Any way to use a RRS L bracket with a Manfrotto ballhead ...?

[pixel_junkie]

... or do I need to get a RSS ballhead as well? I like my Manfrotto 488RC2 but I can also see the benefit in using an L plate. Any way to mix the RRS L plate with a 488RC2?

[Jon]

You can replace the Manfrotto QR base plate with a RRS one . . . They just screw onto the heads.

[pixel_junkie]

Would you be able to send me a link of the part from the RRS website? If you have the time ...

[Moonjo]

I believe there are two QR clamps from RRS that will fit the 488RC2 ball head.

This QR Lever Clamp (http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B2-LR-II&eq=&Tp=) and this QR Screw Knob (http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B2-Pro&eq=&Tp=).

Hope that helps.

[pixel_junkie]

Perfect, thanks much!

[jhom]

Here is a list of the recommended clamps for various ballhead conversions: http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/08.html

[Magic_Puzzle]

The "L" bracket will work with almost any standard Arca style ball head. I use my 40D with a Markins M10 ball head and also with a Manfrotto ball head. I love my RRS "L" bracket and highly recommend it to anyone who asks.

[fxk]

You can replace the Manfrotto QR base plate with a RRS one . . . They just screw onto the heads.

+1 - any Arca-Swiss compatible clamp will work - see how the manfrotto QR plate attached, and get a clamp that will be compatible with that ball.

Or - buy a clamp and attach it to a Manfrotto QR plate. Would that be a doubly quick release? This option may be desirable if you already have other Manfrotto QR plates on other equipment...

[Wilt]

Would you be able to send me a link of the part from the RRS website? If you have the time ...

I didn't realize it was that difficult to Google 'RRS' and select the first item on the results! :cry:

[Pinto]

I'm sure the quality is superior to Manfrotto, but I just wish this stuff wasn't so insanely expensive.

[PacAce]

I'm sure the quality is superior to Manfrotto, but I just wish this stuff wasn't so insanely expensive.

A 20D was insanely expensive. A 70-200 f/2.8 L is insanely expensive and so is the 24-105 f/4 L. An AS compatible clamps, like those from RRS and Wimberley, are, by comparison, relievingly affordable. ;) :lol: :)

[Pinto]

A 20D was insanely expensive. A 70-200 f/2.8 L is insanely expensive and so is the 24-105 f/4 L. An AS compatible clamps, like those from RRS and Wimberley, are, by comparison, relievingly affordable. ;) :lol: :)

I guess I don't understand your logic, or I didn't make myself clear enough. I was making the comparison to the Manfrotto product, which is at the very least, satisfactorily durable.

The Manfrotto base and plate cost $30.00. The basic RSS base plus plate is $175.00. That's 6 times higher. And while the Manfotto's fit most cameras you apparently have to have a completely different plate for each body.

And I certainly don't think it can be justified by the old "You get what you pay for". I bought a package of two stainless steel threaded studs yesterday at Home Depot for $.79. RSS's price for the same item is $4.00 each. Tens times higher!

They're selling their product and making money. Good for them. Their price point probably has more to do with lower sales volume than anything else, but I just wish the price was a little more relative to my perceived value of the product. End of rant.

[René Damkot]

The Manfrotto base and plate cost $30.00. The basic RSS base plus plate is $175.00. That's 6 times higher. And while the Manfotto's fit most cameras you apparently have to have a completely different plate for each body.
There are also cheaper, generic plates.
I have a Novoflex (http://www.novoflex.de/english/html/fr_eha5z.htm)Q PL1 plate, which cost about half of what the RRS "generic" plates cost.

Still way too expensive for a small piece of machined alu, but better.
One disadvantage is that it will not work with the RRS Lever clamp. Works great with their own Q=Base or the Markins screw lock however.

I did a review here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=413435).

[ben_r_]

I guess I don't understand your logic, or I didn't make myself clear enough. I was making the comparison to the Manfrotto product, which is at the very least, satisfactorily durable.

The Manfrotto base and plate cost $30.00. The basic RSS base plus plate is $175.00. That's 6 times higher. And while the Manfotto's fit most cameras you apparently have to have a completely different plate for each body.

And I certainly don't think it can be justified by the old "You get what you pay for". I bought a package of two stainless steel threaded studs yesterday at Home Depot for $.79. RSS's price for the same item is $4.00 each. Tens times higher!

They're selling their product and making money. Good for them. Their price point probably has more to do with lower sales volume than anything else, but I just wish the price was a little more relative to my perceived value of the product. End of rant.
Yea thats been my problem with RRS from the start. IMO they are ridiculously over priced and the fact that all their plates are specific to some camera body or lens makes it even worse. Thats why I was thinking about just sticking with the Bogen system when I get my Gitzo tripo and markins head...

[Moonjo]

I understand where PacAce is coming from, but I'm not trying to take up sides here. I also get Pinto's point as well.

If you have all that (expensive) equipment sitting on three legs several feet off the ground, don't you want something to have full confidence in that your support system will not only hold, but really hold?

So, if that means Gitzo, RRS, Kirk, Markins, or Bogen/Manfrotto who cares, as long as it does the job and you trust your equipment. But if any of the manufacturers fails, then it doesn't matter how much you paid, the end result is the same.

I personally went with Manfrotto legs and RRS setup. I figured if I'm going to get an RRS ball head might as well go in all the way and get the QR clamp and L plate from them as well. And despite how it may sound this was not a quick and easy decision for me. That's a lot of money regardless of how you look at it. I initially was going to go with the 055X legs and 488RC2 ball head. But in the end I wanted an L plate and Bogen/Manfrotto's version just didn't appeal to me. Of coures I have yet to receive my gear, so either I'll be very satisfied or bitterly disappointed. Here's to the former!

[Pinto]

There are also cheaper, generic plates.
I have a Novoflex (http://www.novoflex.de/english/html/fr_eha5z.htm)Q PL1 plate, which cost about half of what the RRS "generic" plates cost.

Still way too expensive for a small piece of machined alu, but better.

Are you sure about that? Just a quick look at Adorama shows the QPL-1 plate at $55.00, the same price as the RSS plate.

With the cheapest base at $110.00, there's just a $10.00 difference in the combo compared to RSS.

[René Damkot]

Yea thats been my problem with RRS from the start. IMO they are ridiculously over priced and the fact that all their plates are specific to some camera body or lens makes it even worse. Thats why I was thinking about just sticking with the Bogen system when I get my Gitzo tripo and markins head...

I can agree with the "overprized" bit.

However, there are a lot of "generic" plates that will fit any camera or lens. The drawback is that, like an RC2, if you don't tighten it enough, it might turn.
One additional drawback that RC2 has, unlike A-S, is that there is play between plate and lens, caused by the "cork" or "rubber" top.
There are some cheap chinese "A-S compatible" plates, I'd avoid for the same reason (no personal experience though).

Also: keep an eye on ebay. I bought my RRS L-plate for 60 euros there.

[René Damkot]

Are you sure about that? Just a quick look at Adorama shows the QPL-1 plate at $55.00, the same price as the RSS plate.

With the cheapest base at $110.00, there's just a $10.00 difference in the combo compared to RSS.

Should have worded that better: Because I'm in Europe: They cost 30 euros here.
Also, RRS is only sold through the net, so I'd have to pay a fair amount of shipping (and tax) to get it here.

[Pinto]

Should have worded that better: Because I'm in Europe: They cost 30 euros here.
Also, RRS is only sold through the net, so I'd have to pay a fair amount of shipping (and tax) to get it here.

I wondered if the price might be a geographic thing,