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  #1  
Old 17th January 2010, 02:42 PM
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Default Arca Swiss Monoball Servicing?

Does anyone know of a reputable organisation that will undertake servicing of an Arca Swiss Monoball?

Mine is basically the same as this one,

the Z1sp, but an earlier model. It has the 3/8"-threaded circular plate, not the quick-release top.

It had seized up; I've freed it, but it could do with some care and attention from someone equipped to reset it properly.
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Old 17th January 2010, 03:33 PM
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Might be worth asking Robert White? I had mine seized some time back and RW were going to send it to Arca for repair but freed it themselves.
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Old 18th January 2010, 01:11 PM
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Don't forget that Bob Rigby are/were an Arca stockist. They may have ideas.

http://www.bobrigby.com/index.html
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Old 18th January 2010, 01:37 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions, I will follow up those two leads.
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Old 26th March 2010, 07:14 PM
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Sorry to resurect an old thread but how did you get on with your head ?

Do not know if your head is anything like a benbo head but I have stripped cleaned and re greased/ re set a benbo quite simply by removeing the bottom plate and the friction screw on the side. It realy is simple engineering that any competent DIYr should have no trouble with, liveing by the coast I clean mine twice a year.

Paul.
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Old 16th April 2010, 09:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul. View Post
Sorry to resurect an old thread but how did you get on with your head ?

Do not know if your head is anything like a benbo head but I have stripped cleaned and re greased/ re set a benbo quite simply by removeing the bottom plate and the friction screw on the side. It realy is simple engineering that any competent DIYr should have no trouble with, liveing by the coast I clean mine twice a year.

Paul.
Paul, I was also going to ask Roy the same question.

I am again experiencing 'sticking' with the ball mechanism. Once tightened, when released in sticks. I have to press down on the camera plate, you can feel a small movement, then the ball loosens. Very annoying for such an expensive item.

I removed the base plate as suggested. Once removed there is no obvious way to remove the friction knob on the side. It is also somewhat fiddly to re-fit the base plate.

I faxed Arca International in France a couple of days ago to try to ascertain a European service centre, no response so far.

I think I am going to replace the head with an Acratech GV2 ball head as these are lighter and easily maintained. I will not purchase any more Arca products.
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Old 19th April 2010, 12:46 PM
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As I had not received any response from Arca to my faxes, I sent an email this morning to Arca Swiss International (arca-swiss@wanadoo.fr)

I was pleased to receive an email back from their support department suggesting I sent my head for repair/service to...

ARCA-SWISS International
29, Quartier de l'europe,
Espace Valentin,
FR-25048 Besançon
France

PH: ++33 381 85 40 60
Fax: ++33 381 85 40 69

I will do this and report back on my experience.
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Old 16th May 2010, 06:53 AM
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Arca repaired and serviced my head and returned it this week. The work was completed FOC 'under warranty'. Not bad considering I bought it in 2003! I think it may have always had a problem? The head is now as good as new, thanks Arca
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Old 16th May 2010, 06:54 PM
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That's a good result . Nice to see Arca standing by their equipment.
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Old 30th May 2010, 11:26 PM
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@Paul, @Barry, Sorry for the late reply but I've been 'off the grid' for a month (during which time I've actually exposed a lot of film!)

Bob Rigby repaired my Arca head for around £60, including postage costs, which I didn't consider too bad considering it cost well over £200 way back. It is now as good as new and has been used extensively during the last month.

Would have been nice to get a free repair from Arca though!

I too have disassembled Benbo heads and cleaned them, but the Arca is a whole different ball game...
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