Can you help me understand QR systems and how to make them work with all my gear?

[jrm27]

Hi all,

I've got a mixed/matched set of support systems, and want to make it so that I can quickly use them with my my two cameras. I think a QR system will be perfect, but, I'll admit... I'm pretty in-the-dark for what I assume is a pretty simple system.

So, here's what I have:
Cameras - 5Dmkii / T2i
Tripods - Surui T005 with a c10 head
Bogen/Manfrotto 3051 with a 3063 head
**soon to be acquired Manfrotto 055xprob** and 701HDV head
Other - Cowboy studios shoulder rig
Motion Slider 24

So, from what I can tell, pretty much everything has a different way to attach the camera. I think I'd like to make everything work with the plate that is mounted on the camera from the 701HDV. So, I'm wondering if there are "receiver plates" (I have no idea if that is the term), that i could put on the slider and the shoulder mount that would facilitate a quick and easy placement of the camera on the device? Also, I woudl guess that I would need some similar type of conversion hardware that will allow that type of QR to work with the c10 head and the 3063. Lastly, I'd love a way to take the entire shoulder rig and attach it directly to a tripod quickly and easily. I know there are ways to do that with a rail based system, but I think I saw someone do it with their Cowboy Studios rig too.

So... can anyone shed some light on what I'd need to do/purchase, etc...? I'd really appreciate it! I'm just looking for easy and fast ways to move my cameras from one support device (tripod, shoulder rig, slider) to another. Thanks!

-jon

 

[morgan_moore]

Yep 'Receiver plates' are what you need

The standard manfrotto 501 camera plate works with the the 577 'receiver plate'

the 577 has 1/4 and 3/8 and M6 threads on the bottom so you can mount that on many other things (sliders steadicams and the like)

This system may also fit cheaper Culman version

In general this is a manfrotto popular system and the 'arca swiss' system is also popular but more expensive which I think also works with RRS gear and the new plate from kessler

the arca system is a little more refined

be aware that 'frotto use larger plates on some tripod heads

satchler and miller have another system, I own a miller stripod head and circumvent the 'problem' by adding a 577 plate onto the miller plate, some smaller satchler tripods use the 'standard' manfrotto system, much larger cameras use a Vlock system based aro9und some sony standard from ENG cameras, heavy cine cameras (alexa) use the 'arri standard' which is larger and more expensive again as are various plates fron Ronford Baker

clear as mud? you wont go far wrong with 501/577 for smaller cameras up to C300/EX1/FS700 size

S