Quick Release for LF

[Galaxens President]

I need advice in choosing a QR system to use with my Cambo Master PC (heavy monorail). I recently upgraded to a used Graf Studioball without QR that I got cheap and for the time being I am using a RC2 QR from a smaller manfrotto ballhead but that QR is too far from stable.

I think I am looking for something like the style of Kirk QR-3 ( Dead Link Removed ) or Really Right Stuff B2-Pro/L ( http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/clamps/index.html ) but I am not sure they fit. The bottom plate of my camera is 75x70mm and I am afraid the tightening knob of the QR's will interefere with it, will it?

Is there a quallity difference between these two QR systems?

Does Kirk offer a QR kamera plate suitable for my camera base (I found no specific LF plate on their website)?

Is there any similar alternative in the same price range available in europe (I'd like to avoid the 25% import tax+5% customs duties that I have to pay when I buy from outside EU, if possible)?

 

[removed account4]

hi

i use a bogen 3o47 with the big square qr plate for my 8x10. i haven't had a problem yet, and it has been a year +. i also have small qr plates for the same head that i use wiith a 4x5 & 5x7 camea. never had a problem with those either. i got the head/system for the 5x7 camera about 10 years ago, it wasn't the most expensive, and it works well ...

-john

 

[brimc76]

I use the Manfrotto equivilant to the Bogen 3047 for my 4x5 Arca Swiss and my 4x5 Crown Graphic Special and have not had any problems in the last couple of years.

 

[Galaxens President]

I guess you mean this head http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=7&itemid=274
with this plate
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=96&itemid=313 ?
I am a bit suspicous regarding that locking lever. That is were my current manfrotto/bogen QR is lacking precision and this one looks almost weaker (my camera weighs 7.5kg, lens etc excluded). The size of the plate there looks great though.

The Arca-style clamp like QR's looks more reliable to me?

 

[removed account4]

yup

that is what i have been using -

 

[brimc76]

I guess you mean this head http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=7&itemid=274
with this plate
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=96&itemid=313 ?
I am a bit suspicous regarding that locking lever.

Actually I use that head with this plate http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/itemalone.php3?itemid=610
and it works just fine. There are two locking mechanisms on the new ones, the big locking lever you can see on top and then there is a smaller one underneath (I think) that locks the bigger lock once it is closed. I think that they refer to it as an anti-theft lock but it stops the main locking lever from opening by accident if it was to get caught on something or hit.

 

[glbeas]

I use that same QR plate and ballhead with my 8x10 Korona and never have a slip. All my cameras are set up with it and all our tripods are with heads that use them. Theres a slim version that just has a slotted screw in the bottom I just leave on the LF and MF cameras and I have a couple with the knob and thumbscrew for easy off on the smaller cameras.

 

[Robert Brummitt]

I stopped using QR after my Wisner did a dive over a very large cliff in Big Sur, Calif. I won't get one. Now or later.

 

[Bob F.]

I also use that QR however, I do find it a bit fiddly to use under the bed of my Shen Hao 4x5 field. As you can't see what you are doing because the bed hides it, it's a bit awkward to get it to lock in properly. Easier however with my old Arca monorail as you can see what you are doing. I do also find that I give the locking lever a twist to make sure it is locked - I had to catch the Shen once when I thought it was locked... luckily, I caught it...

I do wonder if it is worth it though, given the time it takes to set up anyway, the extra security of using a normal screw-in head is tempting... If I didn't use the same tripod & head with my SQ-A gear, I would probably remove the QR.

Bob.

 

[Dave Parker]

I have been using this guys plates for a couple of years now, and have nothing but good things to say about his plates, they are far less expensive that the name brands, I bought a quick release mount that screws to my head, then got one of his 6 inch plates and love it, it is a good quality machined part, that is far less expensive, than Kirk, or Really right stuff.

Take a look at the link below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30059&item=7508473106&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Dave Parker

 

[Sportera]

I use a 3047 too, its heavy though. If you have the cash you can get a more expensive but lighter head.