Arca Swiss D4 Geared Head with RRS Clamp Conversion

There are lot's of videos on KZbin for the Arca Swiss D4 Geared Head but I don't think these is one dealing with the Really Right Stuff Clamp Replacement.
Note to potential buyer, you cannot replace / swap the clamp on a D4 as Arca Swiss glues the clamp on so the only way to change to a different clamp, in this cast the Really Right Stuff Lever Clamp, I purchased a used D4 from Adorama and had Precision Camera Works replace the Arca clamp with a RRS Lever Clamp
Total cost to me was $649 for D4 Monoball Fixed (Reg $849 New) and Precision sold me a new RRS Clamp for $120, they charged $20 to do the work and shipping.
Adorama Link for Arca Swiss D4 Geared Head w Monoball Fix Clamp
www.adorama.co...
Precision Camera Works (ask for Bob, tell him Rich Baum sent you..)
www.precisionc...
And as always please use my Adorama link that helps support these free videos.
adorama.evyy.ne...

[@Mojave511]

Comment on an old video. I bought a D4 head a couple of years ago and really disliked the OEM clamp set up. I found your video and finally I ordered the RRS clamp and changed it myself. Fantastic! I am so glad you made the video. I now love my D4. Not only the bubble level but the ease of operation is excellent!

[@D_Pete]

After too many years with ball heads for RE photography I just bought a pair of Arca D4's to upgrade my kit. They are amazing and worth the price of admission. I thought I would pass along that neither of the 2 I received had the clamp screw 'glued' in as some have experienced. I had both clamps swapped over to RRS lever clamps (my long time favorite) in less than 5 mins myself without sending them off to be done. Well worth the investment!

[@victorfeinstein1815]

Hi, I just want to thank you.I bought an Arca Swiss D4 and changed the clamp with RRS one and I am so pleased.Before I was using two RRS ball heads the BH40 and the BH55 with a leveling base.RRS ball heads are very good ones but it is not comparable to the combination of D4 with RRS clamp. Once again thanks a lot from Israel.

[@RichBaum]

Your welcome. I love my D4

[@stevevanvliet4297]

Thanks Rich! I've been missing your videos. It's good news that you're planning more for 2018.

[@RichBaum]

I am going to work on them, it's part of my new years resolution.

[@KyleJosephBuckley]

These videos are so great, I always learn so much! Thanks Rich!

[@RichBaum]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your reply..

[@kit0415]

Thanks. You solved a problem I was having.

[@davidschenck6894]

I live in England and bought the D4 about 3 months ago with the 'quickset classic' double decker mount. The two issues for me were, using the top dovetail means the safety stops don't work and the small knob is very hard to grip and I had trouble undoing it several times, nearly resorting to using pliers! I had read about Arca Swiss gluing the clamp on so you cannot change it yourself but last week my tripod fell out of a car onto a hard surface and bent the clamp knob. I phoned the UK importers who told me I can change it myself. He said just use an allen key, tighten slightly first and then undo it. I tried this and it took just a few seconds to get it off! I have now fitted a Wimberley C-12 clamp, which I find to be much better. The knob on this clamp will not go past the top pan lever but this is not an issue for me. If you should want the top to pan the whole 360 degrees then you will need a lever clamp or one with a slightly smaller knob or longer shaft to clear the pan lock lever.

[@RichBaum]

I am happy it worked out for you.. and good to know about the clamp coming off.. Thanks

[@poppamichael2197]

Many Many Thanks for that great tip. I managed to really screw up my geared clamp by failing to properly press the release lever. Using your tip the clamp came off and I can now replace it with a clamp of my choice.

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

Alas, another reply to an old post. Arca-Swiss STRESSES that you not keep your tripod heads on the tripod, but in your bag until just before use. You provide the classic example as to why! As much as these cost, you should also purchase their QuicLink system to make installing and removing the heads so much easier and keep them in your bag or packs.

[@paulcoleman222]

thank you for the video. I have the 410 and had to tighten the heads after a few months.

[@RichBaum]

405 is much better in that regard.. but the D4 is better still..

[@woodmtw]

Thank you Rich for the great idea and detailed explanations. I am wondering if you can tell us whether you bought the RRS B2-ASII clamp with the 1/4-20 or the M6 mm screw. I see that RRS sells both and I can't find this level of detail for the thread in the Arca Swiss D4 top plate. Thanks again for taking time to post your video!

[@RichBaum]

I would just contact RRS

[@jaredcarpenter8327]

Very nice choice. Bob literally just did the same thing for me yesterday.

[@RichBaum]

In the end of the video I called him Chris.. hope he doesn't get mad..

[@LarryFieldPhotography]

Hey Rich, thanks for this review. Can you tell me what the difference is in the $849 Arca Swiss D4 that you link to in the show notes, and the one that looks identical that's $1169 on the Adorama site.

[@RichBaum]

It's exactly the same D4 head just with a different clamp.. i replaced it with a RRS Lever Clamp. Only thing is you need to have this work done by Precision Camera Works as the Arca clamp is glued on and if you replace it yourself you will void the warren tee

[@thesammyjenkinsexperience4996]

I don't know what Arca-Swiss were doing six years ago, but if you buy this head today the center screw will be secured in place with a threadlocker and can be easily removed. You just need to be really firm with the hex key and it'll come straight out.

[@RichBaum]

That’s so great to hear because I always thought it was so stupid for them to glue down the clamp because everyone should have the ability to switch out clamps if they want and not be subject to using one single clamp so it’s really good to hear that

[@TheKentg01]

Oh this geared head would be great, but that is down the road for me. Right now I am over the moon with my 2 most recent additions; the Camranger and the iPad mini. Oh my goodness, GAME CHANGER! Great to see you in your videos again. Merry Christmas Rich.

[@appcoop]

Hi Rich, Which RRS clamp did Precision Camera install? The B2-AS-II or the B2-LR-II ?

[@RichBaum]

Sorry I don't know but if you call them Bob can look it up.. I know it has 3 holes in it..

[@woodmtw]

It looks like it is the B2-AS-II since the B2-LR-II doesn't have a bubble level.

[@waltercardenas8727]

Glued? Is durable to hold a heavy camera? What type of glue they use?

[@RichBaum]

Arca Swiss glues their plates on so people can't change them.. It is also held on with a bolt

[@victorfeinstein1815]

Do I need a leveling base with the d4?

[@RichBaum]

Not for stills photography. If you are doing video a leveling base is very helpful.

[@victorfeinstein1815]

No,I need it for still photography.I have the RRS BH55 and RRS leveling base .I am not getting younger, if it can replace the two pieces of RRS and cut the weight and extra place in my photo bag I will order the d4. Thanks for your help.

[@swansong007]

FYI. The Manfrotto 405 geared head weighs 3.5 lbs. Still very heavy it's true but certainly not 5 lbs lol

[@RichBaum]

After checking you are correct.. but if you look on the Adorama site it's 5.3 lbs but in fact it's 3.52 Thanks for keeping me honest

[@johngray9434]

Second only to the Cube.

[@RichBaum]

Might get the Cube one day, but for now the D4 ROCKS

[@swansong007]

The 405 has only 3 knobs to use Admittedly the are duel function knobs but much easier to find and less confusing to use.

[@RichBaum]

After a while you get used to the D4 not having a geared Pan and I now like it better..

[@geeeee8268]

Holly crap its $1200 bucks!!

[@RichBaum]

I know $1200 seems like alot of $$ for a tripod head buy at least for me it's a key part of my kit that I use all day long so I want the best.. but I have worked my way up from the bottom.. and there is a difference, trust me but I am not suggesting that everyone should put that much $$ out

[@geeeee8268]

I am thinking of buying Manfrotto XPRO. Not quite Arca Swiss, but it's a geared head and I've seen one for $150. I think it should hold up fine with my a6500. Wouldn't do it with full size DSLR probably.

[@mattsweadner8318]

Gee Eee, make sure you read up on that XPRO head. I’ve read that it’s junk. If the 410 gets loose, that thing will only be worse since it’s cheaper.

[@reallyoldsubdude387]

10 minutes of whining about a RRS clamp. Why didn't he just get BH-55 and be done with it?

[@SwingWestBand]

Doing an eBay search I came up with this (presumably) Chinese knockoff, exactly the same as the Area Swiss, but only USD$250. Search for "Sunwayfoto GH-Pro geared head made for Gitozo, Manfrotto tripod D4 compatible".

[@jsabatier514]

Keith McCarron how do you like it? I just found it on eBay and I’d like to get some feedback before pulling the triggers

[@SwingWestBand]

Sorry to confuse John. I found the item on eBay, however I didn't purchase one. instead I bought a Manfrotto 405 geared head for my larger heavy-duty tripod (it uses the Manfrotto quick release mounts however) and a smaller Manfrotto MHX Pro-3W head for a carbon-fibre tripod, to which I had to add a quite expensive Area Swiss adapter plate so that I could use the Arca Swiss quick mounts that are attached to my cameras. The photos on eBay of the Sunwayfoto GH-Pro look okay. I guess you would have to just take a gamble that it turned out to be okay in use. Good luck, whatever you decide.