Talk to Me About Plates

[JeffreyVB]

I am tripod shopping and I see/hear a lot about plates. What are they used for? Do I need one? Can I get by without one?

My body will soon be a 1DMkII.

[Jim G]

What sort of plates? Tripod plates?

Check out the Really Right Stuff website, it has some info on what they're used for. I use a standard Markins Arca-Swiss plate for my 20D and a RRS L-plate for my 1D. They make attaching your camera or lens to a tripod head with an Arca-Swiss shoe a matter of seconds.

[ben_r_]

If you want to make use of any type of quick release system with whatever tripod head you get, you'll need some sort of L plate or quick release plate compatible with whatever quick release system you end up getting on the tripod head.

[PacAce]

I am tripod shopping and I see/hear a lot about plates. What are they used for? Do I need one? Can I get by without one?

My body will soon be a 1DMkII.

Plates are flat metal pieces that screw on to the bottom of your camera body or lens tripod collar. They allow you to quickly mount and unmount the camera or lens to the tripod via a quick release (QR) system. Without a QR system you will need to screw the camera or lens to the tripod head every time you want to shoot with a tripod, then unscrew them when you're done.

If you don't expect to be using the tripod much, then, yes, you can get by without a QR system (which includes the plates). But if you expect to be using the tripod a lot, investing in a good QR system would be a very wise thing to do. ;)

[JeffreyVB]

So, if I have a ball head (Manfrotto 488RC2) with a quick release system, then I shouldn't need any plates?

[ed rader]

So, if I have a ball head (Manfrotto 488RC2) with a quick release system, then I shouldn't need any plates?


you will need a manfrotto RC2 plate, which should have come with the manfrotto ballhead.

ed rader

[RPCrowe]

I recommend that you supplement the stock RC2 plate with (at least) the Manfrotto RC2 Rapid Connect Architectural Mounting Plate 3157NR,

http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?detailPid=8181&actualPathCategoryKey=1CAT:AAA1:2CAT:BB24:3CAT:CCC 1&kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&marketList=MARKET:MKT1|&productCode=3157NR&productDescription=QK%20REL%20ARCHITECTL%20PLATE%2 01/4-20&curBrandId=MAN&product_from_search=true&productCode=3157NR&productDescription=3157NR%20-%20QK%20REL%20ARCHITECTL%20PLATE%201/4-20&curBrandId=MANFROTTO&product_from_search=true

This plate incorporates a lip which prevents the camera from twisting from the weight of the lens, when in the vertical position. When I shot with a Manfrotto ball head, I used the 3157NR on my camera body for use when I shot with a non-tripod ring equipped lens and the standard issue plate on my tripod ring equipped lens.

I said, "at least", because I far prefer an Arca Compatible Rapid Connect System which will allow me to use a Really Right Stuff L-Bracket when mounting a camera/lens combination which doesn't incorporate a tripod ring. The RRS L-Plate is outstanding.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

Manfrotto also distributes an L-plate. While this plate is not quite as neat a the RRS model, it will do the job of keeping the center of camera gravity directly over the tripod head, not cantilevered off to the side.

http://www.adorama.com/BG341.html?searchinfo=manfrotto%20L%20plate&item_no=40

The Manfrotto L-plate is less expensive than the RRS plate and is definitely less expensive for the owners of a Manfrotto ball head - since they do not have to re-equip their tripod with a new Arca Compatible ball head or upgrade their Manfrotto head with a Kirk or RRS QR.

[Edgar in ATL]

The Camdapter plate (Manfrotto version) allows you to use an E-1 type hand strap without a grip as well as mount your camera on a Manfrotto tripod or monopod.

[SkipD]

So, if I have a ball head (Manfrotto 488RC2) with a quick release system, then I shouldn't need any plates?If you have more than one camera (or lens or camera and lenses) that can be mounted to the 488RC2 head, you will want additional quick-release plates so that each device can have its own permanently (more or less) mounted.

Having to move a single QR (Quick Release) plate from camera to lens to whatever takes the "quick" right out of "quick release).

[argyle]

The quick release hardware sold by RRS and Kirk is a little bit more expensive, but its basically "universal" in that it can be used with any camera, lens, or tripod that has been fitted with an Arca-Swiss compatible arrangement. Manufacturer-specific plates, as that made by Manfrotto and others, can only be used on the specific manufacturer's equipment. A-S is the way to go, if you can swing the initial cost. Once you use an L-bracket, you'll wonder how you were able to function without one. ;)

Depending on your ballhead connection (1/4" or 3/8", male or female), you'd need the appropriate quick release clamp (screw-type or lever), and a plate or L-bracket for the camera body. The clamp (RRS prices) is about $80 for the screw type, or about $120 for the lever type. Camera/lens plates will run about $50 or so, with the L-bracket being the more expensive item...roughly $120 to $150, depending on the camera body. The L-brackets are designed body-specific, hence the cost. The cheapest option, if you were to go this way, would be the screw clamp and camera plate ($130). The screw clamp is not as convenient as the lever clamp (some say that its more secure, though), but with convenience comes a little bit higher price. If you can swing this extra cost, this would be the way to go. The RRS and Kirk gear are very expandable with other hardware options and arrangements.

[RPCrowe]

I have just converted a SLIK 330 Pro tripod into a great boonie tromping tripod by switching the standard center column to the optional shorter model and switching the SLIK pan-tilt head to an Adorama Flashpoint Magnesium F1 A/C ball head. I now have a 2 pound 11 ounce boonie tromper that accepts my Arca Compatible plates such as the RRS L-plate.

This miniscule 11-ounce head shocked me by its tiny size when I opened the Adorama package. However, I have used the tripod with the F1 head with great results during a recent 10 day trip to Utah which included a lot of boonie tromping. It held my 30D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with ease; even in some relatively windy conditions.

I am not recomending the F-1 as an all-around tripod head but, it might be an idea to investigate the larger Adorama Flashpoint heads such as the F2 and F3. If the stability of the tiny F1 head means anything, the F2 and F3 heads should be great (at $60 and $75 respectively).

http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=flashpoint%20ball%20head