Arca-Swiss alternative?

ScottG

I used to have an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead...paid quite a bit for it some years ago. But as some of you know, all my photo gear was stolen. I'm currently rebuilding everything and going digital.

I loved my ballhead, but was wondering if there was anything out there now that is simular to the Arca-Swiss, but doesn't cost so much. I mean, this thing is 400 fricken dollars! I know the quality is there as I used to have one, but come on! Anything close to that?

Just wondering. I'm not scrimping on the tripod legs, but was hoping to go a little easier on the ballhead.

cmason

ScottG wrote:

I used to have an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead...paid quite a bit for it some years ago. But as some of you know, all my photo gear was stolen. I'm currently rebuilding everything and going digital.

I loved my ballhead, but was wondering if there was anything out there now that is simular to the Arca-Swiss, but doesn't cost so much. I mean, this thing is 400 fricken dollars! I know the quality is there as I used to have one, but come on! Anything close to that?

Just wondering. I'm not scrimping on the tripod legs, but was hoping to go a little easier on the ballhead.

Really Right Stuff are highly recommended...but only a bit cheaper than Arca-Swiss

jwear

cmason wrote:

Really Right Stuff are highly recommended...but only a bit cheaper than Arca-Swiss

I think RRS is more but I just picked up one and the name says it --RRS-very good and you may want to look at kirk

Scott_Quier

Don't know how much weight you intend to mount on your tripod, but I have add pretty good success (as far as I have been able to determine) with the "ultimate ball-head" from acratch link here .

I have successfully mounted a 20d with a the sigma 50-500 and gotten pretty solid/sharp images at the long end. As always, YMMV.

ScottG

Thanks Scott, I'll look into those. They look interesting that's for sure. And the price is nice also.

Thanks again.

ian408

Take a look through the varios accessories threads, including the stickies at the
top for some recommendations.

What are you interested in putting on the head? That should help in your decision.
But if you're not skimping on the legs, why skimp on the head?

I'm a happy RRS customer. Great product, great customer service. I own an Acratech
too. But that's more for lightweight camera/lens combo. With the RRS and a
Wimberely Sidekick, I can swing the 500mm easily.

Ian

Blurmore

I like my Bembo ball head but it does sink a little with the 20D + bracket + 580ex + 70-200 f4L but I've learned to compensate. My boss uses a Uni-Loc. Super strong killer ball head, he says he has mounted a B&J 5x7 monorail to it.

He has the 60 series revolving base head which is (lb sterling sign)203, so I have no idea what that is US.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/index.cfm?binsandscopes/TRIPODS/uniloc.html

msandman

Lookk at the Acratech ballhead

ScottG wrote:

I used to have an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead...wondering if there was anything out there now that is simular to the Arca-Swiss, but doesn't cost so much.

Take a look at www.acratech.net for their ballhead -- about $300 plus shipping and very nicely made. You can also bid on an Acratech "maufacturer's second" on e-Bay and save a few more dollars. I did that - the product had a tiny bit blemish but it acquired more than that the first time I used it. And the savings paid for a quick release plate for my camera.

Jacksmyname

Hi all, new here.
I use a 3021PRO tripod. I originally had the 488RC2 ballhead on it, but recently replaced it with a RRS BH-40LR ball head and a Wimberley Sidekick. The heaviest combo I use with it at the moment is a 20D+300f/2.8L IS+Canon 2xTC. It's an absolute pleasure. It's so nice I got the same setup for my wife to use with her 20D+100-400L IS.
The ballhead is certainly not cheap ($375), but well worth the price. Locks down solid as a rock without having to white-knuckle it.
Jack