Archive 2022 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

EKhatch
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

I know the head/clamp has a specific design so that the clamp can be rotated and locked in 90deg increments. What I would like to do, if possible, is buy the long lens head and replace the clamp with a panning clamp. Has anyone done this or know if the clamp can be easily removed from these heads?

Reason being that it would be a lot quicker to rotate the clamp with a panning clamp than the system they have. Thanks

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:43 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

I use the two panning discs shown below. On the left is a small Varavon, fluid-damped panning disc, immediately below the top clamp (with the long, red securing-screw head). On the right is a larger Feisol FP-70 panning disc, immediately below the larger clamp, and on top of an Acratech leveling head.

These panning disks fit on top of the 'normal head' you're using. I use the small Varavon with an added plate on its bottom and clamp on its top (max flex for light weight kit), while the larger Feisol panner is well-secured to the Acratech leveler, as an 'integral head'. I use the Varavon with up to 70-200/2.8 or 100-400mm lens (if well-balanced), and the Feisol/Acratech takes my 500mm f/4 and large macro-rail tilt-shift gizmos.

You could stick either of them to the top of any head that has an A-S clamp, by simply attaching an A-S plate to the bottom of the disc.

Panning disc below top clamp: (L) small Varavon fluid damped, (R) medium Feisol FP-70.

Nov 24, 2022 at 06:14 AM

EKhatch
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

Thanks for the advice. The RRS panning clamp I would use already has a built in dovetail but I would prefer not to mount a panning clamp to another clamp vs replacing the clamp. It would add unnecessary height and weight.

If it is not possible to replace the clamp on the Acratech head I will just stick to using my Leofoto pan/tilt head.

Nov 24, 2022 at 09:52 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

Don't give up. You might find a replacement clamp. I use replacement clamps on at least two of my heads; Manfrottos 468MG and 410 geared. I have a Wimberley C-10 clamp that replaces the 468MG's standard RC2 clamp with A-S, and a Hejnar 410 adapter, to replace the 410's RC4 clamp. They're solid. Also, they're not generic, as the replaced head clamps have uncommon (maybe proprietary) tabs & lineup gizmos, probably much like your soon-to-maybe Arcatech head.

I agree that clamping something between the clamp and the head isn't the best solution, but it's better than wattle and daub.

Nov 24, 2022 at 10:57 AM

IndyFab
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

EKhatch wrote:
Thanks for the advice. The RRS panning clamp I would use already has a built in dovetail but I would prefer not to mount a panning clamp to another clamp vs replacing the clamp. It would add unnecessary height and weight.

If it is not possible to replace the clamp on the Acratech head I will just stick to using my Leofoto pan/tilt head.

Give acratech a call or email them, they are pretty friendly folks. They answered some questions I had.

Nov 24, 2022 at 12:14 PM

EKhatch
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Replace clamp on Acratech long lens/panorama head?

I will probably just go with the clamp they have. I asked them if the head could be purchased w/o a clamp and they said the head and clamp are specially designed to work together. I thought maybe I could still hack something together but in reality I think I am just overcomplicating things.

Nov 24, 2022 at 02:10 PM


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