Mounting systems and speed help

[tim]

I'm about to buy myself a Manfrotto/Bogen tripod and monopod, each with different mounts - the tripod's hexagon and the monopod's rectangular. I'm also going to get a Stroboframe Pro-T and an anti-twist plate, which i'll hand hold and also mount on the tripod and monopod.

My concern is that when I want to change between each of these things, it could take more time than i'll have available during a wedding, and i'll end up hand holding the camera instead. Does anyone have any suggestions for methods or products that would make my life quicker or easier?

I'm going to do a B&H order very soon, shipping to New Zealand is very expensive and it's hard to get good gear here, so if I miss even a $10 part I need it will cost me $40 shipping to get it here. I don't mind spending money for gear that will make my life easier.

TIA :)

[Loki1117]

Why not get heads for your tripod and monopod that use the same plate? Both of mine use a hex plate and switching between them is a snap. If you are looking at the Bogen tripods and monopods it is a simple matter to choose legs and a head rather than getting a complete set for each.

[tim]

I didn't know you could get monopod head with that hexagon plate :o Thanks for the suggestion :)

I guess my next question is can you mount a Pro-T bracket on a similar mounting plate? I've never used a bracket, so while I understand the theory, the practice is still a little hazy.

Edit - can anyone recommend a very simple Bogen/Manfrotto monopod head that takes the hexagon plate?

[Loki1117]

I can't say. I don't have the device (Pro-T bracket ) you are refering to.

[CyberDyneSystems]

You can't get the hexagonal plate for the monopod,. the haxagonal plate is pretty unique,. and thus,. is the one to avoid.

Take a look at the Tripod sticky thread at the top of this forum (accesories)
This very topic is discussed, including the unique hexagonal plate.

All this said,. you definitely want all ypour equipment using the same plate system.
So chose a head with one of Manfrottos more common plates.

[Loki1117]

For the tripod/monopod issue, I would look at the Manfrotto web site (http://www.bogenphoto.com) find the right head for what you want and then buy two of them one for the tri the other for the mono.

[cactusclay]

Tim, I don't know about the Pro T, but on my Camera flip I think it could be done, in fact I had considered having one where the camera mounts as well, so I could swap bodies quickly, because it's pretty awkward mounting the camera to the bracket, not something you want to do in front of customers sort of like a monkey @#$%@#$ a football.

[tim]

I chose that head (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5293&is=REG) because it's the one I like the best - stable, easy control, and spirit levels. The local salesman told me 70% of Bogen tripods used that mount - is that incorrect? For the monopod I wouldn't actually care if there was no head, I just want it to hold the camera still.

I figure the camera will be mounted on the bracket the whole time, the issue is really mouting the bracket to the tripod. Even if a screw poked up thru the bracket and I tightened it onto something (a nut?) that would work.

It's so difficult to work through these things when you can't see the items and play with them... i'd love to make a single trip to B&H and get everything I want all at once.

[CyberDyneSystems]

It's definitely NOT correct.

The vast majority of Bogen/Manfrotto use either the RC2 or RC4 systems..
On the Ballehads,. the QR assembly can be removed,. swapped,. but not on that Pan Tilt head you are looking at. In that case the RC0 QR is machined into the head.

Again Tim, this is all covered in the Sticky.

[tim]

Ok, I can try and find two heads with compatible quick release plates. The sticky gives a bit of information.

I imagine that the camera will be on the Pro-T most of the time for weddings, and i'll want to mount that to the tripod or monopod occasionally. How do they connect? Just a screw and bolt? They're ok on both a monopod and tripod?

[dhbailey]

As long as the Pro-T has a standard tripod mount threaded hole in the bottom, you can attach any of the Manfrotto/Bogen quick-release plates to it for easy use with tripod/monopod.

If it doesn't have a standard tripod mount threaded hole, you may have to adapt it somehow. I'm a musical instrument repairman who looks on photography as an intense hobby, so I've got tools and skills to do a lot of adapting of things, if I ever need to. Perhaps you can find such a person in your area who would be able to create some sort of attachment for the Pro-T if it doesn't come with one.

Looking at pictures of the Pro-T, it doesn't really look as if it is intended for use on a tripod. But B&H are very helpful -- a quick e-mail to their tech-support will help. Act quickly as they will be closed for the entire week of Passover, which I believe occurs in another week or so.

[tim]

Thanks David, I will call B&H, and yeah I want to get an order in before they close. Now I just have to narrow it down to work out exactly which heads to get, and choose between the quickflip 350 and pro-t, based on which is better for tripod work.