robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

I have a Canon 80D camera. I recently purchased a RRS Arca Swiss plate (which I really like) for my Vanguard tripod, which I then had to convert for the Arca Swiss plate. (I tend to learn things the hard way.)

Now I am in need of a second tripod and I would like it to be compatible with my RRS plate.

The more I look around and try to research this the more confused I am getting.

I am retired on a meager budget and need some advice as to how to find a decent tripod with a ball head that will work with my RRS plate.

I know for sure that I am in the Really Right Place to ask this question.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Which model Vanguard do you have, what is your budget and what do you like to photograph?

Archboo3 Loc: Central Florida

Call B&H they can answer all your questions in this

Archboo3 Loc: Central Florida

Call B&H they can answer all your questions in this

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

The second tripod will be used for product photography using a small light box.

I would like to keep the total cost under $100. I don't need a pro-level kit.

My current tripod is a Vanguard Alto Pro 264AT. The head on it is a Vanguard SBH-100.

I really wish someone could explain to me in simple terms how in heck to figure out how to match up tripods to heads to plates. I have no idea what kind of clamp comes on the Vanguard SBH-100 head but whatever it is it's not compatible with my 37mm Arca Swiss plate. I bought a Wimberley C-12 Quick-Release Clamp and converted it to fit.

I don't want to have to go through that again. Removing the BH-100 clamp required a vise and a hammer.

So, maybe someone here can assist me in (1) finding a budget priced arca swiss compatible tripod / head combo and (2) understanding the head - to - clamp - to - plate calculus.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If some tripods come with Arca Swiss tripod heads, they are doing a very good job of keeping it secret. You will probably have to choose the tripod you want and then add the Arca mount to it.

I use Manfrotto quick release mounts, and I attach one half to each tripod and the second half to each camera. You should be able to do that with Arca.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

So, you will be doing high magnification closeup photography. I'm afraid that $100 will not get you what you are looking for and still be stable. It won't be as good as what you now have. Even a midrange ball head will exceed your budget.

BTW, it should not have taken a vise and a hammer to switch the SBH-100 head on the tripod, which would have been a far easier endeavor than changing the clamp. It attaches to the tripod in similar fashion to Bogen/Manfrotto heads. You should be looking for a better head, not a new really low end tripod. It would be money wasted on junk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP1OMpxeqsA

I would suggest a Sirui K30X - anything less expensive is likely to cause frustration due to insufficient friction on the ball, causing it to allow the camera to "creep" down after you lock it. Increasing the friction on these cheaply constructed ball heads risks stripping or breaking something.

I've attached a video of the K30X with an 8.5 lb camera and lens, showing how the "sweet spot" - or the amount of friction required to keep the head and camera still yet allow you to use one hand to move it without needing to readjust anything.

For future reference, if it looks like an Arca-Swiss clamp, but does not specifically say that it is, it is safe to assume it is proprietary in nature and it wont' work with Arca-Swiss compatible plates.

K30X video
Attached file:
(Download)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Just get a Vanguard SBH-300, or TBH-300. They are both fully Arca-Swiss compatible ball heads that will mount right onto your 264 legs. They are each right about $100. No problem.

CO

The dovetails on your Vanguard SBH-100 do not appear to be the Arca-Swiss standard. The Vanguard SBH-300 and TBH-300 recommended by MT Shooter do appear to be 45 degree Arca-Swiss dovetails.

Really Right Stuff publishes a blueprint for their Arca-Swiss design on their website. Most manufactures adhere to this standard. I made my own Arca-Swiss plate in a machine shop and used their design. The dovetails are measured by laying 3/32" (.093) diameter pins into the dovetail grooves and measuring across them with calipers. There are variations in the depth of the dovetail grooves but the clamp will have enough travel to compensate for these variations.

Really Right Stuff Arca-Swiss dovetail standard

(Download)

Method for measuring dovetail grooves

(Download)

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

...
My existing Vanguard SBH-100 has been converted to Arca Swiss already.

CO

You asked for help in: (2) understanding the head - to - clamp - to - plate calculus. I gave you information about that. The Really Right Stuff plate you purchased was made to the standard shown in the RRS blueprint. You could determine if other plates would work by making measurements.

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Yes, I appreciate that very much. Some of my initial confusion came from my first purchase being the Vanguard setup and not even knowing what kind of clamp it had on it. It has been a winding road trying to figure it out.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

I think you are asking about a second tripod which is to be used with the same camera you already are using. Why not just switch your current tripod head (with hard fought modification) to the new set of legs? You can check to be sure, but it is nearly universal that you can mix heads and legs all of which use the 3/8 inch stud. Usually switching out the head is a one minute deal.
If vanguard uses some proprietary connection then this won't work as easily. But you might be able to switch to another set of legs in their model line.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Arca-Swiss and Manfroto plates look very similar, but just enough difference to make them reject each other. Sods Law!!

photoman43

Consider buying a used Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 aluminum tripod. For a head that accepts arca swiss plates, see if you can find a used head made by Kirk Enterprises, either the BH-3 or BH-1. For arca swiss camera and lens plates I use those made by Wimberly.

https://www.tripodhead.com/products/camera-body-main.cfm

https://www.tripodhead.com/products/lens-plates-main.cfm

Check out KEH camera to see if they have any of the above as used products. Or call them to see if they have any equivalents.