Arca clamp dilema- anyone else see this flaw?

[tobotech]

<rant>
Why is it that the cheapest ( >1") arca type QR clamp from B&H comes in at $42.99... with a plate... AND a ball head attached????
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/586222-REG/Smith_Victor_700337_BH2_Ballhead_with_Arca_Type.ht ml

It just seems that there is a distinct lack of inexpensive QR clamps. Cheapest I can find (except seller from ebay with non-standard screw thread) is about $50! Now if smith victor can put to market a ballhead with arca QR+plate for $43, then it stands to reason that there should be QR clamp+plate available for less than $43. Its a simple machined part that requires moderate tolerances, and because its universal, doesn't need constant re-engineering for each new model of camera coming out.
Am I missing something?
</rant>

My problem:
I've read all the stickies (and much more) on camera support many times over during the last 3 months of my research on camera support. Went with a gitzo CF monopod and manfrotto tilt head(w/o QR) so I can jump into arca compatible QR by just getting a clamp and a plate. I'm still in analysis paralysis for tripod choice, but decided on Photo Clam ball head. But I need a clamp and a plate to use the monopod head.

My solution:
I'm thinking of buying this $43 ballhead just for the clamp, and for having a backup ballhead for flashes (I still don't have ANY flashes, but I keep an eye towards the future). Worst case scenario: Clamp and ball are inseperable- I saw off and disgard the ball, tap the clamp myself with my drill press and tools so it will fit on the manfrotto monopod tilt head.

I ask again, am I missing something??

[Todd Lambert]

You get what you pay for. I certainly wouldn't trust my gear on a $50 ballhead.

I'm confused, you're just looking for the clamp, right? Not the ballhead or plates?

Acratech which is what I use, has clamps for $100: http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=11&cat=3&page=1

[tobotech]

yea, I'm just looking for the clamp. I'm also on a college student budget, so $100 for a clamp is not going to happen for me :(

I understand the concept of you get what you pay for (hence the gitzo monopod in my sig thats beyond my budget). I also see that the market has inflated prices on Arca compatible clamps and universal plates, so one gets less than what one pays for because, in capitalist economic terms, the market is flawed in terms of Arca-compatible QR gear by not providing the best product for the best price. I'm seriously considering contracting with a machine shop to produce QR clamps and plates because there seems to be good return (profit) to be made in doing so based on my knowledge of materials cost and production costs. I just don't understand why there aren't more reasonably priced clamps available. Obviously, the camera specific plates are a separate situation from the universal.

[PacAce]

Have you seen these?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/586226-REG/Smith_Victor_701257_Quick_Release_Plate_for.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/586227-REG/Smith_Victor_701258_Quick_Release_Plate_for.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/586228-REG/Smith_Victor_701259_Quick_Release_Plate_for.html

If you're going to get the BH2 ballhead, you might as well get the plate that goes with it from the same company.

[Todd Lambert]

tobotech, I agree with your premise. I too know that these would not be very hard to do in a machine shop. (the plates themselves)

I would think that if you had access to the machinery, someone could definitely find a niche in the market by selling cheap arca plates.

[Jethro790]

If you have budget constraints, why not just use a Manfrotto? Why does it have to be arca compatible?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554141-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_323_323_RC2_System_Quic k.html

The good arca clamps and plates are worth it, so why not just consider a cheap option for now until you have the cash available for the real deal?

[tobotech]

If you have budget constraints, why not just use a Manfrotto? Why does it have to be arca compatible?
because the ballhead I've decided on (after about 10 hours of reading / research on ballheads) is a PhotoClam, and it comes with arca QR.
2nd = arca QR style is the best and that appeals to me.
3rd = I DEFINITELY want an RRS L plate for quick switching to portrait.

The good arca clamps and plates are worth it, so why not just consider a cheap option for now until you have the cash available for the real deal?
that was the plan. :D End game, I want an RRS lever clamp for the PhotoClam, and put the PhotoClam clamp on the monopod head. I want to avoid a lever clamp on the monopod to reduce catastrophe possibility. I wish I could fork out cash for PhotoClam, RRS L Plate, RRS lever clamp, and CF tripod all at once, but I prefer to pay off my credit card to zero each month, so I gotta get them one atta time. :(

I just came to this conclusion!!:
Because it appears there are no <$40 A/s clamps, It looks like my best bet may be to buy the PhotoClam ballhead NOW and cannibalize its clamp for the Monopod tilt head.

[Lowner]

It is certainly time Manfrotto offered an Arca-Swiss compliant system. Lord knows they offer enough different styles already.

There are low-end tripod manufacturers who offer A-S clamps, because there was a thread right here a while ago, the OP was concerned that the clamp really was A-S compliant. Turned out it was and everything was fine.

[SunTsu]

I've got mostly RRS ballheads and plates and your question is certainly valid as the items are extremely "overpriced". The problem just is that there aren't a lot of people that sell them. It should also be noted that there just aren't that many people that evey buy them. Take a look at all the people you see using tripods and rarely do you see someone sporting the Arca standard. It's just too pricey AND you need to be sold the concept which isn't easily done.

[JWright]

I really don't feel the Arca-Swiss clamps and plates are "overpriced." Having worked in aircraft manufacturing, I understand the processes required to manufacture these items.

Because the camera manufacturers are constantly changing the design and physical dimensions of the their products, a new bracket has to be designed and manufactured every time a new camera is released. (That's why there are no brackets available for the 7D yet.)

To market a new bracket, the manufacturer has to obtain an example of the camera and the bracket designed. A prototype has to be machined and tested and any changes incorporated into the design. Once the design is finalized, the CNC machine has to be programmed, the brackets machined and finished, anodized or powder coated and shipped. This process is not cheap. Add to the development and manufacturing costs a reasonable profit and it just adds to the cost.

[Lowner]

And its very much a niche market. But I still think Manfrotto could gain by offering a version.

By the way, RRS do have at least an "L" plate out for the 7D.

[JWright]

And its very much a niche market. But I still think Manfrotto could gain by offering a version.

By the way, RRS do have at least an "L" plate out for the 7D.

OK, I didn't look very closely when I made my post. I saw the L bracket for the gripped 7D as out of stock and just assumed they weren't out yet. I stand corrected...

[jacobsen1]

RRS has one for $60:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B2-mAS&eq=&Tp=

I actually have a "spare" (had it for my cotton carrier button but tapped it onto my Lbracket instead) if you're interested. PM me.