Mounting a RRS Clamp to Arca Swiss Z1 Ball Head

Which Arca Swiss Z1 ball head should I get for use with a RRS QR clamp?

There are two Z1 models, each with a plate: one with a 1/4"-20 screw and one with a 3/8"-16 screw.

My understanding is that I would have to unscrew and remove the top plate from the head. Is that true? Does that leave a socket (or screw)?

Which RRS clamp would I then need: model B2 AS II w/ M6 screw? This seems to be what the RRS website indicates.
Thanks.

Does anyone have an info about this? Thanks!

I would recommend you call RRS. They have been very helpful in this regard.

ToyTrains wrote in post #7495248
Which Arca Swiss Z1 ball head should I get for use with a RRS QR clamp?

There are two Z1 models, each with a plate: one with a 1/4"-20 screw and one with a 3/8"-16 screw.

My understanding is that I would have to unscrew and remove the top plate from the head. Is that true? Does that leave a socket (or screw)?

Which RRS clamp would I then need: model B2 AS II w/ M6 screw? This seems to be what the RRS website indicates.
Thanks.

ToyTrains,
Did you ever find out the answer to this? I'd like to know as well.

RRS sent me the RRS B2 LR 11 with the non-threaded 3/8th clearance hole and I used a stainless steel c/s head 3/8th UNC machine screw to assemble it.

This was not plan A. But RRS thought they were helping by altering my order without telling me*. What I actually ordered was the 3/8th UNC threaded version, which would have mounted onto my Markins M10 with a simple threaded stud and been a lot less work. Both methods work, it depends more on how the Z1 is arranged.

Either way, use some of the soft setting loktite on the threads, that way you can get it apart again in the future but it will not fall apart in normal use.

*Note: RRS really did think I'd made a mistake ordering what I had and were only trying to help. When I e-mailed them after it had arrived they were very apologetic and offered to replace it, but the cost (and time) of returning the goods to the US from the UK made that a non starter. It meant a bit of machining of the screw, but it worked out OK in the end.

Edited to add: M6 is a European metric thread size, while 3/8th UNC is obviously not. Even though they might look similar on casual inspection I'd be very careful about ordering anything until you have confirmed what you actually need.

I think I'm just going to go with a Markins M20.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #8272633
ToyTrains,
Did you ever find out the answer to this? I'd like to know as well.

No, I ended up not getting the z1.

ToyTrains wrote in post #8273415
No, I ended up not getting the z1.

What did you go with?

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #8273494
What did you go with?

The Gitzo GH3780QR

How did you get to that decision?

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #8273581
How did you get to that decision?

I had read some good reviews and the specs seemed good.

I paired this with the Gitzo GT3531S tripod. They also had a $100 rebate if you purchased a Gitzo tripod and head so that also helped.

I agonized over the tripod and head decision (like everyone does) and now have no regrets. This was my first "good" tripod and I am amazed how light the setup is (particularly compared to my fully loaded bag which makes the tripod feel even lighter!). At first I was going to get a lighter Series 1 or 2 but I am totally happy with the Series 3.

I actually first purchased the same head without the quick release (ignoring everyone's advice). After trying it I immediately returned it (Amazon makes it easy) and purchased the QR head. It comes with one camera plate and I purchased a second one for a lens mount. The QR works well.

I like it but as it is the only good head I have owned, I can't really compare it to any other head.

I'm agonizing over the cost of the GT3541LS, but hearing from everyone, including you, they are saying there are no regrets when you get it in hand...

So you think the Series 3 is good for a Canon 5D Mark II? I'll probably go with a Markins M-20 ball head and RSS QR and L Plate.

I also have the 5D Mark II. I figured I am not going to be buying another tripod for a long, long time so the investment wasn't that bad.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #8274435
I'm agonizing over the cost of the GT3541LS, but hearing from everyone, including you, they are saying there are no regrets when you get it in hand...

So you think the Series 3 is good for a Canon 5D Mark II? I'll probably go with a Markins M-20 ball head and RSS QR and L Plate.

usually tripods are sized for lenses, not cameras .

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #8274512
usually tripods are sized for lenses, not cameras .

ed rader

Ok, well the size of the camera has to play somewhat in the decision.
Right now my biggest lens is the 24-70mm f/2.8 L and the biggest lens I plan to but would be the 70-200mm f/2.8 L...but maybe a 300mm or up one day, who knows?