Quick Release Plate Systems

Manfrotto Rapid Connect 0, Rapid Connect 2 and Rapid Connect 4 ... what is the difference ? the ball head i am looking at ( 488 ) comes in all three. the camera to be used is Digital Rebel

psychonaut wrote:
Manfrotto Rapid Connect 0, Rapid Connect 2 and Rapid Connect 4 ... what is the difference ? the ball head i am looking at ( 488 ) comes in all three. the camera to be used is Digital Rebel

It looks like the difference is the size and shape of the plates, prescence or abscence of spirit levels and secondary safety catches.
http://www.manfrotto.c​om …hp3?manufid=1&s​ectionid=8
Scott

The RC4 is pretty darn big. Unless you're going to use very large lenses I would skip that. Though it won't hurt in any way, it's big and cumbersome.

If you have the choice, getting systems with spirit levels can be very nice. But you can always get a hot-shoe spirit level so that's not a necessity, either, but convenient.

From all the talk around here the RC2 seems to be the preferred favorite by far.

It's true.. Manfrotto simply has FAR too many completely mutually exclusive release systems!

The advantages of the RC2 is,
1. Cost
2. Size,
3. Speed of operation (quick release ,.. really QUICK!)
4. Seems to be Manfrottos most common parts as well with the largest variety of additional options.

We just had a thread earlier this week that discussed RC2 among others.. let me see if I can dig it up

Here it is;

The only Mount that can be considered "universal" is the "Arca" type.

Pioneered by "Swiss Arca" , the design has been adopted by virtually ALL of the high end Camera mounting companeis, (Wimberly, Kirk, Really Right Stuff, etc..)

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Does the RC2 have a "safety" catch? My RC4 has a little button you have to press, so the lever won't unlock unless you hit that, too.

wow that was quick, thanx

Yes, Scottes, it does. The RC2 system has a tiny brass(?) lever that serves as a safety.

u know i looked at the listing for the plates and it doesnt seem like RC2 has many more optional plates than RC0 ...

and the 488RC0 head has dual spirit levels while 488RC2 has none

RC0 appeals more to me than RC2 ... what am i missing ?

The 488RC0 is a little taller and a little heavier. The plate style is a different shape, but I have no idea of the pros or cons of either. The levels are a big plus in my opinion. The RC0 plate also looks bigger than the RC2, which could be a bit of a pain if you plan on getting more plates and leaving them on lenses and/or cameras. The bigger plate will more often get in the way or perhaps won't let the camera fit in a bag so well.

But I don't think you'd be going wrong with the 488RC0, IMHO.

a question. 488RC0 head versus 488 head and a separate RC0 adapter.

separately works out to 45 dollars more but will allow to change quick release system independently of head, correct ?

Waste of money. Both ways get you exactly the same thing but one's more expensive.

Get the 488RC0 head, and if you decide - IF - that you don't like RC0 then get a seperate RC2 adapter. The separate adapters only make sense if you want to *change* your system. You should really try to stick with one system unless you have a good reason, as this means you can buy just the plates and leave them stuck on lenses and cameras and never have to remove them, regardless of whether you're using your ball-head or pan/tilt or monopod. Granted you don't have them all now, but you might someday. In a year I've collected a ball-head, a pan-tilt, and two monopods. It's real nice to have the same QR system on all of them.

ok now i am confused.

how does RC0 adapter attach to the 488 head, does it go straight on top of the round stationary "plate" or does that round stationary plate get removed first ?

what if i was trying to put that RC0 adapter on a head that already has a QR system like 488RC2 ... then i would have to remove the RC0 and ... what kind of connfection would that expose ? would it be compatible with that RC2 adapter that has to go on it ?

A QR system has 2 pieces - the plate which attaches to the camera, and the base. There's a threaded hole is the base which will screw onto a tripod head. Take a ball-head: the "ball" has the ball and the "arm" which is attached to the ball. At the end of the arm is a screw which screws into a QR base. So you unscrew your old QR base, screw on the new QR base, and bingo - you have the same head with a new QR system.

I'm still not sure which head you want, but from the sounds of things the RC2 QR system is probably the best for you (in the Manfrotto line and/or at this price level).

thanx, i will double check in the store though to be sure.