Quick Manfrotto Question

I want to make the transition to all manfrotto gear for my tripods and monopods since I do both photography and video.
I am a little confuse as to which plate is compatible with most of manfrotto heads. I am looking for a QR setup for a Glidecam 4000HD and from what I have seen, I will probably get the 501PL, but I just want to make sure I get the right gear.
Also, I plan on picking up the 501 head and manfrotto 561bhdv monopod.

Trying to find one quick release plate that works well with completely different camera types is a useless quest in my opinion.

If you were using EOS cameras for still photography and a lightweight consumer-type video camera, I would suggest that the Manfrotto RC2 quick release system would work just fine. However, if you are considering a significantly larger video camera, then a different type of tripod mount (one with the support pin arrangement like the 501PL has) would make more sense for the video camera. That QR plate, however, would be a royal pain in the posterior on most EOS cameras and lenses.

My suggestion is that you first show us what sort of still equipment and video equipment you intend to use. Then, we can help suggest some practical solutions for you. The best solution might be different heads for each purpose, though both could be used on the same tripod legs.

Thanks for the reply.
I use my 7D and 5Dc for stills and 7D for video.
I also have a shoulder rig and glidecam for the 7D.

ChadAndreo wrote in post #12962208
Thanks for the reply.
I use my 7D and 5Dc for stills and 7D for video.
I also have a shoulder rig and glidecam for the 7D.

In that case (all your equipment is EOS cameras), use heads that have the Manfrotto RS2 quick release system.

For simple video work, I highly recommend the 128RC mini fluid head. I have mine atop a 438 leveling head, making it easy to set the level reference. The head is relatively inexpensive, but operates VERY smoothly.

For still work, I would recommend the 498RC2 ball head.

Both of these heads use the same quick release plates which can be left on the cameras (and on long lenses with tripod rings) full time and won't get in the way.

I don't know about the Glidecam, but you can get a Manfrotto quick release adapter that uses the same QR plate as the heads I listed.

In my opinion, you don't need the 501 head which is designed for larger video cameras since you're using EOS cameras.

Thank you very much. I was not familiar with the 128RC for video. Awesome.

I hated the rc2 personally and switched to the rc4 system.

There was simply not enough grip on the rc2 plates for my liking.

Csae wrote in post #12965672
I hated the rc2 personally and switched to the rc4 system.

There was simply not enough grip on the rc2 plates for my liking.

You may have either:

• had the wrong material or
  
• the surfaces were not clean enough when you mounted the QR plates or
  
• you didn't tighten the mounting screws well enough.

Or... there simply isn't enough gripping power on the RC2 surface compared to the RC4 and you just haven't used them in any way that would stress them. I do. In fact i actually have a little trick that increases grip on the RC4, and thats to thread a handgrip through one of the lower holes.

Arca would of been a better option but the RC4s were sufficient and i have too much invested in that system now.

The RC4 is Manfrotto's step-up from the RC2, not sure if they are really required for video as its always landscape and that doesn't put much pressure on a QR Plate, the 501PL seems like your best really.

But if you wanna shoot portrait mode with a heavy lens that doesn't have a tripod collar, thats when having a solid QR plate helps.

Csae wrote in post #12967105
Or... there simply isn't enough gripping power on the RC2 surface compared to the RC4 and you just haven't used them in any way that would stress them. I do. In fact i actually have a little trick that increases grip on the RC4, and thats to thread a handgrip through one of the lower holes.

Arca would of been a better option but the RC4s were sufficient and i have too much invested in that system now.

The RC4 is Manfrotto's step-up from the RC2, not sure if they are really required for video as its always landscape and that doesn't put much pressure on a QR Plate, the 501PL seems like your best really.

But if you wanna shoot portrait mode with a heavy lens that doesn't have a tripod collar, thats when having a solid QR plate helps.

There is a version of the RC2 plate that has a lip to go around the rear of the camera's base if that is needed.

I use my 20D (with grip) and a 24-70 f/2.8L (the "brick") frequently in "portrait" position on my Manfrotto 488RC2 and have never once had it slip.

One more question,
if I was to go with the rc2 or rc4 setup, which tripod is comparable to the manfrotto 561bhdv? The 560B?