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Arca-Swiss Core 60 Leveler Classic geared head

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Next up in my review of geared tripod heads is the Arca-Swiss Core 60 Leveler Classic. This head has a load capacity of 20 kg, plus and minus ten degrees of geared pitch and geared roll, and has non-geared yaw at both the top and the base. It’s the little brother of the Arca-Swiss Core 75 Leveler Classic, which has 30 kg capacity, and plus and minus 15 degrees geared pitch and roll.

The lever on the bottom left is to unlock the base yaw axis. The top knob on the right loosens the clamp. The unfortunately similarly shaped knob right below that is the geared roll knob.
On the left is the lever to unlock the top yaw axis. In the middle on the bottom is the similar lever for the bottom roll axis. There is a two-axis bubble level on top, where it is likely to be obscured by the camera.

 

Max roll in one direction. The camera uses the double-dot index system, which will be familiar to many view camera users.

 

Max roll in the other direction. The roll limits are symmetric, unlike the LuLan D.

 

Max pitch in one direction. The pitch limits are symmetric.

 

Max pitch in the other direction.

The gearing is smooth, as you would expect from Arca Swiss. There is no need for locks on the geared movements. The unit is quite compact and is well constructed. The price is a bit over $500, which is cheap for an Arca Swiss head. The Core 75 is about $700.

If you can live with the limited amount of geared travel, this is an excellent head.

 

 

Comments

  1. Thanks for the review Jim.

    I wonder if the unprotected screw threads of the Core 60 could cause an issue for the heads life-time if used in dusty environments like windy desert or beach. The Swebo seems to have mitigated this potential issue as I don’t see the threading.

    Can you remove the Core 60’s clamp and insert a 3/8 screw instead to use it as a leveling base for another head (e.g. the Acratech Panorama Head)?

    Best,
    Marc

    Reply

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Unless otherwise noted, all images copyright Jim Kasson.