Arca Swiss B1 ballhead

Frans Leerdam · Apr 17, 2003

I'm trying to buy an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead here in the Netherlands.

I phoned several stores here and no one has then in stock. When I phoned one of the bigger stores here they told me that Arca Swiss is bankrupt and going out of business totally. Did anybody hear about this and can somebody confirm this? I'm trying to visit their website for quite a few days already and they are telling it's under construction all the time.

What should I do? Should I try to find one somewhere else or should I go for the Kirk or the Acratech or maybe even the Linhoff.
Is the Arca Swiss really that much better??

The biggest combination I'm gonna use it for is my D1X with the 70-200 VR or the 300/4 AFS.(with TC 14IIE and TC 20IIE )

I just ordered some Kirk QR body and lens plates a few days ago. So should I also order their Ballhead and of course the question which one will fit best to my needs the BH1 or the BH3???

Thanks,

Frans

hamsey · Apr 17, 2003

I do not know about Arca Swiss but you might want to look at a Markins Ballhead.
http://www.markins.com/2.0/eng/index.html

Norm

Priapus · Apr 17, 2003

That the store that said they were going bankrupt wanted to sell you something they had "in stock" right?

Here in the US all the distributors were out for about a month and now suddenly everyone has many in stock.

Have you considered purchasing over the Internet from a US store like B&H or Adorama?

--
D100
SB-80dx
Sigma 15-30mm
Nikon 50mm 1.4
Nikon 24-120mm
Nikon 70-200 AF-S VR
Sigma 50-500 HSM EX

Frans Leerdam · Apr 17, 2003

Thanks Norm,

Can you tell me Is this ballhead compatible with the Kirk QR plates, I just ordered at kirkphoto.com ??

Frans

hamsey said:
I do not know about Arca Swiss but you might want to look at a
Markins Ballhead.
http://www.markins.com/2.0/eng/index.html

Norm

--
Nikon D1X

Frans Leerdam · Apr 17, 2003

Thank you Priapus,

No they didn't gave me an alternative actually.

I checked several sites like B&H and they were also out of stock.

Sometimes I'm ordering things from the U.S.A. directly. The only problem is that the customs here in Holland will probably charge me lot of taxes. This in combination with the postage will make this lens much more expensive as it is advertised here in Holland. But if there's no other way I will order one in the U.S. if I can find one.

Frans

Priapus said:
That the store that said they were going bankrupt wanted to sell
you something they had "in stock" right?

Here in the US all the distributors were out for about a month and
now suddenly everyone has many in stock.

Have you considered purchasing over the Internet from a US store
like B&H or Adorama?

--
D100
SB-80dx
Sigma 15-30mm
Nikon 50mm 1.4
Nikon 24-120mm
Nikon 70-200 AF-S VR
Sigma 50-500 HSM EX

--
Nikon D1X

JonyDirk · Apr 17, 2003

Frans,

The people are Robert White are wonderful, and won't steer you wrong. Owners Liz & Robert.

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk

E-mail Liz with your questions: [email protected]

Have not heard anything about ArcaSwiss going bankrupt. Sounds like a rumor (made of frustration about their old-fashioned ways of doing business). They have moved their manufacturing facilities to France.

Good luck.

PEACE
John

Frans Leerdam said:
I'm trying to buy an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead here in the Netherlands.
I phoned several stores here and no one has then in stock. When I
phoned one of the bigger stores here they told me that Arca Swiss
is bankrupt and going out of business totally. Did anybody hear
about this and can somebody confirm this? I'm trying to visit
their website for quite a few days already and they are telling
it's under construction all the time.

What should I do? Should I try to find one somewhere else or should
I go for the Kirk or the Acratech or maybe even the Linhoff.
Is the Arca Swiss really that much better??
The biggest combination I'm gonna use it for is my D1X with the
70-200 VR or the 300/4 AFS.(with TC 14IIE and TC 20IIE )

I just ordered some Kirk QR body and lens plates a few days ago. So
should I also order their Ballhead and of course the question which
one will fit best to my needs the BH1 or the BH3???

Thanks,

Frans

Frans Leerdam · Apr 17, 2003

Thanks John,

I will check this site.

Frans

John Arnold said:
The people are Robert White are wonderful, and won't steer you
wrong. Owners Liz & Robert.

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk

E-mail Liz with your questions: [email protected]

Have not heard anything about ArcaSwiss going bankrupt. Sounds
like a rumor (made of frustration about their old-fashioned ways of
doing business). They have moved their manufacturing facilities to
France.

Good luck.

PEACE
John

Frans Leerdam said:

I'm trying to buy an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead here in the Netherlands.
I phoned several stores here and no one has then in stock. When I
phoned one of the bigger stores here they told me that Arca Swiss
is bankrupt and going out of business totally. Did anybody hear
about this and can somebody confirm this? I'm trying to visit
their website for quite a few days already and they are telling
it's under construction all the time.

What should I do? Should I try to find one somewhere else or should
I go for the Kirk or the Acratech or maybe even the Linhoff.
Is the Arca Swiss really that much better??
The biggest combination I'm gonna use it for is my D1X with the
70-200 VR or the 300/4 AFS.(with TC 14IIE and TC 20IIE )

I just ordered some Kirk QR body and lens plates a few days ago. So
should I also order their Ballhead and of course the question which
one will fit best to my needs the BH1 or the BH3???

Thanks,

Frans

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D1X

Anne · Apr 17, 2003

Hi Frans,

Arca Swiss stocked here- http://www.warehouseexpress.com/photo/tripods/arca.html

I,ve bought quite a lot of camera kit (incl. my D100) from WarehouseExpress and can recommend them-very helpful and efficient.

Also, you may be interested in this article from the Nikonians site-

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_2.html

Good info on the Markins ballhead, and it appears that you can use the Kirk QR plates with it too.

Cheers from sunny London,
Anne

Frans Leerdam said:
Frans Leerdam said:

Frans Leerdam said:

I'm trying to buy an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead here in the Netherlands.
I phoned several stores here and no one has then in stock. When I
phoned one of the bigger stores here they told me that Arca Swiss
is bankrupt and going out of business totally. Did anybody hear
about this and can somebody confirm this? I'm trying to visit
their website for quite a few days already and they are telling
it's under construction all the time.

What should I do? Should I try to find one somewhere else or should
I go for the Kirk or the Acratech or maybe even the Linhoff.
Is the Arca Swiss really that much better??
The biggest combination I'm gonna use it for is my D1X with the
70-200 VR or the 300/4 AFS.(with TC 14IIE and TC 20IIE )

I just ordered some Kirk QR body and lens plates a few days ago. So
should I also order their Ballhead and of course the question which
one will fit best to my needs the BH1 or the BH3???

Thanks,

Frans

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D1X

Frans Leerdam · Apr 17, 2003

Thanks everybody, I will check out this information.

Frans....

hamsey · Apr 17, 2003

Yes, I have been using it with Really Right Stuff plates for my D100 & 70-200VR and I just got the Kirk tripod collar for my 300 f/4 tried it last night with no problems.

Norm

Christopher Glaeser · Apr 17, 2003

I placed my order on Monday and also posted here that they were in stock. The stock sold within a day or so. You might ask B&H when they expect to receive the next shipment.

Best,
Christopher

Frans Leerdam · Apr 17, 2003

Thanks Christopher,

I'll send B&H an e-mail today but I think I'm better off ordering it in Europe because of customs. I think inside the EU I should not pay customs at all, but I'm not 100% sure about this. I'll give Roberts UK a call tomorrow and check if they know anything about this. I think they are offering for an reasonable price.

Frans....

Christopher Glaeser said:
I placed my order on Monday and also posted here that they were in
stock. The stock sold within a day or so. You might ask B&H when
they expect to receive the next shipment.

Best,
Christopher

--
Nikon D1X

B Petterson · Apr 17, 2003

I have both Kirk B1 and the Arca Swiss B1.
Both are good.
The Arca Swiss is better.

The ball is out of round which helps on crashes.[tilts when you take your hand from the lens.
Just make sure that you order a couple of spare knobs and friction screws.

In my mind the Arca even tho more expensive is the best choice.

Birg

PhotoQuests · Apr 17, 2003

Check Outdoor Photographer this month, there is a good round-up article on the different ball heads. http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/content/2003/may/gadgetbag.html

Frans Leerdam said:
I'm trying to buy an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead here in the Netherlands.
I phoned several stores here and no one has then in stock. When I
phoned one of the bigger stores here they told me that Arca Swiss
is bankrupt and going out of business totally. Did anybody hear
about this and can somebody confirm this? I'm trying to visit
their website for quite a few days already and they are telling
it's under construction all the time.

What should I do? Should I try to find one somewhere else or should
I go for the Kirk or the Acratech or maybe even the Linhoff.
Is the Arca Swiss really that much better??
The biggest combination I'm gonna use it for is my D1X with the
70-200 VR or the 300/4 AFS.(with TC 14IIE and TC 20IIE )

I just ordered some Kirk QR body and lens plates a few days ago. So
should I also order their Ballhead and of course the question which
one will fit best to my needs the BH1 or the BH3???

Thanks,

Frans

--
Steve
I can't draw therefore I shoot!

andy bloedow · Apr 17, 2003

B Petterson said:
I have both Kirk B1 and the Arca Swiss B1.
Both are good.
The Arca Swiss is better.
The ball is out of round which helps on crashes.[tilts when you
take your hand from the lens.
Just make sure that you order a couple of spare knobs and friction
screws.

In my mind the Arca even tho more expensive is the best choice.

Birg

I agree. I have seen both in action and was really hard on it (B1) on a recent trip out west and it held up great.

-Andy
--
http://www.pbase.com/andybloedow

JonyDirk · Apr 17, 2003

B&H is a great mail-order, but they are closed for the Passover Holidays.

You have not get a response for a while.

Frans Leerdam said:
I'll send B&H an e-mail today but I think I'm better off ordering
it in Europe because of customs. I think inside the EU I should
not pay customs at all, but I'm not 100% sure about this. I'll
give Roberts UK a call tomorrow and check if they know anything
about this. I think they are offering for an reasonable price.

Frans....

Christopher Glaeser said:

I placed my order on Monday and also posted here that they were in
stock. The stock sold within a day or so. You might ask B&H when
they expect to receive the next shipment.

Best,
Christopher

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D1X

Bob Nosebest · Apr 17, 2003

Frans Leerdam said:
I'm trying to buy an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead here in the Netherlands.
I phoned several stores here and no one has then in stock. When I
phoned one of the bigger stores here they told me that Arca Swiss
is bankrupt and going out of business totally. Did anybody hear
about this and can somebody confirm this? I'm trying to visit
their website for quite a few days already and they are telling
it's under construction all the time.

What should I do? Should I try to find one somewhere else or should
I go for the Kirk or the Acratech or maybe even the Linhoff.
Is the Arca Swiss really that much better??
The biggest combination I'm gonna use it for is my D1X with the
70-200 VR or the 300/4 AFS.(with TC 14IIE and TC 20IIE )

I just ordered some Kirk QR body and lens plates a few days ago. So
should I also order their Ballhead and of course the question which
one will fit best to my needs the BH1 or the BH3???

Thanks,

Frans

Make sure you test your ballhead for the dreaded "ballhead creep". This is when the framing changes as you tighten the ballhead.

I highly recommend the Arca Swiss B1. It is manufactured to very tight tolerances. Make sure you order it WITH the QR (quick-release) clamp.

Here is a link to an online vendor in the UK:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/index.cfm?arouse/ahead.html

nikorr · Apr 17, 2003

Its not cheap , but money are well spent . Anyway I found this head to be as good as it is , but in temps well bellow zero around 30 - 40 minus temps it becomes stuck for about 2 sec and than it move again and when u locked and unlocked it was stuck again . In normal conditions was everything OK . So I dont know what was the problem . Maybe some snow got in .

I recomend this ball head - u will not need another heads , unless u loose this one .

--
Nikorr

JonyDirk · Apr 17, 2003

Egads Nikorr...

...at 40-degrees BELOW zero I become stuck. My B2 will remain untouched at that point!

Hats off to you, hardy soul, for being out in that weather taking snaps!

Nikorr said:
Its not cheap , but money are well spent . Anyway I found this head
to be as good as it is , but in temps well bellow zero around 30 -
40 minus temps it becomes stuck for about 2 sec and than it move
again and when u locked and unlocked it was stuck again . In normal
conditions was everything OK . So I dont know what was the problem
. Maybe some snow got in .

I recomend this ball head - u will not need another heads , unless
u loose this one .

--
Nikorr

nikorr · Apr 17, 2003

40 below + 30 - 40 MPH + humidity 75% = realy cold wheater . U dont realy think about shooting anymore

)

But if u are covered in your face , u have good warm shoes and u cover your fingers (with Super flexible Thermoskin® made of the world's highest grade closed cell neoprene, provides thermal protection and durability) u can beat the could . Its scuba diving suite material .
--
Nikorr

Arca Swiss B1 ballhead

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