Which lens / camera plates should I get?

[Leorooster]

I am purchasing a Arca-Swiss Z-1 Ballhead and in need to replace my current quick release system with the Arca-Swiss style system. However, I cannot make up my mind as to which brand to get.

Should I get:

Kirk,
RRS,
Arca-Swiss,
Wimberley, or
other?

Any suggestions to help make the decision will be appreciated.

[Lester Wareham]

I use Kirk as they have a retail outlets in the UK, the RSS stuff looks good but no UK retail support and I don't want the trouble of importing and oversea warranty.

[devil350]

For me you should choose between Arca and Wimberley.

Kirk is also a good brand, but I (personally!) read lot's of goods reviews about Arca and Wimberley. So I will advice to make your choose between those two brands !

Ciao,
Laurent.

[calicokat]

I use Wimberley, P5 for the camera and all the various ones for the lenses. P20, 30, 40 and 50 for me

[Leorooster]

Thanks everyone for your invaluable inputs. I'm currently leaning toward the Wimberley's, but still want to be open-minded ;) Any other comments, likes and dislikes of any brands will be apprecaited. Thanks again.

[tweatherred]

Really Right Stuff makes some beautiful plates that fit the camera like a glove. I also have an Acratech ballhead with integral plate that is very well-made, but I don't know about their other stuff. In reality, all of the brands you mentioned seem to have a good reputation.

[JohnJ80]

If you want to use the RRS QR Lever clamp (and you should strongly consider that), then you should only order Wimberly or RRS plates.

Also, I'd strongly recommend that you spring for the L plates for your camera.

[Mike K]

I am purchasing a Arca-Swiss Z-1 Ballhead and in need to replace my current quick release system with the Arca-Swiss style system. However, I cannot make up my mind as to which brand to get.


I'm surprised no one asked what camera body you have. Looks like 5D from your profile.
There are 3 features that would lend me to suggest the RRS camera plates
Go download the catalogue
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/new/index.html
Read page 21 onward to find out about the advantage of L plates, I think they are my most used accessory as I am always changing between portrait and landscape.

then go to page 26 to check out the B5D or page 29 for the B5DL. You will notice that both have a slot on the right hand side of the camera plate so that you can mount a handstrap later on if you want.

go the the main website and look at the b5DL close ups
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/body_plates/canon/index.html
This is an earlier pic and doesn't have the handstrap tab as shown above. However it does show the index markings on both the landscape and portrait orientations which allow you to rapidly center your camera in the clamp (you can paint a line on your clamp to indicate center if you dont have one). This become particularly important for pano rotations or in the use of a shift lens.
Mike K

[ScottE]

Acratech has some reasonably price quick release plates that seem to work as well as any other brand.

http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AOS&Category_Code=Canon+Plates

[tweatherred]

I agree with the advice to get L plates as well.

[Leorooster]

Really Right Stuff makes some beautiful plates that fit the camera like a glove. I also have an Acratech ballhead with integral plate that is very well-made, but I don't know about their other stuff. In reality, all of the brands you mentioned seem to have a good reputation.

I agree with the advice to get L plates as well.

Thank you very much for your inputs. I will seriously consider getting the L plate. Thanks again ;)

[Leorooster]

If you want to use the RRS QR Lever clamp (and you should strongly consider that), then you should only order Wimberly or RRS plates.

Also, I'd strongly recommend that you spring for the L plates for your camera.


Thanks, John! What's the benefit of getting the RRS QR Lever clamp? And, what's the reason of getting the Wimberley or RRS plates if I am getting the RRS QR Lever clamp?

I am considering getting the Ballhead with Arca-Swiss's Flip-Lock Quick Release ===> see HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=469923&is=REG&addedTroughType=search). Is the RRS Lever Clamp similar to the AS Flip-Lock QR (at least their appearance are very similar)?

Sorry for all these questioins:oops: , but I just want to do it right the first time as these items are not cheap :rolleyes: (now I am thinking if I should buy them;) ) Thank you very much again :)

[Leorooster]

Acratech has some reasonably price quick release plates that seem to work as well as any other brand.

http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AOS&Category_Code=Canon+Plates


Scott - thanks for the suggestion and the link. Will tak a look ;)

[Leorooster]

I'm surprised no one asked what camera body you have. Looks like 5D from your profile.
There are 3 features that would lend me to suggest the RRS camera plates
Go download the catalogue
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/new/index.html
Read page 21 onward to find out about the advantage of L plates, I think they are my most used accessory as I am always changing between portrait and landscape.

then go to page 26 to check out the B5D or page 29 for the B5DL. You will notice that both have a slot on the right hand side of the camera plate so that you can mount a handstrap later on if you want.

go the the main website and look at the b5DL close ups
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/body_plates/canon/index.html
This is an earlier pic and doesn't have the handstrap tab as shown above. However it does show the index markings on both the landscape and portrait orientations which allow you to rapidly center your camera in the clamp (you can paint a line on your clamp to indicate center if you dont have one). This become particularly important for pano rotations or in the use of a shift lens.
Mike K


Hi Mike - thanks for all the info. Yes, I'm currently using the 5d without grip and seriously considering getting the Mark III when it comes out (and will keep the 5D as well). The RRS L-plate looks really good (it's on the pricy side though), I will do some more research and finalize soon. Hope I will make an educated and yet right decision. :) Thanks again for the info and links. The pdf file is very informative, btw ;).

[CyberDyneSystems]

The RRS and Kirks are the most custom fit, and probably the best. Between them I'm sure it's a toss up.
Personally I have decided that RRS is the "be all and end all" in Arca compatible systems, but as I say, I think the Kirk stuff is probably either "just as good" or so close in 2nd that it doesn't amount to much.

That said, the Wimberly stuff is well made too. I have some RRS and Wimberly parts and plates, as well as some totally generic plates that make up the bulk of my lens plate collection. (cheap)

If I could afford it, I'd go all RRS and get an "L" Plate for my 1D

[JohnJ80]

Thanks, John! What's the benefit of getting the RRS QR Lever clamp? And, what's the reason of getting the Wimberley or RRS plates if I am getting the RRS QR Lever clamp?

I am considering getting the Ballhead with Arca-Swiss's Flip-Lock Quick Release ===> see HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=469923&is=REG&addedTroughType=search). Is the RRS Lever Clamp similar to the AS Flip-Lock QR (at least their appearance are very similar)?

Sorry for all these questioins:oops: , but I just want to do it right the first time as these items are not cheap :rolleyes: (now I am thinking if I should buy them;) ) Thank you very much again :)

I'm not all that familiar with the A-S lever system. From looking at it, I think the RRS lever might be easier to use - longer (more leverage) plus more accessible.

The advantage to using the lever clamp is that set up is easier and faster and the force applied to the plate is higher.

The reason that an RRS clamp should be used with Wimberly or RRS plates is that the clamps are less tolerant of different dimensions in the plates than are the screw clamps. I suspect that any of the lever clamps will have similar issues so you might want to get the clamp that matches your plate.

See RRS's website. They have a statement on that.

Having a lever clamp on a tripod is a very good move.

J.

[ScottE]

Having a lever clamp on a tripod is a very good move.

Why? I am just curious because I have never had any problem with the screw type clamps. I would think a lever would be more likely to get caught on something and come loose when being moved through brush or other vegetation while a knob that has to be grasped and turned. Not having used a lever clamp I am not aware of the advantages of disadvantages.

[JohnJ80]

Why? I am just curious because I have never had any problem with the screw type clamps. I would think a lever would be more likely to get caught on something and come loose when being moved through brush or other vegetation while a knob that has to be grasped and turned. Not having used a lever clamp I am not aware of the advantages of disadvantages.
I used to use the lever on my tripods and the screw clamps on my monopods for exactly that reason - I was worried about it tripping open and in several years using the lever, it has never happened. I now use the levers on my monopods too.

The RRS levers are close fitting and they close with a snap. Additionally when the camera is on board, the lever is underneath the lens and not very accessible to stuff that will snag it.

The advantage is that the mount and unmount is much faster. Using a tripod is a hassle no matter what. With the lever it is faster.

I also shoot outdoors a lot. The lever is MUCH easier to use with gloves - which is an issue in my neck of the woods.

J.