Quick Release for tripod?

I was using my 300D yesterday and had a heck of a time getting it really cinched down on my Bogen tri-pod. I remembered someone saying that they broke their 300D by torqueing it too much.

I am thinking of a quick release for my tri-pod. Any suggestions?

If you're a bit heavy-handed you can do just the same amount of damage tightening up the quick-release plate to your camera body! The purchasing of a plate isn't really the answer to your potential problem, it's merely a question of the force applied to the camera baseplate.

Barry

There are a number of Arca-Swiss type quick release plates and ballheads. I use a Gitzo and an Ultimate Ballhead from www.acratech.net The Ultimate Ballhead is the one I use the most. It's made well and fairly light and compact. You should also look at www.reallyrightstuff.c​om
It's best to get a camera body specific plate. It results in less twisting on the plate and less potential damage to the mounting threads.
Regards,
Scott

I have the Bogen/Manfrotto Quick Release on my tripod that I use with my DRebel (300D). I purchased the tripod with head and quick release, but you can purchase the quick release assembly separately also.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ails&Q=&sku=149​686&is=REG

The cork or rubber surface on the camera attaching piece resists twisting of the camera with reduced screw torque, so overtighting should not be required. You will want to make sure that the connection screw size to the tripod matches the quick release adapter, but this is pretty standard.

It really doesn't matter if the stud is smaller. You can use one of these if there is a mismatch:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …tails&Q=&sku=99​797&is=REG
Scott

Assuming that the unknown tripod has a 1/4" thread....it could be a metric MIT/MIC (made in Taiwan/China) tripod for all I know

One big advantage of Arca-type quick release mechanism is the easy availability of customized body plates. A customized plate is built with a lip that prevents the plate from twisting while attached to the camera. This obviates massive overtorquing of the mounting screw that is often required to secure the camera in other quick release systems or directly to the tripod. The overtorquing is required because those systems rely upon the friction between the bottom of the camera body and a rubber or cork surface to prevent twisting. All too often this friction is insufficient, especially when a camera with a heavy lens without a tripod collar is flipped into a vertical aspect.

The other advantage is, of course, the sheer elegance and simplicity, not to mention the effectiveness, of the Arca system itself. The system consists of two main parts: the camera-specific plate and the clamp. The clamp is, more often than not, mounted onto a ballhead but you can buy clamps with either a female 3/8" or standard 1/4" tripod socket to affix to virtually anything including your existing tripod head.

You can buy the clamp and the camera-specific plate from a number of places. You can even mix and match clamps and plates between manufacturers because the beauty is that they're all compatibile. The most popular brands include Kirk, Acratech, Really Right Stuff, Wimberley, and of course Arca-Swiss which is available at B&H Photo.
Lesser known brands include Foba and Linhof (both available at B&H Photo), and Markins.

All this doesn't come without a price, and the Arca system is, indeed, pricy compared to other systems. But like the saying goes, "It pays to get the best." After all, isn't that what we do with our cameras, lenses and everything else photographic?

This is one of those "how much do you wnat to spend.. and how often?" questions...

The systems start at the high end with the "Arca Swiss" compatible systems mentioned above.

These are "semi" universal.. and exceedingly well mead. If you invest in parts of this nature you will likely never need to again. However these are large and expensive parts. Depending on lenses used thay may also be a luxury/overkill investment.

Arca Swiss compatible parts are made by many manufacrures including, Acratech, Relly Right Stuff, Kirk, Wimberly, Markins and of course.. Arca.

On the lower end of the spectrum yet equally usefull and in some cases easier to use and more affordabel are the systems that Bogen/Manfrooto sells.

This is what I currently use for all my gear, and as yet I have not felt the need, urge or desire to switch to Arca.

DOH!.. I should have just said..

"What Slin 100 said"..

If it doesn't have a 3/8 or 1/4 inch stud it isn't worth buying a head for.
Scott

I used to use a Bogen Quick Release system, but there was a bit of slop that caused some movement. I changed to a Acratech Ball and clamp with Really Right Stuff lens and camera plates and the Bogen stuff sits on the shelf gathering dust. I highly recommend the Arca system!