What Tripod plate do you use?

What type of plate are most folks using on their tripods. Quick release type or Arca Swiss? Any advantage in the longer Arca type.

Arca Swiss. I've a ridiculously unbalanced long lens to mount up on a gimball so having extra long plates is a huge advantage for me.

Never heard of an Arca Swiss. I use manfrotto QR plates

[Nerd Voice]

The Manfrotto MN-200PL-14 Quick Release to be specific

[/Nerd Voice]



I have them permanently fixed to the baser of my cams. they also act to protect the base when resting the cam on walls, etc

I use Arca Swiss type QR plates too, since that is what my Markins head uses. I too have a couple of long plates for long lenses.

It all depends on what head you have on your tripod which QR plates you use.

I use a Kood ball head with QR plate. AFAIK, it is not compatible with Arca Swiss stuff.

Andrew

I use old Mamiya 645 quick release heads, the all metal type as pictured below. Very substantial, holds my 150-500mm Sigma really safely and they have a secondary locking mechanism. These often turn up on fleabay for £10 -20.

Same here, I use the screw up type clamp, not keen on the lever version

Same here .

This is why I'm thinking about the Arca type. Not that keen on the lever with my current QR and the Arca type has a screw.

This is what I have in mind, I already have the head.


[IMG]http://www.borge.com.au/images/giottos_mh1300-657.jpg[/IMG]

Well one of the good things about Arca plates is that it's a widely used design so you can get a really cheap one from China to see if you like the design

FWIW I've been using some 'Rainbow' branded long and stupidly long plates (available on Amazon) which are nicely made and not expensive.

There's nothing QUICK about the Arca plates. You have to slowly unscrew the release and they (and the camera) slip off very easily unless you put grubs screws in as stops. This further slows down removal. Your also stuck with a big plate underneath the camera.

I've got about 5 Novoflex MiniConnects which for safety require two levers to be pressed before release. Putting on is a doodle they just click in place. You can also QR a camera strap.

http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/camera-support-systems/quick-release-systems...

If I need to use a Plate or the L-Bracket I have a Panorama-Q Head with a QuickConnect Coupling piece on the bottom. Takes seconds to change over.

http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/panorama-photography/panorama-plates/

Novoflex and Arca plates are almost the same and usually interchangeable.

http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/camera-support-systems/quick-release-systems...

There's also a Quick head for the plates with a safety pin ....

http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/camera-support-systems/quick-release-systems...


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The Giottos plates come in lots of sizes so size need not be an issue. They also have an auto lock pin as well. Only trouble is I can't find a MH657 in stock anywhere.

http://www.giottosusa.com/quick-releases.shtml

The Giottos ones seem to all hide the spirit level when in use.

For use with an L-Plate on a small tripod I bought a Sunwayfoto one.
They are quite well made and take any plate.

Similar_on_Ebay

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So does the Novoflex, buts it's no big deal, just slide the camera forward if you want to view the bubble.

http://www.novoflex.com/en/products/camera-support-systems/quick-release-systems...

I quite like the look of the Novoflex one, it's on my list.

Looks very nice in fact.

http://youtu.be/0mtCUgmdGhg

Only problem is no safety pin?

Edit. It says it has a pin on the site but I can't see how it works?!