Arca Swiss P0 Hybrid users

[film_man]

Hi all,

I'm starting out in large format with an Intrepid 4x5 and one thing I have to sort out is some legs. I currently have a Manfrotto 190 which will probably scrape through (the weight rating is 7kg and the total Intrepid weight with lens etc is 2kg or under). So it will do for now. However the head, a Manfrotto 484RC2 ball, just won't cut it.

I've been looking at various heads and one I keep coming back to is the Arca Swiss P0 Hybrid, basically a ball with geared movements on top for fine tuning. Which sounds ideal as I can use the ball for quick setup (including with my 35mm gear) and the geared movements will do for lining up perfectly. But that is all in my paper based perfect world.

The question is, does anyone have experience with this head and 4x5 cameras? If so what is your experience?

BTW I have no intention of buying anything bigger or another 4x5 camera so 2kg (or let's say 3kg to be safe) is the max it should have to support.

The alternatives I considered were the Cube but for that kind of money I'd rather upgrade the legs and the D4 which is bulkier and reading around people seem to not like that much. I read about the Z2+ which looked very interesting but that is discontinued I think.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[abruzzi]

I can't comment on the head you're looking at, but one quick comment about my experience with tripods for large format--I'm not a fan of ball heads with large format cameras. The reason for this is I'm looking at the ground glass while I loosen and adjust the position of the camera. Since everything is upside down on the ground glass it can be difficult to adjust. A three way head allows me to work with one axis at a a time which is easier under the context.

 

[film_man]

Thanks. The reason for looking at the P0 hybrid is that it has a ball for quick setup (probably before mounting the camera to get it near level) and then it has geared +/-10deg movements on top. I'll agree that a ball on its own is probably not preferable, for the type of outdoor shooting I got the 4x5 for I can't see me shooting much different than just level. I'm thinking whatever head I get it will probably be wrong given I've never done large format before and with 35mm I can't remember the last time I used a tripod...

 

[srmcnamara]

I'm a fan of the Manfrotto 410 Jr. gear head. I have no experience with the P0 hybrid, but the regular P0 is a bit small for LF work. It may be fine with an intrepid or some of the ultralight cameras, but it will still struggle at longer focal extensions and with even normal weight field cameras. Also, I agree that a ball head is no bueno, but maybe the geared portion is more substantial than I am imagining. I do dream of the Cube, however.

 

[vivizen]

I use a Linhof Technika on a P0 hybrid, and find the combination quite perfect. The P0 hybrid, in this context, acts like a lighter, quicker, Arca Cube.

 

[film_man]

Well in the end I got the P0 hybrid, the head arrived and while I don't have a camera yet to put on it is really sturdy and smooth. The geared movements are really smooth too, a great head. So let's see how it goes when the camera arrives.

 

[Rod Klukas]

I'm a fan of the Manfrotto 410 Jr. gear head. I have no experience with the P0 hybrid, but the regular P0 is a bit small for LF work. It may be fine with an intrepid or some of the ultralight cameras, but it will still struggle at longer focal extensions and with even normal weight field cameras. Also, I agree that a ball head is no bueno, but maybe the geared portion is more substantial than I am imagining. I do dream of the Cube, however.

The big advantage of the P0 is the top pan and the precise fine pitch on top as well. Also much lighter and less bulky than the 410.

 

[roodpe]

The big advantage of the P0 is the top pan and the precise fine pitch on top as well. Also much lighter and less bulky than the 410.

Rod,

Is the P0 Hybrid capable of supporting an Arca 8x10 F-Line Camera?

Pete

 

[Rod Klukas]

Rod,

Is the P0 Hybrid capable of supporting an Arca 8x10 F-Line Camera?

Pete

Pete,
P0 Hybrid is not a good match. Capacity is too low.

For an 8x10, if you want geared movement, the C1 Cube is best. Otherwise, the Z1G + traditional ball head, is quite excellent.

Hope this helps,
Rod