Arca Swiss plates - other than black? ("silver")

[PerTulip]

Hi!

We love our cameras and we also care how they look.

I was researching Arca Swiss (compatible) plates and it seems there is some kind of law that only black is allowed.

I wanted to fit my "chrome"/black Nikon FE2 with a plate and was searching for a small plate, matching the color of the bottom ("Chrome", "Silver", "Metal", "Aluminium"). Does anybody know a source/manufacturer that has plates in other colors than black?

 

[macfred]

What about these ArcaSwiss compatible plates (not sure about quality though) ?

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/AFFVO-Mini-Plate-Arca-Swiss-Compatible-3-9x5-6cm/PRD5GFI4U0APJLL

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Ultra-Thin-Arca-Swiss-Compatible-Hand-Adjustable/dp/B07NP46RDB

 

[PerTulip]

I am in Europe. Thanks for the two links, but they don‘t ship to Europe. I used the product names to search eBay and others, to no avail.

 

[wiltw]

You might inquire at a metal plating shop near you: Can black anodized aluminum alloy be overplated with a chrome/nickel finish?

Quick research indicates you can chrome plate aluminum:

"US Chrome is able to hard chrome plate on many different surfaces including Aluminum, Titanium, Inconel, Brass, Copper, Steel, Nickel Alloys, Cast Iron, Bronze and many more exotic metals." Whether the anodizing has to be etched off, etc. is not detailed.​

More quick research reveals:

"An article on the coating website Anodizing, Plating, Powder Coating, & Surface Finishing “Changing Anodizing Color ? ( 2005 )” says one needs to strip dyed anodized aluminium between colour changes. According to the article, one cannot simply anodize over dyed anodized aluminium."​

 

[jimjm]

A search of Arca-Swiss compatible plates at B&H Photo shows several manufacturers that offer plates in gray finish, as well as other colors like blue, green, orange, etc.
I would expect B&H could ship to Europe...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1281670-REG/mefoto_pmu25ttn_backpacker_air_quick_release.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1597106-REG/nisi_nisi_a_65g_pro_quick_release_plate.html

I'm partial to the Novoflex brand (blue) myself, currently using longer plates on a heavy 8x10 Deardorff camera. Very secure attachment and good quality.

 

[PerTulip]

You might inquire at a metal plating shop near you: Can black anodized aluminum alloy be overplated with a chrome/nickel finish?...

I did that once with a bicycle frame. Sandblasting, then anodizing.

Might not be the worst idea.....

 

[Danner]

Spray paint, rattle can, silver.

 

[abruzzi]

Get a black FE2? (Ok, that’s not helpful, but some of these other approaches sound like they’ll cost almost as much.)

 

[macfred]

I am in Europe. Thanks for the two links, but they don‘t ship to Europe. I used the product names to search eBay and others, to no avail.

This one is on Amazon GER - they'll ship to Austria I guess https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07NP46RDB/ref=cbw_us_de_dp_ags?smid=A3OJWAJQNSBARP

 

[PerTulip]

Get a black FE2? ....

I have many black cameras... :-D

This one is on Amazon GER - they'll ship to Austria I guess https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07NP46RDB/ref=cbw_us_de_dp_ags?smid=A3OJWAJQNSBARP

It's searchable/findable on Amazon, but it's offered by Amazon US and they don't ship. "Dieser Artikel kann nicht an den von Ihnen ausgewählten Lieferort versendet werden.....Verkauf und Versand durch Amazon US"
And shipping costs+fees (new regulations since 01.07, FYI!), would be prohibititive. Shipping costs from Asia (Japan, China,..) are tolerable, but for some reason, ordering in the US is always very expensive.