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Author Topic: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp  (Read 6951 times)

Jan Morales

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Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« on: March 07, 2013, 11:48:48 am »

I just got the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube and I thought I'd share this. My Cube came with a quick release clamp that is different from the ones I've seen in pictures in reviews here on LuLa as well as the picture on the B&H web site where I bought it.

In addition to shaping it to fit the curve of the pano swivel head at the top, they've added two little touches that I think are nice: There is a small metal peg that lines up with the degree markings on the pano head so you can see clearly how far you've turned it. And there's a white dot on the top of the clamp that let's you center the camera in the clamp.

Anyway, I thought I'd share because I haven't seen this clamp in any pictures of the Cube on the web.

By the way, my tripod heads tend to get a little beat up when I'm traipsing through trees and brush. Has anyone found a good protective cover for the Cube that does not require taking the Cube off the tripod?
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dgberg

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2013, 11:58:03 am »

Have you seen Diglloyd's review and rant about his issues with the C1.
Could be the reason they modified it?
That turned me off but think I will look at these again.
Still torn between the Multiflex and Cube.
Can you elaborate a little on your decision?
Thank You
« Last Edit: March 07, 2013, 12:43:08 pm by Dan Berg »
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2013, 12:03:48 pm »

"By the way, my tripod heads tend to get a little beat up when I'm traipsing through trees and brush. Has anyone found a good protective cover for the Cube that does not require taking the Cube off the tripod?"

I use a neoprene bag over my heads. I think the one I use was made by Zing but I could be wrong,; I've had it for a very long time. 
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2013, 12:19:42 pm »

Lloyd Chambers (diglloyd.com) heavily revisited his original comments. http://diglloyd.com/articles/Recommended/tripod-head-ArcaSwissCube.html

As to his comment: "DIGLLOYD: why does a company ship a wonderful head with a clamp that is literally non-functional with all of my camera plates? "

The blame  is on Really Right Stuff: they made the decision to make their plates about 1mm wider than everyone else's and several of their clamps, especially the lever clamps, are sized to only work with their plates and maybe the ones from Wimberley. If you only buy from RRS then you have no problems , but some of us have plates from a wide range of manufacturers and it seems to me that RRS clearly made a marketing decision to try and lock their customers into only being able to use their products.

I own and use a lot of Really Right Stuff gear: My Arca-Swiss B1 Monoball has a PCL-1 clamp mounted on it,  I have multiple Camera Bars, a PG-02 panorama kit and their older Ultimate Omni-Pivot panorama, some macro gear and several camera plates.

Were Chamber's comments alone the reason Arca-Swiss changed the clamp? I doubt it. They get feedback from a lot of people.   I know that I made comments directly to Rod Klukas and to Arca-Swiss's owners about needing better index marking on that clamp and got positive responses to my suggestions. Do I think they changed because of me? I doubt  it, I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

As to whether to buy a slavish copy of the C1 or the C1: How do you need about patents, copyright, and other forms of intellectual property? If the Multiflex had some serious improvements to the C1 that would be one thing but the company that makes it didn't do that.
« Last Edit: March 07, 2013, 12:25:40 pm by Ellis Vener »
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Jan Morales

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2013, 01:27:07 pm »

As to why I chose the Cube over the Multiflex, I did read Richman's review and decided that the Cube's pros were more important to me than the Multiflex's, plus to be honest I have never heard of Photo Clam.

Apart from the fact that the clamp that comes on the Cube was designed for the Cube, I really don't like Arca-Swiss quick release clamps. I use Kirk plates and brackets, and I agree that it was silly of both RRS and Kirk to claim "Arca-style" plates when they're not the same width. But what bothers me about the Arca-Swiss clamp is that when you adjust the width there's no stop on the little adjustment wheel, so if you go too far (and you can't tell when you have) the whole thing explodes into separate pieces. I have had to perfect my technique for putting the bugger back together again.

I prefer a screw-knob clamp because I can feel how tight it is, it doesn't matter how wide the plate is, and I doubt it's more than a second slower than a quick release clamp. I put my Kirk clamp on the Cube briefly, but I put the Arca-Swiss clamp back on because of the pano index that I think will be useful. Maybe Kirk or RRS can make a clamp specific to the Cube someday.

And thanks for the tip, Ellis. I have ordered a Zing SPBK1 bag which seems to be just about the right size.
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2013, 03:15:16 pm »

" But what bothers me about the Arca-Swiss clamp is that when you adjust the width there's no stop on the little adjustment wheel, so if you go too far (and you can't tell when you have) the whole thing explodes into separate pieces."

Agreed it is a stupid design and I've had it happen to me.
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Wayne Fox

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2013, 02:57:57 am »

There is a small metal peg that lines up with the degree markings on the pano head so you can see clearly how far you've turned it.

I believe all cubes have the pin, but my pin is just outside the ring and protrudes down in front of the degree markings, where on the new one the pin is recessed and directly above the degree markings.
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Rod.Klukas

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2013, 10:10:43 am »

" But what bothers me about the Arca-Swiss clamp is that when you adjust the width there's no stop on the little adjustment wheel, so if you go too far (and you can't tell when you have) the whole thing explodes into separate pieces."

Agreed it is a stupid design and I've had it happen to me.
Well, we added the classic knob QR which is self adjusting to the C1 Cube lineup.  8501003.1 without case, and 8501003 with Leather case.
The flip lock works well as has been said, if you have single size plates, but the Classic knob QR is easily the most versatile for those with mixed manufactures plates.
Rod
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Rod Klukas
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dgberg

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 11:06:14 am »

We get to see this on the new website
?

Jan Morales

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2013, 11:13:03 am »

Well, we added the classic knob QR which is self adjusting to the C1 Cube lineup.  8501003.1 without case, and 8501003 with Leather case.
The flip lock works well as has been said, if you have single size plates, but the Classic knob QR is easily the most versatile for those with mixed manufactures plates.

Any chance the classic knob QR clamp for the Cube will be available separately?
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Rod.Klukas

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2013, 12:39:23 pm »

We are actively working on a website for Arca-Swiss, International.

As to the QR. We do not encourage or make the heads user changeable for QR.
You can contact Precision Camera Works, in Niles, Illinois and discuss them changing for you.

Note:  There are now visual instructions on my website for adjusting the fliplock to a plate.

thanks,
Rod
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Rod Klukas
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Ellis Vener

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Re: Arca-Swiss C1 Cube new quick release clamp
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2013, 01:33:17 pm »

W the Classic knob QR is easily the most versatile for those with mixed manufactures plates.
Rod
I'm in full agreement. The adjustable lever lock would be fine to if there were a stop for the nut.
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