Doppler9000
Active member
It might be enough to be actionable…
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The great tripod & head thread!
- Thread starter danlindberg
- Start date
rdeloe
Well-known member
I have zero expertise in patent law and where the line is regarding copying designs, so I'm astonished to read some comments in this thread suggesting there isn't a case in a situation where someone copies an original design like the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube.
I get the point about ball heads. It would be difficult to bring a new ball head to market today that doesn't echo design elements of an existing ball head. But given that there was nothing like the total C1 Cube design before Arca-Swiss invented it (right?), I surely hope there's a winnable lawsuit against Leofoto based on outright stealing the A-S design. Alas, as others have noted, Leofoto seems to have the capacity to just move on and steal someone else's ideas.
Doppler9000
Active member
To be clear, I was speaking about copyrights and the looks and naming of the Leofoto ball heads compared to the RRS heads.
Patent laws vary by jurisdiction, but in at least some of them, declining to sue potential infringers may effectively cede the patent. The apparent lack of action against Photo Clam may be a case in point. In general, lawsuits are costly, and with uncertain outcomes, AS may just view copiers as part of the landscape.
MGrayson
Subscriber and Workshop Member
Looking for a Cube copy? Photo Clam got there first.
TechTalk
Well-known member
Here's a link to a list of several geared heads. Some of these are brands with which I'm not familiar.
The ALPA GON is another option for a cube type head. It's made for Alpa by Novoflex.
Photo link from Capture Integration
The ALPA GON is another option for a cube type head. It's made for Alpa by Novoflex.
Photo link from Capture Integration
TechTalk
Well-known member
Based on some of what I've seen suggested online, other people may be confused about the continent where Sweden is located as well.
corvus
Active member
The copy from P. Clam is pretty blatant. I would always prefer an Arca Swiss, even used.
However, the Novoflex/Alpa head is constructed slightly differently. In this example it consists of 3 components that you can also use individually or combine with each other in other ways. I had the opportunity to look at and try this at a workshop in Berlin. There we had the Novoflex version in gray-blue.
However, the Novoflex/Alpa head is constructed slightly differently. In this example it consists of 3 components that you can also use individually or combine with each other in other ways. I had the opportunity to look at and try this at a workshop in Berlin. There we had the Novoflex version in gray-blue.
The ALPA GON is, IMHO, a piece of art.
I understand that geared tripod heads that allowed geared adjustments about any of the three orthogonal axes were almost necessary in the old days before CMOS and usable "live view". Based on a taken image, one could make a controlled and measured adjustment in any three orthogonal axes, take another image, review that image and knowing the precise adjustments made between the first and second image, make any appropriate adjustments to get it right in the third "shot".
I can see the advantages for studio work or micro work even with CMOS and "live view" but if I may be heretical: nowadays worth the weight and expense for general photography? (Making the assumption here that "live view" is now available in virtually all cameras.)
I understand that geared tripod heads that allowed geared adjustments about any of the three orthogonal axes were almost necessary in the old days before CMOS and usable "live view". Based on a taken image, one could make a controlled and measured adjustment in any three orthogonal axes, take another image, review that image and knowing the precise adjustments made between the first and second image, make any appropriate adjustments to get it right in the third "shot".
I can see the advantages for studio work or micro work even with CMOS and "live view" but if I may be heretical: nowadays worth the weight and expense for general photography? (Making the assumption here that "live view" is now available in virtually all cameras.)
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jotloob
Subscriber Member
........ The ALPA GON is, IMHO, a piece of art.
About 8 years ago , i made these two GONs myself , just by assembling the single GONs and some other parts , some also made by myself .
At that time , there was no ARCA Leveler 60 and also no ALPA GON available on the market .
The GONs are made of brass and therefore rather heavy . Unfortunately .
But for me , they look beautiful and I keep them in my glass cabinet as "two parts of art" .
For my daily use , I have the ARCA leveler 60 , leveler 75 and the CUBE . IMHO , the CUBE is the best ever made GON on the market .
A ingenious design and so beautifully made .
About 8 years ago , i made these two GONs myself , just by assembling the single GONs and some other parts , some also made by myself .
At that time , there was no ARCA Leveler 60 and also no ALPA GON available on the market .
The GONs are made of brass and therefore rather heavy . Unfortunately .
But for me , they look beautiful and I keep them in my glass cabinet as "two parts of art" .
For my daily use , I have the ARCA leveler 60 , leveler 75 and the CUBE . IMHO , the CUBE is the best ever made GON on the market .
A ingenious design and so beautifully made .
Photon42
Well-known member
I bought a G3 from Leo. Great little head and reasonably precise for my occasional amateurish use. They have distributor here in Switzerland. Delivery is fast and pain-free. Mind you there is no G3 equivalent in the Arca lineup. Maybe we should consider Leo as the Arca budget line 
Just saw that! Tripod X (No association, no personal experience)
Only thing missing is wireless control via smartphone! (But what if the smartphone is the camera!
)
tinyurl.com
Only thing missing is wireless control via smartphone! (But what if the smartphone is the camera!
)
Tripod X + Soft Case
World's first Fully Motorized, Self Moving, Self Leveling Tripod Also Includes Soft Case
tinyurl.com
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dchew
Well-known member
There was one discussed on the forum somewhere maybe back in this thread several pages, but I can't find it. Frankly, the best I've seen in the field is @jng 's solution: Just plop the computer into one of those tripod diapers. Setup is simple, although you do have to ensure you are not putting force on the connection. John is set up second from the right:
cunim
Well-known member
I like that diaper. Have to check it out. Also interested in the cage thing in post 1336 above, because of the hood option, but I don't think that fits the ipad mini.
This clamp (iphone holder for motorcycle) works for me at the moment and I can just leave it on the tripod so no setup. Swivels to position the display in various positions. Mine fits displays from iPhone max to IPAD mini. The jaws of this particular clamp fit a 3 series Gitzo better than a 5 series (shown here), but it works with both. Easy is good.
I would far prefer to tether a Windows tablet running standard C1 instead of mobile, but every time I try that in the field the weight and inconvenience of mounting sends me back to the mini running mobile. 'Course, it's only recently that mobile has become bearable so I don't have a lot of time with this rig. I can say that sunlight remains an issue as there is no hood and a better holder would have some sort of flip out shade device.
This clamp (iphone holder for motorcycle) works for me at the moment and I can just leave it on the tripod so no setup. Swivels to position the display in various positions. Mine fits displays from iPhone max to IPAD mini. The jaws of this particular clamp fit a 3 series Gitzo better than a 5 series (shown here), but it works with both. Easy is good.
I would far prefer to tether a Windows tablet running standard C1 instead of mobile, but every time I try that in the field the weight and inconvenience of mounting sends me back to the mini running mobile. 'Course, it's only recently that mobile has become bearable so I don't have a lot of time with this rig. I can say that sunlight remains an issue as there is no hood and a better holder would have some sort of flip out shade device.
LOL, I never heard it referred to as a diaper before! The actual product is called an Oben Tripod Hammock. When not being used to support my laptop in the field, it's a convenient spot to keep things nearby when either setting up or breaking down the kit. It's also saved me by catching a dropped filter (or lens) that wasn't properly secured to the camera.
John
Greg Haag
Well-known member
If I am wanting to tether to my laptop, this is what I use.
DigiSystem Lite Kit
DigiSystem Lite Kit includes DigiPlate Lite, DigiClamps (Laptop, Universal), and your choice of a DigiBase or DigiBracket. This kit offers a lightweight solution for on-location tethering needs. Whether mounted to a rolling stand, C-Stand, tripod, or packed in a backpack, it provides a highly...
inovativ.com
