Monoball Lock up! Need help...

LMNOP · Dec 25, 2015

After the exchange with KEH (I needed a different clamp, so they had to swamp the entire unit) I received a completely locked up replacement MonoBall B1.

This was of course Christmas Eve, so I cannot call KEH, and according to the tutorial I've read online, the suggested fix did not work. Should I ditch this thing all together? What kind of ball head has THIS massive of a defect? This happened to the first unit I received, but I fixed it easily. This time, I turn the knob all the way clockwise and it just tightens up, all the way counter clockwise is the same thing. All the while, the ball itself remains motionless! I am SO frustrated with all the stress of this upgrade, from the plates to the ball itself, I was better off with the Manfrotto that never gave me any issues. Ugh.

Any advice out there?

Sirius Glass · Dec 25, 2015

I use the Induro Magnesium Pan Head - PHQ 1, I heard that the Induro Magnesium Ball Head - P=BHM 2 is good too. http://www.indurogear.com

LMNOP · Dec 26, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
I use the Induro Magnesium Pan Head - PHQ 1, I heard that the Induro Magnesium Ball Head - P=BHM 2 is good too. http://www.indurogear.com

I'd really LIKE to be able to fix this one and start using it! the friction thumb screw seems immovable.

wiltw · Dec 26, 2015

Have you first

LOCKED the ballhead quite tightly,
THEN back off on the friction tension adjustment knob,,
then release the lock

and see if the ball is no longer locked up?!

LMNOP · Dec 26, 2015

wiltw said:
Have you first

LOCKED the ballhead quite tightly,

THEN back off on the friction tension adjustment knob,,

then release the lock

and see if the ball is no longer locked up?!

I can't seem to make any adjustment to the friction knob! How does it turn?

bdial · Dec 26, 2015

"Righty-tighty, lefty-loosy", most likely.
What make and model of ball head?

It was probably last tightened by a gorilla, and you might need to use pliers or some such to get enough leverage.

LMNOP · Dec 26, 2015

bdial said:
"Righty-tighty, lefty-loosy", most likely.
What make and model of ball head?

It was probably last tightened by a gorilla, and you might need to use pliers or some such to get enough leverage.

Arca swiss mono ball B1 - the friction screw is pretty flat and impossible to turn.

wiltw · Dec 26, 2015

From a post on DPReview....

"There have been some reports of a problem, incurred by some B1 ballhead users, wherein the ballhead was received (new, in the box) in a frozen locked-up condition. Generally, this has happened with the ball and locking knob frozen open (loose ball), but sometimes with the ball frozen closed (clamped ball). This freeze-up could also happen during in-the-field usage, but it is generally more common in transit, when constant vibration is prevalent. Here are some guidelines on what to do about this condition.

"First, combat any tendency for this freeze to develop by always storing your B1 ballhead in an unlocked mode. This has two further benefits: It will help protect against loosening, and loss, of the thumbscrew (now held captive in all post-’92 production models), and it will allow the head clamp to move when it strikes some obstruction due to careless handling. (But do pack your tripod center column, with ballhead, inside your luggage when traveling by air, because it is too valuable to trust to airline handling.)

"Second, learn what to do if your B1 ballhead does incur this freeze-up problem. The fix is quite easy, and can be administered safely, with no risk of any damage to the B1 ballhead. Here’s what you do: Check the thumbscrew to confirm that it is indeed jammed, and not free to rotate counter-clockwise. Then, get a firm grasp on the main locking control knob (you might want to use some cloth to help get a good grip), and force-rotate that main knob clockwise (clockwise only—as if trying to lock the ball). You will need to rotate this knob clockwise by about 1/8th inch of movement in order to free the internal lockup. When this is done, normal operation is restored. Hand force is sufficient to accomplish this fix; no tools are required unless grip is physically impaired."

...what I already wrote about, earlier.

More information on same issue... http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/arca-swiss-lockup-fix.html
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AgX · Dec 26, 2015

wiltw said:
"This freeze-up could also happen during in-the-field usage, but it is generally more common in transit, when constant vibration is prevalent."

How can a ballhead freeze due to vibration?

LMNOP · Dec 26, 2015

This ball head is killing me. I figured out the friction thumb screw, and was able to follow the official instructions for unlocking. Still no good.

benjiboy · Dec 26, 2015

I have a Giotto ball head http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/490018-REG/Giottos_MH1300_657_MH_1300_Pro_Series_II.html it's made in Taiwan by orientals is real quality and has never frozen.

BrianShaw · Dec 26, 2015

Are you saying that Taiwan doesn't use imported labor like the rest of the world does?

StephenT · Dec 26, 2015

My Arca Swiss does the same thing. I had considered performing violent acts upon it in the beginning! It seems counter-intuitive to tighten the ball before it loosens.

HOWEVER, the "suggested fix" finally did work. It seems that those things have a mind of their own. The little "tension screw" thingy should turn using your thumb. If not, get a nitrile or latex glove to give you a bit more grip, and see if it will turn.

I have other ball heads, but actually, the stubborn ArcaSwiss is my favorite, not because it is the easiest to use, but I never have to worry about a 600 f4 lens or a view camera falling to one side, toppling the tripod, and producing a minor disaster. Not to mention hurt feelings!

benjiboy · Dec 26, 2015

BrianShaw said:
Are you saying that Taiwan doesn't use imported labor like the rest of the world does?

I am not saying that I have no idea, but if they are whatever labour they import you can bet your boots will not be European or American.

resummerfield · Dec 27, 2015

I had an Arca B2 do the same lockup. I tried everything, including the "suggested fix" above, with no success. So I sent it to Precision Camera, and they fixed it for free. I've never had a problem with that ballhead since.

wildbill · Dec 27, 2015

What ball head is it? Just kidding.
I have a totally different piece of equipment and it's great. Just kidding

I've had it happen to my Arca heads as well.
Try pushing down hard on the clamp while loosening the knob.

LMNOP · Dec 28, 2015

Well, thats it... Sadly, I am sending this Mono Ball back to KEH for a refund...

Now I am left with a bunch of Arca Plates that I have no use for until of course I change heads again someday but this whole incident has made me much more appreciative of my manfrotto 3 way pan tilt head. It was cheap, simple cheap plates, and it WORKS. Why would I switch?

John Koehrer · Dec 30, 2015

Because you can!

DanielLum · Dec 30, 2015

"How can a ballhead freeze due to vibration?"

That is a realy good question ... mh.

paul ron · Dec 31, 2015

ive taken appart a couple ballheads of different brands n something i found is a tension adjust. one had a set screw n the other had a very large screw accessed from the bottom. seems these ball heads had a large internal spring that puts pressure on the ball to maintain some dampening action when you adjust the head via user controls.

if they can build it, you can take it appart!

interesting finds on these heads....
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is this yours???

http://www.giottosusa.com/images/ballheads/ballhead-from-catalog.gif

look like your tension screw may be at the center top.

Sirius Glass · Dec 31, 2015

Thank you Paul. You may have solved a problem that one of my friends has had. I now have learned something and as a result I my finally buy a ball head.

Sal Santamaura · Dec 31, 2015

LMNOP said:
...Any advice out there?

LMNOP said:
...Now I am left with a bunch of Arca Plates that I have no use for...this whole incident has made me much more appreciative of my manfrotto 3 way pan tilt head. It was cheap, simple cheap plates, and it WORKS. Why would I switch?

Because you were looking for a lighter, better head.

My advice is to get an FLM head and add a Really Right Stuff (RRS) lever-release clamp to it. The latest RRS clamps self-adjust for varying "Arca-type" dovetails, which differ slightly in size from one manufacturer to another.

paul ron · Jan 1, 2016

ive never liked ball heads. when you release the tension, your camera comes slamming down into the tripod legs. it takes acfew accidents to get use to hanging onto your camera as you release the adjusters.

i prefer the good old pan/tilt heads like my bogen 3047.... just so fool proof n sturdy. i have no problems carrying n using a heavy tripod for my heavy cameras.

Sal Santamaura · Jan 1, 2016

paul ron said:
ive never liked ball heads. when you release the tension, your camera comes slamming down into the tripod legs. it takes acfew accidents to get use to hanging onto your camera as you release the adjusters...

Not an issue if one sets the minimum drag appropriately for each particular camera. FLM heads are especially consistent and precise with respect to that adjustment.

paul ron said:
...i prefer the good old pan/tilt heads like my bogen 3047...i have no problems carrying n using a heavy tripod for my heavy cameras.

I used to consider ball heads unsuitable for view cameras. Until I tried an FLM ball head with its tilt lock. As one ages, shedding kit weight becomes of more interest.

fotch · Jan 1, 2016

I have an original Arca ball head, a Studio ball head, and a Bogan ball head. Never had a problem with any although the first too are very precise, smooth, and a joy to use.

Monoball Lock up! Need help...

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