There has been no mention in this thread of the Really Right Stuff solution to quick change of heads on tripod legs, which has been around for a few years. They came out with a base plate for heads a while back that can clamp into a standard Arca Swiss clamp. Using that base plate and a quick release clamp on the head allows fast change, and the the components are all compatable with standard AS plates.
I have been using these components on the majority of my larger legs and heads for about a year, and I like the option of having them. I have two BH-55's, my full Wimberley, and my dedicated panorama head all fitted with plates, and then usually have the RSS leveling head with clamp on my TV-33, plus clamps on my two other large leg sets. I also have a quick release clamp on the column accessory I sometimes use on one of my leg sets. Besides all the obvious interchangeability of heads, the setup also allows me to quickly combine my panorama head with a ball head if I want to, or just use the panorama head with a camera or a nodal plate on top.
For my lighter weight legs I do not use any quick change, mostly because of not wanting the extra weight and bulk. If I have a situation where I want to use a larger leg set and the weight matters, I can always remove the quick release parts and configure things normally, but that is rare for me. The quick release system does allow me to minimize the chance of a head coming loose because it is not screwed on tight enough on the legs. Obviously a head quick release setup is not for everyone, but for me it works well.
In looking at the new system described and discussed previously in this thread, I would have big concerns that the tighting is only from a spring loading on a pin, which I doubt can provide proper stiffness for large loads. The Arca Swiss clamping system with large surfaces in firm contact is very proven, and I trust it completely. Besides changing heads, the Arca Swiss solution gives you the option to mix and match with all your other devices. An example of that it quickly putting a panorama head on a leveling base, or just putting a camera directly on the leveling base. Also, it looks like if you were to select a RSS screw clamp for the legs and a RRS base plate for the head, the cost for a RRS solution to quick swapping of heads would be similar to this new product.
And a quick note to say that I have no connection at all to RRS, other than owning a lot of their gear that I paid full retail for. As an enigneer, I appreciate the design and the quality of Really Right Stuff gear, and the service they back it up with on the few occasions it is needed.
I agree that RRS has very high quality gear, I too own a few of their tripods and three heads with various clamps. I also have not had any issues with the system I am presently using. Troy had field tested it as he stated at the start of this thread, I liked what I saw and purchased. I have not been disappointed since.
RRS is one of those companies that will be around for awhile, ( I hope ) as they certainly build or even over build their equipment. I try to buy long term so in this case I decided to give the new guy a chance, as I said no complaints.
More important I feel is that there was a lot of discussion why these are needed and that they were too expensive. I have always believed one can pay too much for quality but anything paid for poor quality is a waste. For folks like you and I the need has been demonstrated and filled.
I'm curious - it seems like Sunway (if you're price sensitive), RRS (if you're not and/or want pro-quality gear) and others have Arca-based plate/head combinations that would serve this same purpose, and would have the advantage of being Arca compatible? How would you compare this solution to something like that?
(EDIT - somehow missed the last couple pages of this thread - will re-read to see if my Q is covered...)
chez wrote:
Give it a break Sven. Troy indicated he is not associated with the company. Why don't you go ride the members from B&H, Adorama and F-Stop that are directly employed by said companies and post threads which directly benefit those companies.
At least in some cases, I think those employees are allowed because they are site sponsors. Also, I can't recall seeing them starting promotional threads like these, at least here on FM...
troylim wrote:
Thank you Chez, some people are just that way. It is pure jealousy, just like when they are jealous of your photography, trying to find opportunity to bring you down. Instead of wasting time being negative and try to bring someone down, spend it doing something productive. I have seen this in just the two years I have been shooting.
Also if B&H and Adorama are Interested in carrying this part, I'm sure my friend would be glad to get in touch with them.
I don't think it is jealousy, it is conflict of interest. Even the shock-jock Ken Rockwell makes a point to say he isn't given any equipment for free and doesn't accept direct compensation from camera companies for reviews. Thom Hogan, Scott Kelby, etc. are all the same way. It gives them credibility of being unfettered by friendship or "owing" the company for free gear supplied.
I write a little blog that has tended (so far) to focus a fair bit on equipment, and I was recently at CES. It came up in conversation with several of the vendors I talked to, I got offers for free samples in exchange for a review. I didn't accept any for several reasons:
(A) It seemed like I would have a conflict of interest
(B) I don't make a living or any money (directly or indirectly) on my blog (i.e. nothing in it for me other than some stuff I might or might not like - I've got too many demands on my time to start doing that)
(C) I'm not a professional reviewer. I try to be factual, balanced, etc. but there are standards, ethics and expectations that go along with being a member of the press, and I'm not. I wouldn't know where to start.
There were other reasons, too. In other words, for a lot of reasons, it didn't seem right.
If you do this sort of thing in the future, you should be a little more upfront about your connection to the product. Not disclosing it from the start and the cutesy little dodges makes you look shady and unreliable IMHO. If you'd said "I have a buddy...and I helped him out...he gave me one...and I tested and thought..." you at least have been straight from the outset.
Just my $0.02.
It looks like a cool product - surprised I didn't see it at CES, though I didn't stop by every booth (by a longshot). As per my previous question, it seems like a Arca-type base might cost more, but the plates would even it out for folks who have lots of things to go on top...
