Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp (Single Pan) Ballhead with 1/4"-20 Screw - Supports 130 lb (59 kg)

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

I tested this head side by side with a Really Right Stuff BH40. I set my Nikon D90 to 200mm on my 18-200 VR. Try this and you'll apreciate why this ball is so good...it allows you to make precise and minute adjustments...I tried to center a door knob with the BH40...it seemed to take forever...trying to control the jerky movements despite the settings of the sweet spot. The Z1 was magnificant and made it easy to zero in quickly, even when adjusting while using a bubble level. Remove the top, and replace it with a Really Right Stuff lever release clamp (It fits perfectly using ann M6 flathead socket screw) and put an L bracket on your camera...Voila...Ball Head Heaven! I'm very happy with it, the sweet spot is fantastic, the pan base locks like no tomorrow (Forget Markins), and this is the smoothest most precise ballhead I've seen...

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

I bought this head and the RRS lever quick release. Worked great until I added the Novoflex Castel-Q macro focusing rail. Slipped right through the RRS clamp. Replaced the RRS with a Kirk knob quick release and now it's almost perfect.

I have this head mounted on a GT2541ex and it's great for macro work. The elliptical ball keeps things from flopping and it sets very tightly, even with using a 200/4 on a focusing rail at 1:1.

Fit, finish and design, plus the best ratio of weight to holding weight. Until the Arca Swiss D4 becomes available, this is my favorite head for macro work (the Cube is too heavy). The only downside it the tiny knob for rotation.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

This is the most quality monoball head that I have ever seen.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

I have used RRS BH-55 for a year now, also using smaller ballhead from Markins and Photoclam, and came to Arca Swiss rather late. But I rank Z1 above them all. The BH-55 while being better made than Z1, is not as SMOOTH in its ball movement.(in fact I think it is jerky, great handling ballhead but jerky ball movement) The RRS requires almost 2.5 turns to completely lock the ball while Z1 only requires half a turn. Plus Z1 has adjustable markings on the main knob so you know where you are without ever having to turn the main knob to find out. Z1 is also lighter than BH-55. I have fitted the B2 LR 40 plate on the Z1 (be warned not to use the B2 AS II as its steel lever will hit the base of the Z1). Z1's flip lock is not as sophisticated as the newer ones being released from say Photoclam Pro Gold II series, Kangrinpoche or Sunwayfoto. Keep an eye open as there are so many competitors entering the scene.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

like a oil damper.
it is never get out of position.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

I got the model with the 1/4" 20 screw top which I then removed and added the Really Right Stuff Screw Knob clamp B2 Pro II with metric 6 screw and installed with locktite. I matched this with a camera body plate from RRS and a generic telephoto lens plate off [...] for the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8.Although the instructions could be clearer - the friction thumb screw works as follows. Mount your lightest gear, turn the main knob to your desired amount of drag, then turn in the friction thumb screw all the way. Now when you loosen the main knob, it will stop at that friction setting. You twist the number indicator which is just a rotating band of metal, so that the fully loose position reads '0' instead of '3' or what you have set as your minimum friction drag.For heavier lens setups you then just remember that they start at a '1' '2' '3', etc which from the original setting in this example would be a '3+1' '3+2' '3+3' etc.Just don't try to force the main knob back past the point where you've locked the friction thumb screw as this could potentially lock the head.Good. Solid. No fuss, and I am by no means a heavy user, or use it regularly in a profession, but searching forums will yield unending praise over this ball head.I've coupled mine with a Gitzo GT2531 Mountaineer tripod which is only about twice as heavy as the head. Its a great combo, but do hang a bag from the center column if you're working in a windy or crowded environment.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

Very smooth, light weight, easy to operate. I would buy another.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

Its a great ball head for all commercial photographer who looking for light weight yet steady for portrait, fashion, nature, photography.
It works well with Really Right Stuff quick release accessories.
Its a very delicate ball head! Use it with extra care!

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp with 1/4"-20 Screw:

A great ball head for outdoor and nature work. I bought this model intending to replace the threaded screw mount with a lever-based quick release clamp from Really Right Stuff, which made it perfect for my needs. (I'm not a big fan of Arca-Swiss' lever-based clamp.)

I used it on a recent long weekend trip and it performed great. Rock-solid support on my Induro C314 carbon fiber tripod, no matter the situation. I highly recommend the Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 SP.