Kirk or Arca Swiss Ballhead

<p>I'm currently looking to purchase a big ball head. I'm looking at the BH1 or the Arca Swiss Z1 but I'm not sure which is better for my needs. I have a gitzo 3541L, 1DS Mark III and a variety of L lenses. But I'm looking to purchase a 500mm F4 this year and I want to make sure I have the right ball head for it (I make buy a Wimberly in the future for it, but until then the ball head will do). So what do you say? I'm not sure about plates and all that or which type of release system is best, so please share your knowledge!</p>

<p>Go with the Arca-Swiss Z1 or a Really Right Stuff BH-55. They aretwo of the best three best ball heads on the market , the other being the Burzynski http://www.naturfotograf.com/burzynski.html<br>

which is not distributed i nthe USA. <br>

The feature that is moist useful o nthe Arca-Swissheads is the aspherical shape of the ball which does two things: lets hold and lock down tight with heavier loads than other ball heads of its size, adds increasing braking on the ball as the stem moves away from the vertical. Both attributes make it easier to precisely and securely position the camera and lens combination.<br>

There are many heads out there that now look externally look like the Arca-Swiss head, but internally are different. <br>

The RRS BH-55 is not one of those cosmetic clones and many wilderness and wildlife photogrpahers rely o nthe BH-55.<br>

As for clamp designs and plates. I do not like the lever actuated clamps as they pretty much lock you into a proprietary QR foot size. </p>

Go with the Arca-Swiss. The benefits of the aspherical ball are huge with respect to increased force

as you tilt away from center, keeping your cam from flopping over. I also have a RRS head. It's nice and

superbly made, and "looks" nicer than my AS head. But the AS head wins on usability, simply because of

its ball and design.

<p>I've been thinking about the Arca Swiss but I'm curious about the plate system and quick release system. I assume I have to purchase these plates seperately.</p>

<p>@ Adam Hill: Get the Arca-Swiss Z1. It has a large diameter ball and it's elliptical; the only one on the market. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get one of these myself for a new Gitzo 3541LS. If I buy the Z1 I'm getting the one without the Arca-Swiss QR clamp and getting a Markins screw clamp machined to go on the stem. Failing that I'd buy a Kirk or RRS screw clamp as both companies make them to fit the Z1.</p>

<p>Yes, camera-specific plates must be purchased for the Arca-Swiss type QR system.</p>

<p>What do you think the best system for Arca Swiss is? Quick release or otherwise?</p>

<p>I concur with Ellis and others regarding a screw clamp instead of a lever clamp. Besides the size compatibility issue, my brother got sand inside his lever-type RRS clamp in Portugal, rendering it useless. It would not close, and cannot be disassembled for cleaning.</p>

<p>The RRS replacement clamp is keyed to fit a notch in the Arca ball shaft to prevent rotation. No additional machining is required. Furthermore, the clamp knob is captive, and cannot fall off accidently. (You can remove it by popping the dust cap and removing the "E" ring retainer.)</p>

<p>You can't go wrong with either. I have an old Arca Swill B-1 that is great and still going strong. I keep it in the house on a heavy tripos and it is a great set-up for slower studio work. That being said, I have 2 RRS heads that I use for most work and for all travel. I love the quick release clamp. It is fast, reliable, and rock solid. The heads are flawless.</p>

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<p>What do you think the best system for Arca Swiss is? Quick release or otherwise?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Definitely quick release. And an Arca-Swiss type quick release too, just not the Arca-Swiss clamp! A lot of people seem to like <a href="http://www.kirkphoto.com/SQRC-Arca_Arca_Swiss_Quick_Release_Clamp.html">the Kirk clamp designed specifically for the Z1</a>, there is also <a href="http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B2-Pro-II-M6&type=3&eq=&desc=B2-Pro-II-with-Metric-6-scew">the RRS clamp designed for it</a>.</p>

<p>The Z1 ballhead is great, but the clamp Arca-Swiss sells with it is not.</p>

<p>Another vote for the Z1 with screw clamp. Love mine.</p>

<p>Adam, I have had the luxury of owning an Arca Swiss B1 monoball and a Kirk BH1. Both have Arca style clamps. I like both. Overall the Arca Swiss may be the stronger and the aspheric ball locks down really well for my 500mm long lens use and would be my first choice if I owned only one head and was using my long lens all the time. The Kirk head is slightly larger, for me more ergonomic and has a slightly smoother action. The Kirk is my everyday head. I have upgraded my Kirk head with the newer Kirk quick release that requires only a few short turns to release. I prefer this over the lever that might catch on something and open inadvertently with a big lens. I plan to get a new Kirk clamp for my Arca Swiss ball head as well. Good hunting. Andy

 

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<p>Thanks for the great insights. Especially on quick release items. I think I'll purchase the Z-1 with a Kirk attatchment...that way I can use the L bracket if I want to later.</p>

<p>Exactly Adam. Great choice! :-)</p>

<p>Thanks all!</p>

<p>Do you recommend any certain plates to go with them?</p>

<p>Wimberley, Kirk, Really and Right Stuff make very good plates and replacement feet. Andy</p>

<p>It looks like there's nothing to prevent a plate from sliding right out from the ball head when shooting vertically. I'm sure it doesn't, but I'm not sure why or how. Anyone know?</p>

<p>I love my Arca Swiss Z1. I now use a Kirk knob type quick release that is a perfect compliment. The aspherical ball makes a difference - it never flops, unlike some other heads I use.</p>

<p>I previously had the RRS lever quick release, but it was incompatible with the Novoflex macro focusing rail so I replaced it with the Kirk. It's better for me to use and lighter weight too.</p>

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<p>It looks like there's nothing to prevent a plate from sliding right out from the ball head when shooting vertically. I'm sure it doesn't, but I'm not sure why or how. Anyone know?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>An L-plate allows you to mount the camera vertically on the ballhead so you don't have to drop the ballhead stem into the drop slot. For a base-only mount, many plates feature stop screws that catch in a recessed area in the top of the plate. I will only use clamps that have a spring-loaded detent pin that catches in a cutout in the underside area of just about all plates. AFAIK only Acratech, Markins and Photo Clam make such clamps, and none of them fit on an Arca-Swiss Z1. I'm going to get one machined to fit.</p>

<p>Sorry to revive an aging thread but I'm finding myself in a similar boat, was thinking about using the RRS TVC-33 legs with an AC Z1 ball head, still not entirely sure on what QR system and L-Plate to get. The concesus seems to be for a Kirk QR & L-plate with this particular ball head.</p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

<p>Sorry to revive an aging thread but I'm finding myself in a similar boat, was thinking about using the RRS TVC-33 legs with an AC Z1 ball head, still not entirely sure on what QR system and L-Plate to get. The concesus seems to be for a Kirk QR & L-plate (D700 non-grip) with this particular ball head.</p>

<p>Cheers.</p>