Manfrotto vs Arca Swiss: I recently had an opportunity to use an Arca Swiss system. Was very impressed with the facility, stability and ease of use vs my Manfrotto system (which I have...

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

I recently had an opportunity to use an Arca Swiss system. Was very impressed with the facility, stability and ease of use vs my Manfrotto system (which I have used for 20+ years). I did not want to buy new ballheads though and after some searching found that ProMediaGear makes a Quick Release clamp that I could exchange for my RC2 clamps. Amazing! Less than 5 minutes per exchange. Bought a selection of plates on eBay for my bodies and lenses and I am in business. Here are two images of one of my pods, before and after. Note that the PMG clamp has a bubble level.

Manfrotto 190go with RC2 clamp

Manfrotto 190go with PMG Arca-Swiss clamp

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

The Arca-Swiss system is somewhat a standard today. I have always used Arca-Swiss because I always felt that the Manfrotto system was more cumbersome to use.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

WayneT wrote:

The Arca-Swiss system is somewhat a standard today. I have always used Arca-Swiss because I always felt that the Manfrotto system was more cumbersome to use.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I bought the 498 BH that had been converted to via a Kirk clamp to the AS system. I like that very much and it was deeply discounted.

J. R.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I did not feel comfortable with large lenses on an RC2 mount and recently purchased a Wimberley WH-200 that is AS,so I just converted everything over to AS and gave my Manfrotto 190/MH054 to my wife. The RRS BH-55 ball head and their MH-01 LR monohead are the best that I have ever owned,very solid!

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Really Right Stuff sells a ton of plates and clamps. Not inexpensive but very well built. I like their lever release clamps rather than the screw type. Much faster and more user friendly to me. You can find some deals on eBay if you are willing to invest the time watching and learning their product line.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

Really Right Stuff sells a ton of plates and clamps. Not inexpensive but very well built. I like their lever release clamps rather than the screw type. Much faster and more user friendly to me. You can find some deals on eBay if you are willing to invest the time watching and learning their product line.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

True enough! I have the lever releases on my Gimbal and ball-head and can switch them in seconds as opposed to unscrewing and screwing the other one back on. Their L-brackets are top shelf as well. Their monopod tilt head was my first acquisition and that got me started. On hikes I sit or kneel and the heavy duty tilt with a big lens is greatly appreciated. My next purchase will be a casket if my wife finds my receipts.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

WayneT wrote:

The Arca-Swiss system is somewhat a standard today. I have always used Arca-Swiss because I always felt that the Manfrotto system was more cumbersome to use.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I love the lever release for studio work where I want to use the tripod to hold the camera while I am setting up something and then grab the camera and hand hold. I don't like laying the camera on a stand or table...too risky in many cases when moving stuff around. But that's just me.

If you wife needs to hire a hitman she can pay him in RRS gear....
Sure it's not inexpensive, but it is Really Nice Stuff!

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

DaveO wrote:

I did not feel comfortable with large lenses on an RC2 mount and recently purchased a Wimberley WH-200 that is AS,so I just converted everything over to AS and gave my Manfrotto 190/MH054 to my wife. The RRS BH-55 ball head and their MH-01 LR monohead are the best that I have ever owned,very solid!

Not judging, but I converted my wife's supports to AS when I did mine. LOL.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Fotomacher wrote:

I recently had an opportunity to use an Arca Swiss... (show quote)

Thanks for the heads up. M-Plate Pro also makes a plate that works well on both. My two large tripods and monopod have Manfrotto RC2 clamps but my small tripod I carry on my bike has Arca Swiss. The M-Plate works great on both.
https://customslr.com/products/m-plate-pro

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

I like my Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod but am seriously considering switching to a Gitzo ball head. The Manfrotto just does not support my larger lenses very well (70-200 2.8, Sigma 150-600). No matter how I adjust the tightness level it will not lock solidly in place with these lenses. Frustrating when trying to lock on target such as the supermoon a couple of weeks ago. Think I will give your solution a try before spending another $500.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I wouldn't purchase / use any other product than Arca Swiss. Simple as that.
--Bob

Fotomacher wrote:

I recently had an opportunity to use an Arca Swiss... (show quote)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

I love the lever release for studio work where I want to use the tripod to hold the camera while I am setting up something and then grab the camera and hand hold. I don't like laying the camera on a stand or table...too risky in many cases when moving stuff around. But that's just me.

If you wife needs to hire a hitman she can pay him in RRS gear....
Sure it's not inexpensive, but it is Really Nice Stuff!

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

My wife uses her D3100 and 18-140 99% of the time and pretty much doesn't want to use anything else,including a tripod! No interest in my D7100 at all. The hitman would preclude any future acquisitions on my part!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

shutterbob wrote:

I like my Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod but am seriously considering switching to a Gitzo ball head. The Manfrotto just does not support my larger lenses very well (70-200 2.8, Sigma 150-600). No matter how I adjust the tightness level it will not lock solidly in place with these lenses. Frustrating when trying to lock on target such as the supermoon a couple of weeks ago. Think I will give your solution a try before spending another $500.

I looked at Gitzo,but the BH-55 with the lever release really works for me. Built like a tank and tightening is perfect for me.