Quick Release Plate that can be used with both video and photo tripods?

M

Mark-P

Well-known member
I have both video tripods and camera tripods and I'd like to use with various video cameras and DSLRs. What type of plate can I get for the cameras that would be compatible with all of the different tripods so I could easily swap them from tripod to tripod as needed and be able to easily attach a strap to the plate without needing to remove the plate?

Thanks.
 
In the photography world Arca Swiss is the QR others are judged against, & it's been adopted by a many of the 3rd Party manufacturers of Cine/Video gear, so if you shoot both it may be good option.
 
I went through the same issue. Got fed up with every brand having their own plates so decided on Arca Swiss.

After some digging I found someone in Austria (online) who machined an AS clamp that replaced the top plate on the Sachtler FSB 8. That solved that problem. For a Manfrotto 504 I had to cobble together an adaptor from a Manfrotto plate and an AS clamp. My still photo gear all uses AS too on Arca Swiss ball heads. Added an AS clamp on my monopod and all's well. Both the Gitzo CF and the Induro CF tripods set have removable centre plates so is easy to switch between a 75mm ball for video and the plate plates for ball heads. One big plus with the AS plates and clamps is they're widely available in many different lengths from a large number of manufacturers which means the prices stay reasonable too.
 
I've standardized on Arca-Swiss style dovetails. The thing that really pushed me over the edge are the new Kessler Kwik Stand plates for the cameras. The biggest complaint I have with A-S plates is they're VERY skinny and the little anti-slide-out screws or nubs on the bottom make the camera wobbly or it falls over. The Kwik Stand plates have "wings" on their four corners that make up a nice flat stand (with nice rubber nubs to keep them from sliding around). It's rock-solid stable with my C300 Mark II sitting on top.

I put a Kessler Kwik Release clamp on the top of my Sachtler CineDSLR's Manfrotto 501-style plate and just leave it there. I'm rigging out a Zacuto VCT rig and I'll put the VCT plate on another Sachtler plate so I can switch it out.

The Kessler Kwik Release clamps are pretty amazing in use. Give the A-S standard the same side-load capability as the Sachtler 501-style side load plates.

I'm slowly switching everything I own over to Arca/Kessler gear. My Second Shooter is already converted and it's awesome to just be able to snap pieces in and out as I need to with no tools or stacked adapters. Everything fits.
 
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