C100: Kessler Kwik Release System on c100

M

m3rob

Active member
Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Kessler Kwik Release System? Or has anyone used Zacuto's Tripod Adapter Plate system?

I am looking to upgrade from my Manfrotto 577 quick release system. Just haven't seen them in person and was wondering what you guys think?

Thanks!
Rob
 
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groveChuck said:
Which plate(s) do you use?
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I have a number of the Kessler plates. I use the long one on the C100. But I have various sizes for different cameras. I really like the Kessler system. Good stuff...
I can go from a studio tripod setup to my Kessler Travel Jib (which I just got) to my Defy G5 back to my tripod back to the jib around and around we go without great speed and ease...
 
Whichever system you go for will probably mean a bit of a long term commitment - likes lenses, manufacturers want to lock you into their system and these things are a reasonable investment if you're buying several of them.

We went for the Canon TA100 V-lock (Sony VCT14-style) plate on our tripods/monopod etc. It's very accurate and tight and will integrate with other VCT-spec plates/rod adapters:

http://www.proav.co.uk/Canon-TA-100/p17757.aspx

My experience dates back to ENG cameras and I like that reassuring "clunk click" of a VCT quick release system. There's also no sliding in and out of plates - just drop it in and it clicks solid. The TA 100 attaches to the EOS cameras with 4 thread-locked screws, so it's very "set and forget."

Ben.
 
I'm with Dustylense - the Kwik Releases are great. I have four of them. One on my main fluid head, one on my monopod, one on a Kessler Low Profile Ball Head on their Pocket Jib, and the fourth bounces between a ballhead and a fluid head on a slider I use.

I was using Really Right Stuff clamps before. Those are great and a standard in the stills world along with their camera L-plates. What the Kessler Kwik Release adds over a RRS clamp is the snap-in action. I find that helpful with a camera like the C300.

Both RRS and Kessler are working off of the Arca-Swiss standard in terms of the adapter plates. So, you can use RRS rails (not tubular rails but flat plates) with the Kessler Kwik Releases. I prefer the RRS ones in that they are slightly lower profile than Kesslers. The RRS MPR-113 (113mm/4.4" long) fits perfectly under the C300.

RRS also makes their rails to replace or sit under the lens-foot/collars of longer lenses. These are really nice if you want to use something like a Canon 70-200 II f/2.8 IS lens and mount the camera+lens off of the lens' collar instead of the camera body.
 
I like the Kwik release system with the utility plates for the pocket dolly, jib, etc...

I'm not as big of a fan of them for cameras.
 
Jon Roemer said:
I'm with Dustylense - the Kwik Releases are great. I have four of them. One on my main fluid head, one on my monopod, one on a Kessler Low Profile Ball Head on their Pocket Jib, and the fourth bounces between a ballhead and a fluid head on a slider I use.

I was using Really Right Stuff clamps before. Those are great and a standard in the stills world along with their camera L-plates. What the Kessler Kwik Release adds over a RRS clamp is the snap-in action. I find that helpful with a camera like the C300.

Both RRS and Kessler are working off of the Arca-Swiss standard in terms of the adapter plates. So, you can use RRS rails (not tubular rails but flat plates) with the Kessler Kwik Releases. I prefer the RRS ones in that they are slightly lower profile than Kesslers. The RRS MPR-113 (113mm/4.4" long) fits perfectly under the C300.

RRS also makes their rails to replace or sit under the lens-foot/collars of longer lenses. These are really nice if you want to use something like a Canon 70-200 II f/2.8 IS lens and mount the camera+lens off of the lens' collar instead of the camera body.
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Jon,

Thanks for the great information. When you snap the RRS rail into the Kwik Release does the plate lock in when you slide from front to back like it does for Kesseler's plates? I don't understand how the plates lock in from front to back. Will basically any Arca-Swiss plate stay locked in?

Thanks,
Rob
 
Manfrotto has started to introduce their Sachtler sideload style system into their new tripod heads. My new Sachtler FSB6 plate can now just drop into (as opposed to needing to slide in) my Manfrotto 500 head. You'd think they'd offer adapter plates as well soon. If you're already invested in Manfrotto 577, you might want to wait.
 
m3rob said:
Thanks for the great information. When you snap the RRS rail into the Kwik Release does the plate lock in when you slide from front to back like it does for Kesseler's plates? I don't understand how the plates lock in from front to back. Will basically any Arca-Swiss plate stay locked in?
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Yes, it stays locked in. The RRS rail comes with pins at the ends just like Kessler rails have. You can see it in the photo on the RRS rail page. Click the second photo which shows the bottom of the rail.

Comparing the the two - The Kessler rail is a bit beefier, ½" high vs ⅜" for the RRS rail. The Kessler rail is more of a cheese plate design (many threaded holes.)

What I like about the RRS MPR-113 on the C300 is that it fits the bottom of the camera pretty perfectly. So, if you put the camera down it's not rocking forward or back in addition to left or right. Kessler has a short plate that is 3.5" long so it's about 1" short of the length of the base of the camera. Kessler's long plate is 6" so it would stick out front or back or both depending upon how you align it.

FWIW, too, you can stick a ⅜ to ¼-20 reducing bushing in the ⅜ hole in the camera's base making both holes ¼-20 and then mount the RRS rail via two ¼-20 screws. The Kessler rail can come with a ⅜ and and a ¼-20 if you want.
 
Just snapped a couple of pics:

C300 with RRS MPR-113 Rail

c300_mpr113.jpeg


C300 + RRS MPR-113 in Kessler Kwik Release

c300_mpr113_kr.jpeg
 
bill totolo said:
Does this system work with any tripod/head?
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It has so many holes various sizes you can attach to anything. I have five of them is on miller, the second is on Oconnor, the third is on Manfrotto (this heard goes to various places including slides, jib. One is on a universal baseplate which I use sometimes as a sandwich attach to one Kwik release with Kwik release on top - sometimes it helps. Very flexible system that allows for great flexibility.

I should also add very reliable and surprisingly strong. I do not like though Kessler plates. Of them I use only their utility plate - it's good and allows for many uses. When it comes to cameras, I like RRS plates already mentioned in the thread . Another option is Zacuto plate http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/982199-REG/zacuto_z_qrdv_qr_dovetail.html; I have 4 or five of them they fit Kiwk release system perfectly
 
Jon Roemer said:
Just snapped a couple of pics:

C300 with RRS MPR-113 Rail

c300_mpr113.jpeg


C300 + RRS MPR-113 in Kessler Kwik Release

c300_mpr113_kr.jpeg
Click to expand...

I really like this plate as well. I purchased it after your recommendation. How did you get both screws into the plate? Do you actually have to tap/drill the screw furthest away from the center? I'm currently using a screw and the anti twist lens plate to ensure it doesn't twist.
 
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