How to convert a Manfrotto ball head to Arca-Swiss QR

Euan

Euan

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I have a Manfrotto 468 MGRC3 ball head that i want to concert to an an Arca-Swiss Style QR plate.

Whats the best way of doing it? Will a new QR plate just screw on the top?
 
Should do. But the platforms either screw straight on (threaded) or need a male stud, depending on your head obviously.

I've been looking at this myself and it's easy enough, but not cheap. There was a platform for sale here about a month ago, a nice Really Right Stuff one, unthreaded. It was expensive though, and it may well still be for sale but I couldn't find the thread just now.

Benro are cheap and good. Or you could try Joe at Redsnapper who's very helpful. I concluded it was not much more money to just buy a new head but if you find a cheap source at sensible cost, please let post back :)
 
Thanks Hoppy, ive been trying to find a Benro one after all the rave reviews on here recently. My Manfrotto has an allen screw through the plate and onto the head.

I'll keep looking around and if i get sorted i'll post back.
 
EdBray said:
Try this!

You might need a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter though!
Click to expand...

Cheers Ed i had spotted that and was wondering if it would fit, and also the quality.

Ive also found this and it comes with a plate too.

Hoppy i know about getting the head off, its just taken an Allen key and ring spanner on the end to get the plate off the manfrotto and wasnt sure which was going to give first!

Why cant all heads have the same plate!!
 
Euan said:
Thanks for the link, does look a quality plate, just as you say expensive. i only Paid £75 for the 468 and RC3. Its a solid head and plate, ive just got an Indian sidekick and i want to have the plates the same so i can swap easily.
Click to expand...

Eddie's link is prolly favourite. It looks like Triopo - Chinese, got a good rep I think but never seen one.

How is your Indian sidekick? Got a link to that? Cheers.
 
I got the sidekick from another forum, its this one i think. For what i paid for it (£60 posted) its really good. Bearing in mind the biggest thing i'll put on it is a Mk3 and 100-400 + 1.4 TC. It holds it nice and firm and moves very smoothly.

The bloke i got it from had replaced the plate mounting screws as the ones supplied had snapped.

Its obviously no wimberley etc but i wanted to try a gimbal to see how i liked it and im very impressed so far.
 
And to complicate things even more the thread on the manfrotto stem is 6mm metric! :shrug:
 
Euan said:
And to complicate things even more the thread on the manfrotto stem is 6mm metric! :shrug:
Click to expand...

Are you sure it's not 1/4in Whitworth? I thought that was universal.

Cheers for the gimbal info :)
 
Hi

If i get an hour i'll try and do a review on it.

Ive copied this from RRS's site

Now you can add a screw-knob clamp with captive knob to your Arca-Swiss ballhead. The B2 Pro II has a recessed non-threaded center socket for installation on a head or platform with tapped 1/4"-20 socket or tapped metric 6 socket. Clamp features captive knob and safety stop relief grooves. It can mount on RRS ballheads, current model Arca-Swiss ballheads, and Manfrotto 468, 488RCO, 469, 468RC2, & 469RC heads.

B2 Pro II is 60mm (2.36") long with one recessed non-threaded center socket, safety stop relief grooves, captive knob, spirit level, and centering index marks, 4.3oz/124g

Metric 6 or 1/4"-20? Clamp comes with one flat head screw. Determine which one you need before purchase. Really Right Stuff ballheads use the 1/4"-20 screw, all other heads use metric 6 screws.
 
Found this version of the one Ed pointed out and have PM's Joe at Redsnapper to see if he has anything.

Will post back once ive heard anything.
 
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