't fit my DIY mentality.

I believe A-S was upset at people making warranty claims when they damaged the head while changing clamps.

You'd have to ask PCW about the loctite, I'm not sure.

You might try a Z1 without the clamp, see if it is locked, return it if it is. 11mm socket with a thin wall (my 3/8" drive automotive quality socket was too thick to fit, my 1/4" drive socket fit). Mine came loose easily, so if it doesn't, it probably has loctite.

You also need an M6 x 25mm screw.

Thanks for the information and the great pictures John. I'm still up in the air about which ball head to get. Now I'm also looking at Acratech and Sirui ball heads.

Hehe, yep. I spent months researching all of these. You can't go wrong with the big name brands. It comes down to your taste, really.

RRS will leave off the loctite if you ask.

Ask PCW if they will too.

I believe so will Markins, if you ask, but their newest models have a new mount stem, so for the moment only their clamps fit (this is the 'i' series... Q20i, Q10i).

Kirk uses red loctite, but maybe they'd leave it off if you ask? I had their BH-1 for 11 years, it's a solid head.

Surui... not sure. Sirui has the best bang-for-buck, and lots of folks like them.

Acratech GP series doesn't use loctite, but the mount is proprietary. Their clamps are nice though. I'm not sure about the rest of their lineup, but you can ask.

I'm guessing FLM does not since they sell their clamps separately.

To close this out I decided to get the Sirui K-30X. I ordered it from B&H.