Manfrotto 234RC - QR Plate Orientation arrows
Jun 17, 2013 16:56:19 #
There are these "lens direction" arrows stamped into the QR plate which tell you how orient it to your camera before you screw it in. Why are those there? When I mount it to my camera the way it tells me, the tightening lever on the head ends up on the wrong side for me. This sounds like a stupid question even to me, but maybe I'll learn something. You never know. Thanks!
Jun 17, 2013 17:01:53 #
aerides wrote:
There are these "lens direction" arrows stamped into the QR plate which tell you how orient it to your camera before you screw it in. Why are those there? When I mount it to my camera the way it tells me, the tightening lever on the head ends up on the wrong side for me. This sounds like a stupid question even to me, but maybe I'll learn something. You never know. Thanks!
I love those things. I have them on my cameras, with the matching plate on the tripods. With the arrow pointing toward the lens, the QR plate will snap right onto the tripod. I always have the plate mounted longways on the bottom of the camera. If you have it the other way, then it would attach to the left or right side of the tripod plate. You would have to rotate the tripod plate 90°.
Jun 17, 2013 17:48:44 #
Sounds like you have a 3157 QR plate, it is designed to fit two different type of heads, depending upon your head orientaion, one or the other will be correct. If its the wrong way your lens will be 90 degrees off from the front of the head controls, but it will still work either way.
The top of this plate is also twice as long as it is wide. This also makes it easier to orientate the plate to a camera body (wide mount) or a long lens' tripod collar (long mount).
Posting a picture with a question like this is ALWAYS a helpful idea.
The top of this plate is also twice as long as it is wide. This also makes it easier to orientate the plate to a camera body (wide mount) or a long lens' tripod collar (long mount).
Posting a picture with a question like this is ALWAYS a helpful idea.
Jun 17, 2013 21:21:41 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Sounds like you have a 3157 QR plate, it is design... (show quote)
I use the 200PL, which also has a little peg for use with a camcorder.
Jun 18, 2013 02:32:35 #
I have several different heads with different plates. If you can rotate the head to put your controls where you want them, it doesn't matter.
Jun 18, 2013 09:36:21 #
Mogul wrote:
I have several different heads with different plates. If you can rotate the head to put your controls where you want them, it doesn't matter.
That's like mine. It doesn't seem to matter. As far as a pic, I know a lot of members have this head, and it's easy to find on b&h. Didn't think it was necessary. Anyway apparently it's okay to put it on however it suits you. It was a duh question which is what customarily comes out of my brain at work. Thanks for posting.
Jun 19, 2013 00:40:37 #
The only problem with ignoring the "Lens Direction" instruction on a QR plate is that you can end with a camera mounted with the tripod controls mounted on the wrong side of the tripod. One answer is to mount the QR plate to a device such as this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599684-REG/Acratech_1121_Leveling_Base_for_Tripods.html
and then mount the leveling base to the camera. I often use a Panorama Plate instead. I have been known to end up with a ball mount with QR mounted on top of a tilt & pan head that has no QR. obviously I learned how to set up my systems from Rube Goldberg, but they all work the way I want them to.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599684-REG/Acratech_1121_Leveling_Base_for_Tripods.html
and then mount the leveling base to the camera. I often use a Panorama Plate instead. I have been known to end up with a ball mount with QR mounted on top of a tilt & pan head that has no QR. obviously I learned how to set up my systems from Rube Goldberg, but they all work the way I want them to.
Jun 19, 2013 07:46:37 #
Mogul wrote:
The only problem with ignoring the "Lens Dire... (show quote)
My fault, again. I'm using it on a monopod. It's because I want the controls on the other side that I'm using it contrary to "manufacturer's recommended settings." Maybe a picture would have been better, even though the head is described on B&H as a "monopod head." I appreciate the post. I'll investigate the interesting link you provided.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.