Which RRS clamp and plate(s)?

[palomino]

I need a lighter tripod for backpacking and so I just bought Gitzo 1541T tripod legs and I am planning on buying Markins Q3T ballhead.
Many internet posters favor using ReallyRightStuff quick-release clamp instead of the one that comes with the Markins Q3T. Which RRS QR clamp is most compatible with Markins and suitable for my camera?

I frequently use my camera in portrait mode on a tripod. Should I buy an L plate?

If I get an L plate for the camera, I assume I will need another plate for the tripod collars on the 70-200mm and the 100-400mm. Which one?

[jhom]

Probably the easiest way to find out which clamp and plates you need is to call RRS. They are very friendly and helpful on the phone.

Given your requirements, I would recommend a lever clamp and L bracket. You will also need lens plates for the tripod collars.

[importhunnie]

i just did what you are doing. if you want a lever clamp its the B2 LRII model is the one that fits best for portability. it has a 3⁄8”-16 female tap which screws on the markins stud. when u do order the head make sure you get it without loctite which would make swapping easy.

Lplates are great but are costly. having a lever clamp it makes it so easy to change orientations.

QR plates for the collar makes it easy to mount long zooms safely. L84 is the plate you want.

one thing to keep in mind is that i am using 2 bodies i just use one Lplate for wide end and conventional plate with telezoom and use that for portrait.

[Mike K]

By all means call up RRS and confirm the plate mentioned above, they are great on the phone.

I presume you have considered the BH30 which they claimed was developed for the traveler tripod. It widens the legs a 1/4 inch due to the ball head diameter.
The L plate is a huge plus for landscape (tripod) use as you can switch portrait/landscape orientations in 3 seconds without changing composition.
http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/rrs-l.shtml
I might add, although never mentioned, that the lever clamp is more secure than a screw clamp as the position of the lever will tell you that the plate has not been tightened crooked. Perhaps you can tell that I once had a screw clamp tighten down with the plate askew, and the camera fell to the ground.
Mike K

[palomino]

I took your advice and called Really Right Stuff on the phone. No one answered, but they did answer my email very quickly and here is their reply:

B2 LR II lever clamp is the one for the Markins head. Markins will even install it for free. J

I always recommend an L plate for primary cameras.

The L84 fits both of those lenses (Canon Ring B) you can get one and swap it back and forth (taking the quick out of quick release, or you can get two of them).

[S.E.V.]

I need a lighter tripod for backpacking and so I just bought Gitzo 1541T tripod legs and I am planning on buying Markins Q3T ballhead.
Many internet posters favor using ReallyRightStuff quick-release clamp instead of the one that comes with the Markins Q3T. Which RRS QR clamp is most compatible with Markins and suitable for my camera?

I frequently use my camera in portrait mode on a tripod. Should I buy an L plate?

If I get an L plate for the camera, I assume I will need another plate for the tripod collars on the 70-200mm and the 100-400mm. Which one?

I love my BH-55CPL thing is virtually indestructible. Now if you get an L plate for you camera, you will use that for primes and small zoom like 16-35, 17-40, 24-105, 24-70 10-22 and so on. If you are going to be shooting with the 70-200 100-400 and so on the L plate is not used, just simply loosen up the collar and rotate the camera to portrait position then tighten the collar back down and you will only need to use the plate on those lenses. In general you will be using both but not at the same time, thats is why it is good to have them both.

As for the lens plates the 70-200 f2.8 IS and non IS use the same plate, the 70200 f4 IS and non IS uses the same plate and the 100-400 only has one plate. Now for the QR clamp, i personally use the screw knob clamp, I feel safer using that over the lever clamp style and I am in no need for the speedy end of things, the lever style is much quicker, and if you carry your camera off the tripod when you move then that might be the better choice. I

Here is a link the the canon lens plates from RRS.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/items.asp?Cc=LensCanon&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=

Sevan