Arca Swiss or Acratech

Claudiu · 10-29-2015, 11:44 AM

Hello,

A little advice: Arca-Swiss Monoball p0 (Arca-Swiss Monoball p0 With Fliplock Quick Set Device 801215 B&H) or
Acratech GP-s Ballhead (B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders REG/Acratech_1158_GP_s_Ballhead_with_Lever.html?)…. almost same ¨league¨(same function, same price) – suggestion,
opinions, pro- and con-

Here, in Europe, Acratech is not so good represented and the price is a little high…

Thank you for your opinions

**jpzk** · 10-29-2015, 11:55 AM

Yes the Acratech is expensive, but very much a high quality product.
I have tried many ball heads and this one, the GP-s (not sure if mine has the "s" ...), and it does what it says it does: solid, sturdy, precise and well constructed.

Fenwoodian · 10-29-2015, 11:59 AM - **1 Like**

For light-weight and strength, nothing beats Acratech ballheads. I own 2, and even prefer them over my RRS ballheads.

Acratech are also the best to use outdoors in rugged condtions.

**jpzk** · 10-29-2015, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

For light-weight and strength, nothing beats Acratech ballheads. I own 2, and even prefer them over my RRS ballheads.

Acratech are also the best to use outdoors in rugged condtions.

+1 for that !

**sholtzma** · 10-29-2015, 12:08 PM - **1 Like**

I have an Acratech GV2 ballhead, and it is outstanding. Found it used for much less than the price of a new one. I have not used the arca-swiss monoball and don't doubt that it is good. But you will enjoy the Acratech heads.

zapp · 10-29-2015, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by sholtzma

I have an Acratech GV2 ballhead, and it is outstanding. Found it used for much less than the price of a new one. I have not used the arca-swiss monoball and don't doubt that it is good. But you will enjoy the Acratech heads.

Arca Swiss Monoball is the mother and the father of all ball heads. Don't tell me it is no good and you have never tried it. It is solid, simple and just great. I use mine with Kirk quick release plate and will never need another ball head.

Go in a shop and try both heads head to head.

**jatrax** · 10-29-2015, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by zapp

Don't tell me it is no good and you have never tried it.

Umm. He said he had no doubt it was good, not that it was no good???

Originally posted by Claudiu

Arca Swiss or Acratech

I am sure either would be fine they both have good reputations. I have never used the Arca Swiss but I do have an Acratech and can unreservedly recommend it. Simply a pleasure to use.

Claudiu · 10-29-2015, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by zapp

Arca Swiss Monoball is the motfliplock ?her and the father of all ball heads. Don't tell me it is no good and you have never tried it. It is solid, simple and just great. I use mine with Kirk quick release plate and will never need another ball head.

Go in a shop and try both heads head to head.

Classic knob or flip lock ?

Like I tell you, Acratech is not so good represented here, in France... 500 km for try a monoball in shop is a ^no go^for me...

vonBaloney · 10-29-2015, 01:36 PM

Acratech is a small company, everything made in the USA I believe, not surprising they are not well-represented elsewhere. I'm sure they are both great (I have Acratech GP-S) -- if you are hiker or want to use it in outdoor possibly dirty/wet conditions, get the Acratech.

To muddy the waters some more, this thing looks real cool:

UniqBall webshop

stevebrot · 10-29-2015, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by Claudiu

Here, in Europe, Acratech is not so good represented and the price is a little high…

Here in the U.S., Acratech is a little less money than Arca-Swiss, but better represented. Since service is a big consideration for tripods and heads, the ease of securing parts/replacement is important. The nice thing about Acratech is the open design, so perhaps the parts issue is not so big.

Steve

stevebrot · 10-29-2015, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

To muddy the waters some more, this thing looks real cool:

UniqBall webshop

$$$

Steve

mikeodial · 10-29-2015, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

Yes the Acratech is expensive, but very much a high quality product.
I have tried many ball heads and this one, the GP-s (not sure if mine has the "s" ...), and it does what it says it does: solid, sturdy, precise and well constructed.

Acratech is an awesome product. I dropped mine (not recommended) on a ceramic tile floor coming back from a shoot this summer. No damage. Very durable system, very happy with mine.

vonBaloney · 10-29-2015, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

$$$

Steve

The 35 model is cheaper than the Acratech (and still holds 33lbs)...

januko · 10-29-2015, 07:36 PM

I like to buy the combo someday..

Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System 801211 B&H Photo

Sunwayfoto Discal Clamp 64mm DDY-64I B&H Photo Video

Refer it here
Parapara Photos
or here
Ultimate tripod heads, part two: the Arca-Swiss P0 Monoball ? Ming Thein | Photographer
or here
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/152873...noball-p0.html

vonBaloney · 10-29-2015, 07:45 PM

One weakness of the Acratech is the smoothness of the panning ability -- I suspect others are better there. This is a side-effect of its strength in being maintenance-free and dirt/grit resistant, so there is a trade-off there...

10-29-2015, 11:44 AM	#1
Claudiu Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Normandy Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	Arca Swiss or Acratech Hello, A little advice: Arca-Swiss Monoball p0 (Arca-Swiss Monoball p0 With Fliplock Quick Set Device 801215 B&H) or Acratech GP-s Ballhead (B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders REG/Acratech_1158_GP_s_Ballhead_with_Lever.html?)…. almost same ¨league¨(same function, same price) – suggestion, opinions, pro- and con- Here, in Europe, Acratech is not so good represented and the price is a little high… Thank you for your opinions

10-29-2015, 07:36 PM	#14
januko Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 89	Arca-Swiss Monoball p0 with Sunwayfoto Discal Clamp I like to buy the combo someday.. Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 with Panning System 801211 B&H Photo Sunwayfoto Discal Clamp 64mm DDY-64I B&H Photo Video Refer it here Parapara Photos or here Ultimate tripod heads, part two: the Arca-Swiss P0 Monoball ? Ming Thein \| Photographer or here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/152873...noball-p0.html

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10-29-2015, 11:55 AM	#2
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Yes the Acratech is expensive, but very much a high quality product. I have tried many ball heads and this one, the GP-s (not sure if mine has the "s" ...), and it does what it says it does: solid, sturdy, precise and well constructed.

10-29-2015, 11:59 AM - 1 Like	#3
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	For light-weight and strength, nothing beats Acratech ballheads. I own 2, and even prefer them over my RRS ballheads. Acratech are also the best to use outdoors in rugged condtions.

10-29-2015, 12:00 PM	#4
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Fenwoodian For light-weight and strength, nothing beats Acratech ballheads. I own 2, and even prefer them over my RRS ballheads. Acratech are also the best to use outdoors in rugged condtions. +1 for that !

10-29-2015, 12:08 PM - 1 Like	#5
sholtzma Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Salisbury, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,043	I have an Acratech GV2 ballhead, and it is outstanding. Found it used for much less than the price of a new one. I have not used the arca-swiss monoball and don't doubt that it is good. But you will enjoy the Acratech heads.

10-29-2015, 12:36 PM	#6
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Originally posted by sholtzma I have an Acratech GV2 ballhead, and it is outstanding. Found it used for much less than the price of a new one. I have not used the arca-swiss monoball and don't doubt that it is good. But you will enjoy the Acratech heads. Arca Swiss Monoball is the mother and the father of all ball heads. Don't tell me it is no good and you have never tried it. It is solid, simple and just great. I use mine with Kirk quick release plate and will never need another ball head. Go in a shop and try both heads head to head.

10-29-2015, 12:41 PM	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by zapp Don't tell me it is no good and you have never tried it. Umm. He said he had no doubt it was good, not that it was no good??? Originally posted by Claudiu Arca Swiss or Acratech I am sure either would be fine they both have good reputations. I have never used the Arca Swiss but I do have an Acratech and can unreservedly recommend it. Simply a pleasure to use.

10-29-2015, 12:45 PM	#8
Claudiu Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Normandy Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59 Original Poster	Originally posted by zapp Arca Swiss Monoball is the motfliplock ?her and the father of all ball heads. Don't tell me it is no good and you have never tried it. It is solid, simple and just great. I use mine with Kirk quick release plate and will never need another ball head. Go in a shop and try both heads head to head. Classic knob or flip lock ? Like I tell you, Acratech is not so good represented here, in France... 500 km for try a monoball in shop is a ^no go^for me...

10-29-2015, 01:36 PM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Acratech is a small company, everything made in the USA I believe, not surprising they are not well-represented elsewhere. I'm sure they are both great (I have Acratech GP-S) -- if you are hiker or want to use it in outdoor possibly dirty/wet conditions, get the Acratech. To muddy the waters some more, this thing looks real cool: UniqBall webshop

10-29-2015, 02:05 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Claudiu Here, in Europe, Acratech is not so good represented and the price is a little high… Here in the U.S., Acratech is a little less money than Arca-Swiss, but better represented. Since service is a big consideration for tripods and heads, the ease of securing parts/replacement is important. The nice thing about Acratech is the open design, so perhaps the parts issue is not so big. Steve

10-29-2015, 02:09 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by vonBaloney To muddy the waters some more, this thing looks real cool: UniqBall webshop $$$ Steve

10-29-2015, 02:24 PM	#12
mikeodial Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 370	Originally posted by jpzk Yes the Acratech is expensive, but very much a high quality product. I have tried many ball heads and this one, the GP-s (not sure if mine has the "s" ...), and it does what it says it does: solid, sturdy, precise and well constructed. Acratech is an awesome product. I dropped mine (not recommended) on a ceramic tile floor coming back from a shoot this summer. No damage. Very durable system, very happy with mine.

10-29-2015, 02:43 PM	#13
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by stevebrot $$$ Steve The 35 model is cheaper than the Acratech (and still holds 33lbs)...

10-29-2015, 07:45 PM	#15
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	One weakness of the Acratech is the smoothness of the panning ability -- I suspect others are better there. This is a side-effect of its strength in being maintenance-free and dirt/grit resistant, so there is a trade-off there...