ARCA SWISS Monoball p0 with Panning System and QS Slidefix Quick Release System

I had some apprehension ordering this P0 Ball head, I've been shooting for 25 years and it doesn't look anything like I'm used to seeing. I JUST PUT MY MARKINS & RRS BALL HEADS ON E-BAY!!! Wow, if you are a Pro or you like to pretend you are, do yourself a favor and try this Arca-Swiss P0 Head, I could not believe how Fast and Smooth and Solid and (here's the Biggie) HOW NATURAL it is to instantly have your One hand reposition and lock down any angle shot in less than 3 Seconds. When I felt the package that was delivered I was worried, it was far to light to be the head, I thought it was just the plates and the head was back ordered, Nope, It's Seriously Light, But once you feel it in your hand you know why these Swiss Rock when it comes to precision instruments.It's like having one twist lock tripod leg directly under your Camera, if you want to reposition fast and firmly, just turn that silver ring 1/2 twist counter-clockwise, as soon as your angle is set, .....Clockwise.........Rock Solid.! The added bonus here is Panning, You first just level the ball head (Don't bother leveling you legs) with the precise spirit level on top of clamp, snap your camera in the clamp, and now just turn the one and only knob on this Head and, Perfect Level Panorama Time!!I highly recommend buying this ballhead and selling your Asian Imports on E-bay, The only reason I gave only 4 Stars was that Arca changed this plate to the "slidefix" type, maybe they wanted a lighter plate, but at $50 each and the cost of this head they should have made an L-Bracket?They don't, and if they do in the future it will cost as much as the head itself.

So, being made by Arca-Swiss, this ballhead oozes precision and quality. I got the P0 because of its inverted design. (Being one of the lightest ballheads out there doesn't hurt either.) I've only seen one other ballhead, the Acratech GP, designed this way as well. Perfect panoramic shots are just part of using it. Come to think of it, why would you NOT want the panning base on top of the ball?Anyway, yes it's fast and easy to use. However, the new plate design concerns me. Until the P0, all Arca-Swiss (and AS compatible) plates were considerably wider than this new plate. To me it looks like the design team was forced to make these plates smaller in order to keep the head small. Which it is. I just put this thing on a Benro Travel Angel, and it's about perfect. It does keep the feet wider when folded, than the tiny stock head, but the whole thing still fits in the travel bag that it came with.I highly recommend this ballhead.The only consideration I suggest is whether you have AS plates already. If you do, it may be cheaper to get a P0 with no clamp and an AS compatible clamp, instead of buying a bunch of new plates at $50 each.

This head/plate system is expensive but EXCELLENT. I have four heads... one head on each of three tripods and on one monopod. I have a plate mounted on each of three cameras. With one hand on the tripod and one on the camera (without looking) the camera can be locked onto/removed from your tripod/monopod with a single lever. (Be sure to push the spring lever back until it clicks to LOCK the camera in place.) The plates are camera specific for high-end cameras with a moveable pin that prevents any camera twist on the plate. My only request would be to have a 1/4" tap in the plate so that in a pinch you could use someone else's tripod without having to remove the plate.

This is an ok ball head. I returned it because it didn't operate very smoothly, sort of gritty, made me think it wasn't made as well as I expected for the price. I had thought the ring adjustment was going to be less awkward than a regular ballhead. It probably was a little less awkward, but not enough to fit my comfort need. I bought a humble, live it

Very light to what I am used to. And that is good. I can carry the tripod with the camera with only one arm, so it makes my moving very easy. So simple to use.

Is difficult to find slidefix accesories even with the same Arca Swiss.You can't receive help from anybody when you want something.I have a Nikon D800 and with a normal lens (lets say 18-50 mm) the monoball cant hold it steady all the time (obviously is less than 44 lbs).I bought it 3 years ago. I don't use it very often and the quick release mechanism is not working properly.I expected more from this famous brand.It's a light monoball but quality and support is poor.

I really love the design of this. The panoramic function is great, you can stable the head while the tripod is any awkward position and have no difficulties stitching the images later. The slidefix quick release system will take some getting used to, sturdy enough to hold my 5DMK2 and 70-200 2.8 II without any issues. Just make sure it clicks in before you let go of your camera.The only complain that I would have is the screw to pan the head. If you have it at a certain position it'll get in the way as you rotate the camera. Aside from that I think it's an awesome piece of equipment.

These are remarkably easy to use and are much lighter in weight than the older Arca Swiss ball head modelswhile still supporting up to 50-60 lbs!!!!!!!!!!