Arca Swiss advice please

learningtofly

learningtofly

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Hi all. I'm about to pull the trigger on a Monoball P0 and, at present, am struggling to determine what plate mount I need with it.

My thinking is that I can get away with the Quickset MonoballFix as all the other options have a second "indent" and seem to be designed to accommodate rails or similar in addition to a standard plate - not something I'll ever use. (I've attached a couple of photos, the first being the MonoballFix and the second showing the two indents on all of the more expensive options).

Have I got this right, because if I have I can save myself anything up to about £70?

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If you're only going to be using the smaller monoballfix plates, then yes, go for the top one. Haoge make a decent clone of the smaller (2x1 inch) ones.

I went for the bottom version since I use regular Arca Swiss style plates every now and then, but I don't really like doing that since the safety stops aren't long enough when using the top rail.
 
FruitFlakes said:
If you're only going to be using the smaller monoballfix plates, then yes, go for the top one. Haoge make a decent clone of the smaller (2x1 inch) ones.

I went for the bottom version since I use regular Arca Swiss style plates every now and then, but I don't really like doing that since the safety stops aren't long enough when using the top rail.
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Excellent, thanks!
 
Bebop said:
Thanks for asking the question.... I am watching with interest, and had wondered the same :)

Also wondered whether to go for the lever or the screw.
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I’ve gone for the one with the lever, as per the first photo. £330 from Wex, including the plate.

Should be with me by Tuesday, all being well.
 
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Are you sure that's what you want? The MonoballFix doesn't take standard Arca plates, only the smaller proprietary plates that nobody else makes. The double decker clamps take standard and small plates. Unfortunately Arca doesn't make a clamp for this head that takes only standard plates, though you could get the version without a clamp and add a third party clamp.
 
Retune said:
Are you sure that's what you want? The MonoballFix doesn't take standard Arca plates, only the smaller proprietary plates that nobody else makes. The double decker clamps take standard and small plates. Unfortunately Arca doesn't make a clamp for this head that takes only standard plates, though you could get the version without a clamp and add a third party clamp.
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Ah, got you. No, I didn’t realise that so it looks like I’ll be changing the order!

Edit: Strike that - I think the one I ordered will do me nicely, and I actually have an aftermarket clamp and plate that I can use if I want to.
 
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I got the one w/o a clamp at all and attached an aftermarket Arca Swiss clamp to it instead. Easy, cheap, and better IMO.

You take the 1/4-20 screw out and attach the clamp with an M6 x1.0 screw. I used a lever clamp; if you use a screw type clamp with large knob you'll have to add a spacer (or trim the pan lock lever).
 
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P0 is a really good head (y) but while AS heads are generally regarded as among the very best, ironically there are few fans of their clamps. Like many others, I have fitted a cheap third-party clamp that is way better than AS's expensive options.

Be aware that because of the P0's upsidedown design you lose the panning facility when flipped over for vertical framing, or at least it's a lot more awkward. If that's an issue for you, there are various ways around it - I use an L-bracket on the camera.
 
HoppyUK said:
P0 is a really good head (y) but while AS heads are generally regarded as among the very best, ironically there are few fans of their clamps. Like many others, I have fitted a cheap third-party clamp that is way better than AS's expensive options.

Be aware that because of the P0's upsidedown design you lose the panning facility when flipped over for vertical framing, or at least it's a lot more awkward. If that's an issue for you, there are various ways around it - I use an L-bracket on the camera.
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Thanks, Richard, and noted.
 
Well, I couldn't be happier. The clean and simple MonoballFix clamp and plate will serve me well 99% of the time, and I have an aftermarket alternative if I need it (although I can't envisage a scenario when I would). What a revelation the head is, especially for headshots/portraits (the focus - pardon the pun - of my work) where quick adjustments are often necessary. Superb quality, and I'm delighted.

IMG_7079.jpg
 
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Sweet :cool: Brilliant head that - small, light, very strong, fast, and doesn't shift position when you lock it down. I have the same tripod, too.

The MonoballFix plate is a neat system and works well until you need to dovetail (haha!) with other tripod accessories - like a camera L-bracket that makes portrait orientation 100x easier with the P0. Another option is to add a panning base to the head - loads of good/cheap choices on Amazon/eBay, eg this (though I've not used it) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Pan...ds=tripod+panning+base&qid=1623778208&sr=8-11

ps I find the P0 also works very well on a monopod (y)
 
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HoppyUK said:
Sweet :cool: Brilliant head that - small, light, very strong, fast, and doesn't shift position when you lock it down. I have the same tripod, too.

The MonoballFix plate is a neat system and works well until you need to dovetail (haha!) with other tripod accessories - like a camera L-bracket that makes portrait orientation 100x easier with the P0. Another option is to add a panning base to the head - loads of good/cheap choices on Amazon/eBay, eg this (though I've not used it) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Pan...ds=tripod+panning+base&qid=1623778208&sr=8-11

ps I find the P0 also works very well on a monopod (y)
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Ooooh, the PO on a monopod... a marriage made in heaven! Thanks, I'll look properly at that link. (Brilliant tripod, isn't it?)
 
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