[interested_observer]

Congratulations on the Z!!!! I'm envious....

I have a couple of thoughts that might apply. I have had an Arcatech GP for easily 8 years now and love it to death. Having said that, a couple of years ago I picked up (via craigslist for a song after almost a year of looking) a Manfrotto 410 gear head, primarily for astro. It just provides a lot more single axis control in certain situations. I probably use the GP 90% and the 410 10% of the time.

Also, I can say I have actually touched a 645Z once - very briefly. It's big and my first though is if the GP would provide sufficient "size" for that amount of mass (just thinking out loud here)? It should, but that is just the initial though that popped into my mind.

Now to the point. I'm going to guess - landscapes and possibly panoramas. The one large drawback that I have with the geared head (that is built into the GP) is the ability to pan above all the controls (be it the ball in the ball head or the 3 individual axis controls of the 410 or whatever). By having the panning table "on top or above" the stack, you are able to pan level (and not stair-step either up or down or in a upside down U). You can augment what ever head you use by adding a panning clamp.

• Fluid Panoramic Panorama Panning Rotator Head Base Clamp QR Plate Compatible with Arca-Swiss Type-35.48 and Free Shipping| GearBest.com

So, something like this can be added to any ballhead (any size) or head in general (geared, 3D, etc.).... I do believe that they can be found with any clamping type (RC, AS or ????).

[Thomas]

Thanks for the feed-back, folks. I think I'm inclined toward the Acratech--I like the simplicity and "open architecture."

Just my experience: I have an Acratech Ultimate and a Arca Z1. I find it very difficult to use the Acratech with the 120 macro and other heavy lenses because of creep; it's fine if the lens is not heavy and the camera is not tilted. The Z is a much better head with heavy lenses and is my first choice.

[dadipentak]

I find it very difficult to use the Acratech with the 120 macro and other heavy lenses because of creep;

I don't like creep.

[Digitalis]

I don't like creep.

if you don't like creep then ball heads won't be your thing.

I use the Arca swiss Cube and the manfrotto 405MG geared heads.

[texandrews]

Regardingthe Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head, I converted the QR plate with HenjarPhoto'sExtended PlateWith F63 Clamp for 410 Gear Head. The clamp is Arca-Swiss compatible andthe clamp center is located on Manfrotto 410 camera/lensmount axis and it is the same as the head panning base. When the head is pannedboth the head and camera/lens rotate around the same axis—convenient andadvantageous. The original Manfrotto 410PL QR plate was proprietary and simply inconvenient.

Yes, that looks good. Forgot about Henjar's stuff.

[marcusyoung]

Welcome to the club of 645 Dave,,

I am using the sirui K30 with sirui T2204X, sufficient stability for macro needs, usually with tubes and A120 macro. \most cost efficient to me compare to to other brand. \i have since acquired K40 sirui ballhead but has not been opened yet...


marcus

[donesteban]

Well, for my 645d, I use the Marsace Fb-2. Sufficient for the 300/4 *. I sometimes use it with the 1.4x converter, too.the smaller Fb-1r was a bit too small for the 300 mm lens.
The head was about 170$ in Taiwan.

[dadipentak]

if you don't like creep then ball heads won't be your thing.

Thanks for this. The truth is, the heavier (and more expensive) the load, the less I like ball-heads. The issue isn't so much creep as the potential for (user- complicit) catastrophe. I feel safer w/pan & tilt.

[Digitalis]

I feel safer w/pan & tilt.

Well the Manfrotto 405 will give you a high degree of precision without busting the bank ( like the Arca cube probably will)

[CreationBear]

it is quite a bit shorter than the 77" max extension of the 414

Mike, looks as if the 404 that's on sale is six or seven inches shorter than the 414 with column not extended is--you can get a geared column for it, though. Lot of carbon fiber for the money, however...

[dadipentak]

Well the Manfrotto 405 will give you a high degree of precision without busting the bank

As you probably know, precision has never been my strong suit but security is very important to me and, while the bank is pretty fragile after the acquisition of the body, it would be silly to put it in harm's way.

[mikeSF]

Mike, looks as if the 404 that's on sale is six or seven inches shorter than the 414 with column not extended is--you can get a geared column for it, though. Lot of carbon fiber for the money, however...

indeed! thanks

[2351HD]

I just purchased an Arca Swiss D4m 3-way head from precision camera and they put an RRS lever clamp on it for me.

Best head for slow work of a 645z in my view. Couldn't be happier, it's small, light and stable.

Stay away from ball heads if you want fine adjustment and no creep.

[SylvainB]

I just purchased an Arca Swiss D4m 3-way head from precision camera and they put an RRS lever clamp on it for me.

Best head for slow work of a 645z in my view. Couldn't be happier, it's small, light and stable.

Stay away from ball heads if you want fine adjustment and no creep.

I offered to myself as Christmas present an Arca Swiss D4 (model 870104) for the same purpose (slower and more precise), but didn't have time to use it seriously yet. It is a nice piece of engineering ! Usually I use Arca Swiss P0 ball head which is incredibly quick and easy to use, and relatively safe too.

[2351HD]

I say "best head" in context because of course the Cube would be better, but the D4m is light, strong and allows independent 3-way movements plus a top pan and now works with RRS plates.

I looked at the D4 Geared version but again it's bigger.