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Arca Swiss Z1

ARCA-SWISS Monoball Z1 DP Double Pan with Quick Set Device "Flip-Lock", Supports 122 lbs. Arca Swiss: 801114 ARCA-SWISS monoball Z Stronger, lighter A leader of tripod head design for over 40 years, ARCA-SWISS is setting new standards revisiting their B-series models and introducing the Z-Series, just as elegant, and even more perfect. The size and weight of the ball heads have been significantly reduced. The ball and fastening are now accumulated using a patented bayonet mount. Various accessaries may therefore be speedily mounted to adjust the tripod as required. In addition to the proven, patented Arca-Swiss features, including aspherical ball heads, axial clamping and PMF (progressive motion related friction control), the Z-Series likewise boasts new technical developments and optimized materials and coatings.

Most helpful client reviews

9 of 10 persons found the following review helpful.
The one to beat!
By gd527
This is an great product. Solid, beautiful construction. Simple to use, with little to no chance of moving the defective adjustment at the wrong time. Easy to set up, easy to tighten just where you want it, a fine piece of equipment.

I use this on a set of Manfrotto 055XWNB legs, for a reasonably lowcost mounting system. If I were to spend more money, I'd go for better legs. I would leave the head as-is no matter of what legs I purchased.

The only caveat on the head is the quick-release system. I have both Really Right Stuff and general Arca-Swiss plates. The RRS plates are fractionally wider than the A-S type, and as a result I need to do a bit of adjustment screw spinning when moving among a lot of of my pieces of instrumentation if I want to do the "slide in from the end" mounting technique. Not an issue if I'm wholly opening the clamp to do a drop-in mount. This isn't a big deal, but I may have purchased the screw-clamp model (for +/- $10 less) had I known.

5 of 6 humans found the following review helpful.
Excellent ballhead, highly recommended
By Aaron
This ballhead is a joy to use. I've had it while shooting as a hobbyist, and then later as a professional.

The typical shoot involves setting the resistance based on the weight of the camera and lens. It's fast to do based on feel, takes less than 10 seconds on intermediate to get it perfect. After the resistance is set I may reframe as necessitated without calling for to touch the knobs. It's an eye opener the introductory time you use a high quality ballhead.

Something I actually liked regarding the main knob is that the resistance scale is free floating, meaning you may set how much resistance '10' represents on the scale. It's handy to have if your camera is extra light or extra heavy. A 10 for my camera may represent the same resistance to motion as a 10 for yours, once the scale is adjusted. On a ballhead without this adjustment, if you have a heavy camera you may go past the most eminent number on the scale attempting to get the resistance just right, and then the numbers just look goofy.

The quickset knob for panning is genuinely nice. It's easy to adjust the stiffness, and I think it's more comfortable to use than the circular style found on the other Arca Swiss heads.

I've owned it for when it comes to two years, and have not had any problems. It's been a joy to use and has unquestionably taken care of me on shoots. I'd commend it to anybody that's severe with regards to photography.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Great product - exclusively worth it.
By akinmpls
I have had the Arca Swiss Z1 SP for over 3 years now. It has served me well and has never let me down in all this time. I employed it for the duration of assorted global trips all over the world and when coupled with my Gitzos (Series 3 and 5 from their systematic line) has delivered seriously sharp images, without fail.

It is unfeigned that the manufacturer of Arca Swiss instrumentation is finelooking reclusive and don't have even a viable website, but I plainly cannot find fault with the product and have never necessitated any kind of service on it.

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