CO

I can still use my Sirui plate on my Acratech ballhead. The Acratech ballhead has the screw type adjustment and enough range to clamp all of the plates and the L-bracket that I have.

I found these photos of Fancier ballheads. Some Fancier ballheads seem to have a 45 degree dovetail and others seem to have a dovetail that's closer to the 25 degree dovetail used by Manfrotto.

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This Fancier ballhead does seem to have 45 degree dovetails

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blackest Loc: Ireland

That appears to be compatible with one of manfrotto's systems.

https://www.amazon.com/Fancierstudio-6664H-Release-Tripod-fancierstudio/dp/B0047FJDXE

"The quick release plate system is universal, compatible to all major brands, including the most popular Manfrotto 3157N."

Manfrotto make some nice tripods but they seem to use a lot of plate variations. Once you get past cheap tripods with plastic plates , manfrotto seems to be the next mistake followed by converting (Manfrotto to Arca Swiss compatible clamps).

I just found this
http://www.cinelight.com/camera-support/complete-rigs-accessories/camera-support-ball-head-bh-02/
which is better than this page

http://www.digitaltoyshop.de/Fancier_ball-head_BH-02_t2560_6561
which says:
"Adopted the concept of international top-level ARCA head, BH series ball-heads perform excellent vibration Isolation and good damping that brings unique creative experiences to photographers. The second safety lock pin prevents unlocked camera from unexpected drop. Bubble level for equipment horizontal adjustment. "

Which would lead you to believe its an arca swiss compatible head, it isn't!

Which now has identified the problem, it's a lousy odd ball mounting system.

So there are 2 ways to go with this head scrap / sell it or modify it. The clamp is held by a single silver allen key bolt usually that will be a 1/4 thread same as the camera or 3/8ths

If it is unbolted and removed the mounting plate will screw into it if it's 1/4 thread or not in which case its probably 3/8ths. It could be metric too just for cheapness!

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Metal-Clamp-For-QR50-Quick-Release-Plate-For-Arca-Swiss-Tripod-Ball-Head-ZZ/332686841798

This is a replacement clamp for au $7.98 it comes without a plate the pu-50 is about the size of the clamp but there are other sizes (you might want to balance the camera on the ball and a longer plate will help do that for instance).

Alternatively a replacement head such as

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Phot-R-PH101-360-Rotating-Panoramic-Ball-Head-with-14-Inch-Arca-Swiss-Quick-Re/223019157169?hash=item33ecfa46b1:g:2KEAAOSw8SpbI6t7

To be honest the australian ebay seems overpriced i bought a q666 tripod last week for around $63 au and that included an arca swiss head.

So problem solved , hopefully.

BH02

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Arca swiss standard clamp

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CO

That seems to be it. I think the OP would need to modify it with the replacement clamp you found or get a different ballhead all together.

CO

hogesinwa, You can probably hold the plates you have and the Fancier ballhead up to a light and see where the mismatch is. You may see a mismatch in the angle of the dovetails that are machined into the plates and into the ballhead clamp. Most manufactures use 45-degree dovetails. It's like blackest said, you may have get a replacement clamp or get another ballhead.

rond-photography Loc: Connecticut

You need to know what the quick release plate on your ball head is. Arca Swiss compatible is the most universal, but Manfrotto and other tripod makers have their own mounting systems. Look for an L bracket that is compatible with your mounting plate. I borrowed a Manfrotto from a friend to try it out and was able to swap out the propietary ball head with an Arca Swiss ball head I had so I could use it with my L bracket. It took a little eyeballing to see where the screw was that held it together, but the swap was simple, now damaging, and I got to use a tripod that I otherwise would have only been able to admire in the corner. You might be able to swap just the plate with one that fits your L bracket, or you might have to get a new head, but you should be able to make it fit. Check Adorama, B&H, and Amazon for alternatives. Ask here if you find a combo that you think will work and someone can let you know if it is OK before you order.

greenwork Loc: Southwest Florida

I also change out the Manfrotto from the RC-2 to an Arca Swiss clamp (made by Manfrotto). It's a screw type and works well with a RRS L bracket and other 3rd party plates ....

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

The BEST place for this type of gear, IMHO, is Really Right Stuff. Since you are not in the US, I really can't add to that. Look them up and perhaps send them an email. Best of luck.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

See that little "quick release safety pin" in the BH-02 head? That may be what's preventing the Arca-Swiss compatible L-brackets from fitting into that platform. I had something similar on another brand of head... unscrewed it, threw it away, and now that QR platform works fine with a variety of Arca-Swiss compatible camera and lens plates.

Another possibility... do the L-brackets have a "limiter screw" designed to prevent them sliding too far? If so, try removing those. They may work with some manufacturers' platforms, but not with others.

From manufacturer to manufacturer there's some minor variation in the dimensions of "Arca Swiss compatible" stuff.... but they're usually able to work together anyway.

In my experience, it's often other stuff the manufacturers add - such as "safety stops" on the platforms or plates - that are proprietary designs and get in the way of different brands working together. But those things are usually removable.

If you absolutely cannot figure out how to make it work (I see you've been trying since May of last year, when we discussed the same subject in an earlier post).... It might be possible to replace the quick release platform on top of the ballhead. The tricky part doing that will be finding one that fastens to the ballhead in the same way. I used a Kirk Photo platform to convert a Manfrotto/Bogen ballhead, but it fastens differently than what I see in the BH-02 photo above and wouldn't work on that head. If you DO find a replacement platform, be sure to use Locktite when you install it (use red Locktite for strongest hold, but difficult to remove, requires heating it... or blue Locktite for things that can more easily be removed later). This is important to keep it from unscrewing later... usually when you least expect it!

Last ditch thing to do would be replace the entire ballhead.... At least that's pretty much sure to use the same 3/8" threaded fastener as everyone else (some use 1/4", but there are 3/8 to 1/4 adapters widely available). There are any number of different ballheads that have an Arca-Swiss compatible platform. It's just a matter of finding one with sufficient load rating at a price you can live with. (RRS or "Really Right Stuff" platforms, L-brackets and ballheads are excellent... but they're also some of the most expensive.)

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

My head isn’t bald, so I . . . What? This isn’t a discussion abt growing hair over a bald spot? Sorry, guess I misunderstood.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

There are clamps that LOOK like they are Arca-Swiss ( a standard) but are not the same width as Arca-Swiss.

I had a Vanguard ball head that I mistakenly believed was Arca-Swiss. Discovered the difference in width when I bought an Arca-Swiss L-bracket.
Manfrottos also look like Arca-Swiss, but width is different.

hogesinwa Loc: Dalyellup Western Australia

Thanks to all who helped here. I still do not have an L-Plate
BUT, and this is a b-i-g BUT
I have discovered the existence of a camera club in town. I had never heard of this and the fact that one existed never entered my head.
It has been in existence since 1954, so it's 2 years younger than me.
I asked on their FB page and one of their long-term members showed me her tripod/s. Now planning on attending their next meeting to get involved a bit. (Photography Group of Bunbury)
Also took the opportunity when in Perth to look at a Vanguard 264 pro (I think). Very keen on this item.