I would imagine any AS compatible clamp with a 1/4" 20 thread that is oriented so that it doesn't interfere with the panning knob and doesn't hit the tripod base plate when tilted at 90 degrees should work?
Mike K
Then that should work. Mine came with a SlideFix clamp.
E-Vener wrote:
Doesn't look like it will work as the head of the bolt will have to be above the inside surface of the clamp.
yep the rrs looks to be a better fit. the lever clamp with the extra locking screws is real nice. this would save 460g over my B1 dp... nice. carbon legs would bring that weight saving to 900g, humm.
Bumping this up again, because of enduring curiosity:
It seems that this system is best when you fully commit to using the slidefix system, in order to take advantage of the simplicity, compact size, and low weight. A couple questions seem to come up for me, though:
What kinds of tripods are you using the P0 on, and do you have any interference problems with the head flopped over to shoot in portrait orientation with an SLR? An L-bracket would eliminate that problem, but none seems to be available yet (and goes against the light compact ergonomics of the system, anyway). FWIW, I mostly use a D700.
I could see this working well for me, but for a few things that are really nice with my RRS/Kirk gear. The P0 could probably largely replace my BH-40 and lever clamp, but it's the miscellaneous bits that are tough to replace.
I really like the tiny RRS screw clamp, which I have on a BH-25 that I use on a Leica table tripod. I suppose I could get an extra slidefix clamp, but they're pretty expensive when purchased separately, and bigger than I would like. A mini slidefix clamp would be nice.
I also like to use the Leica/BH-25 combo with a flash shoe insert, for wireless remote flash use. I'm sure I could work something out, but it wouldn't be as elegant as the tiny Arca-style flash shoe that RRS makes. That's probably pretty minor, though.
I think I could work with the slidefix lens rails that Arca makes, though I'd end up with more bulk in the case of my 300/4, for which I use a Kirk collar with an integrated Arca-style base. For that one, I'd just screw a rail on the bottom of the foot -- not a big deal.
What kinds of tripods are you using the P0 on, and do you have any interference problems with the head flopped over to shoot in portrait orientation with an SLR? An L-bracket would eliminate that problem, but none seems to be available yet (and goes against the light compact ergonomics of the system, anyway). FWIW, I mostly use a D700.
I use a 26 year old aluminum Gitzo Series 3 tripod. I think the original product number was 321 which means something else in Gitzo numerology these days, and also a newer Induro carbon fiber. No problems when the head is all the way over.
I was pretty proud of myself when I bought the Gitzo as it was my first piece of serious level gear. I bought it because that is what the guy I apprenticed for used for location work. The next piece of pro level gear I bought was a used Nikon F3 Photomic which I still have as well. In the early 1990s my studio was burgled and the thief took the lens that was on it a but left the F2 body. Turned out that the thief's mother was a photographer and he knew the F2 had been replaced by the F3. True story!
i'm confused, however, about the clamp options if one wants to stay with the standard AS system.
the non-slidefix P0 has a 1/4" stud, and most of the clamps seem to be threaded 3/8" including the RRS mentioned above. so how does this plate mount on the P0 stud?
the Kirk is 1/4" but does not seem to work based on one of the earlier posts.
tm255 wrote:
the P0 looks like a very interesting ballhead.
i'm confused, however, about the clamp options if one wants to stay with the standard AS system.
the non-slidefix P0 has a 1/4" stud, and most of the clamps seem to be threaded 3/8" including the RRS mentioned above. so how does this plate mount on the P0 stud?
the Kirk is 1/4" but does not seem to work based on one of the earlier posts.
just use one of those mini little 3/8-1/4" adapter threads, thread it into the 3/8" thread of the plate and then screw it all onto the p0
tm255 wrote:
the P0 looks like a very interesting ballhead.
i'm confused, however, about the clamp options if one wants to stay with the standard AS system.
the non-slidefix P0 has a 1/4" stud, and most of the clamps seem to be threaded 3/8" including the RRS mentioned above. so how does this plate mount on the P0 stud?
on my b1 the 1/4 20 screw is double ended and the other end is M6, the 1/4 - 3/8 adapters are a bit flimsy. might as well do it properly. rrs have a lever clamp and look to also have a screw clamp.
I've only just become aware of the a-s p0. Something mentioned at the beginning of this thread but not emphasized is the benefit of having the pan/rotation adjustment above the ball instead of below it: once you level the camera it stays level no matter how much you rotate it ! On the more traditional ball heads you adjust pan beneath the ball, and so leveling the camera at one pan angle could result in loss of level at other pan angles.
Alan321 wrote:
I've only just become aware of the a-s p0. Something mentioned at the beginning of this thread but not emphasized is the benefit of having the pan/rotation adjustment above the ball instead of below it: once you level the camera it stays level no matter how much you rotate it ! On the more traditional ball heads you adjust pan beneath the ball, and so leveling the camera at one pan angle could result in loss of level at other pan angles.
- Alan
The solution for that problem is adding a panning platform to the top of the head -- which hoof course means: more weight and bulk.
"Compatible with the New Slidefix Quick Release System. Can also be used on all Arca MonoBalls with the Double Dovetail Device"
Does that make sense? I don't see how a slidefix plate couple also fit a standard Arca-style clamp. If so, that would help retain some flexibility, but I can't get my head around how it would work.
Arca-Swiss for a few years have had a two layer design, but up until the introduction of the SlideFix QR system the smaller channel was meant for use with Arca-Swiss monorail view cameras so you didn't need a tripod block between the monorail and the tripod head or older clamps designed around the Arca-Swiss standard. You can see the two QR channels in this link:
First, Ellis, thank you for the review and the discussion. I've already learned quite a bit just from reading the thread.
Second, I'm currently shooting with a RRS BH-40LR2 on a Gitzo 2540GT. I'm now buying a RRS TVC-33 for a "heavy-duty" tripod, and I need a heavy-duty ballhead for it that'll hold up to a D3-series body and a 500/4. Would I be right in assuming that the correct comparison to the BH-55 is the p1, and can you offer any insight into a comparison between the two? Which would you suggest for my needs?
Will this head work with the Benro Travel Angel legs? Will using this head allow the legs of the Benro to fold up and hug the ballhead or will the legs stick out? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
