Basic but good quality arca swiss plate?

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Daneel

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I bought a Chinese tripod recently that I'm very happy with except for the plate. When hand-tightening the screw, it becomes loose very quickly. I can get it to stay in place, but only if I tighten the screw with a screwdriver, and I'm concerned this might strip the thread from the mount in my camera as you aren't supposed to have to make it that tight? It's also not as convenient as being able to do it by hand. So, any recommendations for a basic but solid plate? My camera is a D5500.

Thanks!
 
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I wouldn't worry about tighten it with a screwdriver, it wont do any damage unless you really force it tight. I usual tighten mine with a coin, that should be enough to keep it in place.
 
Sunwayfoto do a good range at reasonable prices, find them on Ebay sold by a company based in Norwich
 
I have recently bought a Sunwayfoto DB44 ballhead and I bought a 50mm plate to go with it. I have since bought some longer plates from Amazon and they seem fine. They come with a foldable type handle on the screw to tighten by hand and they work fine, you could nip them up a little more with a coin if needed, but I haven't felt the need. I'm using a D750.

Amazon plates > http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eggsnow-Uni...=1443172769&sr=8-7&keywords=arca+swiss+plates
 
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Swanseajack said:
I have recently bought a Sunwayfoto DB44 ballhead and I bought a 50mm plate to go with it. I have since bought some longer plates from Amazon and they seem fine. They come with a foldable type handle on the screw to tighten by hand and they work fine, you could nip them up a little more with a coin if needed, but I haven't felt the need. I'm using a D750.

Amazon plates > http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eggsnow-Uni...=1443172769&sr=8-7&keywords=arca+swiss+plates
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Thanks for the link. The PU 50mm looks identical to the plate I already have. This is the tripod I bought, you can see the plate 3/4 of the way down the page. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DiC-...holesale-High-quality-tripod/32290132419.html
 
Daneel said:
Thanks for the link. The PU 50mm looks identical to the plate I already have. This is the tripod I bought, you can see the plate 3/4 of the way down the page. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DiC-...holesale-High-quality-tripod/32290132419.html
Click to expand...

As they are Arca Swiss plates they are all going to look the same for a standard plate from the photographs on the web. If you want to spend extra you can look at Kirk, RRS or Sunwayfoto etc....... mentioned above.

Kirk > http://www.wexphotographic.com/quick-release-kirk/b3028-m134?showall=1
Arca Swiss > http://www.wexphotographic.com/quick-release-arca/b3028-m13


Edit: Rich has linked a Sunwayfoto one.
 
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Arca-Swiss type plates are meant to be left permanently attached. Screw it down with a screw-driver and leave it - will prolly be okay.

All tripod plates can be prone to coming loose if you have a front-heavy lens and turn the head to the upright position. (Why stills cameras don't have an anti-rotation pin like many video cameras is a bit of a mystery.) The only way to properly prevent this is with a custom plate designed for your camera with an anti-rotation lip - as linked above.
 
There are many potential problem even with accurately cut screw threads.
The modern standard camera mounts are 1/4 or 3/8 UNC threads these have a 60°profile with a flat top.
the Older standard was 1/4 or 3/8 BSW threads with a 55° profile with a rounded top. ( pretty much the standard on all film cameras)
Both can be used and both fit each other.
How well they fit can be down to the fitting standard used (tolerance) and whether they are galvanised or not.

Expensive plates and screws may not fit any tighter than cheaper ones.

If you use your plate in place all the time, you could use some liquid thread lock.
 
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I use the supplied Allen key to secure all acra Swiss plates. The plates are left on lens tripod feet permanently, my L bracket is put on as and when I need it for landscapes. I have no problem tightening and unscrewing it using a Allen key, just use common sense and don't over tighten using the screw driver.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Sunwayfoto do a good range at reasonable prices, find them on Ebay sold by a company based in Norwich
Click to expand...

Exactly what I came in here to say. I got one with a strap ring on for a big old 70-200 f2.8 and it was fantastic.
 
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