I'm debating back and forth between these two: The lever release clamp and the screw clamp. I'll be using it for a 5D and a G9 point and shoot, mostly for travel. Aside from the lever being faster to use, it seems to me like the screw clamp might be more reliable long term (I'm going off of past experience with QD components for my rifle, which were usually more problematic than my screw mount gear), and it's about 2/3 the price of the lever release. And I'm only using RRS plates, so the RRS/Wimberley/Arca compatability isn't an issue.
for the paranoid that never really looked at the advantages of the lever clamp (complete with discription and pictures from someone who has used the LL from pretty much the day it came out.) i have LL on all 4 ballheads and MP head. the urban legends of possible lever dislodging are just that and for some reason impossible to explain. a considerable amount of thoughtless effort is needed to have a item fall out of one.
I had an elastic cord from the sleeve on my jacket snag the lever lock on a RRS pano setup, and it did loosen it. It was a freak accident, but it certainly can happen --- and also, most issues with camera gear getting damaged are the result of freak accidents. :-)
I prefer the screw clamps. It's also best in the long run since you can use a larger variety of arca swiss plates. They're not all cut to the same specs between different brands, and the screw camps are more forgiving. I forgot a QR plate one time, but was able to get a no-name one that works just fine in the screw clamp. If I had a lever clamp, it might not have worked.
I have both, and like both. The screw clamp has never presented any problems. If I had to make it one over the other, it would be the clamp for most shooting, but not all.
I have both and they each have their merits (lever for ease of use). That said, I always have either of the releases turned around and under the lens. Works fine on both.
Nozzleforward wrote:
Does anyone who has the screw knob clamp feel like the knob sticks way out from the clamp? Looking at pictures, it kind of seems like it does.
when i purchased the MH-01 for my MP i originally got the screw clamp. within an hour i was on the phone with RRS for a swap out. on this piece for me it did get out there just a bit.
I am a long term user of Really Right Stuff lever release clamps, and also highly recomend them. Speed of operation is a big factor for me, and even when shooting landscape I appreciate that speed combined with very secure clamping. When I get a scene that I like, I have been known to go back and forth from landscape to portrait many many times as the light is changing, and I do not need to even think about the operation now ... it just happens. When you get to situations where things are happening a little faster, the lever release is the only way to go. When I am shooting on a tripod in a studio, the time saving is very valuable.
I have all three sizes of the RRS lever clamps on various ball heads and a monopod and on my Wimberley original version, and would never go back to anything else. On my Wimberley original version I have the long version of the lever release clamp, and I use the combination to get my big lens off my Wimberley very quickly to catch hand held action where the gimbal will not work.
The issue of the knob sticking out on screw type clamps is indeed a problem for some setups. It can get caught on straps or "stuff", and it also can be too big to clear some things, because it sticks well above the top surface plane of the clamp. I use RRS screw clamps on some of my macro rails, and also use them on special hardware that only rarely needs to change what is clamped. The knob sticking out is of help for a clamp on the bottom of a macro rail, where you may use the knob as the handle to positon things on the rail below, and then clamp it in place, all with one hand. There are other times where for special gear it is just better to have the knob out there.
The RRS lever release on the other hand has the lever tucked away very nicely, and almost never is in the way. The above photos show the lever at the back of the camera, and that is always an option, but I prefer my lever at the front of the camera, where it is even less in the way, and even more tucked away from catching on things. Even in the front position the lever can be reached from under the front of the camera body with one or two fingers and released quitely nicely when that is what you want to do. The lever at the front gives the back of the camera and clamp a flusher surface, allowing you to see through the viewfinder easier without "eating metal". Also, for the RRS clamps that have a bubble level, having the lever in front puts the bubble level at the back where you can see it.
You mentioned that the fit on other brands and vintages of plates is not an issue for you, but it can indeed be for others. There is no question a screw clamp will securely grab most anything the claims to be Arca Swiss, but I like you do not have anything besides RSS plates and brackets for the things I would want in a lever release clamp.
Thanks everyone for the input. Roland, sjms, you two especially. I think I'll go for the lever release clamp with the level and call it good, go big or go home I suppose...
Jun 02, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I have 3 heads with lever release clamps. And also 3 heads with screw clamps. I prefer the screw clamps. But both are very good and it doesn't really matter
I have both styles. I generally prefer the screw clamps. I use lever clamps when low profile is an advantage, especially on top of my Feisol monopod, which sometimes has an MH-01 head and sometimes not. With the lever clamp, you don't have to worry about the screw knob sticking into your shoulder when you're carrying heavy gear over your shoulder.
I use a Wimberley C-10 replacement screw clamp on my Manfrotto 468MG hydrostatic head. It is a dedicated replacement for the Manfrotto clamp/base, and mounts directly to the top of the ball head stem. It has a much shorter shaft for the screw knob than similar RRS screw clamps.
its all good as long as the user is happy with the way they are doing things. in the end though should there come to a moment of real world self induced disaster. don't try to rationalize it into the blame a gear scenario.
After doing some more research today and checking out some shots on the google image search, I've decided for sure that I'll go with the lever release. Seems like a pretty significant upgrade versatility wise for not too much more cash. Hopefully someone PM's me tonight through my WTB ad saying they have one, otherwise it's off to RRS in the morning
Lars Johnsson wrote:
But not so good when you like to change between landscape and portrait position often
How so? It is super easy to reach your finger around the front of the plate and release the lever AND the bubble level is now at the back of the camera where it is supposed to be and visible.
A screw clamp at the back is just silly, it sticks out right in your face and must be turned to the front so why not a lever clamp?
Jun 04, 2012 at 01:31 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
JBPhotog wrote:
How so? It is super easy to reach your finger around the front of the plate and release the lever AND the bubble level is now at the back of the camera where it is supposed to be and visible.
A screw clamp at the back is just silly, it sticks out right in your face and must be turned to the front so why not a lever clamp?
I don't know what cameras-clamps-brackets you use. But none of my 3 screw clamps or 3 lever clamps sticks out right in my face when I'm using them with any of my 3 cameras. Not even close. And I have clamps & L-Brackets- Camera-plates from RRS, Wimberley, Kirk, Markins & Gitzo.
RRS clamps and brackets only and I have both the B2Pro II and the B2 LLR II. Not sure how you see the bubble level when it is at the front but a screw clamp at the rear is weird since the screw is sticking out and in the way. And although everyone likes to do their own thing, even RRS show you the clamp and screw at the front.
