Manfrotto vs Arca Swiss (Page 2): I also have the BH-55 with lever release and it is a very robust piece of equipment. I found mine on eBay in like new condition from a photography...

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

I also have the BH-55 with lever release and it is a very robust piece of equipment. I found mine on eBay in like new condition from a photography shop in Texas for about 2/3 the cost of a new one from RRS. You just have to be patient and know what you are looking for and what you want to spend. Good deals do show up.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

I also have the BH-55 with lever release and it is a very robust piece of equipment. I found mine on eBay in like new condition from a photography shop in Texas for about 2/3 the cost of a new one from RRS. You just have to be patient and know what you are looking for and what you want to spend. Good deals do show up.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

LOL, "robust" is a very good description!

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

Robust is fitting for everything RRS I own!!!

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

CAS1951 Loc: San Diego

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.

I recently switched over from Manfrotto to the Swiss Arca type system for the reason you stated. I got tired of fumbling with getting my camera or lens attached to the Manfrotto--even marking the plate and tripod head for the placement didn't help all that much. Now it takes me seconds to attach my camera/lenses to the Swiss Arca type mount.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Fotomacher wrote:

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

I did a similar conversion to a Manfrotto ballhead some years ago. Still using it on top of one of my monopods. (It's not possible to change out the platforms on some Manfrotto heads, but many use a standard threaded post.)

If you haven't already done so, I strongly recommend using some Locktight on the threads, to be cerrtain that platform doesn't loosen accidentally at some inopportune time! I'd use Locktight "Red", which is the strongest hold (but also the hardest to remove, needs to be heated to release, if that's ever needed... I just don't think I'd ever want or need to remove it).

A note for those considering a switch... many Gitzo heads are not compatible with A-S. Aome of the newest Manfrotto and Gitzo heads are now coming with Arca-Swiss compatible quick releases. But both have stuck with their own, proprietary QR systems for way too long! (Gitzo and Manfrotto are subsidiaries of the same parent company... so are Sachtler and one or two other tripod manufacturers.)

Personally I avoid the lever/clamp type QR platforms. IMO, they're just too easily accidentally released or left partially unlocked, so I don't trust them, especially with big lenses that cost many $thousand$. Instead I'll only use the screw-type fasteners, which take about 1 or 2 seconds longer to secure. The screw-type also can be partiallyy loosened, allowing the lens or camera plate to slide without being completely loose, such as when adjusting lens position forward and backward on a gimbal mount, or if using a lens plate as a "macro slider". All the lever/clamp type I've seen were either fully fastened or fully released.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

amfoto1 wrote:

I did a similar conversion to a Manfrotto ballhead... (show quote)

Yes, I couldn't change the platform on my Manfrotto MH054 or I would have. Supposedly there are some adapters available,but I wasn't interested.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

DaveO wrote:

...Supposedly there are some adapters available, but I wasn't interested....

Yeah, I think those adapters... which are Manfrotto RC2 (or whatever) on one side and Arca-Swiss on the other... seem kinda risky. One more connection to come loose accidentally.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

amfoto1 wrote:

Yeah, I think those adapters... which are Manfrotto RC2 (or whatever) on one side and Arca-Swiss on the other... seem kinda risky. One more connection to come loose accidentally.

It is probably fine,but it just doesn't instill a lot of confidence with a big lens and camera hanging off of it.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

As I have noted in many posts, I use RRS gear as exclusively as possible. Like Alan, I now also prefer the screw-in clamps over the lever-release versions for the same reasons that he does. I have some older RRS clamps, a few lever release versions, but all mu recent purchases have been screw-in. I am just more comfortable using the screw-in type on the larger, and heavier, 'big boys'. YMMV.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

cjc2 wrote:

As I have noted in many posts, I use RRS gear as exclusively as possible. Like Alan, I now also prefer the screw-in clamps over the lever-release versions for the same reasons that he does. I have some older RRS clamps, a few lever release versions, but all mu recent purchases have been screw-in. I am just more comfortable using the screw-in type on the larger, and heavier, 'big boys'. YMMV.

I have both screw type and lever and I prefer the lever with my arthritis. They do have a position for sliding the plate and there are safety screws to prevent it from sliding out of the clamp when you adjust it.

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

DaveO wrote:

I have both screw type and lever and I prefer the lever with my arthritis. They do have a position for sliding the plate and there are safety screws to prevent it from sliding out of the clamp when you adjust it.

Yes, my RSS lever can be partially opened to position the slide without removing it.
So, for the time being I'm happy with it especially when taking the camera in and out often. If I was setting up for a longer period I would probably not mind the screw lock.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

daeod Loc: Levittown, PA

I just got one of these for my old manfrotto ball head and I am very happy!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

daeod wrote:

I just got one of these for my old manfrotto ball head and I am very happy!

One of what for which ball head?

daeod Loc: Levittown, PA

mine is 3262QR ball head. The Arsa Swiss attachment is made Wimberly.