Generic Arca Swiss plates for Photoclam PC-36N?

I've purchased my first Arca-Swiss ballhead,the Photoclam PC-36N. Surprisingly, it didn't come with a plate from ReallyBigCameras. I've emailed them as I'm sure it must be a mistake. Nonetheless, my understanding is that the Arca-Swiss connection is fairly universal, and so any plate designed for the Arca-Swiss system should lock securely on this head, right? If so, the Photoclam universal plates are $31, whereas the Horusbennu plates are $10.

http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​3a6ac7d164

Any reason not to buy the Horusbennu plates? I'm sure someone will say buy an L-plate, and rest assured, I have one for my 5D2, but this is to be used with my 60D and G11 as needed.

Try the universal plate. It's cheaper and can be use with multiple cameras.

http://store.promediag​ear.com/

Single ballheads with Arca-Swiss type clamps normally don't come with a plate. If you buy a tripod kit that includes a ballhead that kit will sometimes include a plate, sometimes not.

If the clamp has a screw knob release any Arca-Swiss type clamp should fit it.

Thanks gents. Generic universal plate it is!

My photoclam PC-33 didn't come with a plate either (but it said in the ebay description that it wouldn't so I didn't mind). Works fine with the arca swiss HorusBennu plate that came with my hand grip and also have a Kiwifotos 100mm plate for my 400mm.

How strong are these plates while using a 5D2 or 7D with either a 24-70L or 70-200L f/4 IS, at 90 degrees on the ball head? Any worry or experience with these plates twisting/bending from these body and lens combo weight?

The plates won't bend. The camera may slip on them though.

Jon wrote in post #14356677
The plates won't bend. The camera may slip on them though.

Slipping, as in a few millimeters or are we talking major slippage?

spotz04 wrote in post #14356627
How strong are these plates while using a 5D2 or 7D with either a 24-70L or 70-200L f/4 IS, at 90 degrees on the ball head? Any worry or experience with these plates twisting/bending from these body and lens combo weight?

I think if you buy a quality universal like the Wimberley P-5 you probably won't get slippage.

spotz04 wrote in post #14356841
Slipping, as in a few millimeters or are we talking major slippage?

Most of the plates have stoppage screws on both ends that prevent slippage.

I once purchased a no-name lens plate which was advertised as “Arca style compatible” and discovered that it fitted my PhotoClam PC-36S ball head, but the dovetail profile was too shallow for my Jobu Gimbal – the plate could not be locked in place even with the lock knob screwed all the way in.

I now only purchase Wimberley, Kirk or PhotoClam plates.

Cheers

Dennis

spotz04 wrote in post #14356841
Slipping, as in a few millimeters or are we talking major slippage?

Major slippage, as in right through!

But thats only the lever clamps, the screw knob design is bulletproof.

I overcame the slippage issue by putting a piece of self adhesive sail repair cloth on the underside of the plate.

nardes wrote in post #14358605
I once purchased a no-name lens plate which was advertised as “Arca style compatible” and discovered that it fitted my PhotoClam PC-36S ball head, but the dovetail profile was too shallow for my Jobu Gimbal – the plate could not be locked in place even with the lock knob screwed all the way in. I now only purchase Wimberley, Kirk or PhotoClam plates.

It is an issue. There's no dimensional standard for the Arca-Swiss quick release system so there can be minute differences in dovetail angle and shallowness. Apparently Markins plates don't work properly in RRS lever clamps.

peter_n wrote in post #14359029
It is an issue. There's no dimensional standard for the Arca-Swiss quick release system so there can be minute differences in dovetail angle and shallowness. Apparently Markins plates don't work properly in RRS lever clamps.

No apparently about it Peter, its perfectly factual.

spotz04 wrote in post #14356841
Slipping, as in a few millimeters or are we talking major slippage?

We're talking slippage as between the camera and the mounting plate, not between the plate and the clamp. Custom plates have "stops" that rest against the camera body; generic ones have only the mounting screw and a "non-skid" pad on the top surface of the plate to try to keep the camera from rotating. You'll either have to tighten the plate down seriously hard or risk the torque the weight of your gear puts on that screw when you try to shoot in Portrait orientation and the camera wants to sag even when the head doesn't.