Ball Heads?

[CharlesBrown]

Two more new Ballheads have emerged very recently, from none other than Arca-Swiss... the "Z1" and the "P1". Very nifty innovations in both.

[Designs by Gregus]

I have and love my Markins M-10 ball head. Gitzo is introducing new trypods that replace ones like the 1275 and 1325. They say the new 3035 that replaces the old 1325 haold 39lb instead of 26lb. This would be like a rock holding a ball head. Check out B&H. They still had the 1325. I think you might find some used 1325s soon. I tryed the new gitzo that replaces the 1275 and although it holds more weight I don't think it will hold my Nikkor 80-200 mm f/2.8 steady enough for me unless it's all the way down.

[MarkAlsop]

I recently purchased an Arca-Swiss Z1 sp and love it. For the time being it is mounted to a Bogen/Manfrotto 3402 Leveling head (modified so it does not require lubrication on the ball) which is on a 20 year old Bogen 3021 N tripod. I replaced the Arca-Swiss clamp with a RRS clamp and put the Arca-Swiss clamp on a Bogen/Manfrotto Swivel Head attached to my Bogen/Manfrotto monopod.

The Z1 is shorter than the B1. The panning pivot is very smooth, feels like a fluid bearing. The locking knob is very easy to use, requires very little effort. The ball is asymmetrical so it has a built-in anti-flop characteristics. I have found that the camera position does not change as the ball is locked. And the ball does not require lubrication!

The panning lock lever works easily but could stand to be placed a bit farther away from the ball locking knob.

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