Miller Quick Release (QR) Alternative

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ibhhvc

Active member
Miller's QR plates are absurdly expensive. Does anyone know if there are knockoffs that fit Miller heads, or QR plates for other brands that fit Miller heads? This is for the Miller DS-10.
 
I could never find any which is one reason why I've been moving to Sachtler and their side load system. What's interesting is that I discovered that the DS10 plate fits onto the DS20 head. The DS20 plate is even more expensive and Miller convienently doesn't mention that you could just buy a cheaper DS10 plate. I used a Manfrotto 577 adapter on the Miller so I could switch to monopod. But it never worked that well because the Manfrotto lever hits the Miller plate below it.

Does anybody know if the Compass plates work with the DS10/20?
 
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Just curious, how much are these plates and what do they look like. I am thinking about manufacturing different types as I hear people complaining about there cost. Not just Miller, many companies.
Thank you
Bill Wojo
 
From that picture it doesn't look like much. I just picked up an O'Connor plate that fits 50D and later models on Ebay. I have a model 30B head that also uses that style plate so it will be the first plate that I'll look into making. I need to find somebody local that has Miller gear to reverse engineer the plate to get measurements from. Plus I would want to have access to the head to test the plates with. Nothing about this is rocket science. I already have a source for rubber dots for the top and the screws.
I agree, those prices are highway robbery.
Bill Wojo
 
They're not a straight plate like other plates I've used. They do have a couple of tabs machined into the plate at the back that dovetail into the head. They keep the plate from sliding out completely from the front. The plate can only be slid onto the tripod head in one direction.
 
The only pic that I have seen of the Miller plate is the top view provided by the link above. I would need a sample to measure and reverse engineer. Once I have the specs a CNC mill would be able to reproduce them quite easily I'm sure. I work in this field and have plenty of access to all the industrial processes needed to make quality parts. I had my own machine shop at one point with a full compliment of CNC equipment and cad/cam station. Now I have my own service business repairing CNC machines and have a lot of friends who own shops. When I see the prices for some of these plates I know I could be making a nice little profit manufacturing them and still be a lot cheaper. I have made my own plates on my manual Bridgeport for my older O'Connor heads and it really doesn't take much time.
Bill Wojo
 
Bill, this is an exciting project you're talking about. I just picked up a very nice used Cinevate Atlas for $200 on ebay, but it'll cost me another $140 to attach it to my tripod head. It's just absurd. If I had the time, I'd be looking into a different head from a different company. I know the Sachtler DV heads have QR plates that match some of Manfrottos and those are cheap as can be. Anyway, if you end up building something I'll be ready to buy.
 
I would have to get my hands on a plate for a couple of days to reverse engineer it. Right now I don't have access to one. If anybody in the south jersey or phily area is reading this and could help I could get started. I have a small CNC shop customer looking for work.
Bill Wojo
 
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