L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Moderated by: guardian

Visit the FM Store · Image Upload · Buy & Sell
FM Forum Rules

FM Forums | General Gear-talk | Join Image Upload
end

Roland Jenkins
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #1 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Hi Guys

I have a Manfrotto 190PRO fitted with a 486RC2 Ball-Head.

I was considering getting either a Kirk or an RRS L-Bracket, & just wanted to check whether the mounting system was compatable

Many thanks in advance

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 04:52 PM

sjms
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #2 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

no its not as it comes out of the box. it has its own propriatary system. you must convert to the Arca Swiss type clamp system. it is an "open" system that many have embraced as a standard. kirk. RRS. and few others have the ability to assist in converting your head over to said system using their clamps.

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 05:13 PM

reggie747
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #3 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Roland,

You could always use the Manfrotto Junior Elbow L Bracket. This will fit straight on.

PM me for more info

Greg

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 06:47 PM

Alan321
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #4 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

The arca swiss system is practically unknown and unavailable here in Australia, making it expensive for us as we have to pay hefty freight charges when importing it. Manfrotto is readily available here. I don't know what the arca swiss availability is like in Europe.

Roland, if you do convert your ballhead to arca swiss then you need suitable brackets and plates to replace the manfrotto stuff for every lens or camera that you expect to attach to it. It can become expensive. Even though it may be a better system it may not justify the extra cost. Thereafter, every time you import another arca swiss gadget you'll be hit with the expensive freight charge again.

- Alan

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 10:00 PM

sjms
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #5 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

the arca swiss clamp system was developed by a swiss (as in Switzerland) camera maker and precision machine shop Arca Swiss Corp. they are a small but pretty much known in the industry for about 20+ years. this is not a mass production market item. its a family operation.

they are not a Holden parts provider

the big question is distribution and out and out interest in the product. where the manfrotto system has a good distibution (vitec group) and relative mass production there is and always be a differential in cost that would limit most possible users interest. in short would it sell in Oz?

its not a product issue its a localization issue for you.

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 10:21 PM

Roland Jenkins
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #6 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Thanks for the responses guys

Alan, I see your point regarding expense in converting the QR system.

I must say I'd hoped to continue using the RC2 plates, baring in mind they're brand new with the Tripod ... As ever... the way things happen in life... If I'd foreseen the need for an L-Bracket before I bought the Tripod, I could have planned things a bit better.

Reggie... thanks for the tip on the Junior Elbow, I've checked it out on their website. I must say all said & done in general, most Brackets are quite expensive for what they are. It's given me the inspiration to perhaps make a custom bracket myself. I can press-brake some 6mm x 30mm Aluminium to 90° & drill & tap 2 mounting-threads for fitting 2 RC2 adaptor Plates (1@ 0° & 1 @ 90°), then fit it to the camera with a Allen-Hd Screw. With some nifty filing & a layer of powdercoat, I reckon it shouldn't look too bad!

Does seem a shame that all manufacturers can't make to a similar standard design though

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 10:51 PM

Lars Johnsson
Online
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #7 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Alan321 wrote:
The arca swiss system is practically unknown and unavailable here in Australia, making it expensive for us as we have to pay hefty freight charges when importing it. Manfrotto is readily available here. I don't know what the arca swiss availability is like in Europe.

Roland, if you do convert your ballhead to arca swiss then you need suitable brackets and plates to replace the manfrotto stuff for every lens or camera that you expect to attach to it. It can become expensive. Even though it may be a better system it may not justify the extra cost. Thereafter, every time you import another arca swiss gadget you'll be hit with the expensive freight charge again.

- Alan

Yes it's expensive. But he don't need a new plate for every lens he like to attach. Even if he have or buy 20 lenses he only need a few plates for those.

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 09, 2007 at 11:05 PM

csavery
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #8 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

You may want to check out eBay. I've seen several swiss arca plates advertised there for a low cost and not too bad delivery cost. I actually bought mine for a good price from some guy here on FM that was manufacturing and selling them a couple years back. I have two and they're excellent but I don't recall his name/shop or know if he is still making them. They were about half price compared to the well known brands and very nicely machined and finished.

Actually if anyone remembers the guy who made those I'd love to know again as I could use another one.

While there is no real standard the swiss arca is probably the closest thing just because there are quite a few companies making them now.

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 10, 2007 at 05:15 AM

Roland Jenkins
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #9 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Here's a rough idea of what I mean....

I may need to rivet a sort of nesting plate (made from say 1mm thick stainless steel) to the base of the Bracket to prevent the Camera swivelling

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 16, 2007 at 10:58 PM

trenchmonkey
Online
Image Upload: On

p.1 #10 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

csavery wrote:
You may want to check out eBay. I've seen several swiss arca plates advertised there for a low cost and not too bad delivery cost. I actually bought mine for a good price from some guy here on FM that was manufacturing and selling them a couple years back. I have two and they're excellent but I don't recall his name/shop or know if he is still making them. They were about half price compared to the well known brands and very nicely machined and finished.

Actually if anyone remembers the guy who made those I'd love to know again as I could use another one.

While there is no real standard the swiss arca is probably the closest thing just because there are quite a few companies making them now.

http://tinyurl.com/2hed5q

Edited on Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Dec 16, 2007 at 11:10 PM

dcains
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #11 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

csavery wrote:
You may want to check out eBay. I've seen several swiss arca plates advertised there for a low cost and not too bad delivery cost. I actually bought mine for a good price from some guy here on FM that was manufacturing and selling them a couple years back. I have two and they're excellent but I don't recall his name/shop or know if he is still making them. They were about half price compared to the well known brands and very nicely machined and finished.

Actually if anyone remembers the guy who made those I'd love to know again as I could use another one.

While there is no real standard the swiss arca is probably the closest thing just because there are quite a few companies making them now.

Probably - http://www.imagetooling.com/

Jay is an FM member. I've used his clamps and plates before, although I've never seen the clamps shown on his site. All very nicely made.

Dec 16, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Roland Jenkins
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #12 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Finished it at last.....

Problem is it won't fit my new D300 .... Guess I'll have to make another!

Edited on Mar 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM

Mar 19, 2008 at 10:44 PM

mufutau
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #13 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Nice job.. I love DIY

Mufutau

Roland Jenkins wrote:
Finished it at last.....
Problem is it won't fit my new D300 .... Guess I'll have to make another!

Mar 21, 2008 at 03:10 AM

jcolwell
Online
Image Upload: On

p.1 #14 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Very nice. Certainly smaller and a lot less clunky than the Junior Elbow that I use.

Mar 21, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Wickedfn4u
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #15 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Can I ask a silly question, why not just use the 90deg spot on the ball head with the mount on the bottom of the camera?

Mar 21, 2008 at 03:39 PM

Roland Jenkins
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #16 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Wickedfn4u wrote:
Can I ask a silly question, why not just use the 90deg spot on the ball head with the mount on the bottom of the camera?

That's the whole point of using an L-Bracket... If you simply swing the camera @ 90° the viewfinder/lens moves considerably out of position, resulting in you repositioning the tripod legs to regain composition. With an L Bracket the subject remains virtually as-was in the frame.

In addition: actuating the QR; repositioning; reattaching; is a quicker process than loosening; swinging; retightening the ball-head

Mar 22, 2008 at 10:24 PM

JohnJ80
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #17 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Roland Jenkins wrote:
Wickedfn4u wrote:
Can I ask a silly question, why not just use the 90deg spot on the ball head with the mount on the bottom of the camera?

That's the whole point of using an L-Bracket... If you simply swing the camera @ 90° the viewfinder/lens moves considerably out of position, resulting in you repositioning the tripod legs to regain composition. With an L Bracket the subject remains virtually as-was in the frame.

In addition: actuating the QR; repositioning; reattaching; is a quicker process than loosening; swinging; retightening the ball-head

plus you lose much of the advantage of a ballhead in the articulation of the ball.

You also are cantilevering the mass of the camera and lens out of over the side which gives up much the the stability you gained by using a tripod.

J.

Edited on Mar 23, 2008 at 12:57 AM

Mar 23, 2008 at 12:57 AM

Roland Jenkins
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #18 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

jcolwell wrote:
Very nice. Certainly smaller and a lot less clunky than the Junior Elbow that I use.

....And considerably less expensive!!

Mar 23, 2008 at 01:07 AM

fzsrv
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #19 · L-Brackets for Manfrotto 486RC2

Just had to jump in...
A link was posted regarding the "Newtech 2.5" Quick Release Clamp" and I ordered one... Just have to say this is a quality product being offered at a very reasonable price!

PEACE

Mark M

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:17 PM


FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Image Upload end