Are Quick Release Plates Worth It?

I plan on using a tripod only occasionally. Is it worth getting a ball head with a quick release and then have to get quick release plates for my body and long lens?

Is there a benefit with the QR to hold the camera better on the head and eliminate body movement? I was looking at a ball head with a small top plate with a camera screw. Will this not hold the camera as well as the QR?

The disadvantage of the QR seems to be the additional cost, weight, and bulk. It will be on the camera all of the time, even if I only use it infrequently.

Thanks for your thoughts.

It really just makes the attaching and detaching process quicker and easier. Plus it saves some wear on the camera/lens screw and bottom area.

If anything, you can put on the release plate for days when you want to use a tripod/monopod/etc. and then remove it when done for the day. Makes it a lot easier to setup multiple times throughout the day/week/etc. and then take it off when you are done with it for awhile.

ToyTrains wrote in post #7641338
The disadvantage of the QR seems to be the additional cost, weight, and bulk. It will be on the camera all of the time, even if I only use it infrequently.

I have an L bracket from RRS for my camera. You couldn't pay me to take it off, even though I don't use the tripod all that often. It makes using the tripod so much easier, which means I use it much more than I would otherwise.

jgrussell wrote in post #7641494
I have an L bracket from RRS for my camera. You couldn't pay me to take it off, even though I don't use the tripod all that often. It makes using the tripod so much easier, which means I use it much more than I would otherwise.

+1

My RRS L plate and other Arca-type plates for all my lens collars and 40D body has been my best investment yet. Makes things SO much easier.

I can go from my r-strap (which has a Kirk quick release) to my Feisol Travel Tripod with a Markins Q3T ball head, to my Bogen monopod with a Kirk quick release, to my Bogen 055xprob legs with Giottos ballhead.

All use the same plates, and things are simplified.

+2 . the price can be a shocker but i love mine and have never regretted the l-plates

just in case anyone was interested, I just put up a 488rc0 with quick release plate for about half off in the sell marketplace

link here >>>https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=671037

Get the plate, you will be glad that you did when you use the quick release.

If you go with the bogen RC2 system you can easily and quickly remove the plate from the camera and the same goes for putting it back on. So that way if youre not using it a lot, its not a hassle to keep taking it on and off.

I was thinking about the RRS QR plates (in particular an L plate for the camera). How easy are they to put on/off the camera? Are tools needed or do they just hand screw on?

You really need to use the provided tool to take it on and off. But I love having mine on there. Why do you want to take it off?

dandig wrote in post #7644407
You really need to use the provided tool to take it on and off. But I love having mine on there. Why do you want to take it off?

I probably won't be using it that often on a tripod, so I figured it would just add some weight and get in the way when using the camera hand held.

i wasn't planning on leaving my RC2 plate on, but after i put it on..it doesnt bother me to jsut leave it there

if i want to remove the plate, it takes maybe 10 seconds. on the other hand, i think the non-quick release heads systems are a little bit smaller overall.

ToyTrains wrote in post #7644226
I was thinking about the RRS QR plates (in particular an L plate for the camera). How easy are they to put on/off the camera? Are tools needed or do they just hand screw on?

They are very easy to put on with the supplied allen wrench. Another benefit of keeping it on is you can attach an E1 handstrap without the grip. I need to get one.

I also don't see any need to remove the plate even without the handstrap.

absolutely.

I used to leave my RRS L brackets on all the time even though I'm on legs 10% of the time, but recently I've started taking it on/off to save some weight. But yes, Brackets are well worth it.

As I am just using Manfrotto's RC2 setup I have three 200PL-14's for my 50D, 40D and my 300F4L. I wouldn't want to have to keep screwing them to the tripod every time I wanted to use it.