Convert manfrotto ball head advice required

Hello, I have recently started landscape photography, I'm using a manfrotto tripod with a manfrotto 498rc2 ball head, while I love the ball head I think there is too much play in the clamp and the plate causing a very very slight camera wobble, I have been looking at arca Swiss style heads and would rather save on the expense of a new ball head if I can convert the manfrotto 498, so my questions are can this conversion be done? And if so which clamp and plate would be the best option? Possibly looking at an L plate in the future, I have seen some Giottos and Kirk clamps and plate, can these be used? The cameras to support are 5D2/3 with 16-35, 24-105 and 70-200 f4 lenses attached, Any help/advice is greatly appreciated, thanks.

I use the RRS lever clamp. You will ever regret making this change, it is the first place I start with a tripod set up.
1 clamp
2 head
3 tripod
That order in where I put the money

Mr.Noisy wrote in post #16240403
Hello, I have recently started landscape photography, I'm using a manfrotto tripod with a manfrotto 498rc2 ball head, while I love the ball head I think there is too much play in the clamp and the plate causing a very very slight camera wobble, I have been looking at arca Swiss style heads and would rather save on the expense of a new ball head if I can convert the manfrotto 498, so my questions are can this conversion be done? And if so which clamp and plate would be the best option? Possibly looking at an L plate in the future, I have seen some Giottos and Kirk clamps and plate, can these be used? The cameras to support are 5D2/3 with 16-35, 24-105 and 70-200 f4 lenses attached, Any help/advice is greatly appreciated, thanks.

I just posted a review on a conversion set. I have a Manfrotto 494RC2 and converted it to an Arca Swiss

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=X8m6FpFeXgU

Link to review on my site or in YouTube video.

Thanks for the replies, 1KIND I did see your video when I got home, its exactly what I want to do but sourcing the parts required in the UK is proving to be a problem, but im not giving up just yet, all else fails I guess santa will be bringing a new ball head my way...

windpig wrote in post #16240599
I use the RRS lever clamp. You will ever regret making this change....

You surely mean never?

Mr.Noisy wrote in post #16240632
Thanks for the replies, 1KIND I did see your video when I got home, its exactly what I want to do but sourcing the parts required in the UK is proving to be a problem, but im not giving up just yet, all else fails I guess santa will be bringing a new ball head my way...

When you say "sourcing parts" are you trying to build it yourself?

They also sell on eBay. This is the one I reviewed - http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​35b67c9152

This is the one without the extra base plate - http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​4d086121ce

1KIND wrote in post #16240689
When you say "sourcing parts" are you trying to build it yourself?

No, I was just looking for the clamp and plate (parts) but here in the UK its a real pain, trying to get arca or RRS or any decent pieces here requires overseas shipping, but I havent given up yet .......

I was looking at doing the same with my 496RC2 head a while ago, but it did seem it would cost me almost as much as buying a new head here in the UK, especially as i could sell the old one as well, so i ended up getting a Feisol CB-40 Head instead.

There was some good info in this thread i started on Talkphotpgraphy.
http://www.talkphotogr​aphy.co.uk …s/showthread.ph​p?t=471713

Yes this conversion can be done. I converted my Manfrotto 486 RC2 ball-head to Arca-Swiss-style with the Really Right Stuff B2-Pro 60mm Dual-Mounting screw clamp:

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …with-dual-mounting&key=it

The thread on the 486 ball-steam is 3/8"-16 on, as well as the 484, 488 and many other Manfrottos. This clamp simply screws on to the manfrotto stem, but can also be used on other heads as it has a countersunk hole so it can be screwed onto a stem with a female thread (like the RRS ball-heads, and others) so it can be used even if you decide to replace the manfrotto head down the road.

I double-checked the thread size by taking the head to the hardware store and confirming with a 3/8"-16 bolt (no purchase necessary).

Lowner wrote in post #16240665
You surely mean never?

I'm old and feeble, but yes, never:p

I heard that Kirk has distribution in the UK. I'm not sure if this is the case but you should be able to check it out.

I converted my Manfrotto 468MG to Arca Swiss with a Kirk screw clamp. The quality is excellent. I chose Kirk because they are the only company who makes a one piece L bracket for my gripped 60D.

Since then I upgraded my whole tripod kit to RRS so I can give a first hand report: Kirk and RRS clamps are both excellent.

Can I do the same conversion on a manfrotto RC3 system?

I believe that Manfrotto has recently announced a new clamp which is compatible with Arca compatible plates

Getting RRS here is nigh on impossible, I have seen some Kirk stuff, and as Wilt said Manfrotto have recently released a arca compatible clamp here the MSQ6 top lock quick release system, but retails around £84-£85, for that kind of cost a new ball head may be the best option, but im still looking for a good clamp and plate at a reasonable price, I wont give up just yet

Wilt wrote in post #16243207
I believe that Manfrotto has recently announced a new clamp which is compatible with Arca compatible plates

Yes but its not compatible with all the Manfrotto heads