The Game-Changing Arca Swiss Cube: Worth the Hype?
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- Опубліковано 30 січ 2023
- Do you need the Arca Swiss Cube? It all depends on the type of photography you do and how much precision you need in your compositions. In this short video review I run down the cost and the benefits of using the Arca Swiss Cube.
Want to buy the ArcaSwiss Cube?
Geared Panning Version: bhpho.to/3WS79CZ
Standard Version: bhpho.to/3wDI18q
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Thanks for watching and God Bless!
Thank you! Great and thorough review.
You’re welcome! Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!
Useful advice, particularly on the buying decision!
John; I gave up on balk heads 30+ years ago: the sudden changes when you tighten an axis, the sudden total "flop" of your 600/4.0, when you try to just "tweak" the position in pitch, oh, or horizontally...the tiny "neck" of the ball head allowing the wind to cause your setup to vibrate around the neck axis... so, back to a manfroto Giant 3-way head, or almost anything other than a ball head.
(My Arca Swiss 4 x 5 just couldn't sit still on a ball head!)
👍 Ball heads are nice for some uses, but when you need to be precise, geared heads are the way to go.
It’s an awesome head. Highly precise and robust.
Spot on, great video! One huge benefit of the C1 is that it puts the camera in a sphere more or less putting the axes on the image plane, great stuff.
Thanks! You’re correct about the huge benefit. Found this head incredibly useful for landscape photography as well. 👍
Great video, thanks for this. Convincing me to get one. Although I find it funny how photographers talk about the cost of things - I work in film and the last tripod head I bought cost me £4000 GBP... Not to downplay the cost of this head, it's expensive in terms of stills - but in film you learn very quickly that quality and precision are VERY important, and very costly to produce. Worth the money though.
Agreed. As someone who does both, quality gear is crucial. It’s why I mention the price in the video. Most people don’t understand the value in gear like this.
Enjoy the head when you get it. It’s awesome. So glad I got it.
I really want this for tabletop product photography. Im currently using a ball head tripod and is so frustrating when i get the framing just right and then i tighten the ball head again and it shifts a little or i get the framing that I want but its slightly off level. This thing would solve all of my problems i think
John, I couldn't quite see, from the video, where the center of rotation of the two axes with the "radius" that gives axis of rotation at a point "remote" from the rotating part ... it can allow you to put a lenses perspective center at the center of the mount's rotation, so that you can get, for instance, warp-free panoramic images...but, I think that the rotation center would require you to mount the camera on a rail that puts the lens in the right location... perspective center determination is another subject. ...
Unless your lens has the ability to be mounted directly to the head, then yes yo would need a rail of some sort to get to the nodal point.
Definitely need something with this level of precision, but can it be used for top down/flat lay shots as well? Rigged to speed rail somehow?
I mounted it to my superclamp which I then clamped to a 2x4 for top-down work. I just drilled holes in the ends of the 2x4 to mount to light stands or c-stands. 👍
@@JohnMagnoski ah nice, how does it mount to a super clamp? With a baby ball head adapter? Or some kind of baby pin? Thanks! This review was super helpful
Here’s my superclamp and brass adapters:
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1731350-REG
@@JohnMagnoski awesome, thank you
I have a question about the difference between Geared Panning and ClickPan. What are the differences in the function of panning or rotating the camera? Or what are the differences in usage logic?
I’m not entirely sure. My assumption is that the geared pan (my version) allows for smooth, geared adjustments for panning. Whereas I think the click pan version uses a knurled ring one would twist for panning in specific click-stops. But again, that is simply my assumption as I have only used the geared and non-geared versions. 😉
one reason for this cost, is that this head is designed as a kit item to go with the arca-swiss F line or M line monorails, which can go to 8x10" size (like the sinar system, the back frame can be exchanged for 4x5"\5x7" or 8x10" standard carriers) so the structure is there to support 8x10" lenses at full rail extension and hold it at that angle, and for this tech. you need to pay for it, as the more rigid the system, the stronger materials you need to use, aka steel or titanium rather than aluminium or pvc for parts.
Thanks for the detailed comment! I’m sure many here will appreciate the info as much as I do. God Bless! 👍
Hmmm interesting
You've got me curious...
Hi John, thank you for your great review! Just a quick question, why did you choose the Arca Classic quick release type over the Fliplock?
You’re welcome!
I chose the Arca Classic for 2 main reasons: 1. It wasn’t on back order
2. It was slightly cheaper than the one with the flip lock. 😉
@@JohnMagnoski Thank you for your quick response! So it was available at the time and money was not an issue you would have purchased the Fliplock? And how do you like it after 6 months? And why didn’t you consider the Arca Swiss d4?
Honestly, I was torn between the flip-lock and classic. You can't lose either way. Both are secure. If your workflow requires a lot of switching cameras or orientations; or if you tend to go from tripod to hand and back often, I would get the quick-lock.
I absolutely love it. Wish I would have sprung for this head years ago. The precision, the ease of getting my compositions just right in camera is such a blessing. Seriously think anyone looking for this type of precision should just go for it. You won't regret it.
I did consider the d4. They seem to be the same concept with different designs - with the d4 being what looks like a more "sealed" design over the cube. But opted for the cube because I had always lusted after it and know of many large format landscape photographers that use it reliably in the field. ; )
@@JohnMagnoski Thanks so much! Really appreciate your detailed response. And thanks again for your great content.
No problem! I hoped it was helpful. : )
Would love to know your thoughts on Arca Swiss D4 geared head
Thank you! I have not used the D4 (yet) but plan to in the future.
I have the 801113 Monoball Z1dp quickset classic. Is this good for architecture photography?
I'm not familiar with that particular head. But being a ball head, I would assume it shifts a little on you when you go to tighten it down. If so, I would suggest something geared so you can be more precise with your compositions.
(Inexpensive Option) Benro GD3WH: bhpho.to/3GwqBQz
(More Expensive) Cambo PCH: bhpho.to/40zDz7O
(Most Expensive) ArcaSwiss Cube: bhpho.to/3WS79CZ
Hope this helps!
one more option is Leofoto G4
curious to know - why spend so much on this kind of head for interior/architectural photography, when we can do corrections in Lightroom. presenting I am doing commercial photography as a professional and using Ball Head from Manfrotto. I understand this would be much smoother for framing and operation than ball head but still why worry for minor corrections which can be rectified in the post. pls share your experience for knowledge
I mention it in my video, but in short:
Precision Head + Tilt/Shift Lens = no need to make lens corrections in post. This not only saves time, but allows you more control over your composition while in the field. This way, when working with a client during a shoot, what they see is what they're going to get. No need to throw away data, or "create" data that isn't there. Hope that helps explain it better. : )
Works with large format or just film in general. Like me tend to use the whole negative when printing
Can you recommend a heavy duty tripod for this Cube Head?
Sure thing! Here are three I would suggest:
• Sirui W-2204 Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod ($349) - bhpho.to/3rSaRD4
• Benro TMA48CXL ($524) - bhpho.to/3rKboXX
• FEISOL Elite Tripod CT-3372LV M2 Rapid with Leveling Center Column ($850) - bhpho.to/3Fh9WPI
I have the Sirui tripod and feel it is a good value. The FEISOL is top of my personal wish list. ; )
I use the treeway of Benro. Perfect and a lot cheaper.