[Leica] Re: Maintaining an Arca-Swiss B1

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

I have two B1 heads that just get used. Carried everywhere. Plane, train, 
bus, car. Whatever. They are eight to ten years old and have never ever 
hiccupped. Like the Energizer bunny... they just keep on keeping on. I'm 
afraid that if I start to baby them, they'll quit working due to boredom.

Jim


At 07:17 PM 9/29/2001 -0700, Gib Robinson wrote:
>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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