Question about tripod quick-release accessory
Jun 15, 2015 22:17:37 #
rsumners
Loc: Washington
Greetings,
I recently bought my first mirrorless camera, an Olympus OMD EM-10, and have an old Gitzo 1026 tripod I would like to use. Does anybody have any suggestions on a decent quick-release attachment that would be compatible with both? Having trouble picking one out. Thank you!
I recently bought my first mirrorless camera, an Olympus OMD EM-10, and have an old Gitzo 1026 tripod I would like to use. Does anybody have any suggestions on a decent quick-release attachment that would be compatible with both? Having trouble picking one out. Thank you!
Jun 15, 2015 22:26:25 #
rsumners wrote:
Greetings,
I recently bought my first mirrorless camera, an Olympus OMD EM-10, and have an old Gitzo 1026 tripod I would like to use. Does anybody have any suggestions on a decent quick-release attachment that would be compatible with both? Having trouble picking one out. Thank you!
I recently bought my first mirrorless camera, an Olympus OMD EM-10, and have an old Gitzo 1026 tripod I would like to use. Does anybody have any suggestions on a decent quick-release attachment that would be compatible with both? Having trouble picking one out. Thank you!
Look at a Desmond DAC-02 plate and a Desmond DP-60 Quick Release.
mdh
Jun 16, 2015 12:55:27 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Gitzo 1026 tripod legs... check.
Lighter weigth OMD EF-10 mirrorless camera... check.
But does the tripod have a head?
If so, does the tripod have a head with a quick release platform? Older Gitzo heads had their own proprietary types of QR, so there wouldn't be much choice.
The 1026 legs have standard 3/8" screw to mount most any head though. So tell us what's on it... if anything.
If you're looking to convert a non-QR head to QR, there are two possible ways to do it. One is to get a QR platform that attaches via the standard 1/4" screw (that normally screws directly into the camera). But some tripod heads have removable platform that can be replaced entirely... often using standard 3/8" thread. Depending upon which way you're converting the tripod head you have will decide which way to go. The 3/8" plates are less widely available (I have one I got from Kirk to convert an older Bogen/Manfrotto ballhead).
For various applications I've used QR heads, plates, platforms from Kirk, Arca-Swiss, Wimberley, RRS, Desmond, Smith-Victor and others... all Arca-Swiss compatible. In general, the "better/more expensive" are often lighter weight and better finished, while the cheaper ones can be a little bulky, heavier and may not be quite as good fitting. Still, they all work.
By the time you get both a platform and a plate, you might find it simpler to just get a different head. For example, a Smith-Victor BH8 (heavy duty) ballhead costs $60 and comes with one camera plate. For a small camera, though, you probably don't need such a large ballhead... the smaller BH5 or even smaller BH2 (both costing about $50) should handle your camera just fine and cost about the same as a quality platform to convert a non-QR head to QR.
There are any number of other possible tripod heads, if you don't already have one, or prefer something other than a ballhead (which are the most compact). The Smith-Victor are some of the least expensive that are pretty decent quality (I have a BH8 and it's surprisingly close in quality to a far more expensive Kirk BH-1 I have on another tripod). B&H Photo, among others, sell the Smith-Victor heads: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=smith+victor+ballhead&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
One thing to watch out for is twist. Generic QR conversion platforms and QR plates often rely on little more than a rubber insert to prevent them from twisting too easily. Better quality platforms have a second "locking" screw. And, better quality camera plates are custom made to fit specific cameras, with a lip or tabs to prevent twisting. (I didn't find a custom fitted plate for OMD EM-10... but Kirkphoto.com has them for other Olympus models and might make one for the EM-10 in the future.)
Lighter weigth OMD EF-10 mirrorless camera... check.
But does the tripod have a head?
If so, does the tripod have a head with a quick release platform? Older Gitzo heads had their own proprietary types of QR, so there wouldn't be much choice.
The 1026 legs have standard 3/8" screw to mount most any head though. So tell us what's on it... if anything.
If you're looking to convert a non-QR head to QR, there are two possible ways to do it. One is to get a QR platform that attaches via the standard 1/4" screw (that normally screws directly into the camera). But some tripod heads have removable platform that can be replaced entirely... often using standard 3/8" thread. Depending upon which way you're converting the tripod head you have will decide which way to go. The 3/8" plates are less widely available (I have one I got from Kirk to convert an older Bogen/Manfrotto ballhead).
For various applications I've used QR heads, plates, platforms from Kirk, Arca-Swiss, Wimberley, RRS, Desmond, Smith-Victor and others... all Arca-Swiss compatible. In general, the "better/more expensive" are often lighter weight and better finished, while the cheaper ones can be a little bulky, heavier and may not be quite as good fitting. Still, they all work.
By the time you get both a platform and a plate, you might find it simpler to just get a different head. For example, a Smith-Victor BH8 (heavy duty) ballhead costs $60 and comes with one camera plate. For a small camera, though, you probably don't need such a large ballhead... the smaller BH5 or even smaller BH2 (both costing about $50) should handle your camera just fine and cost about the same as a quality platform to convert a non-QR head to QR.
There are any number of other possible tripod heads, if you don't already have one, or prefer something other than a ballhead (which are the most compact). The Smith-Victor are some of the least expensive that are pretty decent quality (I have a BH8 and it's surprisingly close in quality to a far more expensive Kirk BH-1 I have on another tripod). B&H Photo, among others, sell the Smith-Victor heads: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=smith+victor+ballhead&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
One thing to watch out for is twist. Generic QR conversion platforms and QR plates often rely on little more than a rubber insert to prevent them from twisting too easily. Better quality platforms have a second "locking" screw. And, better quality camera plates are custom made to fit specific cameras, with a lip or tabs to prevent twisting. (I didn't find a custom fitted plate for OMD EM-10... but Kirkphoto.com has them for other Olympus models and might make one for the EM-10 in the future.)
Jun 17, 2015 00:39:21 #
rsumners
Loc: Washington
Thank yo for your reply!
The head of the Gitzo tripod is just a 1 3/4" round metal disc with a cork surface and a 3/8" threaded screw in the center. No quick release head. I had one years ago, lost it somewhere. Basically just want a simple, function quick release, doesn't have to be particularly high-end, as long as it does the job.
The head of the Gitzo tripod is just a 1 3/4" round metal disc with a cork surface and a 3/8" threaded screw in the center. No quick release head. I had one years ago, lost it somewhere. Basically just want a simple, function quick release, doesn't have to be particularly high-end, as long as it does the job.
Jun 17, 2015 17:03:50 #
rsumners wrote:
Greetings,
I recently bought my first mirrorless camera, an Olympus OMD EM-10, and have an old Gitzo 1026 tripod I would like to use. Does anybody have any suggestions on a decent quick-release attachment that would be compatible with both? Having trouble picking one out. Thank you!
I recently bought my first mirrorless camera, an Olympus OMD EM-10, and have an old Gitzo 1026 tripod I would like to use. Does anybody have any suggestions on a decent quick-release attachment that would be compatible with both? Having trouble picking one out. Thank you!
Buy a Sirui ball head with an Arca Swiss compatible quick release plate - this way you can use an L bracket or any other accessory that uses the Arca Swiss standard.
Jun 18, 2015 03:34:30 #
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