Grrr - new Arca Swiss locking up

[vandit]

Ok, I have a new Arca Swiss B1 head - the new version, with the

silver/grey friction screw.

 

Had it stored in a bag at home for the last 3 months - I come back and

the blasted ball is locked. No matter what permutations and

combinations I try with the friction screw and the control knob, the

head doesnt move (ok, it moved a wee bit at one point, and now is

obstinately locked solid).

 

I tried the RRS solution as well - that hasnt seemed to help either.

 

Any ideas?

 

TIA,

Vandit

[vandit]

To clarify - the multifunction knob turns, the friction screw turns, but the ballhead itself doesnt move.

[ellis_vener_photography]

Try mounting a camera and lens on the head (i.e. putting a load on the system) and then

try again.

[vandit]

Ok, I found the solution.

 

It was pretty much as described on the RRS website, but with the proviso that the frition knob had to be first tightened all the way as well. Then cranking the control knob even tighter, followed by loosening the friction knob and then loosening the control knob did the trick.

 

Moral of the story: buy the RRS ballhead instead!

 

Irritated by the pointlessly lousy ergonomics,

Vandit

[neelphoto]

I had the Arca Swiss B1. Never had the lock-up. But the ball became sticky within 6 months of buying. Sent it for repairs. When it came back, I promply sold it and bought the RRS. Never had any issues since.

[arnabdas]

I have a new Arca Swiss that locks up once in a while (the ball will tilt but not rotate across it's axis) and I follow RRS' recommended method.

 

A/S sucks bigtime. I am much happier with my other 2 Acratech heads and 1 big Kaiser.