Converting a Manfrotto 410 head to Arca Swiss

robhooley167

robhooley167

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Hi Gang

Has anyone done this or used the QR plate adaptor? The QR plates that came with the head are a bit too large to be left on my 5D for day to day usage so i'm thinking of moving to a smaller QR system.

I know there is a plate with the clamp bolted to it but it adds quite a bit of height to the setup. The other method involves removing the QR handle from the 410 head and bolting a Arca clamp direct to the head.

Any thoughts on either method?
 
I've got two Arca converted geared heads, a 410 and a 405.

The 405 I did myself, I used the standard Manfrotto plate and clamped a Kirk 1 inch clamp to it before locking the Manfrotto plate down tightly. It works but it isn't that elegant.

My 410 I bought with a Hejnar conversion, it is much better, much more elegant, works better.

When I've got chance I'll convert the 405.
 
footman said:
The Sunway looks like a good solution and cheaper than the Hejnar.
Richard, why do you say the Hejnar is neater?
Click to expand...

Because my SunwayFoto clamp just sits on top of the 410's original plate, as an add-on. In principle it's no different to the Hejnar conversion and TBH it looks okay to me and works 100% with no compromises at all.

I was going to do a bit of DIY like this guy, cutting down the 410's platform for a custom fit. This would look quite good with a bit of paint, save some weight http://www.daveparryphotography.co.uk/manfrotto-410-gearde-head-arca But what's the point? My solution, and I think it's the way most folks go about it from what I've read, is operationally very good and as for the weight, well we're talking about a few grams off one of the heaviest heads around.
 
HoppyUK said:
Because my SunwayFoto clamp just sits on top of the 410's original plate, as an add-on. In principle it's no different to the Hejnar conversion and TBH it looks okay to me and works 100% with no compromises at all.

I was going to do a bit of DIY like this guy, cutting down the 410's platform for a custom fit. This would look quite good with a bit of paint, save some weight http://www.daveparryphotography.co.uk/manfrotto-410-gearde-head-arca But what's the point? My solution, and I think it's the way most folks go about it from what I've read, is operationally very good and as for the weight, well we're talking about a few grams off one of the heaviest heads around.
Click to expand...

Right, thanks for that. I couldn't work out from the available photos what the difference would be:bonk:
SunwayFoto clamp it is then!
 
Thanks for the advice and links guys, much appreciated. Looking at the costs involved I'm leaning towards bolting a clamp onto one of the 410 plates. Will probably get the Hejnar plate eventually but i would like to see if i get on with the A/S system and whether the small plates and clamps work well enough with my medium format camera.

:thumbs:
 
robhooley167 said:
Thanks for the advice and links guys, much appreciated. Looking at the costs involved I'm leaning towards bolting a clamp onto one of the 410 plates. Will probably get the Hejnar plate eventually but i would like to see if i get on with the A/S system and whether the small plates and clamps work well enough with my medium format camera.

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

The Arca Swiss system was designed for their large format cameras so you'll be fine with MF.
 
My conversion:

99367076.jpg

mf2on.jpg
 
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