Designed for a realm where functionality trumps all concerns, the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube simultaneously achieves mastery of control with an appearance approaching the status of jewelry.  The head allows users to place their heavy cameras with a degree of accuracy they could never have had before except in exchange for a large increase in weight.  There are still plenty of shooters around wishing to actually travel with their best stuff, and no geared head seemed practical to endure on one's person before the C1 arrived.

The C1 Cube has finely calibrated ungeared panning adjustments under and above ±28° x-y geared axes with adjustable tension.  Why two panoramic axes?  So that you can first center the Cube's controls to your position with the bottom axis, then readjust the camera to point dead ahead with the upper axis.  The gears' knobs have a little scrap of rubber running around them, to give pinpoint control while wearing gloves without being broad enough to obstruct the head's movements.  On the bottom of it all, there's a third (ungeared) hinge which allows 62° of tilt so that any camera can reach the 90° vertical position.

On top of the C1 you'll find 2 sensitive bubble levels and an Arca-Swiss flip-lock quick release clamp which has its own advantages in compactness and security.  Given all that's going on here, the weight's astonishingly low; just 2.03 lbs (925g), as light as could be imagined and considerably more compact than other geared heads.

The C1's ultimate advantage lies in the world of macro shooting, where its design allows far fewer focusing readjustments while creating images.  You see, all other geared heads (and all other 3-way pan/tilt heads for that matter) execute movements upon circular axes which are centered far below the actual camera-your gear moves along the outside of a sphere.  The C1 Cube, however, places the camera inside of a sphere.  It is almost as if the x/y axes meet at a point upon the image plane itself, with all the camera rotating around a stationary image plane.  This remarkably difficult engineering feat was chosen to minimize movements of the optical system's entrance pupil during composing, making for speedier field work free of perpetual height and focus adjustments.

Requires Plate

Sophisticated engineering, beginning with a single hunk of metal

Designed in Switzerland and manufactured in France

Geared x-y axes with adjustable gear tension and 28° of motion

Third 62° tilt-only axis underneath geared adjustments

Rubberized knobs easily manipulated in cold & with gloves

Two-stage flip lock quick release lever

Movements allow camera's image plane to stay relatively stationary, easing macro work

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can this head be used to take vertical shots?

A: To easily go 90 degrees to use it vertical on the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head with Arca Classic Quick Release with Leather Case it is best to use an L quick release plate.

Q: 2. What is the difference between 2.2lb and 2.4lb and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

A: The difference between the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head with Arca Classic Quick Release with GP (Geared Panning) and the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head with Arca Classic Quick Release is that the GP version allows for both manual movement and geared movement if you wish to for a very precise rotation. There are no disadvantages to using the GP version over the classic, however the classic version is also a great option if you do not need a micrometric rotation.

Q: 3. Is this Z1+？

A: The Z1G is the plus model: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1295156-REG/arca_swiss_monoball_z1g_single_pan.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029543-REG/arca_swiss_801123_monoball_classic_z1_double.html

Q: 4. Thanks Rob. Is there a L bracket that you suggest that will be able to take the full load of the tripod head, camera, filter systems, flash etc? It can become rather heavy. Alind.

A: The L bracket slides into the top of the head, so the load of the head has no bearing. I'm not sure which camera you have, as there are specific ones for different cameras or universal ones as well. If you go to our website and enter your camera and then "L Bracket" afterwards in the search box, they will all come up.

Q: 5. How to adapt it to my a bunch of RRS stuffs? May I have your suggestion? For example, RRS Nordal slides(MPR192 CLII), RRS pano clamps....

A: The clamp on the C1 Cube is Arca compatible so it can work with RRS accessories.

Q: 6. Can I swap the clamp for a Really Right Stuff B2-Pro-II? Need a highly reliable way to use with my RRS brackets.

A: older models were a DIY - no longer applies, meaning they are using now a special hot glue and only an authorized repair shop can do it under warranty.The RRS knob is actually bigger than the AS, and I have no issues with AS version. OTOH, the AS quick lever clamp version has a few bad reviews

Q: 7. What is the difference between the 2.3 and 2.7 lb versions?

A: The heavier Cube has a geared panning.

Q: 8. RRS plate has two safety screw on bottom. If I put RRS plate on C1 cube’s clamp, does the safety screws lose its original function? Is the bottom of RRS plated going to be scratched or clashed? I would like to purchase C1, but not sure if it could work with RRS rail/plate perfectly? If it cannot, can I swap out Arca Swiss clamp and install RRS clamp on C1 head easily?

A: The safety stops seen on the Cube are primarily for the Slidefix QR system and do not interfere with Arca-Swiss plates typically. In this case, the RRS plate's safety screws will prevent it from sliding on, so you'd have to remove them. The Arca-Swiss clamp on the cube is replaceable, but the mounting screw might not be completely compatible with the RRS clamp.

Q: 9. Is there a serial # on this item?

A: Unfortunately, the Arca-Swiss C1 Cube Geared Head with Arca Classic Quick Release with GP (Geared Panning) does not have a serial number.

Q: 10. How well does the Cube work with Really Right Stuff L brackets?

A: Yes, they work excellent. :)