I use the ball head for a lot of outdoor photography applications, including landscape, nature, and macro. This ball head is definitely designed for professionals. The build is very nice and rock solid, like many of the Swiss products. It's also lightweight, and has a super high supporting ratio based on its own weight. Once you've set the friction control that fits your lens, the ball head can be moved very smoothly at the sweetspot. The aspherical ball head (the only aspherical ball head in the world as far as I know) is so good as it acts as a saftety measure against lens crashing the tripod when you forget to tighten the main control knob. I tried once myself when I also crashed the tele-zoom 80-200mm, the ballhead worked perfectly! The rubber ring on the main control looks ugly. I must say it is ugly when compared to its Arca-Swiss B1, though functionally it works well. Otherwise, the product would have looked like a Rolex watch! If you're a series photographer that needs a great ballhead for your photo application, this Arca-Swiss Z1 sp may be the gem that you've been searching. Highly recommended.

I have had an Arca-Swiss ballhead B1 in use for about 16 years or better, it was time to replace that model, so I looked at other brands and tested a few, I just found that for the build and cost of the Z1 just can't be beat! The only thing I would like to see addressed is the little tear droped shaped knob that works the pan function, on my tripod it hits the top surface of the tripod. if Arca-swiss would have stayed with the round knob this would not be an issue, But still the best ball head in the market to date!

The is by far the best ball head I've ever owned. Very solid, silky smooth, and easy to operate. Definately worth the $.

In a good tripod usea good head. Monoball Z1 is the best we can have.

When you pay a lot of money for a piece of equipment, you expect it to not only work well, but to keep on working well for a long, long time under all conditions. I have owned the predecessor of this unit (a B1) for many years and have always been very glad I bought the best. The B1 is as solid as a tank and as smooth as butter after years of (sometimes very rough) use. Before purchasing the B1, I had purchased a Kirk unit but returned it because (while it wasn't that much cheaper than the Arca-Swiss), it was definitely NOT in the same (quality) league. This Z1 is very similar to the B1. I guarantee that you will never regret spending the money for the best. Buy it.

This is the only ball head with the ellipse ball. I triedMarkins and RRS. They are very good, but Arca-Swiss is thebest. You can move the camera. Stop and take your hands offthe camera. Do some thing else. Go back to your camera andit be at the exact angle you left it. This is the ball headthat really works. You can work with one hand and not worrywith it moving when you take the shot. Expertise: Simi Pro 40 years Problems Encountered: Need to make one 1/2 scale for light rigs. Previous Equivalent Item Owned: RRS & Markins Items I Recommend: Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod

I already have and use the Markins M-10. In my opinion, the Arca oval shape is the answer to the need for a quality ballhead that functions as I need. The auto-increase of friction due to the oval design prevents the ball from flopping over as the angle increases from the vertical plain. The Markins is also a quality ball head, but it does not have this feature. to prevent flopover with the Markins I have to tighten it to the point that it is too tight to easily move for framing. The Arca is a joy to use. It allows me to precisely point my cameras where I want and it stays put with my long teles. Nothing else I've used compares. Expertise: Military Photographer and serious amateur for 50 years Problems Encountered: The only issues I have is that I had to buy a Kirk captive knob for the camera quick-release clamp and the panning scale is not marked in degees. Sorry, I had to say something a little negative. Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Markins M10 Items I Recommend: Captive clamp knob and a protective bag/case for the head

These have always been my favorite ballhead and they are now more reliable than ever,

After owning 4 different ballheads I finnally bought the Arca-swiss! This head works great, I use it with a D2x and multiple lens, as well as a Wimberly sidekick. All funtions are smooth. The build quality is excellent, very rugged.

I really love this head. No issues yet but someone has posted something about the connection stem that goes from the ball to the base of the plate breaking off. This new Monoball Z1 has two parts adhered together instead of one one solid piece. @