I'm finally about to bite the bullet and convert my tripod and monopod to Arca-Swiss, with RRS gear. I'm going to use a lever clamp on my tripod (I'm getting a BH-55 LR), but I'm not sure which clamp to put on my monopod.
Ideally I think I'd like to put a lever clamp on it as well (probably directly onto the monopod), but I'm a bit concerned about the lever getting caught on my clothing/etc when the monopod is on my shoulder and coming undone.
So, a question for those who use a RRS lever clamp - Is this likely? I don't have the benefit of being able to try one out, so I'm not sure how hard they are to pull open. Would I be better off going with a screw type clamp?? Would that be more secure?
Any information/help would be greatly appreciated.
Have had one on my monopod for the last two years and have not experienced any snagging. No inadvertent unclamping. Do a fare amount of shooting with it - mainly soccer with a 300mm clamped to it.
I have both types of clamps. I prefer the screw clamp for my monopod and the lever clamp for my tripod. They are both excellent and easy to use. It is a matter of preference which clamp style you use.
IMO, this very concern is one big reason I prefer the screw-type clamp over the lever clamp. I've never used a lever-type, but have screw-type clamps on both of my 'pods and never once have I had a lens come lose. That's enough reason for me to stick with what's working.
Plus, with the lever-type, don't they have to be tightened with a screw-type piece to get the lever to be tight? That just seems like another step in the process to worry about. With the screw-type, they're either turned down tight or they're not.
Scott Sewell wrote:
Plus, with the lever-type, don't they have to be tightened with a screw-type piece to get the lever to be tight? That just seems like another step in the process to worry about. With the screw-type, they're either turned down tight or they're not.
No, when they are machined/adjusted RRS puts in the correct thickness of spacers so that the clamp exerts 50lb of pressure on the plate. With level clamps, when the level is in the closed position you know you have a tight connection. Since RRS has an active patent on the lever type arca-swiss plate I don't really worry about their clamps holding the plates, but when other parties start to make them I might be a little wary about some of the cheaper knock offs...
I prefer screw-type clamp. You only have to loosen it slightly to mount / dismount the lens and it doesn't require much force to tighten it. I've not heard of anyone having an issue with the lever clamps though.
MLFLY wrote:
RRS's warning about certain plates not working with the lever clamp concerned me enough that I have stayed with the screw-in clamp.
Mike
I think RRS wants people to buy their brand rather than Kirk. The 5 Kirk plates I tried work fine in the RRS clamp. However, some Kirk plates apparently do not (perhaps older ones?). It is annoying to require a precise channel width since who knows which company will have the plates I want five years from now, RRS, Kirk or somebody else. Overall I don't like the RRS clamp design compared to a fluted knob/srew-in clamp.
EB-1 wrote:
I think RRS wants people to buy their brand rather than Kirk. The 5 Kirk plates I tried work fine in the RRS clamp. However, some Kirk plates apparently do not (perhaps older ones?). It is annoying to require a precise channel width since who knows which company will have the plates I want five years from now, RRS, Kirk or somebody else. Overall I don't like the RRS clamp design compared to a fluted knob/srew-in clamp.
EB
This is totally off base. The Arca plates do not work (ironically, as its an AS format) in the RRS lever clamp; they slide, I have tested that combination. It has nothing to do with marketing RRS plates over Kirk. RRS does specify that Wimberley and RRS plates have excatly the same dimensions and both fit perfectly. Does your logic imply that Wimberly and RRS are in cahoots? I think not. I have never heard of a Kirk plate not working. I think they do not name incompatible plates as they don't want to specifically badmouth other manufactures.
If you own an L bracket for your camera there is simply a huge advantage of the lever clamp over the screw clamp in terms of changing from landscape to portrait mode. The lever clamp takes about 3 seconds to change orientations and it is very secure. In the half closed position it holds the plate but allows sliding adjustment of plate position. Screw clamps are not infallable; once I had one jam and fooled me into thinking it was tightly clamped, when the plate was at an angle. When I moved the ballhead the camera fell to the ground! This cannot happen with the lever clamp and the lever will not close if the plate is not properly seated. Thus the tactile closure of the lever and the visible position of the lever will ensure that your camera is captive. No such assurances with a screw clamp.
As for monopod use, if you are not using a camera L bracket and changing landscape/portrait orientations there is not much advantage to an L bracket. For example if you are using a big lens with a lens collar/foot, one rotates the lens/camera and does not mount the camera to the monopod.
Mike K
i have both and i detest the knobs. can't tell if they are tight without actually tightening, and can't loosen fast enough to change because all of my lens plates are Wimberley's with stops that require a fully open clamp to release. plus, the knobs big enough to tighten easily always get in the way. i have Kirk and Wimberley clamps too and they don't make any difference. i still don't like them.
I use Lever release clamps on both my bh-55 and my monopod. Never had a problem or event a hint of accidentally opening the clamp. I carry my 300 2.8 IS over shoulder on the monopod all the time without a single event of the lever catching onto something...
When I was buying a RRS clamp for my monopod, I was advised by RRS to get the screw clamp over the lever clamp. The reason given was a greater potential of dropping the monopod and thus cracking the bubble level. So, I have been using the screw clamp on my monopod ever since. Personally, I believe the screw clamp design was inherently more secure than the lever clamp. However, after using both types of clamps, the security issue is really a non-issue. Nonetheless, I feel more confident lugging my 300 attached to the monopod with the screw clamp. Just my paranoia and neurosis.
I have had several plates that wouldn't fit the lever clamp, think of it, if you make plates X wide and another plate is wider, so you just don't have to screw in as tightly. THe lever clamp by definition has to be set to a precise width, I can't fault RRS for making it that of their own plates whose design preceded the design of the lever clamp by a good decade or two.
those who think the lever clamp can catch and come loose that way haven't considered what has to get out of the way first for the clamp to catch. i.e. your camera or lens has to break off first. the only time it catches is when there isn't anything on the clamp. that is why i have a cover.
I'm with Herb on this one. When my 1Dmk2 or a 70-200 f2.8 is attached I would have to have mangled the camera or lens to get something to open the lever clamp.
I have used a lever clamp for over two years and will continue to. They are fantastic. Never had any trouble with my Kirk or RSS plates.
I can't add anything other than another subjective opinion. I have two of the RRS lever clamps on my tripods, but on my monopod I use a Wimberley clamp. (One of the things I particularly like about the Wimberley clamp is its extra set screw to eliminate any possibility of its coming unscrewed on the monopod, but that's not what we're discussing here.)
I move around the soccer pitch a lot with my 1DMkII and 400 f/2.8 on that monopod — and sometimes I have to pick it up and run when a play comes my way. I'm constantly tossing it over my shoulder. While I've never experienced or even heard of a case of the lever getting snagged and coming undone, it's just not something I want to have to worry about even a little.
It's not like I'm constantly opening and closing the clamp on the monopod like I do on my tripods anyway. Once that rig is on there, it stays there for the duration of the shoot, so the modicum of convenience afforded by the lever clamp doesn't mean much.
