Arca or Arca Swiss
Apr 5, 2019 07:04:25 #
Are there any differences between the two, is one preferred over the other, or is one a development of the other?
Apr 5, 2019 07:12:30 #
Apr 5, 2019 07:13:37 #
I Googled ARCA and could find nothing connecting it to Arca-Swiss. Some companies produce items that they claim to be "Arca" compatible (or words to that effect); it those instances, they are referring to Arca- Swiss.
Apr 5, 2019 07:22:45 #
John N wrote:
Are there any differences between the two, is one preferred over the other, or is one a development of the other?
They are one in the same. Arca-Swiss is the company that developed the plate, and also makes 3 way pan and ball heads. Many companies have manufactured plates and clamps that are very close to the original and are mostly interchangeable - but some of the dimensions, mainly the width, which is why the screw clamp is better than the lever clamp is better if you have a mix of plates from multiple vendors.When someone refers to "Arca" it's just a short cut.
Apr 5, 2019 07:35:34 #
jeryh wrote:
Arca swiss is the original; Arca usually denotes copy, widely used.
I'm surprised they're allowed to use the name. I can see calling it "Arca compatible."
A search on Amazon gives you both.
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=arca+swiss+plates&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Apr 5, 2019 08:36:17 #
I greatly appreciate your assistance, I got the feeling that the chap I spoke to at our recent show didn't fully understand what he was talking about - i.e. singing off the hymn sheet!
If I google ARCA here, I get reams of information from the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association!
If I google ARCA here, I get reams of information from the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association!
Apr 5, 2019 17:20:17 #
Really Right Stuff has a diagram on their website for their Arca-Swiss design. This 1.500 inch wide, 45 degree dovetail is what most manufacturers use. There are some manufacturers who use slightly different dimensions. It's not only the width of the dovetail but how deep the dovetails are machined into the plate. That's measured by laying 3/32" (.093) pins into the grooves and measuring across them.
(Download)
Dovetails are measured by laying 3/32" (.093) pins in the grooves and measuring across them
(Download)
Apr 6, 2019 08:18:37 #
Apr 6, 2019 08:39:27 #
tommy2
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Bought a couple knock-offs to find they were to wide for even the screw type tightening clamp so check closely before buying.
Apr 6, 2019 19:16:47 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
Arca-Swiss made cameras, and I have an original Arca-Swiss Polaroid attachment for my Hasselblad C500 when Polaroids were first available, still works !
Apr 7, 2019 00:35:00 #
tommy2 wrote:
Bought a couple knock-offs to find they were to wide for even the screw type tightening clamp so check closely before buying.
I had that same problem. One of two I purchased would not go into the clamp smoothly. I measured them with a dial calipers, the difficult one was about 0.005 wider than other. I emailed the company with my data and they replied just keep it because it cost them more for me to return it and they would send me a new one. Which they did. I took the wide one to a friend who has machine shop, he milled it down 0.005" and it works fine now.
Apr 8, 2019 00:16:27 #
Confusing, but I get the impression that there is ARCA Swiss and ARCA-like mounts.., but are not exactly the same thing? Please let me know if I'm missing something here?
Apr 8, 2019 00:37:50 #
Beenthere wrote:
Confusing, but I get the impression that there is ARCA Swiss and ARCA-like mounts.., but are not exactly the same thing? Please let me know if I'm missing something here?
Nope I do not think you are missing anything.
Apr 8, 2019 06:26:59 #
Beenthere wrote:
Confusing, but I get the impression that there is ARCA Swiss and ARCA-like mounts.., but are not exactly the same thing? Please let me know if I'm missing something here?
Most manufacturers use the 1.500 inch wide, 45 degree dovetail shown in the Really Right Stuff diagram I posted above. There are variations. How deep the dovetails are machined into the plate varies also.
Kirk L-bracket - 45 degree dovetail 1.500 inch wide
Sirui plate - 45 degree dovetail 1.542 inch wide
Feisol L-bracket - 45 degree dovetail 1.538 inch wide
Measurement of the dovetail depth across 3/32" pins
Kirk L-bracket - 1.588
Sirui plate - 1.540
Feisol L-bracket - 1.590
Manfrotto's design is drastically different.
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