Attaching a Clamp to an Arca-Swiss P0 Ballhead

This shows how to attach an RRS B2-40-LR clamp to an Arca-Swiss P0 ballhead.

[@MrStephenwang]

All recent Arca Swiss heads come with the clamp permanently glued, but it still possible to remove them safely with a heat gun. It takes too rounds of heating. Keep the heat gun very close to the screw cap and heat it for a minute. Wait a couple of minute for the heat to work its way into the glue, then heat for another minute. The clamp now should be very easy to remove. It is very important to preserve the function of the two pins. The panning base of the Arca Swiss heads are so precisely fitted that even a slight distortion caused by tightening the screw can affect the smoothness of the panning. It is very easy to make two pins by yourself. I have a writing on how to do it, but I can't post the link here (youtube will block my post if I do). Just google "The best non-destructive way to fit RRS LR clamps on Arca Swiss heads" and you will be able to find it.

[@ChrisCummins]

This was exactly the video I needed, thank you so much! BTW, you're right that the large RRS lever will interfere with the panning lock lever, but it is not a problem. Arca Swiss's very own C1 head has the very same issue. You only need about a 1/3 turn to go from locked to loose with the panning head so the inability to freely rotate it is not a problem.

[@rveronico]

thank you for this video, I was thinking to adopt your same solution, except that it is really hard to find the rrs clamp in Italy, probably I will go with Leofoto LR-50 or LR-60

[@bubuli]

understandable…for me though i can’t bring myself to support Leofoto…my issue with them is that most of their products are just shameless copies of RRS products…they’re not even trying to hide it. i’m all for more affordable competition but they should be bringing some innovations to the table. to their credit, they do have original products…

[@Roman_4x5]

I have done exactly same thing, I added a large washer under the clamp though.

[@royprasad]

Hi Dexter, I believe Arca Swiss uses some Locktite-like glue to install the OEM screw. Were you able to remove the OEM screw with just the socket wrench, or did you have to apply heat to it (e.g., with a Butane torch or something)? Also, once you remove the OEM hex nut with the 1/4"-20 thread stud, what is the thread count for the cavity? Is that also 1/4"-20 or is it 3/8"-16 or some other thread / pitch? TIA... Roy

[@bubuli]

i didn't need to apply any heat...just use a lot of elbow grease 😆...i can't tell which thread count/pitch it is...all i can tell you is that one of the screws that came with the RSS clamp fits without issue.

[@joaquintrigueros]

Thank you!

[@8181nuky]

Hi, thanks for sharing. May I know why you did not consider getting the Monoball P0+?

[@bubuli]

AFAIK only p0 offers a model without a clamp. I don't really see the benefit of the p0+ and the other variations (like the hybrid) is expensive and have no need for their extra features.

[@jeremyalexander]

Thank you for the video. Did you do OK without Loctite? Do you have any pictures of the finished product? I’m curious to know how flush the edges of the p0 are with the B2-40-LR.

[@bubuli]

I ended up using Loctite 😂 because it gets loose pretty quickly over time even with moderate use. With Loctite it’s pretty solid now. I do not have pictures but I can take them later and post here.

[@jeremyalexander]

@@bubuli I’d really appreciate that. I feel torn between this setup (p0 + B2-40-LR) and the RRS BH-30 ball head on top of an RRS TFC-14 tripod for travel/landscape.

[@bubuli]

@@jeremyalexander i have no experience with that head or legs but it's hard to wrong with RRS...but here is the flickr album of the AS p0 and RRS plate...hopefully it helps with your decision making flic.kr/s/aHBqjzHg45

[@jeremyalexander]

@@bubuli Your photos are fantastic and very helpful. I had another question for you if you don't mind. You mentioned in the video that you should opt for the RRS B2-40-LR (50mm) and not the RRS B2-LR-II (60mm) because of the possibility of interfering with the locking mechanism/flip-switch on the pano. But without the bubble level of the B2-LR-II, how do you get the ballhead level for panorama shots? I don't see that the p0 has any built-in levels either. Thanks again!

[@bubuli]

@@jeremyalexander i don’t use the ballhead for panorama. if i ever feel the need to use it in panorama mode, i have a hotshoe bubble level or i would just use the built-in digital level of the camera. in all honesty tho if you intend to shoot panorama the panning is on the sensor and not the lens for this setup…you will need something like the ungodly expensive RRS pano kit.