Mexecutioner
Well-known member
Graham,Thats why I originally bought the Cube, and subsequently the D4 and L60 (and ALPA :facesmack
If you were to keep just one from all of those, which one would it be?
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Graham,Thats why I originally bought the Cube, and subsequently the D4 and L60 (and ALPA :facesmack
The D4 is the most versatile and trade off between size & weight on a RRS 3 series tripod.Graham,
If you were to keep just one from all of those, which one would it be?
I thought that might get the Devil's attention. Don't worry, somehow I always find a way to get rid of zeroes on my bank account...Dante Alighieri
Re: Arca D4 Users, looking for your feedback
Quote Originally Posted by Eric Mansour View Post
.... but as I run out of gear to buy, ....
Blasphemy!
Step up your game!
Dante
Thanks so much for posting the thoughts with pictures, gives me such a clear view just how big it is. I've been lucky to get used to the Arca classic clamp over the years, but really interesting to know Bob is doing mods over there at precision! Though I suppose having movable parts that require locking (rm3di foot to body, and foot to clamp) can make for some errors. Especially since the locking wheel on the bottom of the rm3di can be difficult to deal with.I was using a RRS BH-55 until I saw a video of Charlie Cramer using a D4 Geared head. I was immediately a goner. When I received it I loved all of it.... EXCEPT the incredibly weird Arca-Swiss clamp. I’m sure there are advantages I never explored, but the two-tiered jaws were fiddly, and I just couldn’t get used to it.
So, after seeing a fellow on YouTube who had sent his D4 to Precision Camera in Illinois, for a clamp swap out with a RRS lever clamp, I promptly sent my brand new head to them for the conversion. (CAVEAT: There’s lots of speculation on when Arca started-stopped using the industrial strength thread locker on their clamps. Not wanting to risk damaging the head, and too chicken to take a heat gun to my brand new head, I decided to let the pros do it. YMMV).
I also didn’t care for how “low” on the base the rotation lock lever sat on my RRS tripod platform (it would not rotate below horizontal making locking/unlocking fiddly), so I added a Wimberly 1” riser that is exactly the same diameter as the D4’s base.
This head is a game changer for me. As much as I appreciated the build quality and beauty of the BH-55, and even with the “drag” set perfectly, maneuvering the the camera for composition and not having “post lock-down droop” proved both difficult and not at all precise. The D4 solves that. It is a joy to use and handles my medium format gear with ease. Spendy, but now that I’ve had it for a year, the price seems insignificant compared to my pleasure in using it.
Rand
You’re welcome. Remember, what you’re seeing in my photos “at the bottom” (with my name tape on it) is the Wimberly riser and not part of the D4 itself. So, in reality, the Dr is 1” shorter/lower on the tripod legs. The riser is machined aluminum and VERY rigid, has 3/8 -16 threads top and bottom, so there’s no loss of mass coupling using it. The enhanced ease of using the lower pan lock lever made it an ideal modification for my use.Thanks so much for posting the thoughts with pictures, gives me such a clear view just how big it is.
OP's probably already using his new head but just in case, I thought I'd clarify that the "tricky" clamp isn't the classic. It's the FlipLock. And the knob clamp is called the ClassicNote that the D4 Geared can be ordered with the classic ("tricky") clamp or with a more-industry-standard knob-clamp.
I think what he means is it flops to the side vs a orbital movement like the cube.Confusion for me over the term floppy?
I have used a D4 geared now for 4 years and don’t find it loose or floppy. It’s very precise in the geared movement. Never had any issues with slipping or need to tightening problems. It easily handle the weight of a XF and 40-80 or RM3DI and Rodenstock 32.
Easily gave up using my BH-55 as I love geared movement.
Paul C
So, the user's technique is "floppy" and not the head itself. Got it! :toocool:I think what he means is it flops to the side vs a orbital movement like the cube.
So, the user's technique is "floppy" and not the head itself. Got it! :toocool:
Sorry, couldn't resist. "L-Plates Forever!"
Rand
Well, I sure do hope my technique isn't floppy... I feel pretty confident in my techniques and abilities. Perhaps that confidence is misguided. Who knows...So, the user's technique is "floppy" and not the head itself. Got it! :toocool:
Sorry, couldn't resist. "L-Plates Forever!"
Rand
And Boinger is correct. I was referring to the design of the D4, not the build quality (which is excellent). It's pretty simple. The D4 design places the point of rotation below the platform which causes the camera (more importantly, entrance pupil) to deviate from the center point when adjusting for angle along the X or Y axis. This affects perspective. In optics, we like to call this a "big no-no".I think what he means is it flops to the side vs a orbital movement like the cube.
Mike,Well, I sure do hope my technique isn't floppy... I feel pretty confident in my techniques and abilities. Perhaps that confidence is misguided. Who knows...
You wouldn't say that if you saw my bedside manners I'm just a long winded nerd...Mike,
Wow, you’re certainly NOT floppy! But “way” sophisticated!
Rand
Its geared in two axis - say front to back, side to side. What is not geared is rotation along the vertical axis, which would (say) follow the horizon. Don't miss that at all, and in fact, am glad its not geared on that - it would be ponderous if it were.It is my understanding that the D4's lateral movements aren't geared. Is that correct? If it is, it would be a major negative, if not a deal breaker for me.
Do you find that you're missing the lateral gears or is that not important enough to you?
Why would it be bad if it were geared on the horizontal rotation axis?Its geared in two axis - say front to back, side to side. What is not geared is rotation along the vertical axis, which would (say) follow the horizon. Don't miss that at all, and in fact, am glad its not geared on that - it would be ponderous if it were.
They already make it.Why would it be bad if it were geared on the horizontal rotation axis?