Combination of RRS-L-Plate and Arca P0/Cube

[count_greebo]

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Hi everybody,

 

I plan to do tabletop down to 1:1 macro product shots in portrait orientation. Lens will be the 24-90 with an +5 and +3 achromat.

 

My current 3-way head by Manfrotto does not work very well for that, so I was thinking about an the RRS L-Plate (seems the most elegant solution on the market). My idea was to combine it with the Arca Swiss P0 Head (versatile, would be kind of universally usable) and maybe later with an Arca Swiss Cube. Another option could be the Acratech ballhead.

 

Now my question is: Does the L-plate fit the heads properly? Do I miss sth?

 

thanks and best

 

-e-

[jrp]

Dunno.  But, although the P0 is a nice head, it is not great for fine adjustments.  

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[ramarren]

Dunno.  But, although the P0 is a nice head, it is not great for fine adjustments.  

 

 

I agree: It's great for panoramas and is very fast to use in the field, has enormous load carrying capacity for its size and weight, but it's not best at precise 3D adjustment. 

 

I don't think you'll have any problem with the P0 (or Cube) and RRS plates, especially if you use the classic Arca-Swiss clamp. The lever action clamps can be fussier, but I haven't used one of those. 

[Leicaiste]

My idea was to combine it with the Arca Swiss P0 Head (versatile, would be kind of universally usable) and maybe later with an Arca Swiss Cube. Another option could be the Acratech ballhead.

 

 

 

I have the same version of the Arca-Swiss P0 described on the following review (not mine).

 

https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/arca-swiss-monoball-p0-ballhead

 

I don't like it for two main reasons :

 

- There is no panning rotation available at the base of the head, only at the top, which make it not convenient to move the camera to the left or the right if the camera is not totally level and make it not useable with a Wimberley Sidekick or any similar gimbal system.

 

- When used with the RRS L plate (or any camera plate), the bubble level is hidden under the camera body instead of being visible on the back of the camera.

 

It is not such a problem with the SL which has an incorporated level, but it is still not a smart design.

Edited February 4, 2017 by Leicaiste

[Leicaiste]

 

Now my question is: Does the L-plate fit the heads properly?

 

 

Yes, non problem there.

Edited February 4, 2017 by Leicaiste

[Sandokan]

My experience with the P0 echoes the above, but I still love it. 

 

The bubble is hidden but I level it before putting the camera on (I remove the camera from the tripod before walking around - that is the beauty of quick release). 

 

For accurate and precise levelling, there is also the P0 hybrid but it doesnt have the 30 degrees of tilt as the Cube (I think only 10 or 15 degrees). 

 

The rotation at the top of the head is for panoramas - it ensures the pan is level, but I understand the frustration; even if I use the ball head to rotate the whole system so it is facing the correct way for my workflow, before I do the final adjustments. 

 

For macro work, I bought a two way slider system for accurate positioning in the X-Y planes as I have a centre column for Z axis. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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The RRS plate works with the Arca heads. Both classic and quick clamp.

 

I would suggest a macro slider. You'll get better balance and finer adjustments. I still use my 20 year old Velbon macro slider regularly.

 

My head is a D4 geared.

 

Gordon

[Jeff S]

Hopefully the OP has it sorted since posting early last year.

 

Jeff

[rpittal]

I find the microTilt ball head from KPS Research & Design excellent (but pricey):

 

https://www.amazon.com/KPS-T5D-adjustments-Professional-Photographers/dp/B00HYNRJUA

 

I like it better (able to hold moderate weight lenses with precise adjustments, such as SL and zooms) much better than my ArcaSwiss C1 Cube (which is even more pricey) for leveling. You would have to fit a macro sliding rail for close-up work. RRS folks have many rails and brackets that may be what you need on your current ballhead (if you don't need precise leveling ability).

Edited May 12, 2018 by rpittal