The innovative design of the ARCA-SWISS d4 gear head unites the pivot points of the X and Y movements at the same point. The result of this new concept: identical and the smallest possible rotational radii.
The self-locking, micro metric movements in X and Y result from separate gear mechanisms, manufactured with a high strength special alloy.
Each tilt movement has its own fine tuning knob and a lockable free wheel button. That means the tilts can optionally be carried out in freewheeling modus.
The ARCA-SWISS d4 has, like the cube C1 from ARCA-SWISS, a turning device on its base to align the camera as well as a panning device under the camera mount for panorama pans which maintains the swivel axis.
Gravity-compensated friction prevents any downward movement of the device.
The camera may be tilted forward 90 ° for positioning the camera parallel to the ground, and rotated 180° with top pan for positioning the camera for overhead views.
In addition to the tilts in X and Y and the panorama rotation, the ARCA-SWISS camera mount enables the camera back and forth movement in the exposure axis, the 4th dimension, so to speak, as the model number d4 symbolizes.
The Arca-Swiss d4 is a general purpose tripod head excellent for architectural, automotive, landscape, macro and still life photographers.
The outstanding specifications of the d4 include the record-breaking weight of just 790g.
The ARCA-SWISS d4 can be additionally equipped with a geared panning control « gp ».
The photographer now has a choice when using pan for an image — gear driven or free movements.
When the gp level is released, the pan movement is free for coarse and quick panning adjustments.
When the gp level is locked, the gears inside the panning device are reengaged and will offer precision geared rotation of the camera.
Using the new geared panning device, cameras and lenses can be moved micro-metrically in three axes.
Due to its position, panoramic movements will maintain the central axis.
ARCA-SWISS d4 is available with a choice of quick release: Classic, flipLock®, and monoball®Fix