Arca Swiss B1 ballhead

Thanks everybody for your information.

I decided to go for the Arca Swiss B1 and ordered one at Robert White in the UK last night. I don't know if they are in stock with them, but because they are closed for Easter, they will probably send me an email on tuesday if they are open again.

I cannot wait getting one. What I've heard from all of you, I will love it.

Untill now I didn't use my tripod that often (Manfratto 55 pro + Manfratto 410 head).

After reading a lot in this forum I have decided to use a tripod more often. I've learned from you that having good good AFS glass isn't just enough, but using a good tripod is at least as important to get good pictures.

I now also wanna look for a good Gitzo carbonfiber tripod. Any recommendations???? I'm quite tall (200 cm), so which one will fit best for me????

Thanks again,
Frans.....

Frans,

You're welcome, with regards to the referral to Robert White.

To get oriented on Gitzo tripod specifics, you might want to take a look at Gitzo's web site: http://www.gitzo.com

Under the "Products" page, you can find a comprehensive layout of Gitzo's tripods - carbon fiber and aluminium - detailing min-&-max size, weight, etc. etc.

They also list all the options (which with Gitzo, can seem endless).

I also recommended an easy "cheat sheet"....a "helper" in this endless array. Even though you most likely will not purchase from them, you might want to use B&H Photo's web site to cull information on products. It's an excellent design, allowing one to find the product, or range of products, with multiple ways of sorting after getting to a particular product line (by name, price, etc.). For example, you can type in "Gitzo" in the "Search" field, and up will come everything Gitzo....or you can type "Gitzo tripod" and all you get are tripods....or you can type "Gitzo tripod carbon" and all you get are products in that line.

Anyway....that address is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Don't feel bad about using up their bandwidth even though you're not buying from them....I've spent enough money over the years to certainly cover this reference.

PEACE
John

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks everybody for your information.

I decided to go for the Arca Swiss B1 and ordered one at Robert
White in the UK last night. I don't know if they are in stock with
them, but because they are closed for Easter, they will probably
send me an email on tuesday if they are open again.

I cannot wait getting one. What I've heard from all of you, I will
love it.

Untill now I didn't use my tripod that often (Manfratto 55 pro +
Manfratto 410 head).
After reading a lot in this forum I have decided to use a tripod
more often. I've learned from you that having good good AFS glass
isn't just enough, but using a good tripod is at least as important
to get good pictures.

I now also wanna look for a good Gitzo carbonfiber tripod. Any
recommendations???? I'm quite tall (200 cm), so which one will fit
best for me????

Thanks again,
Frans.....

Click to expand...

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks everybody for your information.

I now also wanna look for a good Gitzo carbonfiber tripod. Any
recommendations???? I'm quite tall (200 cm), so which one will fit
best for me????

Thanks again,
Frans.....

Click to expand...

With your height you definitely need the Gitzo CF 1548. I bought the version without center column and couldn't be happier. I also have the Arca Swiss B1.

The tripod base on which you mount the ballhead is 149 cm off the ground. Add to that the 10 cm height of the B1, which gives you a total height of 159 cm above ground level as measured from the quick-release clamp.

l

Congratulations Frans,
You're gonna love it!!!

MF

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks everybody for your information.

I decided to go for the Arca Swiss B1 and ordered one at Robert
White in the UK last night.

Click to expand...

Hi , I have with Arca head Gitzo G 1548 MK2 , its with 4 legs + center column . And it should be OK with your 2m height . It is big but light , best tripod I have and i have also 4 Bogen's1996 or older models . But they have already some new tripods and accesories that i did not tried yet . And one more thing that I think is good , if u shoot in the water or mud or deep snow this is your buddy , it dosnt rust , easy cleaning and no mud insight of the legs like in some others and stratched it wil not .

Specifications

Max Height w/closed column 58.5"
Minimum Height 5.7"
Closed Length 23.2"
Leg Sections 4
Max Load Capacity 33.1 lbs.
Weight 8.2 lbs.

Good luck and Happy Easter for all of you .
--
Nikorr

Thanks Bob,

Maybe a stupid question but if I buy a Gitzo tripod without center column, how do I attach the Arca Swiss B1 to it??

Their website tells you can get an additional center column, so there must be some kind of hole in the tripod platform base. Is there something special I need for that?

Frans

Bob Nosebest said:

With your height you definitely need the Gitzo CF 1548. I bought
the version without center column and couldn't be happier. I also
have the Arca Swiss B1.

The tripod base on which you mount the ballhead is 149 cm off the
ground. Add to that the 10 cm height of the B1, which gives you a
total height of 159 cm above ground level as measured from the
quick-release clamp.

l

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D1X

Thanks Nikorr and Bob

I'l definitely will check out this tripod, looks very good quality to me, I want to buy something real good this time.

Frans..

Nikorr said:

Hi , I have with Arca head Gitzo G 1548 MK2 , its with 4 legs +
center column . And it should be OK with your 2m height . It is big
but light , best tripod I have and i have also 4 Bogen's1996 or
older models . But they have already some new tripods and
accesories that i did not tried yet . And one more thing that I
think is good , if u shoot in the water or mud or deep snow this is
your buddy , it dosnt rust , easy cleaning and no mud insight of
the legs like in some others and stratched it wil not .

Specifications

Max Height w/closed column 58.5"
Minimum Height 5.7"
Closed Length 23.2"
Leg Sections 4
Max Load Capacity 33.1 lbs.
Weight 8.2 lbs.

Good luck and Happy Easter for all of you .
--
Nikorr

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D1X

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks Bob,

Maybe a stupid question but if I buy a Gitzo tripod without center
column, how do I attach the Arca Swiss B1 to it??
Their website tells you can get an additional center column, so
there must be some kind of hole in the tripod platform base. Is
there something special I need for that?

Frans

Click to expand...

Frans,

Not a stupid question at all. There are 2 versions with the same tripod legs. The 1548 (no center column) and the 1549 (with center column).

I don't like center columns because they prevent you from lowering your tripod flat to ground level for macro work. Also some purists say that a tripod with center column is a three-legged monopod with compromised stability.

The Gitzo 1548 has no center column. The base has no hole in the middle, only a 3/8 inch bolt which mates perfectly with the Arca Swiss B1. The best way to attach and remove the B1 is with a strap wrench available for a few dollars at hardware stores. It allows you to get a firm grip on the B1:



Gitzo 1548:



Gitzo 1549

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks Nikorr and Bob

I'l definitely will check out this tripod, looks very good quality
to me, I want to buy something real good this time.

Click to expand...

My favorites , the 1548 MK2 , F5 , D1X , Arca head , 400 2.8 A-FS , 17 - 35 AF-S , 85 PCmicro , 200 4.0 macro , macrorails KIRK that is 250 + days a year in work , it survive airports , cars and even horseback riding , rain , snow , sand , heat ,cold , dust and me , because it is in Pelican 1650 case . Everything is heavy duty build and it works fine .

And one more peace of equip. I like , is Powerbook 667 .

So far none of it failed , so knock , knock ...

Best shopping I ever did for my photo equipment .
--
Nikorr

Just want to add one final note to the Gitzo discussion.....

There actually are FOUR (4) choices for a Gitzo center column: 1) rapid column; 2) gear column; 3) LEVELING BASE with rapid column - model

1. G421RA; and 4) LEVELING BASE with geared column - model #G421CR.

I am 6'1", and have a Gitzo g1410 (I know, I know...it's aluminum...and worse yet, it's married to an Arca-Swiss B2....but since I spend all that money at the gym staying fit, why not continue the workout!) and a leveling base with rapid column.

The leveling base with rapid column comes in handy if you're trying for ease & precision of set-up.

All depends on your needs, but I just wanted to inform you.

There aren't a lot of photos of this base anywhere, but there is one on the B&H Photo site (nope, nope, nope...I'm not selling for them). Just put the following in the product search field: gitzo g421

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Have a Happy Easter!

PEACE
John

Thanks to all of you for your great and very detailed help.

I've learned a lot from you and will probably get the Gitzo 1548 or the Gitzo 1549 next week. The only thing I don't understand is that in a big store here in the Netherlands they are advertising the 1549 for € 650,00 and the 1548 for € 728,00 and if I'm right the 1549 is just the 1548 with the G1518 column, so it should be reverse. But I will check this out next week if they do open again after Easter.

I also hope to get my Arca Swiss B1 ballhead in next week from Robert White and my lens and bodyplates from Kirkphoto.

Thanks again ,

Frans

Frans,

The difference between the Gitzo 1549 and the 1548 is the number of collapsable sections (parts of each leg).

The Gitzo 1549 has SIX sections.....the 1548 has THREE.

PEACE
John

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks to all of you for your great and very detailed help.

I've learned a lot from you and will probably get the Gitzo 1548 or
the Gitzo 1549 next week. The only thing I don't understand is that
in a big store here in the Netherlands they are advertising the
1549 for € 650,00 and the 1548 for € 728,00 and if I'm right the
1549 is just the 1548 with the G1518 column, so it should be
reverse. But I will check this out next week if they do open again
after Easter.

I also hope to get my Arca Swiss B1 ballhead in next week from
Robert White and my lens and bodyplates from Kirkphoto.

Thanks again ,

Frans

Click to expand...

Thanks John,

I think I've been looking wrong then because B&H specifications say that they both have 4 sections per leg. Am I looking to the wrong tripods ???

G1548
Maximum Height 58.8" (149.4 cm)
Minimum Height 5.8" (14.7 cm)
Folded Length 23.1" (58.7 cm)
Load Capacity 33.00 lb (14.97 kg)
Leg Sections 4
Leg Lock Type Twist
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Type Optional (includes circular platform)
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Mount Thread Size 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)
Weight 6.75 lb (3.06 kg)

G1549
Maximum Height W/O Column Extended 61.9" (157.2 cm)
Minimum Height 19.0" (48.3 cm)
Folded Length 24.9" (63.2 cm)
Load Capacity 33.00 lb (14.97 kg)
Leg Sections 4
Leg Lock Type Twist
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Type Rapid
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Mount Thread Size 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)
Weight 8.25 lb (3.74 kg)

Frans...

John Arnold said:

The difference between the Gitzo 1549 and the 1548 is the number of
collapsable sections (parts of each leg).

The Gitzo 1549 has SIX sections.....the 1548 has THREE.

PEACE
John

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks to all of you for your great and very detailed help.

I've learned a lot from you and will probably get the Gitzo 1548 or
the Gitzo 1549 next week. The only thing I don't understand is that
in a big store here in the Netherlands they are advertising the
1549 for € 650,00 and the 1548 for € 728,00 and if I'm right the
1549 is just the 1548 with the G1518 column, so it should be
reverse. But I will check this out next week if they do open again
after Easter.

I also hope to get my Arca Swiss B1 ballhead in next week from
Robert White and my lens and bodyplates from Kirkphoto.

Thanks again ,

Frans

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D1X

Frans,

Think somehow there might be a wrong section popping up on ye' old computer screen. Magic of the internet.

Took a quick peek at B&HPhotoVideo.com, and the Gitzo G1548 is headlined as a "Carbon-Fiber 6-Section Tripod", with a spec sheet that says:

Maximum Height 91.3" (232 cm)
Minimum Height 6.7" (17 cm)
Folded Length 27.1" (69 cm)
Load Capacity 33.00 lb (15 kg)
Leg Sections 6
Leg Lock Type Twist
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Type Optional (includes circular platform)
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Mount Thread Size 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)
Weight 8.2 lb (3.720 kg)

The number of leg sections is noted as 6.

Don't know if the difference in the maximum height from what you found is due to adding the height of a fully-extended rapid column.

Frans Leerdam said:

Thanks John,

I think I've been looking wrong then because B&H specifications say
that they both have 4 sections per leg. Am I looking to the wrong
tripods ???

G1548
Maximum Height 58.8" (149.4 cm)
Minimum Height 5.8" (14.7 cm)
Folded Length 23.1" (58.7 cm)
Load Capacity 33.00 lb (14.97 kg)
Leg Sections 4
Leg Lock Type Twist
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Type Optional (includes circular platform)
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Mount Thread Size 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)
Weight 6.75 lb (3.06 kg)

Click to expand...

Then I seem to be wrong (how many times in life have I said THAT!?)...B&H clearly indicates both in photo and in spec sheet that the Gitzo G1549 is 4-sections. Has the following specs:

Maximum Height 74.4" (189.0 cm)
Maximum Height W/O Column Extended 61.9" (157.2 cm)
Minimum Height 19.0" (48.3 cm)
Folded Length 24.9" (63.2 cm)
Load Capacity 33.00 lb (14.97 kg)
Leg Sections 4
Leg Lock Type Twist
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Type Rapid
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Mount Thread Size 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)
Weight 8.25 lb (3.74 kg)

Frans Leerdam said:

G1549
Maximum Height W/O Column Extended 61.9" (157.2 cm)
Minimum Height 19.0" (48.3 cm)
Folded Length 24.9" (63.2 cm)
Load Capacity 33.00 lb (14.97 kg)
Leg Sections 4
Leg Lock Type Twist
Independent Leg Spread Yes
Center Column Type Rapid
Center Brace No
Spiked Feet No
Head Mount Thread Size 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)
Weight 8.25 lb (3.74 kg)

Frans...

Click to expand...

Sorry for the mis-lead. Proves that I have absolutely no potential as a salesman!

Happy Easter.

PEACE
John

John Arnold said:

Frans,

Think somehow there might be a wrong section popping up on ye' old
computer screen. Magic of the internet.

Took a quick peek at B&HPhotoVideo.com, and the Gitzo G1548 is
headlined as a "Carbon-Fiber 6-Section Tripod", with a spec sheet
that says:

Leg Sections 6

The number of leg sections is noted as 6.

Click to expand...

John,

May I respectfully ask when you last visited your optometrist?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___124585___GIG1548___REG___CatID=2636___SID=F4DEF342BB0___call=specs#goto_specifications

...that popped up on the page. B&H seems to be inconsistent....or something. But, alas, since I'm not paid by B&H, I certainly am not going to try and figure out the details of what they are doing....but here is the page I looked at:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___271648___GIG1548GT___REG___CatID=0___SID=F4DF3249250

Bob Nosebest said:

John Arnold said:

Frans,

Think somehow there might be a wrong section popping up on ye' old
computer screen. Magic of the internet.

Took a quick peek at B&HPhotoVideo.com, and the Gitzo G1548 is
headlined as a "Carbon-Fiber 6-Section Tripod", with a spec sheet
that says:

Leg Sections 6

The number of leg sections is noted as 6.

Click to expand...

John,

May I respectfully ask when you last visited your optometrist?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___124585___GIG1548___REG___CatID=2636___SID=F4DEF342BB0___call=specs#goto_specifications

Click to expand...

John Arnold said:

...that popped up on the page. B&H seems to be inconsistent....or
something. But, alas, since I'm not paid by B&H, I certainly am
not going to try and figure out the details of what they are
doing....but here is the page I looked at:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___271648___GIG1548GT___REG___CatID=0___SID=F4DF3249250

Hi John,

Click to expand...

The one you have been looking for is the G1548GT which one is the extra big one they are offering now. I think GT stands for giant. This one even reaches to 232 cm. What I've read somewhere, I don't remember where, the G1549 is just the G1548 including the column G1518.

But thanks for everything anyway, your help was greatly appreciated by me and of course the help of all of you who took the time to help me.

I'll let you know which one I am getting later.

Thanks,
Frans

Ordered Kirk plates on april 17th at night just before Easter and received them by FED EX early morning tuesday April 22nd here in the Netherlands.

I think this is an excellent service !! If I order local, it will cost me more time.

Also ordered the Gitzo G1548 today with G1518 column. Can pick this up locally here from tomorrow.

The only problem there still is is getting an Arca Swiss B1, Tried all stores but no one has them in stock, so still searching for one. If someone knows where I can get one. please tell me.

Thanks,

Frans

Nobody ?????

Frans

Frans Leerdam said:

The only problem there still is is getting an Arca Swiss B1, Tried
all stores but no one has them in stock, so still searching for
one. If someone knows where I can get one. please tell me.

Thanks,

Frans

Click to expand...

Hi Frans Leerdam
I think everybody will kick me for this idea...

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_1.html
http://www.markins.com/2.0/eng/ballheads.html

I do not have any experiance with a ball-head, but the Markins sounds quite good and the service seems to be very good. Some people saied, that the delivery from Korea is incredible fast.
Good Luck to find the right one
Greetings
Sven

Frans Leerdam said:

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??
Thanks,

Frans

Click to expand...