[Leica] Maintaining an Arca-Swiss B1

["Gib Robinson" <robinson@sfsu.edu>]

I sent the following list of maintence procedures to Greg Lorenzo, who is
considering the purchase of an Arca-Swiss B1. He thought the information was
useful and suggested I post it for those LUGers who may not have seen the
procedures listed on photo.net or elsewhere. So, here it is.

- --Gib


1) Always return the main locking knob to its "0" position when the head is
not in use, especially before travelling with it;

2) As you know, the main locking knob has a scale marked from 0--->10, with
10 being the tightest.  According to Bryan Geyer of Really Right Stuff (and
the Arca-Swiss instruction sheet), one should NEVER attempt to turn or force
the main locking knob to a position any LOOSER than the "0" setting, as this
is reputed to be perhaps the most common user error that can cause the ball
to become "frozen" or jammed.  When this happens, turning the locking knob
about 1/4 turn in the direction of MORE tension will often free the ball and
return it to normal operation;

3) If one attempts to travel with the head with some degree of ball tension
set (rather than being set to the "0" position), the vibrations and
"jostling" imposed by such things as a vehicle, an airplane, or hiking with
the head, can cause the ball to become jammed, especially if the ball is
dropped, jarred, rammed, bumped hard, etc.;

4) During air travel or an extended car trip, the B1 should be removed from
the tripod; its main locking knob set to "0"; and the head should be covered
and stowed in a well-padded manner, such as within the middle a suitcase
full of clothing.  The optional Gitzo "leveling base" is said to not only
facilitate quick and easy removal of the B1 from a Gitzo tripod, but the
"leveling" functions of this device are also said to be very useful.  I plan
to add a leveling base to my rig in the near future;

5) Many seasoned B1 users advise that it's important to keep the B1 ball
head as clean as possible, as well as to keep it covered and padded when not
in use.  One clever Photo.netter mentioned his use of a padded neoprene lens
pouch with a "purse string" type of tie, to cover and protect his B1, rather
like a sock.  These inexpensive neoprene lens pouches are available from
Kirk Enterprises (see their catalogue or web site), and I plan to order one
soon for use with my B1;

6) In his tutorial concerning camera support gear, Phillip Greenspun made
comments to the effect that many of the better, ultra-expensive ball heads
seem vulnerable to damage by mishaps and carelessness, and that their owners
are well-advised to practice a certain level of care with these precision
devices.


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