Manfrotto 3030 tripod plate question

Hello,

I lost the plate to my Manfrotto 3030 & ordered another one online. My first plate fit every lens I have which are Canon 500mm, Canon 100 F2.8, Canon 300mm F4 lens etc. The new plate came & only fits the 500 lens. It has an extra screw which sticks up & prevents any of the other lens from fitting. Why would this plate be different & how can I order another one without the extra screw? I've found one at B & H photo but from the photo of it, it looks like it has the extra screw - anyone know what extra screw is for? I sure miss being able to use all my lens on my tripod.

Thanks, Hazel

Just back out that extra screw - it's to keep the plate from twisting when used with video cameras. It'll either unscrew or just knock out of the plate and you don't need it.

Jon wrote in post #6954903
Just back out that extra screw - it's to keep the plate from twisting when used with video cameras. It'll either unscrew or just knock out of the plate and you don't need it.

I agree completely. Just toss the extra little screw away unless you have a video camera to use on the tripod.

Hazel - you should really purchase a separate quick-release plate for EACH of the bodies and lenses that you want to use on the tripod. Moving the QR plate from one lens or body to another is hardly the way to have the system be "quick". Leave a QR plate attached to each lens and each body all the time.

Jon, Skip thanks for replying to my question. The screw won't unscrew so I'll try knocking it out. I think you're right too & I should buy one for each lens. Have a great New Year guys - thanks!
Hazel

Soulful wrote in post #6955034
Jon, Skip thanks for replying to my question. The screw won't unscrew so I'll try knocking it out.

Precisely what part number are you working with? If I knew that, I may be able to dig up a tidbit or two about how to get the positioning pin out properly.

Older ones had a screwdriver slot on the end of the pin that is on the underside of the QR plate. I would think they've kept the same system today, but there may have been a change.

Hi Skip, not sure what you mean by part number. I'm having a hard time getting the screw out, it's fixed so can't unscrew it & it won't budge when I hit with hammer. It does have a screwdriver slot on the underside but the whole thing turns when I try to unscrew. Top side it has a washer. I got this particular plate off of Amazon (don't laugh)!
Hazel

Not sure what you mean when you say the whole thing turns. It will need to be put int a vise, or held with slipgrips at the very least.

I'm taking it to my son in law's mechanic shop tomorrow - figure they will have the grip to hold it & get the screw out. Thanks for all the advice. Hazel

It's our old friend the 3157N or its successor 200PL-14. The small screw near the edge shouldn't have a washer on it; the bigger one in the center, with the D-loop, doesn't come off.

Soulful wrote in post #6957339
Hi Skip, not sure what you mean by part number. I'm having a hard time getting the screw out, it's fixed so can't unscrew it & it won't budge when I hit with hammer. It does have a screwdriver slot on the underside but the whole thing turns when I try to unscrew. Top side it has a washer. I got this particular plate off of Amazon (don't laugh)!
Hazel

What you want to remove is NOT the screw in the center of the QR plate (with the D-ring attached on the underside), but the little pin that's screwed into the plate near its edge. The ONLY way to remove that, if it's like the photo above or the ones I have, is to unscrew it.

The screwdriver goes into the pin's slot on the underside of the QR plate, and you turn the screwdriver COUNTER-clockwise to remove it from the bottom of the QR plate. DO NOT try to take it out of the top of the plate. DO NOT smash it with a hammer, or you are likely to break the whole QR plate casting.

You should not need to squeeze the QR plate in a vise or with pliers. Holding the QR plate in one hand and the screwdriver in the other should be more than adequate to loosen the pin.

IF you bought the QR plate second-hand (used), some fool may have applied glue to the threads of the pin. If that's the case, then a little careful grinding with a tool such as a Dremel Tool could remove the projection from the top of the QR plate. This, however, should only be done as a last-ditch effort.

Hi Skip, your image above is the same as the plate that I have. Your tip worked. I tried counter clockwise & it popped out. Yea! Thanks very much! By the way, it wasn't a washer as I thought but a ridge on it.
Hazel

Soulful wrote in post #6957969
Hi Skip, your image above is the same as the plate that I have. Your tip worked. I tried counter clockwise & it popped out. Yea! Thanks very much! By the way, it wasn't a washer as I thought but a ridge on it.
Hazel

'Twas Jon who posted the images, but just the same I'm glad you resolved the issue.