RRS Quick-release plate

BenA2

I'm serioulsly looking into buying the Really Right Stuff BH-25 LR ball head with the B2-40 LR quick release clamp. I've gotten over the sticker shock of the ballhead, but I'm still struggling with the cost of the camera plates.

The RRS plates are camera-specific and cost $55 a piece. I'd be much more comfortable spending that kind of money if I could find a generic plate that would fit any camera telephoto lens collar and was compatible with the RRS quick-release system.

Is there something out there that will fit that bill, or am I stuck buying a plate for each camera/battery grip/telephoto combo to be compatible with the RRS quick release system?

Thanks

dancorder

Well the RRS site says that you should only use RRS or Wimberley plates with the quick release system.

RRS have a small universal plate designed for P&S cameras so that's probably not suitable. They also have a section for universal L-Brackets, but their site seems to have just died so I can't look at it.
However, Wimberley seem to have a P-5 universal camera plate that is supposed to work on SLRs. http://www.tripodhead.com/products/camera-body-main.cfm how well it works compared to a fitted plate is something I can't comment on though.

Bear in mind that I've never used any Wimberley equipment or a RRS quick release clamp so I'm just going by what is on their websites!

P.S. I wish I could get plates for $55 I'm in the UK and had pay about £100 ($200) for an L-bracket! :cry

claudermilk

Ben, The whole point of the A-S system--at least as RRS, Kirk, and Wimberley have done it--is that each plate is custom fit to the piece of equipment. This is so the plate is solid and will not ever move.

I have just recently jumped into the system with RRS, and already have about $300 invested in plates. They are well worth it IMHO. They really are solidly attached to the gear, and I have no worries that anything will shift at all. The L-plate on my 20D+grip is solid and much more comfortable to use than the old genericp lat that used to be on there.

RRS recently revamped their site, so things are changing. In fact the plate I think Dan was referring to seems to have just reappeared (the MC-L). Grr, I wanted that one for the Mamiya...oh well, cha-ching! It's only money. Anyway, for what your profile shows, I'd really suggest the B400D-L. You can get the ballhead with the lever release already installed, and it's cheaper that way. Just keep in mind the BH-25 is probably about maxed out with your XT+70-200. It's not a cheap system to get into, but once you have you won't regret it.

d.flat

I'll second Dancorder.

Try out the Wimberley P-5 plate. I have one. Well two, as I bought another one today. I use one on a macro focusing rail and also can use it on my second body.

It's a nice piece. Plus $3 less than the RRS plates!

Happy shooting!

BenA2

Thanks dancoder, Chris, and d.flat for your input. d.flat--your first post! I'm honored and welcome to Dgrin!

Based on Chris' advice, I think I'm going to go with the RRS custom plate for the 400D/XTi for the best performance. But, for a second, general purpose plate, I think I might try the Wimberley P-5. That would work for my G7 P&S, 70-200 f/4L, and my wife's XT and 100 f/2.8.

I'm not sure about going with the L-bracket yet, though. It's pricier and right now I'm going for a compact travel kit. Also, I've never seen an L-bracket on a camera close up. I'm concerned by how it would feel shooting hendheld in those moments you need to be free of the tripod, but don't want to take the time to remove it.

Thanks

dancorder

BenA2 wrote:

I'm not sure about going with the L-bracket yet, though. It's pricier and right now I'm going for a compact travel kit. Also, I've never seen an L-bracket on a camera close up. I'm concerned by how it would feel shooting hendheld in those moments you need to be free of the tripod, but don't want to take the time to remove it.

Thanks

For what it's worth, the reason I went for an L-bracket is mainly because I want to take panoramas, which means a lot of time with the camera vertical as I also got a PCL1 panning head.
I haven't shot much since I got it but it has all been handheld so far and it doesn't get in the way of shooting as the vertical part is on the side of the camera that you don't normally touch. It is quite tricky to open the USB cover (this probably varies from camera to camera) but it's not too bad and still quicker than getting out an allen key to remove the bracket, which means that I've not taken it off the camera since I got it.
BTW it's a kirk bracket as RRS don't make them for the D50.

Edit: Actually most people here probably use card readers so getting to the USB port becomes irrelevant

Richard

BenA2 wrote:

I'm not sure about going with the L-bracket yet, though. It's pricier and right now I'm going for a compact travel kit. Also, I've never seen an L-bracket on a camera close up. I'm concerned by how it would feel shooting hendheld in those moments you need to be free of the tripod, but don't want to take the time to remove it.

Thanks

After grumbling a lot about the price, I bought an RRS L-bracket for my 20D. I do most of my shooting hand-held, but the bracket is so well designed that I just leave it on the camera all the time. It doesn't weigh much and doesn't get in the way at all.

Regards,

claudermilk

My experience is the same as Richard's. I grumbled about the price--then was fortunate enought to find one used here. Try putting a WTB in the Flea Market, you'll be amazed at what materializes.

I have found there is no reason to remove it. Weight is so minimal as to be unnoticeable. I hand-hold the camera in portrait orientation frequently and make full use of the secondary controls the grip affords me (the primary reason for adding it for me); the L-bracket is quite comfortable & almost makes it more comfortable in giving the grip a litle more meat to it. The nicely finished edges don't dig into your hands at all. The only way I can imagine a downside is shooting outdoors in very cold weather without gloves--then it will get nice and cold to grab initially.

I don't bother with the USB port, but the remote port and flash synch port do get use. The bracket does make it a little more fiddly to get at, but not nearly enough to counteract the usefulness of being able to mount the camera on it's side.

I still think that even though it's more expensive, you're better off getting a custom plate for each item and leaving it. The lens plates look like it doesn't really matter whether you go with Wimberley or RRS, both should work equally well. The Wimberley is set up to accept all RRS and Kirk add-ons (RRS has a much more complete selection of goodies right now). THe G7 will obviously always have to use one of the generic plats & Wimberley's is probably a better one here; you can also use it on the XT until you get a custom plate for it. IMHO it's still worth going that route in the end; I think the custom RRS plates are superior in this respect as they do not rely solely on the screw for resisting twisting, but on flanges that conform to the body contours.

BenA2

You guys have an incredible ability to encourage me to spend money I don't have. If I can only get somebody to buy my extra XT body, maybe that L bracket will be in my future.

ian408

The system is Arca Swiss like but these plates do not work. I've tried
the Nova plates w/my RRS head and it almost works but I wouldn't let
something mounted on the plate go.

There are some non-RRS/Wimberly plates that will work though I have
not found them.

claudermilk

BenA2 wrote:

You guys have an incredible ability to encourage me to spend money I don't have. If I can only get somebody to buy my extra XT body, maybe that L bracket will be in my future.

Yep, we're very good at that.

While I relied on older, cheapie gear in the interim I did a lot of research and penny-saving. Once I finally did buy the gear and start using it (it's still fairly new to me) I understood what the big deal was all about. It really is a whole lot nicer. Nobody told you photography was a cheap hobby, did they?

BenA2

claudermilk wrote:

Nobody told you photography was a cheap hobby, did they?

No, and although I try to keep costs reasonable, I'm just a hobbiest after all, this whole potential buying spree stems from missed shots on a $100 aluminum tripod with integrated pan-tilt head. It would be nice if I could just piece together the parts of a good tripod/head system over time. But, you really need the whole package to make it work, which is quite pricey.

But, I know I'll enjoy it when I get it.

Ric Grupe

BenA2 wrote:

No, and although I try to keep costs reasonable, I'm just a hobbiest after all, this whole potential buying spree stems from missed shots on a $100 aluminum tripod with integrated pan-tilt head. It would be nice if I could just piece together the parts of a good tripod/head system over time. But, you really need the whole package to make it work, which is quite pricey.

But, I know I'll enjoy it when I get it.

Hobbiests should be looking at hobbiest gear. If you want to save money and get good useable products look at Bogen's offerings.

Here at B&H

Let the pro$ buy the high end stuff that is only marginally better.

claudermilk

BenA2 wrote:

No, and although I try to keep costs reasonable, I'm just a hobbiest after all, this whole potential buying spree stems from missed shots on a $100 aluminum tripod with integrated pan-tilt head. It would be nice if I could just piece together the parts of a good tripod/head system over time. But, you really need the whole package to make it work, which is quite pricey.

But, I know I'll enjoy it when I get it.

Understood. I hated my cheapie $100 tripod the entire time I had it...need to sell it off actually.

I didn't go for the really expensive stuff all around. While many will automatically tell you to buy a Gitzo, I just don't see the cost/benefit ratio working out. They are nice, but there's much less expensive alternatives. Start out by resisting the carbon-fiber itch (hah). I split the difference & got one of those Basalt/Lava ones. There are several budget brands out there: Bogen/Manfrotto, Feisol, Giottos, Benro/Induro, Velbon, Slik. I ended up buying a Giottos MT-7261; it stretched my intended buget but stayed well under my $300 ceiling.

For the head, that's where I spent the money, fortunately looking right when Andy-bay happened to have a lightly used RRS BH-40 for sale. It really was worth the price. However, there are other options like the Bogen 488 head--add an RRS QR clamp and you're on your way.

If I were really pinching pennies & still wanted a decent start, I'd probably look at something like the Bogen 3011 (now 055XDB) + 488 + RRS clamp. That's about $322 plus plates. If you wnat to upgrade later, I woud anticipate no problems reselling those components.