Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

This is a great, though expensive, head. I've always preferred a geared head to a ball head, for stationary subjects. I used the Manfrotto 410 for years, but it is heavier, extends higher above the tripod, and is less precise.

I was surprised that the Cube lacks a control that the 410 has -- the ability to pan (rotate) using gears. With the cube, you need to pan manually, which is less precise. The 410 has geared controls for all three axes, the cube has only two geared axes. Also, the 410 has clutches so you can make larger adjustments in all three axes without using the gear control knobs.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

I've been gradually moving toward doing more marco work of flowers and small mechanical and electronic components. I also do some 35mm format architectural work.
What I kept finding was that conventional tripod heads, even the nice Manfrotto Ball Head that I love for general use are not good for holding heavy lenses or making precise fine adjustments needed for specialty macro pursuits. This thing however is perfect.
I'm still exploring all the features but the build quality is EXCELLENT. This is one of the most beautufully designed and manufactured mechanical instruments I've even seen; I've owned cameras and lenses which weren't as nicely made. Adjustments are fine, smooth and the head plus attached camera stays where you put it 100% of the time in every conceivable position. Make sure it's on a sturdy tripod.
This is worth every penny for the work I do. A fantastic machine that's a pleasure to use.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

For the amount of money and the reputation for quality that Arca Swiss has I was greatly disappointed to find two small scratches by the base tilt indicator markings as well as the numbering for the base tilt indicator to be faded or worn, not crisp and white like the other numbers. Granted this is purely cosmetic but for the amount of money spent I was expecting perfection.

I purchased the Cube C1 for my architectural photography and after using it I would not use any other head. Adjust the height of the tripod, level the head using the longitudinal and transversal adjustments and then pan the camera to frame the shot. Simple and fast. The compact design and the lack of handles make placing the camera into tight spots easy. No slop or sagging, stays were you adjust it and is rock solid.

The quick release works with Really Right Stuff camera plates. Be careful when adjusting the tension wheel, I went too far and the lever came off. I had to take the quickset clamp off the head to get it back together, not a big deal. I wish it came with a padded slip on cover for protection. I found out the Kirk BH-1 Pouch is to small so for now I am wrapping the head with some closed-cell foam (cut piece of a Ridge-Rest sleeping pad).

Other than the disappointing cosmetic defects the Cube C-1 helps me to be more productive doing my job.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

I am a pro using medium format digital. I was tired of using tripod heads that move slightly when you tighten them, or slip under weight, and wanted the best. I wanted something rock-solid that stays where you put it, but is till relatively small and light. This is the item I was looking for, very expensive, but just about perfect, so worth it. Others have mentioned some problems adjusting the spring clip that holds the mounting plate of the camera, so I was super-cautious when trying to adjust it initially, but still had a problem - I loosened the adjustment screw too much and the whole piece came apart, springing across the room. It is a real pain to put it back together, but when I did so I rearranged the convex washers that act as a spring to give me slightly greater width for the universal Wimberley plate that I purchased with this head - and now it is perfect.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

Fine control for macro Photography. Easier to adjust settings than a ballhead
Very pricey but in the long run it is worth it.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

Nowhere near as "fast" as a ball-head, but I consider that a plus. Makes me slow down and take my time, composing, measuring light, focusing, etc.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

The C1 Cube is a multifunction tripod that not just helps me in leveling my camera for panoramic images. It also helps when I am working on my fine art project where precise composition is necessary. The only thing I am not sure with the Cube is the fraction wheels, not much difference when in use!

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

I have the Acratech GP BALLHEAD w/QR/DETENT PIN that I use with my DSLR, and it works great. I use this with my Sinar P2 and plan to use it with my Hasselblad. Because large and medium format cameras and lenses weigh more, having this completely geared system makes positioning the camera a snap. It is a wonderful piece of engineering. My only complaint is that I wish the tension control went higher. The Sinar P2 with a lens is approximately 15 lbs. I wouldn't go any higher. Also, although the adjustments go to 30 degrees in all four directions, I wouldn't take it past 25 degrees with a camera of this weight. With the Hasselblad, it may be different.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

The best "ball head" one can buy!
It allows one to position a camera at any angle and then adjust those settings in a very precise way.
A must have for view cameras and technical cameras.
Only negative is its price - very expensive.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

One has to be careful reviewing a piece of gear like this. It absolutely has to stand the test of time. Out of the box and into the field this thing is fantastic. Much faster handling than any other head I have used, very precise, no slop.Will it stand the test of time? Only time will tell. I will say this head managed to become a mainstay for me after one day of use. The fifth star can only come with time.It is worth [...] to give it a try or somehow get a look at it in person. If you have years of experience and do the kind of work this is appropriate for, it's utility will become immediately apparent to you.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

This is a great head for accuracy for landscape or macro photogrphy.
The precision and lack of drift also make it ideal for panoramic shots
that need to be stitched together or shots that need to be merged for HDR.
Overall we felt that it is worth the money if you are serious about your photos.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

Previously I used a Manfrotto 4x5 for my Arca Swiss 8x10 F. The axis of movement is suspended which allows for bounce. The "Cube" in contrast has a direct connection through the tripod to the camera such that bounce is eliminated, "possibly" at the expense of a more direct path for vibration, which I haven't experienced. Knobs are useable with gloves, drag is adjustable on the knobs and the self arresting movement is precise with no backlash. This thing is great for panoramas and faster to adjust than any other geared head I've used. Once the head is level the pano movement on top (not geared) is smooth. The bottom pano movement is there to orient the cube. The locking clamp is an improvement on the B1 head type clamp.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

Use this tripod head for easy, ultra precise placement of camera gear of any weight. The only geared head that is reasonable to hike with and it is the finest geared head regardless of weight, it just happens to be light too.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

I own several high quality tripod heads and thought I didn't need to spend [$] on another one. I was aware of the Arca Swiss C1 Cube when it first came out and at first glance it looked heavy. However after researching it a bit more I decided to order one and give it try. It's fantastic! It's actually lighter than the tripod heads I was using. It's precise, compact and very well made. In fact, I'm considering buying a second one.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

On first sight it looked like something from the future... on handling it was so easy to learn of it's 3-D capabilities. I don't do much tripod photography but was intrigued by reviews of this marvellous piece of engineering. It's definitely not for everyone's use - being heavy is it's major drawback, but ideal in a studio use or even to hold super tele/zooms in difficult conditions. Movement controls are precise and smooth. This piece is relatively expensive, so it is a collector's choice.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

Whereas most engineering processes involve a balance of performance, ie when an engineer improves one aspect, other aspects decline. This Arca Swiss Cube is definitely all-rounded in every aspect.

Construction achieves the level of watch-making, I find every piece of metal flawless. Movement is smooth and even, with absolutely no loose play. Adjustment is fast and simple, don't be frightened by all the knobs, using this Cube is definitely easier than a traditional ballhead. When you release a ballhead, the whole assembly is released and you cannot fine tune the movement of one direction without distracting other directions. The Cube on the other hand, moves immediately to where you want to aim and the camera is always locked rock solid whenever the aim is achieved. Wildlife photography certainly needs this, and I even use it to pan my moving baby son with a tripod (I could never do this with a traditional ballhead).

For all traditional ballheads, the camera always tilt a bit after the ballhead is locked, for heavy cameras or lenses, the photographer has to anticipate the tilt so that he/she has to aim slightly higher to allow the drop. This Cube completely eliminates this problem. That's why aiming is much faster.

Panning is much easier and more accurate, the panning mechanism is positioned right next to the flip lock and above the levelling platform, which means once you have levelled the levelling platform, the whole panning process is always perfectly levelled. Most other panning ballheads require a perfectly levelled tripod to start off with(which is difficult or even dangerous when you are standing on a rock), but the Cube can compensate for an off level tripod. Adjustment of level is ultra-fast and can always be done within seconds.

Function-to-weight ratio is good, I am currently using it on a Gitzo 3541 and find no difficulty to carry it uphill 200 meters for landscape shooting (together with a medium dslr, one 400mm tele and two 700g lenses)

The price is high when compared with traditional ballheads, but the functional improvement worths it. Considering the money we spend to upgrade a glass from 1.2 to 1.0, the Cube is more cost-effective.

Thanks to the Cube, I am now missing less and less important shots---success rate is MUCH higher. With this reward, I am willing to pay even more.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

My favorite, best thought-out accessory. The precision and self-locking gears alone make this head more useful than any of the many others I've tried and own. (No more camera flop!) Two-axis movement is perfect for leveling and framing. The two panning beds save you a separate leveling/panning device. I felt extremely frivolous when I bought it, but now it's one of the last pieces of equipment I'd part with. I use it for 35mm - 4x5" cameras. It can probably carry an 8x10" as long as it's reasonably balanced.

Comments about Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head w / Arca-Type Flip-Lock Quick Release:

The cube is amazing for fine focusing supporting heavy weight. Incredibly simple to use and flawless in its design. I love this thing.