QR plate/clamp suggestions for old Bogen 3030: I would like to get a QR plate and clamp for an old Bogen 3030 tripod I inherited. The existing head has a large 3.5 inch x 3.5 inch...

repleo Loc: Boston

I would like to get a QR plate and clamp for an old Bogen 3030 tripod I inherited. The existing head has a large 3.5 inch x 3.5 inch (+/-) flat mounting plate with a 1/4 inch screw. The screw is off-center in one direction but is 1.5 inches from the nearest edge. Looking at the pictures on Amazon, it appears that most of the Manfrotto style clamps have a bump on the bottom that would prevent the clamp from sitting flat on the head plate. The Arca style clamps seem to be flat on the bottom, but the thumbscrew would be difficult to tighten on such a large head plate unless it had some sort of spacer. I will only be using this tripod for occasional long exposures with a Sony A600 so I don't really want to spend much (< $40) or think about changing heads.
Any suggestions?
Please excuse my ignorance if I got the terminology of the pieces wrong -see photos.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

repleo wrote:

I would like to get a QR plate and clamp for an ol... (show quote)

Here is what you need .....http://www.ebay.com/itm/261848085540?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Arca-swiss is the standard. Get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=arca-swiss+clamp&sprefix=arca-swiss+clamp%2Caps%2C233
and as many of these as you need: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=arca-swiss+plate&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aarca-swiss+plate

repleo Loc: Boston

Thanks Imagemeister and rwilson1942.
The problem is I don't think either of these will work due to the size of the plate unless I use some sort of spacer to raise the clamp up. I found a clamp at http://www.amazon.com/Run-Shuangyu-QR-120-Release-Tripod/dp/B018S3OQMS?ie=UTF8&keywords=arca%20clamp&qid=1463448063&ref_=sr_1_15&sr=8-15 that seems to have a longer stem on the clamp tightning knob which may reach past the edge of the plate.
Thanks again.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

repleo wrote:

I would like to get a QR plate and clamp for an ol... (show quote)

Looks a little different from my Bogen 3030.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

RWR wrote:

Looks a little different from my Bogen 3030.

Here's another quick snapshot (Not sure how to put two pictures in one post).

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You can't go wrong with Arca Swiss equipment.
--Bob

repleo wrote:

I would like to get a QR plate and clamp for an ol... (show quote)

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Just buy a new head that uses Arca Swiss plates

repleo Loc: Boston

mborn wrote:

Just buy a new head that uses Arca Swiss plates

I think you might be right. Its an old one from the 80's, but built like a tank. I think my Uncle had it for a 4x6 view camera. Should be real steady for some astrophotography. I have found some nice dark parking lots on the Cape so I won't have to carry it very far.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

repleo wrote:

I think you might be right. Its an old one from the 80's, but built like a tank. I think my Uncle had it for a 4x6 view camera. Should be real steady for some astrophotography. I have found some nice dark parking lots on the Cape so I won't have to carry it very far.

It sure doesn't look anything like a Bogen 3030!

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

repleo wrote:

I would like to get a QR plate and clamp for an old Bogen 3030...........Any suggestions?

I think that you have a very old version.
To clarify, the legs are the 3030. Attached to the top of them is a head of which you did not give a model number.
Your photos show a hole in the mounting pad leaving me to believe that the screw that should be coming through the hole is missing.
If you, in fact, have that, then you can mount any QR plate system you choose onto it.
You also have the option to remove the old existing head and replace it with one of your choice.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

BBurns wrote:

I think that you have a very old version.
To clarify, the legs are the 3030. Attached to the top of them is a head of which you did not give a model number.
Your photos show a hole in the mounting pad leaving me to believe that the screw that should be coming through the hole is missing.
If you, in fact, have that, then you can mount any QR plate system you choose onto it.
You also have the option to remove the old existing head and replace it with one of your choice.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

BBurns wrote:

I think that you have a very old version.
To clarify, the legs are the 3030. Attached to the top of them is a head of which you did not give a model number.
Your photos show a hole in the mounting pad leaving me to believe that the screw that should be coming through the hole is missing.
If you, in fact, have that, then you can mount any QR plate system you choose onto it.
You also have the option to remove the old existing head and replace it with one of your choice.

To clarify a bit more, a Bogen 3030 is a pan head, NOT tripod legs.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

RWR wrote:

To clarify a bit more, a Bogen 3030 is a pan head, NOT tripod legs.

There is much confusion when it comes to old Bogen items There are 2 different versions of the 3030 tripod. Luckily I was able to find pictures of both on eBay. What I think the OP has is this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bogen-3030-tripod-heavy-duty-head-approx-70-tall-original-box-vintage-/141965189770?rmvSB=true

The later version of the 3030 usually came with a 3047 head. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Manfrotto-Bogen-3030-A-Professional-Tripod-Legs-NO-HEAD-/381262622770?nma=true&si=R%252ByZJ4c0tWAYuis6H0Or1UxCaMo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

You are also correct, in today world the 3030 is a good pan/tilt head.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

BBurns wrote:

There is much confusion when it comes to old Bogen items.

No doubt I'm confused! Thanks for the information. I only searched Google, and came up with only the head. Wonder just how old that tripod is? Odd that they'd use the same model number for two different items. Good job, BB!