Recommended Quick Release Plate/Adapter for DIY stuff?

[Rizzice]

So I'm almost at completion of building my shoulder rig for my Canon 7D, and I'm looking for a quick release adapter/plate to purchase, but I'm not sure where to look or what brands to look at.

My budget runs around $50 for the adapter/plate, but for me, the cheaper the better as long as it's sturdy and won't just drop my expensive camera, and the plate won't wiggle around inside the adapter.

Anyone have specific brands that they think are better for a quick release plate/adapter? Manfrotto has a nice sliding one, but it almost looks too heavy duty for my shoulder rig, and probably unnecessarily sturdy/heavy.

 

[ultimind]

I don't think there's such a thing as TOO sturdy. The Manfrotto 577 is an excellent choice for $50. You'll be MUCH happier with this style of QR over the smaller clamp style.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...en_Imaging_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/Manfrotto 577 at B&H

 

[Rodney V. Smith]

the Manfrotto is solid. It has the clamp at the side and then a safety release just in case. That "just in case" has saved my camera on 2 occasions (once on a DIY steadicam after a stupidly quick assembly) so you really can't beat the safety and sturdiness the Manfrotto quick release offers. It's only after you bust a camera that you kick yourself for not getting the more solid piece of gear.

 

[Rizzice]

It's only after you bust a camera that you kick yourself for not getting the more solid piece of gear.

That's a good point! I just cringe when I am spending more than twice the amount on one piece of the DIY than all of the other parts altogether. >.< There aren't any cheaper, somewhat similar solutions?

And I didn't mean to imply that the manfrotto was too sturdy, but more like too heavy. I've worked with Manfrotto tripods and such, and it seems the adapters are a dense metal including the baseplate, the less weight around the camera area the better in this case; but I'll probably go with that if there are no other recommendations...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...en_Imaging_577_577_Rapid_Connect_Adapter.html

Would http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Bogen_Imaging_357_357_Pro_Quick_Release.html work as well? It's a bit cheaper, and longer so I suppose it would be more adjustable for the camera...

 

[Richard Crowley]

Would http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Bogen_Imaging_357_357_Pro_Quick_Release.html work as well? It's a bit cheaper, and longer so I suppose it would be more adjustable for the camera...

That's weird. It looks like the SAME product, except with the longer camera plate (which is shown as an option on the more expensive 577 product.) Certainly looks like the better deal. I'm bookmarking it for a project I'm working on.

 

[Rodney V. Smith]

It's the same thing. I have two of those, on one my Glidecam and the other on my Proteus Rail system. THe longer plate allows for a lot more flexibility in adjusting. It;s quite useful actually.

 

[TonyJ303]

I use the arca style plates and clamps. there are lots of companies that make them and you can get some reasonable deals on ebay. Kirk and really right stuff make really nice ones that are camera specific.

 

[.vince]

Just so people don't make the same mistake I did :

The Manfrotto 577 and 357 are not compatible.

.vince

 

[Ted Ramasola]

So I'm almost at completion of building my shoulder rig for my Canon 7D, and I'm looking for a quick release adapter/plate to purchase, but I'm not sure where to look or what brands to look at.

My budget runs around $50 for the adapter/plate, but for me, the cheaper the better as long as it's sturdy and won't just drop my expensive camera, and the plate won't wiggle around inside the adapter.

Anyone have specific brands that they think are better for a quick release plate/adapter? Manfrotto has a nice sliding one, but it almost looks too heavy duty for my shoulder rig, and probably unnecessarily sturdy/heavy.

Have you tried looking at GIOTTOS? I use that on my DIY rail mount.

 

[coreworld]

I have been wondering about the Manfrotto QR plates too, does anyone know if by any chance they work with a Libec H38 head/plate? I want to be able to swap from zaza slider to camera on LS38 tripod without swapping plates.

 

[hazydave]

That's a good point! I just cringe when I am spending more than twice the amount on one piece of the DIY than all of the other parts altogether. >.< There aren't any cheaper, somewhat similar solutions?

If you just need the mounting plate with quick release, these work:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554141-REG/Manfrotto_323_323_RC2_System_Quick.html

I've actually had a tripod with video head for over decade using the RC2 plate, and a monopod for slightly less time, so I have used these for DIY projects, just because compatibility is of value (easy swap between multiple still and video cameras and the various mounting devices).

The 357 plate gives you a longer base and more adjustability, which is useful if you need it, particularly if you need to use the plate mount to balance larger cameras. I haven't had any problems with the RC2s and my smaller cameras (Sony HVR-A1, Panasonic AG-HMC40, various Canon and Nikon DSLRs).