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.
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.
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.
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
Dec 09, 2007 at 05:51 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
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.
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.
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.
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. ...Show more →
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. ...Show more →
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
Roland Jenkins wrote:
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.
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!
