Quick Release System

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bildo

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Bill
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I got a Giottos QR system, but it's awfully made, I can actually undo the entire thing without even pressing the button to do so.

So, since I could do without my D750/300 2.8 combo crashing to the floor, can anyone recommend a QR system that doesn't fall to pieces?
 
I have never had a problem with my Manfrotto one. Not exactly beautiful, more workman like and very strong.
 
Cheers guys!

Just to clarify, which one is it as they seem to do (more than) two.

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I use the bottom one they simply click in and lock from the top.
The top one is like the arca swiss and you have to feed it in from the end or screw it wide open.
I have one like that by another manufactuter but I find it too fidley in real life.
however it is better for video cameras.
 
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i use the bottom qr plate with my manfrotto as well . my d700+ nikon 70-200 and its rock steady
 
i prefer arca swiss style system, its much better if you have a varity of cameras that need plates of different lengths. so can have a 25mm one for compact camera,or 150mm for my huge russian lens :)

so look into that and decide which system best suits your needs, you can get good generic plates cheap on ebay for most systems, and you can get tailored arca swiss ones with anti twist features, which is great :)
 
Arca-Swiss type is pretty much the universal standard adopted by higher end tripod head manufacturers.

Manfrotto RC2 is the best of the rest.

Edit: RC2 is the bottom pic, above.
 
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I have had Manfrotto and their plates are ok but Acratech Arca-Swiss QR systems are far superior in everyday use. All Acratech products are superbly engineered and very practical. As a wildlife photographer I am constantly placing my camera on and off either my tripod or monopod which are both Gitzo. I also use an Acratech lever Swift Clamp on my BlackRapid sling so that I have the same reliable Quick Release clamp on everything.

The feature I like most (as well as the rubber knob) is that you only need less than one turn to very securely clamp/unclamp the plate and lens.

 
ecoleman said:
I've just switched to arca Swiss type. Couldn't stomach the prices of the main manufactures so took a gamble on sunwayfoto, and I think they are excellent quality.
Click to expand...

Arca-swiss type stuff is really cheap now, or at least the accessories are, produced by Chinese factories to a very high standard of quality out of that lovely aircraft-grade aluminium, light and strong. I have dozens of bits and pieces, clamps, rails, plates and brackets - all using the standard 38mm dovetail. The mark-up applied by the big brands is astronomic but even the cheapest stuff is usually very good quality - just put 'Arca swiss clamp plate bracket' into the Amazon/ebay search bar and hundreds of items come up.

If you have a decent quality head, eg Giottos or Manfrotto etc, it's usually quite a cheap and easy job to convert to an Arca-swiss type QR system.

Edit: these plates are good and cheap http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eggsnow-Uni...d=1426936623&sr=1-8&keywords=arca+swiss+plate and this particular clamp is one of the best I've bought, though slightly narrower width than most (38mm vs 50mm) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer®-Alu...d=1426938593&sr=1-2&keywords=arca+swiss+clamp It also has the double-speed clamp thread that Robin mentions, brilliant value for a tenner. I now have five of those!
 
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Like many others, I used the Manfrotto RC2 type QR system for many years without a problem, often carrying a body and 500 f/4 around. I have now moved to the Arca-Swiss system and feel its a far superior and more flexible system and I have more confidence in it.
 
Manfrotto RC2 system for me. Originally went that route because it's what my first "proper" head came with (322) and since it works well and is secure without being too fiddly, I've stuck with it, even converting the 410 and Giottos Vitruvian with adapter plates so I have just the one system across the board.
 
bildo said:
I got a Giottos QR system, but it's awfully made, I can actually undo the entire thing without even pressing the button to do so.
Click to expand...

Just out of interest Bill, where did you purchase the Giotto QR? Have you contacted them? I've had one for over 3 years & it's solid & works as it should. I also have a Manfrotto QR.
 
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