I need a common plate/QR system I can use across my monopod and tripods

zetty

zetty

Member
So I'm trying to get all my mounts to work with the same plate.

1) Benro A2573FS4 tripod with S4 head which uses QR6 slide-in quick release plate (supposedly compatible with Manfrotto 501PL / RC5).
2) Manfrotto 560B-1 monopod with 234RC quick release system with 200PL-14 plate.
3) GorillaPod SLR-Zoom for which I intend to buy some kind of light ballhead.

The most important for me is to match the first two as I won't be using GorillaPod as often, and then not always with the camera but rather LED panel or recorder.

I'm willing to either replace the quick release system on monopod or the fluid head on tripod. The 200PL-14 plate with RC2 system is just perfect size-wise (I have GH4) and I really like how it works with the QR6 being unnecessary large. However there seem to be very few fluid head options that accepts 200PL-14. Also I can't spend much on a new head, it'll have to more or less match the price of Benro's S4. So it would probably be easier to get QR6 compatible quick release for the tripod. As about GorillaPod, the QR6 is definitely too large for it, so if I can't stay with 200PL-14, I'll probably get Joby's head with Arca-Swiss system.

Any recommendations?
 
Thanks for the tip, they seem to be shorter than QR6 but still compatible.. No dimensions on that page but I'll see if I can find more info elsewhere.
 
Neglected to mention the QV-1 definitely fits your Benro head. I use Manfrotto's 701HDV, & Benro's clone, the S4, on top of monopods.
 
I was looking to find a vendor in Europe but couldn't, also couldn't find the exact size of it.

I really hate the size of QR6 though, it's totally unnecessary and inconvenient for camera like GH4. For both Benro's and QV-1 you also need a tool for them to be attached to the camera, which is another minus -- although if they were the size of 200PL-14 it wouldn't matter as it can stay permanently attached. I can't even put it in my bag properly with this plate attached, and it also makes access to the lens barrel more difficult.

DSC_0031_cr.jpg
(both plates in comparison)

I should have thought more about it before purchasing the tripod, it was a bit of an impulsive purchase which is actually unlike me, but then I tried it out at an expo with a different camera on top and thought it's a really good value for money, especially with the discount I was offered.

I mostly work in fast paced, unpredictable environments with no chance to setup my shots apart from some interviews, so being able to work as quickly and conveniently as possible is paramount.
 
Hmm, examining the S4 head it looks like the quick release part can be removed -- and so maybe it can be replaced with a different type?
 
zetty said:
I was looking to find a vendor in Europe but couldn't...
Click to expand...

The manufacturer is Kamerar, the same company that makes the popular Honu Cages. My guess is PNC is just their USA store.

Kamerar has their own site & think they ship internationally for free, but their price for the plate is almost double PNC's.

http://kamerar.myshopify.com/products/qv-1-manfrotto-501pl-quick-release-plate

They have a list of distributors, couple of which are in the EU.

http://kamerar.myshopify.com/pages/distributors

Also there's one on eBay that ships from Homg Kong.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kamerar-Qui...-LCD-viewfinder-Manfrotto-501PL-/191236869194
 
Thanks for all the info.

I just emailed asking them if their version is any shorter than 501PL -- I really hope it is.
 
Haha sorry, I'm an idiot -- you pointed it our before but I didn't quite get it because I'm used to metric system. Just converted in centimetres, that's indeed considerable difference.
 
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