Arca-Swiss quick release plate with non-Hex screw?

I'd like to buy a QR plate without the standard hex-screw that comes equipped with pretty much every plate out there. I frequently transition from plates to my black rapid strap, so it becomes a rather big pain to always keep around a hex wrench.

I remember my old manfrotto heads came with plates with a folding tab on the screw, so a hex wrench wasn't necessary to place/remove. Basically, it was just a piece of metal that connected opposing sides of the hex screw, much like a bucket-pail handle, which folds down when not in use. Any recommendations?

Do you have a plate right now? The problem with most plates is the channel for the head of the screw are milled just slightly larger than head itself so there's not enough room for the replacement you're envisioning. If there is enough space, you still have to deal with the height of the replacement screw. If the head is too high, the plate may not sit in the clamp. I'm assuming you mean something like this or this. If you know a machinist, it'd be a lot easier.

The Benro B3 ballhead that I tried came with a universal plate that used a standard hex screw but also notched out so that you could tighten it with a coin if needed. It looks like it is available separately as part number PU-70. Maybe you could find a screw like this and use it on your existing plate.

MOkoFOko wrote in post #12377873
I'd like to buy a QR plate without the standard hex-screw that comes equipped with pretty much every plate out there. I frequently transition from plates to my black rapid strap, so it becomes a rather big pain to always keep around a hex wrench.

I remember my old manfrotto heads came with plates with a folding tab on the screw, so a hex wrench wasn't necessary to place/remove. Basically, it was just a piece of metal that connected opposing sides of the hex screw, much like a bucket-pail handle, which folds down when not in use. Any recommendations?

The solution for this issue is very simple. All you have to do is attach the Black Rapid screw to a replacement Arca-Swiss clamp and use that to attach to Black Rapid strap to the A-S plate.

Here's what I did:

Thanks for the suggestions, all

klr.b wrote in post #12378067
Do you have a plate right now? The problem with most plates is the channel for the head of the screw are milled just slightly larger than head itself so there's not enough room for the replacement you're envisioning. If there is enough space, you still have to deal with the height of the replacement screw. If the head is too high, the plate may not sit in the clamp. I'm assuming you mean something like this or this. If you know a machinist, it'd be a lot easier.

The links you provided--it's exactly like that. The plates I've got have plenty of room on the underside--should have no problems getting it to twist with those hooks attached. I might just have to find out how wide they are--if they're not TOO wide, getting a few of those would be the optimal solution.

Worst case, I can take a grinder to the top or bottom of the screw, if there's a clearance issue.

jrscls wrote in post #12378718
The Benro B3 ballhead that I tried came with a universal plate that used a standard hex screw but also notched out so that you could tighten it with a coin if needed. It looks like it is available separately as part number PU-70. Maybe you could find a screw like this and use it on your existing plate.

Actually, I have two benro ballheads with the notching you refer to. It's common to have a coin handy (either a Nickel or Quarter to be exact), but that's not always the case. I'm willing to pay extra to not have to worry about always having a hex wrench or coin handy. One less thing to think about.

JWright wrote in post #12378753
The solution for this issue is very simple. All you have to do is attach the Black Rapid screw to a replacement Arca-Swiss clamp and use that to attach to Black Rapid strap to the A-S plate.

Here's what I did:

This is the clamp I used:

http://www.kirkphoto.c​om …_Quick_Release_​Clamp.html

Now that is a very unique solution. The additional weight wouldn't bother me, but that does appear to be a bit of additional bulk... How does it handle? Do you smack yourself regularly with the clamp tightener, etc? This would appear to be the most elegant solution overall--no need to even remove the QR plate from the camera or lens collar!!

+1 on using a clamp permanently attached to your R-Strap. No need to ever remove your L-Plate from your camera.

I have two R-Straps configured this way. One is using the stock clamp from the Markins Q3T which has a very short shaft on the adjustment knob (I had replaced the stock clamp with a RRS lever clamp on my Markins head). The other strap has a small 1" Kirk clamp which keeps the bulk down. Use a little loc-tite when you mount the threaded screw and no worries of it coming loose. Works great and transfers from strap-to-tripod and back in a flash.

-howard

Well, after looking into the prices of clamps, it looks like I can get one for about $40. A bit more than I thought I'd spend, but this should make for a lot less work. Thanks all.

Far easier and cost efficient to simply purchase an Allen wrench and drop it into one of the pockets in the camera bag.

Wilt wrote in post #12386258
Far easier and cost efficient to simply purchase an Allen wrench and drop it into one of the pockets in the camera bag.

In use, however, I would much rather clamp and unclamp to the L-plate than to fiddle with removing it and replacing it every time I moved from a tripod or monopod to the R-Strap and back again.

I can also clamp the R-Strap to the tripod mount on my longer lenses which also have a tripod mounting plate always attached. The longer lenses carry much better that way.

Why not put the strap to the tripod mounting hole on the underside of the L bracket? If your bracket lacks the hole, a visit to the hardware store for the purchase of a drill bit to match a 1/4-20 thread tap fixes that issue.

Wilt wrote in post #12387387
Why not put the strap to the tripod mounting hole on the underside of the L bracket? If your bracket lacks the hole, a visit to the hardware store for the purchase of a drill bit to match a 1/4-20 thread tap fixes that issue.

I'm not sure I see the resale value of that $40-$60 plate going up after taking a drill to it. I've currently got 3 different devices with plates fixed to them--removing and replacing plates everytime I switch between straps and tripods is annoying. And there's no way I'm ruining $120+ worth of plates on a custom job like that, when I can go with the clamp method...

It would be great if I'd started out with plates with 1/4" holes on the underside... but unfortunately I don't...

JWright wrote in post #12378753
Here's what I did:

This is the clamp I used:

looking at this setup makes me worry about my camera, I would get the feeling that the clamp isn't tight enough.

I keep a hex wrench in my bag at all times, it's not like it takes up any space and most bags have small pockets that I don't really use much anyway. I rely on o hex screw a lot more than something that I tighten with my fingers... That feels like a scary thing to me.

Kirk plates with hex screws are the way to go

viktorsundberg wrote in post #12388995
I keep a hex wrench in my bag at all times, it's not like it takes up any space and most bags have small pockets that I don't really use much anyway. I rely on o hex screw a lot more than something that I tighten with my fingers... That feels like a scary thing to me.

Kirk plates with hex screws are the way to go

Not really asking for an opinion on whether hex screw plates are useful. I've already stated that I have no interest in using hex wrenches to remove/replace plates every time I switch between straps and tripods.

Honestly, I have no problems keeping spare wrenches in each bag--and I certainly don't mind messing with plates on a LIMITED basis. The point is, when I'm actually shooting in the field, I do not want the additional worry of dealing with such cumbersome adjustments. When you need to MOVE, the difference between taking out a wrench, removing plate, placing everything in the bag, vs tightening a clamp can mean the difference of 60 seconds each time. Ever had to wait on a person getting their gear together? It gets old really, really fast. Every second saved makes you less of an albatross and increases the likelihood of getting your shots. I'll pay extra for that.

The clamp on the sling strap idea is good.

I keep thinking about some kind of holder for hex wrench so that it's small, yet obvious to find and easy to manipulate. If it has a loop it can be clipped to something so that it's at hand when you need it without digging in a bag or pouch for it.