Arca going downhill?

[Simon Easton]

For years I listened with incredulity to those who claimed that the Arca monoball locked up. A recent one that I purchased has done it now, however, and it was only a month old. Nothing I could do would get it to operate smoothly again.

Trying to get service from Arca is not easy.

So I'm in the market for a good replacement. I think I'm done with Arca. There must be something as good after all these years.

[Tim Gray]

Three contenders, in no particular order seem to be: RRS BH55, Markins M10 and Acratech Ultimate.

I have both the Acratech and the Markins, and prefer the Markins - which is lighter than the BH55. I've never seen anything but enthusiasm for the BH55 (other than price)

[Rageboy]

I have an Acratec which is a nice light field tripod, but for heavyduty stability my RRS is the king. There is a waiting list, but to my mind RRS is the best head made.

[CJMax]

I've been using a Foba Superball for over a year now.

I am 100% delighted with it. Note that I did state Superball - it's the larger of the two units that they make. It has a nice lever to control the swivel action of the ball - much easier to use during a shoot than a knob. The lever makes it easy to keep one's eye looking at the subject throught the camera viewfinder while making quick adjustments. It's just a great idea. I love it. No fumbling around - quick and easy. Try one out. You'll love it.

[Sherry Young]

I use the Really Right Stuff BH55. Paired with the L bracket for my camera bodies it is a thing of beauty. They also have great customer service - pick up a phone and talk to a real person who politely fixes your problem.

[Rageboy]

Originally Posted by Sherry Young

I use the Really Right Stuff BH55. Paired with the L bracket for my camera bodies it is a thing of beauty. They also have great customer service - pick up a phone and talk to a real person who politely fixes your problem.

Hi Sherry,

I agree with this. RRS is a thing of beauty. I love my Ultimate, it is light (perfect for a CF tripod) and is very stable. But the RRS is clearly a better ballhead in many ways. And customer service is great. Not to mention the catalog they send you is not just a listing of their stuff, but contains great information on how to better use camera support systems.

[dangles]

I use the Markins M10 with a Giottos MT-8170.

[lecter]

here are my ballheads with comments:-
Acratech: Awesome. Weird if wanting to tilt where the housing is. But light and well made 8/10
Kirk BH-3: Nice Ballhead. Never given an issue. 9/10
Markins: Really nice. Like the ability to set the resistance. Light too. 9/10
Kangrinpoche : bought a really small one. Handles the 1Ds with a 24-70 no problem. Issues when over the shoulder but nice!! 8/10

Rob

[Customer Support]

Dear Mister Easton

If your Monoball is "locked-up" please try the following explained in the Monoball Manual:

Do not force the Multifunction Knob backwards, (counterclockwise) as this may lead to a freeze-up of the ball.
To correct this, turn the Multifunction Knob forwards (clockwise) then back out the Friction Thumb Screw
counterclockwise and re-loosen the Multifunction Knob counterclockwise.
(When Friction Thumb Screw is engaged, the Multifunction Knob will not loosen past set friction point).

Trouble-Shooting:

Symptoms: ballhead - multifunction knob or friction screw is locked
Measure to take: Always thighten the multifunction knob first (clockwise)
and loosen the small friction screw.


If above steps do not help to unlock your Monoball please contact either:

ARCA-SWISS Inc. / Chicago
e-mail: arcaswiss@aol.com
Ph: (773) 248 2513
Fax: (773) 248 2774

or:

ARCA-SWISS International
e-mail: arca-swiss @wanadoo.fr
(due to our Business Vacation e-mail response will be delayed)

In any case you will find on your Warranty Card all relevant contact addresses and instructions.
Also note: Your Monoball is covered with a Lifetime Warranty.

Kind regards

ARCA-SWISS
Mark, Customer Support

[lecter]

Awesome response. Nice to see real customer service.

Cheers

Rob

Originally Posted by Customer Support

Dear Mister Easton

If your Monoball is "locked-up" please try the following explained in the Monoball Manual:

Do not force the Multifunction Knob backwards, (counterclockwise) as this may lead to a freeze-up of the ball.
To correct this, turn the Multifunction Knob forwards (clockwise) then back out the Friction Thumb Screw
counterclockwise and re-loosen the Multifunction Knob counterclockwise.
(When Friction Thumb Screw is engaged, the Multifunction Knob will not loosen past set friction point).

Trouble-Shooting:

Symptoms: ballhead - multifunction knob or friction screw is locked
Measure to take: Always thighten the multifunction knob first (clockwise)
and loosen the small friction screw.


If above steps do not help to unlock your Monoball please contact either:

ARCA-SWISS Inc. / Chicago
e-mail: arcaswiss@aol.com
Ph: (773) 248 2513
Fax: (773) 248 2774

or:

ARCA-SWISS International
e-mail: arca-swiss @wanadoo.fr
(due to our Business Vacation e-mail response will be delayed)

In any case you will find on your Warranty Card all relevant contact addresses and instructions.
Also note: Your Monoball is covered with a Lifetime Warranty.

Kind regards

ARCA-SWISS
Mark, Customer Support

[DMJ]

I have the Kirk BH-3. It works quite well. But I'm not into action wildlife stuff. I do a lot of macro shots of things that sit still.

And taking off on that tangent, I have my BH-3 mounted on the Unloc System Major 1600 tripod. It is very nice for what I do.

[orthogent]

Originally Posted by CJMax

I've been using a Foba Superball for over a year now.

I am 100% delighted with it. Note that I did state Superball - it's the larger of the two units that they make. It has a nice lever to control the swivel action of the ball - much easier to use during a shoot than a knob. The lever makes it easy to keep one's eye looking at the subject throught the camera viewfinder while making quick adjustments. It's just a great idea. I love it. No fumbling around - quick and easy. Try one out. You'll love it.

Hey, Foba is heavy and I have my doubts about Sinar Brown supporting this line. Still, I upgraded my old Foba with the Really Right Stuff lever plate, 80mm, two M5 screws and it is a real pleasure. I think it is worth the investment of about 130.00 USD...http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/clamps/index.html slick as an oiled earlobe!
Gerry Siegel
Flatus Institute of the Pacific,
Department of Invertebrate Psychology

[bavanor]

I have the Acratech Ultimate ballhead, and have really enjoyed it for 3-4 years now. I agree with others on RRS service, I have their quick release plates and they are great.

Aaron

[Doug Holloway]

to ARCA-SWISS
Mark, Customer Support
I am a ARCA-SWISS I have 5 of them the Lifetime Warranty
is not worth the paper it is on
I sent one in that was locked up and I paided over $75 to have it fixed
thanks Doug