Did I go wrong with my choice of QR plates?

[DocFrankenstein]

I have one pan/tilt head for my camera, which accepts manfrotto hexagonal quick release plates.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/smallimages/5293.jpg
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/smallimages/150529.jpg

After, I started thinking about getting a ballhead... mainly the high end ones: RRS... Arca Swiss...

They all seem to use the rail quick release plates. It also seems that the rail quick release plates are universal.

Now I'm thinking I should've gotten a pan/tilt head with a rail quick release plate.

What do you think? :confused:

[Dante King]

can you take it back? Seems like rail might be better.

[DocFrankenstein]

can you take it back? Seems like rail might be better.
No, I can't. And I don't really want to, actually.

I NEED the pan/tilt head right now, with a ballhead in some undefined, very distant future.

Plus, I bought it at henrys... so I can only exchange it now and for 2 more days only. And henry doesn't have any arca style pan/tilt heads that I like.

Don't let it influence your replies though!

Thanks

[CyberDyneSystems]

Manfrotto doesn't make an Arca compatible QR system.
Take a look at the QR threads in the Tripod sticky,. it may give some additional info.

The Arca rail system advatages really come into play when trying to balance a heavy lens... otherwise it's advantages are less obvious. Of course the semi universal nature of the system is another huge plaus,. but be advised,. the stuff ain't cheap!


I notice with some of the manfrotto heads the QR adapter is actually machined (well cast) into the head,. is this the case with yours? If not you can replace it,.. and the aother option is to adapt an Arca release adapter by mounting it to one of your QR plates,.

Or for a more elegent solution there is this;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30095&item=7504152653&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[DocFrankenstein]

The Arca rail system advatages really come into play when trying to balance a heavy lens... otherwise it's advantages are less obvious. Of course the semi universal nature of the system is another huge plaus,. but be advised,. the stuff ain't cheap!
I know... It's just that I consider photography a life-long hobby/commitment. And even with my limited experience I noticed the "get what you pay for" trend.

With the amounts of time and effort I am putting into the hobby, it seems that I will end up with some heavy glass... or at least a heavy camera. (think large format monorail)


I notice with some of the manfrotto heads the QR adapter is actually machined (well cast) into the head,. is this the case with yours?
I think so, if I understand the question correctly. When I detach the camera, the QR plate stays with the camera:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/5293.jpg

If not you can replace it,.. and the aother option is to adapt an Arca release adapter by mounting it to one of your QR plates
Bingo! Now I am satisfied and worry free! If (and when) I get that ballhead, I'll only have to get additional adapter. Cause it seems like a really nice pan/tilt head for 35mm systems and I want to keep it.

[DocFrankenstein]

1500 for the arca swiss pan/tilt head. :shock: :shock:

RRS seems cheap.

One more q: RRS website has both arca, linhof? and some other brands listed.

RRS and arca are not the same thing? right?

[Belmondo]

I was heavily invested in Bogen/Manfrotto heads using mainly the RC2 QR plates. I also had the Pan/Tilt head with the hexagonal QR plate. When I bought the big lens, it was apparent that it required a much more substantial support system, so I bought a Wimberly gimbal-style head that uses the Arca/Swiss plates. The system works really well, so I decided to switch everything else over to Arca/Swiss compatible heads. I've bought the Kirk BH-1 and the Acratech. Each is spectacularly designed and manufactured.

[CyberDyneSystems]

1500 for the arca swiss pan/tilt head. :shock: :shock:

RRS seems cheap.

One more q: RRS website has both arca, linhof? and some other brands listed.

RRS and arca are not the same thing? right?

For the sake of this discussion,. forget "arca" as being a company,. but rather as a stadard for the QR rail system.

RRS, Kirk, Linhoff, Graf, Wimberly, Acratech,. these are all companies that make equipment and heads that use the "Arca" standard QR system.

Now as far as Arca as a Company,. the first such heads to use this were made by "Arca Swiss" Interstingly poor Arca swiss has lost most of it's marlket share to these other companies.

As far as I know at this point if you buy a head from RRS you have to buy there head.
But they still talk about the Arca and Linhoff's alot,. and sell parts for them.

that RRS and Kirk heads are just about the best thing out there.

[CyberDyneSystems]

P.S. your wise to go the Arca route sooner rather than later,..

I fought it for two years as I just could not stand the prices.. but in the end,. all roads lead to Arca.

[DocFrankenstein]

Hehe :D

L... arca... 1 series bodies... I better get that co-op position soon. :confused:

Is there a pan/tilt head with arca QR with reasonable prices? I probably won't switch right now, but still

[Dante King]

1500 for the arca swiss pan/tilt head. :shock: :shock:

RRS seems cheap.

One more q: RRS website has both arca, linhof? and some other brands listed.

RRS and arca are not the same thing? right?

1500???? Holy Cow. How could thi sbe worth so much?

[DocFrankenstein]

1500???? Holy Cow. How could thi sbe worth so much?
It's not too much, once you look at jewelry prices. ;)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/342321.jpg

Hell... Do u know how much the camera cart for 35mm video camera costs?



















150K! For a little cart to put the camera on. But it's smooooooth. :rolleyes:

[Mr. Messenger]

For those who want to get into an "arca" system but are horrified by the prices, you might want to look for arca style clamps at--

www.newtechmachineco.com/

They're a little heavier than the higher priced competition, but they do work well. You can attach them to the head of your choice.

I've been lucky and found some clamps and plates used. I've also been impatient and bought new parts from Kirk, RRS, and Acratech. The nice thing about the arca system is that the old stuff works with the new, and the expensive stuff works with the cheap without complaining. Once you've experienced these plates and clamps, there's no going back.

PS, try running down a trail with one of those hex plates attached to your camera, they can put a hole in your chest, ouch!

[DocFrankenstein]

This is nice!

And to think I was about to get enough hexagonal plates for my system. :o

Those 2 inch arca plates are even cheaper than the Manfrotto plates! Arca club, here I come! :lol:

Fool's joy! LOL :confused:

[radar-eclipse]

http://www.kirkphoto.com/
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/

This is no equal. I use many different items from both companies. I purchased an Arca head a few years back from B&H and returned it. Compared to the Kirk head, it was crud.
RRS has really innovative stuff, but I don't know about the knobs they are using on their heads. They have been backordered earlier this winter. I use a number of both RRS and Kirk plates, but I have numerous Kirk heads.

[DocFrankenstein]

I purchased an Arca head a few years back from B&H and returned it. Compared to the Kirk head, it was crud.
Do you mean acratech or arca?

I am assuming something similar to this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=250109http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=250109

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=250109

[ScottE]

I sent my Manfrotto 468RC to Acratech and had them replace the quick release clamp with one that accepts the Arca type plates. They had to make an adapter to get the clamp to fit, but only charged me for the cost of the clamp. I was very impressed with their service, the quality of the product and the cost.

If you get one of their clamps, get the one with the spring loaded detent that keeps the camera from falling off if you accidentally loosen the clamp when moving the tripod.

Scott

[Belmondo]

I sent my Manfrotto 468RC to Acratech and had them replace the quick release clamp with one that accepts the Arca type plates. They had to make an adapter to get the clamp to fit, but only charged me for the cost of the clamp. I was very impressed with their service, the quality of the product and the cost.

If you get one of their clamps, get the one with the spring loaded detent that keeps the camera from falling off if you accidentally loosen the clamp when moving the tripod.

Scott

I didn't know you could do such a thing.

[radar-eclipse]

Do you mean acratech or arca?

I am assuming something similar to this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=250109http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=250109

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=250109

No, I'm sorry. That one looks inviting. I'm talking about the original Arca-Swiss ballhead. I'm pretty sure that's the name. My hard drive upstairs is sometimes too full. I have to degragment it. HA HA.

[DocFrankenstein]

Oh, I see. Probably looks like this then:
http://www.rpphoto.com/images/howto/arcaswissb1.jpg

I just want to make sure, cause I don't want to get a cruddy ballhead for 300 bucks. :confused:

[radar-eclipse]

Yep. I don't buy junk, that's for sure. You will be very satisfied.