Cartoni metal release plate

P

phaster

Member
Does anyone have a metal release plate that works on the Focus head?

I've seen one mentioned but not the model #. The A500 is the same cheap plastic plate included with the head. Someone at B&H thought he found one that would work but it didnt quite fit.

Mine is flexing, and its only a matter of time before it snaps and kills my camera.
 
Cartoni Focus F100 Camera Plate

Cartoni Focus F100 Camera Plate

phaster said:
Does anyone have a metal release plate that works on the Focus head?

I've seen one mentioned but not the model #. The A500 is the same cheap plastic plate included with the head. Someone at B&H thought he found one that would work but it didnt quite fit.

Mine is flexing, and its only a matter of time before it snaps and kills my camera.
Click to expand...

Regarding your concern and since I have ordered a Cartoni F100 Fluid Head + T622/2 Aluminum Tripod directly from Italy thru their representative here in Ecuador where I live, I emailed them that request based on your experience.

They have already answered that this camera plate (#A500 for the US Market and #A858 for Europe) is made of a very special compound of carbon fiber (same used in their lighter tripods), nylon and plastic which makes it extremely resistant to breakage; that in 10 years they are making this plate as far as today nobody have had any type of complains regarding any tipe of damage to this plate and/or to the Focus F100 fluid head due to premature wear or weakening. They also confirmed that they do not have any metal replacement for this camera release plate.

Hope this anwser will help!

Otherwise all the Cartoni Focus Head users like you and me would sometime in the future might have a problem!

Henry Epstein
 
Hi Harry,

Thanks for taking the initiative to contact Cartoni. I thought that some people have found a metal replacement. It looks like the A500 plate is the same one that comes with the tripod. It works fine with a 5 pound camera, but when I add rails and accessories (keeping total weight below Cartoni's max specs) mine starts to flex. I dont know how likely it is to break but the flexing doesnt boost my confidence.
 
I have mentioned here before my concern with the flex. I don't like the plastic, I mean carbon, plate and I don't like the mount method to the tripod on the left side, it is only utilising about 1/3 of the surface area where it locks on the head. I spent US$70 (plus shipping to Australia) buying another plate (A500), thinking it was metal because of it's price and it was for the Focus and Alfa. Bad assumption, I now have two of the same carbon plates, yet I can use the both plates.

The flex I am concerned with applies to the added weight of my Brevis adapter, and in particular, when using a long lens setup. Using long lenses, you really don't want any flex, the wobble movement shows up in my image recorded, especially with this weapon.

I am totally happy with the Focus for the HVX alone, I need to consider another tripod when using the Brevis and a long lens combo, imo.
 
especially with this weapon
Click to expand...

That camera looks like its about to blast off!

I need to consider another tripod when using the Brevis and a long lens combo
Click to expand...

If thats what it comes down to, then I'm very disappointed with this head. I'm not really bothered by the small amount of "backlash" it has, and ironically when it has more weight on it this problem all but disappears. But the flexing makes it unusable. Also, an engineer friend of mine tells me that while carbon fiber is strong and light weight, it is prone to shattering. I'll look into the possiblility of having a replacement plate machined.
 
phaster/HappyGobo, 'the weapon' is my first attempt at putting together a long lens setup for surfing footage acquisition. There is a 3x Tele Converter and then a 50-500mm inexpensive lens I purchased 2nd hand. I get a total of 1500mm, however, the glass quality of those 2 items is not very good.

During use, I gaffer tape a small weight to the back of the rails to balance out the monster, however, with that much weight positioned off centre of the tripod pivot pan/tilt, it causes flex and wobble at those intense zoom lengths.

I have a Bogen Quick Plate, sliding camera plate and removable mount, I was hoping to get an engineer to attach to the top of the tripod head, however, when I tried to remove the top plate on the Focus head, with all the allen key screws removed, the plate did not come off, it seemed glued in or somehow locked in. I have now abandoned that idea, as feel I may brake it if I explore any further. imo, the Focus will be pushed to the outer weight limits with the HVX, adapter, long lens and monitor (eventually) sitting on top. Ordered a Bogen 526 with 528XB leg combo, which seems suited for use and within my budget. I'll try and report back in due course to see if the Bogen solves my particular issues.
 
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Christopher,
What are you using in the photo to support the zoom lens on the rails?

I have been having a hard time finding the best support set-up for that.

I also find the Focus a little too light for my Redrock + HVX, though I must say I haven't gotten near 1500mm.
My max so far is 200 and that seems too much weight for really steady control on the Cartoni.
I've been thinking of going up to a Sachtler 8, 12 or even a 15 if neccessary.
 
Lenilenapi, the zoom is supported by two additional matte box rail clamps I purchased from HysonFilms. The rail clamp is split down the middle, so the top clamp under the lens is a second rail clamp, clamping the matte box extender arm. It is not screwed into the thread that is part of the zoom, common in those long lenses where you actually mount the lens to the tripod and the SLR camera is held by the lens mount. My setup is not exactly a perfectly locked down lens, the weight however is supported. I need to go to the hardware store and purchase a few 90 degree aluminium plates and lock it down with a screw.

Yes, at 1500mm, you need some seriously sturdy equipment. Some Sacht gear would be nice. A little outside my budget, yet the longevity of such a purchase will see you through a few cameras. I am hoping the Bogen 526 with a 35lb load capacity will suffice, coupled with a preferred metal plate and lock down method.
 
phaster said:
Mine is flexing, and its only a matter of time before it snaps and kills my camera.
Click to expand...

mine already bent and deformed and is useless I made my own aluminium plate similar to the plastic one and it is way better
 
Mark, how did you have the plate made? Did you have it machined? I showed it to someone yesterday and he was doubtful that a metal plate would work, that the plastic, carbon fiber, kevlar, whatever plate against the metal was part of what (sort of) makes it work. I also spent alot of time balancing the camera in different ways. I did manage to make the situation a little better but its still not acceptable. I realized that I'm getting vibrations from the plate flexing as well as from the head itself. And I'm well below 22lbs.
 
thanks I'm really happy to hear that it works. If whoever made yours would run more off I would certainly be in for one...

Michael
 
A good lesson here. Tripod systems aren't cheap. But it could cost you more if you underspend going in. Can't blame the manufacturer. There are so many tools in the equasion before deciding. We're using our Beta's Oconnor Tripod when I load the HVX down like with a promptor.
 
A good lesson here. Tripod systems aren't cheap. But it could cost you more if you underspend going in. Can't blame the manufacturer. There are so many tools in the equasion before deciding. We're using our Beta's Oconnor Tripod when I load the HVX down like with a promptor.
Click to expand...

True. But they really shouldnt spec it for 22lbs. In my case I wasnt expecting it to be an Oconnor/Vinten/Satchler. For my purposes I thought the Focus would be at the right price vs. quality point.
 
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HappyGobo said:
The Focus is rated at 22 pounds according to B&H, all of that weighs that much?
Click to expand...

HappyGobo, sorry I never responded to your question before. 'The Weapon' setup is under 22lb. With a lot of the weight off from centre, the plate flex become more pronounced, as you tilt off balancing point, even with the counter weight at the rear.

After I receive the 526, I am going to have another crack at removing whole top of the Focus head and have an engineer make up a replacement plate, with a Bogen/Manfrotto Quick Plate attached to it. I can just return it back to the old Focus down the track, if eventually sold. I like the feel of the Focus.
 
Man you guys are scaring me!!! I haven't even gotten mi Focus yet and I was under the impression that it was plenty good for any HVX setup possible. It was one of the pieces I was most happy with as I was convinced that if anything I over did it... I was trying to make sure that I wouldn't have to sell and re-buy when I got the Marshall and M2 down the line... so a real fluid 22lbs head with praises from all made me feel good about dropping the 1.5k...

My question is:
Since I won't be using big zooms pobably ever would a Marshall + M2 + "normal" good quality lens + Matte Box be heavy enough to deform the plate? Or was this only from far off-center weight distribution and big zoom lens setups only? when should I expect to feel these vibrations and the deformation you guys talk about?
 
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