gjrose

I’m new to this forum and an amatuer at hobby photography. I shoot with a Nikon D750. I have 2 tripods, a sturdy Manfrotto and a lighter weight, but stable MeFoto - both with ball heads. They have different quick release attachments and the one that came with the MeFoto is much easier and faster for me to use. Can the Manfrotto tripod head be adapted to use the MeFoto release? And if it can, is there any reason this should not be done?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The main reason might be personal preference - one is as solid as the other.

bud 77 Loc: Long Beach, WA

I want to follow this subject as I am having a similar problem.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome to the forum. Just buy a MeFoto Ball head and remove the Manfottoball head and replace it with the MeFoto. Problem solved.

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

Your MeFoto is most likely an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head as are most other brand name tripod heads. The Manfotto is its own proprietary design. The top plate of the Manfotto might be removable and if so you could replace it with an Arca-Swiss style top screw or quick release plate from Really Right Stuff or other supplier. But if it is not a very good ballhead it might make more sense to just swap it for a new Arca-Swiss compatible ballhead. Then with an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate on the camera you could mount it on both heads.

Photocraig

Also try Kirk Industries. I've had min since the 1990's. There is a stand alone Arca Swiss release mechanism that should fit on the Manfretto after the existing release is unscrewed (try that first).

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Peak Design has a universal camera plate:

https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Design-Plate-Capture-Camera/dp/B00P6LGXQS?ref=ast_p_ep

gjrose

Thanks for all the quick replys. Once I knew the terminology I googled the Arca-Swiss quick release and came up with this. I think it might work....what do you all think?
(Click on all of the small pictures that illustrate it in use.). You may have to copy & paste the link.

https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Convertor-CP-64-Arca-Swiss-Compatible-Replacement/dp/B01CAO7QIM

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

That would work only to attach an Arca style mounting plate to a tripod base. I have an old Bogen (now Manfrotto) tripod that had a 3-way head that I just removed revealing a standard base with a 1/4" stud which can attach most anything. I suggest that you find a nice Arca style ballhead and go with that. Here's an example https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Panoramic-17-6pounds-8kilograms/dp/B01M4LQ8P6/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518003619&sr=1-2&keywords=ballhead You can also find many other and more expensive versions as well.

Going with an Arca style mounting system will offer you the best avenue for attaching most anything and not paying a fortune.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Go with an arca Swiss Mount.

Haydon

Definitely the most secure locking mount.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

It also gives you the best chance of "borrowing" someone else's more expensive gear to "test" out.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Arca Swiss mount. These are universal and very easy to use.

jcboy3

It's always better if you include model numbers. Manfrotto has a couple of different QR mechanisms that are not compatible.

At any rate, the MeFoto ball heads are Arca. You can convert a Manfrotto ball head to Arca in two ways. The simplest is to get an Arca clamp and mount it on the quick release plate. You need one that you can screw into from the bottom, rather than one that takes a mounting screw through the clamp from the top (as pictured in a subsequent post). This does add another layer of connection, which can add to instability. The main issue will be to ensure that, when mounting the Arca clamp, the QR plate does not interfere with the clamping knob or lever.

The second option is to remove the Manfrotto clamp from the ball head and replace it with an Arca clamp designed to fit. Depending on the Manfrotto ball head model. You want to be sure that the anti-twist mechanism is compatible; simply screwing an Arca clamp into the Manfrotto ball head post is not a good idea as there is insufficient surface contact to ensure an anti-twist connection. There are clamps designed for this; I think ProMedia gear makes one. You would have to know your ball head model and search a bit. However, these are not inexpensive.

The alternative is to replace the Manfrotto ball head with an Arca ball head. There are a lot of options, with a wide range in price.

Personally, I use ballheads from Acratech (expensive), Vanguard (inexpensive and large) and Sirui (inexpensive and small). I would avoid names that you are not familiar with; especially with full frame gear you want a ball head that will support the weight.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Just be careful, some Manfrotto tripods have a top of the ball plate that is incompatible with conversion clamps. Better off getting a new Arca Swiss ballhead. ANd, you will probably need a thread adapter too.