Retro-fit Kaiser Pro-ballhead with Arca style plate

[mike_clinard1]

I recently purchased the Kaiser medium pro ballhead with the

universal plate and want to adapt it to an Arca style plate. It looks

like I'll have to attach either RRS or Kirk plates directly on top of

the universal plate, which I prefer not to do, as it is adding more

mass on top.

 

The problem is the stud on the ball is not threaded, but instead has

a slotted cavity that holds a reversible stud that in turn is held in

place by the universal plate. I have to turn the entire head to screw

the camera (EOS-3) onto the plate.

 

This seems very awkward. Both Kirk and RRS suggest screwing their

plate, with Loctite, onto the universal plate. They admit it's not

the best solution, but that's all they can offer.

 

Have any of you had similar problems upgrading this head. Maybe I

should just return it and buy the Kirk. It seems like this is too

much sugar for a dime.

[frank uhlig]

I recall that the RRS literature tells which heads can accept threaded plates and which not; Kaiser among the non-usable ones, I am afraid, sorry.

 

You should have read the details before sinking your $s into something that will not match nicely. The info was out all over phnet, RRS etc.

 

The Giottos work with a threaded stud, as do Linhofs; Graf Studioballs do not, etc etc ... Just investigate and you will learn how to match and win.

[mike_clinard1]

Frank...

 

We learn more through our mistakes than from our successes.

 

I can't even figure out how to mount my camera to the universal plate without turning either the camera or the entire head. When you turn the plate it unscrews from the stud.

 

Call me dumb...if you want, but this is not like any head I've ever used.

 

Is there anyone who is familiar with this head. (I have email Kaiser via their web site)

 

Thanks... Mike

[GerrySiegel]

If you can return it, then you can buy one of the ballheads with a Arca style clamp that fits with less bulk and weight although more bucks typically. I think you have figured that is the way to go. Arca,Kirk,and now RRS produce costly but lifetime investment heads. (Even my high powered but hefty Foba QR clamp comes screwed onto a flat round platform. Not the best solution for a QR clamp.) And then of course you have to start investing in plates made for your camera which will fit without rotation and other mess. That is what system means,ie $. Retro fit is iffy in this case I think, Mike. Live and learn is true as ever.