Could be good:

http://www.adorama.com/AWMBZ1SPF.html

It seems that they finally have something like the spherical clamp of RRS.

Regards,
Bernard

"The new series can withstand an incredible 60 kg (122 lbs) off-axis."

That's sturdy, I can almost sit on that.

Looks a lot like a Markins.

Actually it looks a lot like a newer, smaller, stronger, cheaper B1 series Arca Swiss to me. I use the B1 & B1G heads exclusively and the only real difference in appearance seems to be the aluminium base plate and the physical size/weight. Otherwise it looks identical. Press releases seem to suggest that it's the new, new thing - maybe it's Arca Swiss looking to address a lower price point too?

Now I am biased, but if it's anything like as smooth and glorious to use as the current B1 series heads then $330 is a bargain. I've tried the Bogen, Kirk and Acratech heads but they have not been anything like as smooth in use as any of my B1's/B1G.

The Markins does seem to have a strong following - it would be interesting to see a real side by side comparison.

Actually, it looks a lot like the current B1, but with the quick-release clamp off the Arca Cube instead of a knob lock clamp... The fact that it is lighter in weight is great!

The quick release isn't actually new - that's the same as on recent QR B1's. These work ok but don't have a lot of adjustment with the plates and there isn't much play in the clamp. For example, all of my RRS plates/brackets fit perfectly but the very slightly wider/deeper Wimberley sidekick is a tight fit. They could do with just a little bit more 'spring' in the QR clamp to make them less sensitive.

I have a Q3, the smallest and newest Markins (30kg capacity). It's used with a Gitzo 1158, Gitzo monopod, Nikon D200 and pro glass up to 70-200mm.

It's about 3 months old and so far every bit as smooth as my B1. I'm inclined to say that the adjustment is a bit more precise/progressive once set up. The spirit level built in to the supplied quick shoe is very handy when initially setting up on uneven ground.

The great thing is that it's based on tried and tested design and seems very well executed. The one negative is that it's not different enough to make it worthwhile making a direct replacement on it's own merrit. Think of it as an evolution not revolution. If like me you need a smaller and lighter option then the Q3 is great. If/when the B1 need's replacing then I would seriously consider one of the larger Markins models but don't see a case for directly replacing it now.

It's early days but so far so good.

You can machine the cam lever to generate a wider mouth when open...

Does anyone know if the new Z1 can also be had with an old school screw knob instead of a 'flip lock' lever and what the trade offs are compared to the B1?

I would be very surprised if a mark down of 25 per cent would not come at a price.

Execpt, of course, that the Markins heads are direct knock-offs of the B1...

If that is the case and Markins have infringed on any of Arca-Swiss's patents I would expect Arca-Swiss to challenge that in court.

I doubt they can afford it. Arca-Swiss is a small family-owned business. Many companies have made B1 imitations. Arca is powerless against that. All they can do is innovate faster, hence the Cube and the P1.

The newer Arca Swiss models have pretty impressive specifications ! 122 lbs with such a small head ?

It's the P1 that really looks interesting to me. Twist collar instead of friction knob

http://www.adorama.com/AWMBP1SF.html

Blows away everything else including the highly overrated RRS heads.

from the photo, it looks like the P1 has the panning base on top -- if so, it would be a nice, compact solution for panoramas (i just ordered the relatively heavy and expensive RRS panning head after researching alternatives)

speaking of RRS heads, i have the 40 and the 25. the 40 has a very unpleasant stick-slip characteristic which i've mostly overcome by applying dry lubricant to the ball (Joe agrees this is a characteristic of friction materials used and that applying a lubricant is the solution - but then you have to worry about keeping the ball clean - the dry lubricant doesn't seem to pick up dirt, but has to be re-applied periodically). that said, there is always camera movement on lockup. the 25 (which i use on a very light travel tripod) doesn't have this problem, but then it doesn't have an adjustable drag or indendent pan, limiting it's usefulness.

i also have a linhof on heavier tripod - it has significantly better feel than the BH-45, but is a bit heavy and bulky for packing and travel

definitely room for improvement in light to medium weight heads

Looks interesting. But if you read the below document, it seems to indicate that the P1s (Single), seems to have a ball tilt range limited to 35 degrees and for 90 degree tilt, you need to get the P1d (Double), which is pricier.

http://precisioncameraworks.com/Media/Photokina2006.pdf

Does this mean that the P1s (single) is not very suitable for portrait orientation ? Also, unlike the other Arca-swiss ballheads, I don't see the specifications (weight, load bearing capacity) anywhere.

after using a RRS angle plate, i'd never mess with 90 degrees on a ball head - 35 degrees should be just fine

I think it means you can't orient the "single" model at 90 degreess...which you would only do if you were photographing something on the ground.

It seems with an "L" plate, you can go to portrait but unlike the B1 and the new Z1 etc., there is no slot that will allow you to go to portrait automatically, if one were using a flat arca-type plate.

From my perspective, this reduces the functionality of the ball-head, even though the ability to not have to fiddle with the knob is definitely a plus.

you're right about the ground, but i only do that for copy purposes and don't need that capability in a travel/packable ball head

i seriously recommend the relatively modest investment in an L-plate, the ease of shooting verticals with it really improves my photography, not to mention that it's nearly essential for highest quality panoramas

Hi,

I just bought the Z1 with a standard screw-in knob on the quick release plate. I think this is a safer bet than the flip lock anyway as I have read that not all "Arca" plates are the same dimensions and you can't neccessarily interchange among manufacturers. I haven't run into that problem yet, but I figure the screw-in type has more adjustment possible for plate variations. Just over $300 at B&H.

I just switched from a B1 and although I have only been using the Z1 a week or so, I have yet to find a disadvantage. It is lighter and smaller and seems to be even stronger than the B1.

The panning base at the bottom seems to have some differences with the B1.