Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Neil Williams on January 04, 2018, 05:06:06 am

Title: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Neil Williams on January 04, 2018, 05:06:06 am
Guys
I’ve just bought a new H6D-100c and looking on the web (camera not arrived yet) I see the H6D has a tripod plate built in. Can someone confirm if it’s the Acra Swiss type and if so what would be your recommendation for a ball head that is light but strong enough to support and manipulate the camera in both portrait and landscape. I already have a tripod that I use for Leica S and Chamonix 8x10 so just need a new ball head.
Thanks in advance
Neil


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: SrMi on January 04, 2018, 10:34:11 am
I use RRS plate for Hasselblad. As ballheads I use Sirui, RRS or Arca Swiss Cube C1. Avoid Acratech.
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Doug Peterson on January 04, 2018, 11:01:08 am
I’ve just bought a new H6D-100c and looking on the web (camera not arrived yet) I see the H6D has a tripod plate built in. Can someone confirm if it’s the Acra Swiss type and if so what would be your recommendation for a ball head that is light but strong enough to support and manipulate the camera in both portrait and landscape. I already have a tripod that I use for Leica S and Chamonix 8x10 so just need

The H series does not have an Arca plate built in. You will need to buy one separately.

Arca Swiss P0 Hybrid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Te5eLFw2M) is a ballhead that meets all your requirements, but also adds post-ball geared two-axis correction.

Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: tcdeveau on January 04, 2018, 11:01:22 am
I have a really right stuff BH-55 that i used with an H4D-40 and 35-90mm, it worked really well
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Neil Williams on January 05, 2018, 10:10:39 am
I ordered a Acra Swiss P0

Neil
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: David Watson on January 05, 2018, 10:24:00 am
After a lot of experimentation I ended up with an Arca Swiss Cube - easily the best IMO
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Jim Kasson on January 05, 2018, 10:30:49 am
The H series does not have an Arca plate built in. You will need to buy one separately.

Arca Swiss P0 Hybrid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Te5eLFw2M) is a ballhead that meets all your requirements, but also adds post-ball geared two-axis correction.

My problem with the P0 Hybrid is the lack of a yaw axis below the tilt and roll axes. The C1 has yaw axes both above and below the other two, and it's really useful. I ended up adding a RRS yaw device below the P0 Hybrid, but it increases size and weight.

Jim
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Neil Williams on January 05, 2018, 10:38:55 am
I ordered a Acra Swiss P0

Neil
I also ordered the RRS L bracket..........cant wait for it all to arrive so that I can try it all out

Neil
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 05, 2018, 12:01:44 pm
Be happy!

I would regard L-brackets essential!

Best regards
Erik


I also ordered the RRS L bracket..........cant wait for it all to arrive so that I can try it all out

Neil
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: TimoK on January 05, 2018, 12:17:36 pm
I see the H6D has a tripod plate built in. Can someone confirm if it’s the Acra Swiss type?
I wonder if that's the question.
The H series does not have an Arca plate built in. You will need to buy one separately.
What is Hasselblad's quick lock system? Hbl's own?
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: matted on January 05, 2018, 01:00:23 pm
My problem with the P0 Hybrid is the lack of a yaw axis below the tilt and roll axes. The C1 has yaw axes both above and below the other two, and it's really useful. I ended up adding a RRS yaw device below the P0 Hybrid, but it increases size and weight.

Jim

Does the D4 have the same movement limitation as the P0? I tried a D4 out and wanted to like it as it is smaller and "closed" as compared to the Cube, and seemed to be limiting me in some way (I can't figure out exactly how).

I'm currently using an RRS-BH55 and love it as a ball head, but find myself wanting geared movements from time to time for more precision.
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Doug Peterson on January 05, 2018, 01:07:46 pm
I ordered a Acra Swiss P0

A P0 or P0 Hybrid?
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Neil Williams on January 05, 2018, 01:29:53 pm
I bought the classic model.....it was the one with the best reviews

Neil
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Jim Kasson on January 05, 2018, 03:14:05 pm
Does the D4 have the same movement limitation as the P0? I tried a D4 out and wanted to like it as it is smaller and "closed" as compared to the Cube, and seemed to be limiting me in some way (I can't figure out exactly how).

I'm currently using an RRS-BH55 and love it as a ball head, but find myself wanting geared movements from time to time for more precision.

No, the D4 has yaw axes in both places, like the C1.

That said, I've never made friends with the D4, although I haven't sold mine. On balance, I like the P0 Hybrid better, and the C1 a heck of a lot better.

If you're going to get a P0 Hybrid, read this first:

http://blog.kasson.com/the-last-word/arca-swiss-p0-hybrid-head/

Jim
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 05, 2018, 03:33:51 pm
Hi,

Just to say, I have a D4 and I love it. Did not own the Cube or the P0, though.

Best regards
Erik

No, the D4 has yaw axes in both places, like the C1.

That said, I've never made friends with the D4, although I haven't sold mine. On balance, I like the P0 Hybrid better, and the C1 a heck of a lot better.

If you're going to get a P0 Hybrid, read this first:

http://blog.kasson.com/the-last-word/arca-swiss-p0-hybrid-head/

Jim
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: hubell on January 05, 2018, 05:57:34 pm
Hi,

Just to say, I have a D4 and I love it. Did not own the Cube or the P0, though.

Best regards
Erik

I quite like it as well, but I have just started using it and the weather has been arctic like.. -5F degrees and windy. It is not at all quick to set it up or use with gloves on.
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: BAB on January 05, 2018, 07:33:00 pm
If I were you I would try one of these and not look back its the only way to go with the H6....https://www.digitalback.com/product/smart-flex-l-plate/

You need a Arca Swiss plate to make it work

Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: BAB on January 05, 2018, 07:48:13 pm
they now have a new version Arca Swiss compatable.
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Patricia Sheley on January 09, 2018, 02:33:01 pm
I'm replacing the arca swiss monoball z / double pan classic plates and l brackets with flip lock. Would the C1 be the proper candidate. I see there is still a Z1 double pan but the C1 looks like it might be a good companion. currently working IR and heavy density long exposures along specific planes...Thanks for any imput you may be able to offer.
p.
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Jim Kasson on January 09, 2018, 03:34:20 pm
I'm replacing the arca swiss monoball z / double pan classic plates and l brackets with flip lock. Would the C1 be the proper candidate. I see there is still a Z1 double pan but the C1 looks like it might be a good companion. currently working IR and heavy density long exposures along specific planes...Thanks for any imput you may be able to offer.
p.

I don't like the C1's flip lock. On one of mine, I've replaced it with a RRS cam-lock, but on the newer ones, they've changed the Loctite spec, and it's difficult/impossible to do that. So my other C1 has a screw lock.

Jim
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Patricia Sheley on January 09, 2018, 08:29:45 pm
Thanks for that heads up Jim...
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: jng on January 09, 2018, 10:56:56 pm
Bob Watkins at Precision Camera Works (authorized Arca-Swiss service - https://www.precisioncameraworks.com/about/) can replace the clamp with one from RRS. He turned mine around quickly and his prices are very reasonable. I couldn't be happier with my Cube with this modification.

John

I don't like the C1's flip lock. On one of mine, I've replaced it with a RRS cam-lock, but on the newer ones, they've changed the Loctite spec, and it's difficult/impossible to do that. So my other C1 has a screw lock.

Jim
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: Jim Kasson on January 10, 2018, 10:05:47 am
Bob Watkins at Precision Camera Works (authorized Arca-Swiss service - https://www.precisioncameraworks.com/about/) can replace the clamp with one from RRS. He turned mine around quickly and his prices are very reasonable. I couldn't be happier with my Cube with this modification.


That's good news. Thanks.

Jim
Title: Re: Ball Head for Hasselblad H6D
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 10, 2018, 12:31:30 pm
Hi!

Good news, yes! But, I happen to live in Europe. Anyone having a service like that within the EU?

I have an old version D4 and have replaced the Fliplock with an RRS lever type device. That said, the Fliplock is actually quite nice.

Best regards
Erik


That's good news. Thanks.

Jim