Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

This is a great design I'm surprised it took so long for it to be discovered. Paired with the Arca-Swiss Quick set Flip-lock clamp it is the prefect ball head. It is very intuitive to use, nicely sized and very attractive. I only wish it came with the Flip-lock clamp already attached.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

I was considering a ball head leveler to help with panos, but the simple but brilliant idea of inverting the standard ball head design eliminates the need, complexity, weight, and expense of another piece of equipment. And it is a few ounces lighter than the ball head I have been using!
Just be cautious when using it with an L bracket on the end of a lateral arm as for macro work or in portrait orientation, with a heavier lens and/or flash attached the panning system may rotate even when tightened as much as possible. I had that happen and was afraid of over tightening and possibly damaging the panning system. If that would be a consideration you may want to go to the next size up a I may yet do.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

Incredibly light weight yet as strong as I need. I got tired of fiddling with my Arca Swiss Z1 head which is heavier and has two small knobs that need adjusting. So much quicker to grab the wide ring on this head for all standard adjustments.

I use it with my 300 mm f4.0 with no issues. Very stable and locks securely. Unless you're using those fast and heavy super telephotos that cost $6,000 and up this head will handle everything.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

I am an enthusiast photographer that takes everything from macro, landscape, star, to portrait photography. The monoball p0 seemed like a great fit for me because of how quickly you can loosen and readjust the head without taking your eye from the camera. It is a snap to find the tightening ring, loosing it with a quick half turn, reposition, and tighten again.

However it isn't quite so easy to reach the panning adjust when it is underneath the grip. I wish the lever could have been a bit longer to make for an easier grip.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

I was looking for a sturdy, lightweight ballhead to go with my Gitzo Traveller tripod. This is a good choice.
I expected a smoother movement when articulating the head, so a bit of a disappointment. Maybe it will 'wear in.'
The locking collar is very positive. Right angle movement is limited to one position, so the head/tripod combo has to be positioned properly.
A bit pricey, but there isn't a better lightweight ball head currently available.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

This ball head is very well balanced since the camera is mounted close to the center of the ball. Because there are no knobs to loosen the ball it is very easy to adjust without looking. And since the panning mechanism is on the top, you can mostly forgo leveling the tripod legs, and just worry about the top. That makes it very easy to set up panoramas.

The head is very lightweight, yet can handle fairly large lenses.

The camera screw can be removed with a 11mm thin-walled socket, and has an M6 thread. You can attach a quick release clamp with a screw from the top after removing it. You'll probably need a shorter screw than the one that comes with the clamp you buy, so you'll probably need to make a trip to the hardware store.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

Using this on a Gitzo G1325 with Nikon D700. Longest lens 70-200mm f/2.8. Doing mostly landscape, and some product shots.

To me twisting the ring is easier than fiddling with knobs on the Arca-Swiss B1, or Markins M20 I have. Don't have to reach around for the knob that changes side when shooting down or up.

The design of the P0 is that of a normal ball head turned upside-down. As a result, the pan mechanism is on the top. If you level the camera, the pan axis is also level. This is great for panoramas. All you need is a bar and L-bracket for lodal point adjustment.

This is not a heavy ball head. Great for hiking, but I wouldn't go over 200mm with it.

Comments about Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System:

The claim that it supports 20 kilos is at best a bit overenthusiastic!
Granted, it will not collapse, but if you use a relatively heavy lens for close-up purposes, it will show some kind of an elastic rebound which means that the camera has to be set first, and the object ro be photographed second, which defeats the purpose I intended it for: utmost precision of movement.
However, if the lens has a tripod collar, and is thus well balanced it will work properly.