RRS L Bracket with Manfrotto system?

[jyu67]

Hello all,

I currently have the Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 tripod and head setup but I would like to have the option of mounting my camera in portrait orientation quickly. After some searching I'm still confused as to what options I have.:confused:

I don't really like the junior elbow bracket from Manfrotto, think it is too big. I really like the RRS stuff but what is the easiest/cheapest way I can switch over to RRS? Would I still be able to use my 488RC2 head?

Any help appreciated!

[ed rader]

Hello all,

I currently have the Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 tripod and head setup but I would like to have the option of mounting my camera in portrait orientation quickly. After some searching I'm still confused as to what options I have.:confused:

I don't really like the junior elbow bracket from Manfrotto, think it is too big. I really like the RRS stuff but what is the easiest/cheapest way I can switch over to RRS? Would I still be able to use my 488RC2 head?

Any help appreciated!


you'd have to fit your ballhead with an arca swiss clamp. a "good" one will run you about $80-$100.

i would upgrade your ballhead.

ed rader

[jyu67]

you'd have to fit your ballhead with an arca swiss clamp. a "good" one will run you about $80-$100.

i would upgrade your ballhead.

ed rader

Ed,

Is there a ballhead you would recommend?

[ed rader]

Ed,

Is there a ballhead you would recommend?


i use the markins Q3. the 488 is nice but the markins is better. also the heaviest lens i use with the Q3 is the 24-70L and the longest is the 70-200L f4 IS.

the Q3 is smaller and lighter than the 488 but has at least the same load capacity. price ain't that bad either :D.

ed rader

[PacAce]

Hello all,

I currently have the Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 tripod and head setup but I would like to have the option of mounting my camera in portrait orientation quickly. After some searching I'm still confused as to what options I have.:confused:

I don't really like the junior elbow bracket from Manfrotto, think it is too big. I really like the RRS stuff but what is the easiest/cheapest way I can switch over to RRS? Would I still be able to use my 488RC2 head?

Any help appreciated!

You can just remove the RC2 QR plate and replace it with an Arca-Swiss compatible plate as described in the following thread.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=290269

[jyu67]

Great link PacAce, thanks!!

[tvphotog]

For use with the RRS L bracket, check their lever quick release. Ask them if you can just swap the QR on the Manfrotto for their lever QR.

If you're going to follow Ed's advice on the Q3t which I use also, buy it WITHOUT the Markins QR, buy and send the RRS lever QR to Markins and they will install it for you on their Q3t ballhead at no charge.

[Jon]

Hello all,

I currently have the Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2 tripod and head setup but I would like to have the option of mounting my camera in portrait orientation quickly. After some searching I'm still confused as to what options I have.:confused:

I don't really like the junior elbow bracket from Manfrotto, think it is too big. I really like the RRS stuff but what is the easiest/cheapest way I can switch over to RRS? Would I still be able to use my 488RC2 head?

Any help appreciated!All I did when I made the move (same reason) was I replaced the RC2 clamp on my 488 RC2 (which started life as a regular 488 screw-on head) with a RRS lever clamp.

[PacAce]

All I did when I made the move (same reason) was I replaced the RC2 clamp on my 488 RC2 (which started life as a regular 488 screw-on head) with a RRS lever clamp.

I initially changed out my RC2 with a Wimberley clamp but then switched to the RRS lever clamp a couple of months ago. I never realized how nice and convenient the RRS lever clamp really is until I used it (on the high capacity monopod head). Had I known that at the very beginning, I would have gone straight with the RRS lever clamp instead of trying to save a couple of dollars with the Wimberley screw clamp.

[JWright]

You can just remove the RC2 QR plate and replace it with an Arca-Swiss compatible plate as described in the following thread.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=290269

There's a picture of my converted 488RC2 in that thread...

My ultimate goal is to convert to the RRS lever clamp as well.

[PacAce]

There's a picture of my converted 488RC2 in that thread...

My ultimate goal is to convert to the RRS lever clamp as well.
Do it now if you can. You'll be glad you did it sooner rather than later. :)

[Jon]

From left to right -
Adorama Flashpoint F-2, Adorama Flashpoint F-3, Manfrotto 486RC2, Manfrotto 488/RRS B2-LR2. All but the 486 are Arca-Swiss compatible. No reason I couldn't change the 486 over too, but that would cost almost as much as the F-3 head did.

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/611214942_BwfiN-L.jpg

[PacAce]

From left to right -
Adorama Flashpoint F-2, Adorama Flashpoint F-3, Manfrotto 486RC2, Manfrotto 488/RRS B2-LR2. All but the 486 are Arca-Swiss compatible. No reason I couldn't change the 486 over too, but that would cost almost as much as the F-3 head did.

http://jonbarrettphoto.smugmug.com/photos/611214942_BwfiN-L.jpg
Jon, why does your RC2 clamp on the 486 look very odd to me? The plate doesn't look like it's pressed down into the clamp, yet the lever that keeps the plate in plate is in the closed position. How'd you manage that? Just curious. The lever on my RC2 clamp will only close if the lever release button is pressed in and flush with the bottom of the clamp. :confused:

[Jon]

I only just noticed that on it when I posted this. I just had a look at the head and the screw that holds the release lever was quite loose. Yet another advantage to the RRS lever release plates - the lever is either on, and closing the clamp, or it's fallen off, since it's held in place by a drive pin and presses in against the side instead of forcing the plate down.