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

RRS. Especially if you want to use lever clamping as they clamp tightly. Not all AS plates use the same dimensions so fit can vary slightly if using a mixture of AS components. I prefer to not risk thousands in equipment to save a little on tripod and support gear.

RRS is really a system of components that work together and can be purchased over time. Good deals can be found on eBay if you know the products and value and are willing to spend time looking. Your mileage may vary.

Archiefamous Loc: Manhattan

Can never go wrong with Kirk or rrs. I prefer screw on clamp less compatibility issues but never a problem if you stick with these two very well made American companies

Just4stan

B&H sells an “L” bracket from Sunwayfoto for the Canon 7D markII. I’ve been using it and it is fine. It is half the price. You don’t always need a Rolls Royce.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

To be complete you will also need an L bracket and I recommend this to go along with the L bracket to allow for balancing camera/lens without tripod collar -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/140mm-Nodal-Rail-Slide-Plate-QR-Clamp-Macro-Panoramic-Bracket-Fit-Arca-Swiss-RRS/122003785740?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

[quote=Just4stan You don’t always need a Rolls Royce.[/quote]

The usual reason for Rolls Royce is to impress someone.....
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DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

There was nothing wrong with the other manufacturers. Specifically, they were not compatible with each other. I wanted one mount that made all of my gear interchangeable and arca-swiss was a standard that was best for me. I could mount a camera or lens on my mono, ball head, camera strap or gimbal with no adapters or plate changes. There are several manufacturers that provide arca-swiss style mounts. I happen to prefer the RRS arca-swiss because of their choices that also include lever type releases. I have heard that there is no strict standard for a-s (arca-swiss) dimensions, so I wanted to stay with RRS or Wimberley so I would not chance any issues.



If you do not anticipate frequent changes and don't mind inconveniences, this is not an issue. I can go to an opportunity, pop my camera or lens from my shoulder strap and and immediately attach it to any of my supports. I can change from a ball head to a gimbal in a matter of seconds. Some may wonder what my hurry is! If I'm driving the salt marshes or a wildlife area, I don't waste excess time making changes and missing an opportunity. I can quickly use anything I have and sometimes that's too slow!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Most all of my shooting is done alone, and the guys I do shoot with usually have more Rolls Royces than I do, so there's no one to impress!

Even the guys I shoot with in the Florida marshes have better stuff!

I didn't even bring up the body-pod advantages with compatible mount, but I think you are quite aware of that!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I use BOTH A/S and Manfro QR systems - hybrid/mix and match - if you will. Each has advantages for being application specific. A little more costly this way ? yes - but then NONE of it is RRS/Kirk/Wimberley/Gitzo.....
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mborn Loc: Massachusetts

both are great along with Jobu

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

That ballhead appears to come with an Arca platform.... so you don't need to buy another, unless you are wanting to replace it with a larger one. (Comes with 40mm.)



Kirk makes excellent custom camera plates. Custom plates are fitted to the camera, so that it cannot twist loose. There are different plates, depending upon whether or not you have a battery grip GBG-E16 on the camera. Yes, RRS plates are excellent, too... but I see no reason to spend $70 on something when equal quality is avail. for $55. (Hejnar doesn't make one for 7DII or BG-E16... too bad, since theirs are fine and cost $38).

There also are "L-brackets" custom made to fit various cameras (designed to allow access to controls, ports, card slots and such). Some people like them when using a ballhead... allows balanced mounting of the camera in either landscape or portrait orientation. However, L-brackets are bulky and expensive.



When it comes to lens plates, you have much wider choice of manufacturers. Most lens plates are "universal" and you simply choose the size that you need or want (if using a lens on a gimbal, you'll usually need a plate with a bit of extra length). I use lens plates from Wimberley, Kirk and others. On one lens I've completely replaced the tripod mounting ring foot with one that's Arca compatible from Hejnar Photo.

You don't specify what lenses you'll be using with the plates, to it's impossible to say exactly what's needed. Tripod ring B is used on many different Canon lenses (black version on at least three different macro lenses... white versions on 70-200/2.8s, 300/4 and several zooms). Ring D I think is only used on the Canon 100mm L/IS Macro lens. On a macro lens you might want an extra long lens plate to use as a "focus slider" (unless you have a focus stage that you'll be using). With the lens plates you can buy from many different sources, just look for some sort of anti-twist feature. That's usually a couple tabs or a lip that sticks up and butts up against one side of the tripod ring foot. Some plates use two screws for anti-twist (but with the Canon rings B & D would require a second hole drilled and tapped to work).

Some web sites make recommendations the best size of universal plate to use on particular lenses.

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/plates-brackets
https://www.kirkphoto.com/camera-mounting.html/?id=38
https://www.kirkphoto.com/lens-mounting.html/?id=39
https://www.tripodhead.com/products/lens-plates-main.cfm
http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/category-s/129.htm

You can find plates from the above manufacturers, as well as many others, selling at various online retailers (B&H, Adorama, Amazon, eBay, etc.)

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Three Legged Thing makes nice clamps and plates, L-brackets. I own them. Check their site. B&H sells them, as does Adorama and other dealers.
Much more affordable, reasonable prices than RRS and Kirk

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Or direct from RRS.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Indeed!

Buy a reasonably priced clamp and plate and spend the money you save on a new glass.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

At the same price and often plus shipping.