Be forwarned regarding Giottos MH-657 QR System
rpcrowe
Registered Users Posts: 733 Major grins
I have a Giottos MH-1300 ball head which incorporates a MH-657 Quick System.
Both the ball head and the QR System are well made and function very well. There is only one problem regarding the MH-657 QR System.
The Giottos description and the Adorama description states:
"The MH-657 clamp style quick release system is compatible with plates that fit the Arca Swiss standard. It features both horizontal and vertical bubble levels."
I have found that the Giottos MH-657 QR Base is not, as received, compatible with either a RRS or a Kirk, Arca Swiss Standard, QR plate. The problem is the "Safety Lock" which prevents the plate from slipping off the MH-657 QR Base if the securing knob is inadventently left unfastened.
When the button to release the Safety Catch is pressed, the Safety Catch is moved to the side - it is not retracted down. This Safety Catch, even when retracted, will allow neither a KIRK nor a RRS plate to be mounted on the QR Base without some after-market modification. We used to call an after market modification process, "Jury Rigging", when I was in the navy.
Modification can be accomplished in two ways:
1. By removing the safety catch altogether. This will allow either the KIRK or the RRS plate to be attached to the MH-657 QR Base. Of course, you are leaving yourself open for a possible camera/lens drop if you are not careful about fastening the knob when you use the MH-657 System. That is the easiest modification, but perhaps not the best modification.
2. By filing a channel in the KIRK or RRS plate which will allow the plate to slip by the Safety Catch when the Catch is in the retracted position. This will allow the Safety Catch to function as designed and doesn't hurt the plates in any way. However, you do need to measure and file carefully to accomplish this modification.
I might mention that Giottos has its own plates which work just fine with the MH-657 System. They even have an "L" plate which facilitates quick and easy changing from the horizontal to the vertical position. However, the Giottos "L" plate, while workable and considerably less expensive than the RRS camera specific plate, is a generic plate and does not fit the contours of each camera like the camera specific RRS "L" plates. I much prefer the RRS type plate.
Both the ball head and the QR System are well made and function very well. There is only one problem regarding the MH-657 QR System.
The Giottos description and the Adorama description states:
"The MH-657 clamp style quick release system is compatible with plates that fit the Arca Swiss standard. It features both horizontal and vertical bubble levels."
I have found that the Giottos MH-657 QR Base is not, as received, compatible with either a RRS or a Kirk, Arca Swiss Standard, QR plate. The problem is the "Safety Lock" which prevents the plate from slipping off the MH-657 QR Base if the securing knob is inadventently left unfastened.
When the button to release the Safety Catch is pressed, the Safety Catch is moved to the side - it is not retracted down. This Safety Catch, even when retracted, will allow neither a KIRK nor a RRS plate to be mounted on the QR Base without some after-market modification. We used to call an after market modification process, "Jury Rigging", when I was in the navy.
Modification can be accomplished in two ways:
1. By removing the safety catch altogether. This will allow either the KIRK or the RRS plate to be attached to the MH-657 QR Base. Of course, you are leaving yourself open for a possible camera/lens drop if you are not careful about fastening the knob when you use the MH-657 System. That is the easiest modification, but perhaps not the best modification.
2. By filing a channel in the KIRK or RRS plate which will allow the plate to slip by the Safety Catch when the Catch is in the retracted position. This will allow the Safety Catch to function as designed and doesn't hurt the plates in any way. However, you do need to measure and file carefully to accomplish this modification.
I might mention that Giottos has its own plates which work just fine with the MH-657 System. They even have an "L" plate which facilitates quick and easy changing from the horizontal to the vertical position. However, the Giottos "L" plate, while workable and considerably less expensive than the RRS camera specific plate, is a generic plate and does not fit the contours of each camera like the camera specific RRS "L" plates. I much prefer the RRS type plate.
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