Does anyone know of a good universal quick release assembly that would work well for the GH1? Preferably one that allows the opening of the battery compartment without having to remove the plate from the camera. I'd like to get multiples of these to easily move the camera between tripod and any other possible mounting solutions such as shoulder mount, Fig Rig, or Steadicam-type rig.
Universal quick release assembly?
- Thread starter Mike@AF
- Start date
Right. I'm going to talk a little about *the* choice of quick release system in the still photography world... and that is the Arca-Swiss system.
Essentially it's a system that uses plates with dovetail grooves gripped to the platform using matched jaws. The advantages are that it allows plates of different sizes to fit both cameras and lenses (for large lenses with tripod collar mounts), and also allows for very slim plates customised to a specific camera or lens. Here's a link to more information: http://www.shortcourses.com/guide/guide4-3.html
They're not cheap, as all the plates I know of are machined on CNC workshop machines, and it's pretty much a seller's market as of now.
The two main players are Really Right Stuff and Kirk Photo. There's another fairly new player, Acratech (no relation to Arca-Swiss), whose plate #2173 is what I'm using for my GH1. I have no problems removing the battery from the GH1 using that plate.
Essentially it's a system that uses plates with dovetail grooves gripped to the platform using matched jaws. The advantages are that it allows plates of different sizes to fit both cameras and lenses (for large lenses with tripod collar mounts), and also allows for very slim plates customised to a specific camera or lens. Here's a link to more information: http://www.shortcourses.com/guide/guide4-3.html
They're not cheap, as all the plates I know of are machined on CNC workshop machines, and it's pretty much a seller's market as of now.
The two main players are Really Right Stuff and Kirk Photo. There's another fairly new player, Acratech (no relation to Arca-Swiss), whose plate #2173 is what I'm using for my GH1. I have no problems removing the battery from the GH1 using that plate.
I've used 5kg setups (that's over 10 pounds) of gear with no problem. If you prefer a lever, RRS makes a platform that uses a lever, but warns of using other (in particular older) plates by other manufacturers as they may not provide enough grip (ah yes, so the universal system is not so universal; I know - the price you pay for convenience wrought by the bigger player in the market).
Oh, and like everything here... the lever quick release platform is quite a bit dearer than the standard knob release!
Oh, and like everything here... the lever quick release platform is quite a bit dearer than the standard knob release!
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
I've used the Kirk camera plates on all my cameras for years. I have the BH3 ball head for stills and I've mounted my Kirk Macro Focus Rail on my Libec H22DV head. The QR plates on the Libec are HUGE compared to the GH1 and stick way out behind the camera. With the macro focus rail mounted onto the Libec QR plate I have a platform that I can quickly put my GH1 or G1 onto the head. The rail also allows me to position the camera relative to the head which is good as the Libec is expecting a heavier camera. Also, I'm going to be doing macro work and this allow me to rack the camera back and forth for coarse focus adjustment rather than having to move the tripod.
Cheers,
Cheers,
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
I'll try to post a couple of pictures later tonight, Mike.
Cheers,
Cheers,
tmnt
King of Australia
I have a Markins M10 ballhead with a RRS QR plate - using with my Nikon D80 that has a battery grip and plate (allows access to everything still and allows you to mount cam vertical or horizontal for perfect balance). The RRS QR works so well and feels rock solid.
I'm stoked with this setup, hopefully will have it for many years to come.
I'm stoked with this setup, hopefully will have it for many years to come.
Jeff Anderson
Custom Title!
I'm using the RSS quick release too - wouldnt have it any other way. Being able to flip into portrait mode with the L-camera bracket is pretty bad-ass.
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
Here's a few shots of my setup with the Kirk macro focus rail mounted on the QR plate of the Libec H22DV head (and Gitzo G1348 Mk2 CF legs). Forgive the quick and dirty iPhone pix.
The actual QR capture portion can rotate via a knob underneath.
I have the QR knob facing forward where it's easy to get
at with the GH1 mounted.
The macro focus stage allows the mounted camera to be
racked back and forth up to 6 inches. This allows better
balancing on the head (which expects a 9 lb camera).
Here's the GH1 mounted and in a fore/aft "balance point".
Obviously the focus rail also fulfills its primary purpose too, to allow coarse adjustments in camera position to be easily made for macro focusing. Much, much better than trying to inch a tripod back and forth!
The Kirk or RRS QR plates are small and relatively light, and much easier to work with than the often too big QR plates on some video heads. As Jeff pointed out above, the L-brackets are great for stills, although to my knowledge neither vendor has a G1/GH1 L-bracket, although I think RRS has a bottom plate. I'm just using a couple of more universal plates for now in the hope that we'll see an L-bracket sometime soon.
Cheers,
The actual QR capture portion can rotate via a knob underneath.
I have the QR knob facing forward where it's easy to get
at with the GH1 mounted.
The macro focus stage allows the mounted camera to be
racked back and forth up to 6 inches. This allows better
balancing on the head (which expects a 9 lb camera).
Here's the GH1 mounted and in a fore/aft "balance point".
Obviously the focus rail also fulfills its primary purpose too, to allow coarse adjustments in camera position to be easily made for macro focusing. Much, much better than trying to inch a tripod back and forth!
The Kirk or RRS QR plates are small and relatively light, and much easier to work with than the often too big QR plates on some video heads. As Jeff pointed out above, the L-brackets are great for stills, although to my knowledge neither vendor has a G1/GH1 L-bracket, although I think RRS has a bottom plate. I'm just using a couple of more universal plates for now in the hope that we'll see an L-bracket sometime soon.
Cheers,
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Regarding RRS, they have top-notch stuff. But I thought this was specific to the G/GH1: http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B6&eq=B6-005&Tp=.
Regards,
Dan.
Regards,
Dan.
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
Having finally gotten the head properly mounted on my sticks and then the GH1 attached, I concur. However, the head is a dream compared to what I've used before. I've tried video with a ballhead and, obviously, you can only do static shots. I had one of the Manfrotto low end heads (701) that I used with a Canon HV20 before but you still couldn't pan smoothly. Compared to that, the Libec is creamy heaven!
I appreciate the recommendations I got here on the H22DV, it's going to allow me to do what I need to get my shots.
Ciao,
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
Dan, I'm pretty sure from the look of it and the wording that it's a generic one that they're touting for the G1/GH1.
Cheers,
B6 is not a dedicated plate. It's a generic plate that happens to suit the G1/GH1. As I intend to leave the plate on, I don't want a plate that's too thick, and non-dedicated plates tend to be thicker.
Simon, thanks for sharing. I guess I'll avoid the 701 then. Libec stuff here is hard to get, and the distributor is a pain to deal with.
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
I actually had issues here too in Vancouver, BC. The Libec distributor would only sell the complete tripod/head package whereas I already had a great set of legs :smile:. I ended up getting it through B&H at a good price. Of course, depending on the import duties/taxes you might have to pay it can still be an issue.
Cheers,
simonclivehughes
Well-known member
Yes, it's a Gitzo G1348 Mk2, carbon fiber set. It has a flat top with a 3/8" bolt for heads. What I didn't realize is that the inner circular portion the top can be removed, so I was able to get a 75mm bowl from Gitzo (via B&H again) to mount the Libec onto. I love these legs as I'm 6'5" (198cm) and I HATE having to bend over to look into the camera. Of course, the GH1's swivel LCD really helps with placement.
I've also got a smaller G1228 CF thats smaller but a lot lighter.
The only potential downside to the Gitzo is the leg lock mechanism... it can be slow and occasionally, you really have to work to get one segment separated from another.
Cheers,
I've also got a smaller G1228 CF thats smaller but a lot lighter.
The only potential downside to the Gitzo is the leg lock mechanism... it can be slow and occasionally, you really have to work to get one segment separated from another.
Cheers,
Ok, sorry for the off-topic post, but I'll keep it short!
Simon, darn, that's a nice feature. The GT3531S I'm eyeing doesn't seem to do that. Need the GT3531LSV for that. More expensive and more importantly, it's VERY big. I'm not very tall and that thing looks way overkill.
The Gitzos now have ALR (Anti-Leg Rotation) mechanisms, and the new ones (quite a lot of them by now) have the new G-Locks, which unlock and lock with about a 1/3 twist on the lock. I can setup a 4 section GT1541T in under 15 seconds. As fast as, or potentially faster than, fliplocks, which I normally favour.
Simon, darn, that's a nice feature. The GT3531S I'm eyeing doesn't seem to do that. Need the GT3531LSV for that. More expensive and more importantly, it's VERY big. I'm not very tall and that thing looks way overkill.
The Gitzos now have ALR (Anti-Leg Rotation) mechanisms, and the new ones (quite a lot of them by now) have the new G-Locks, which unlock and lock with about a 1/3 twist on the lock. I can setup a 4 section GT1541T in under 15 seconds. As fast as, or potentially faster than, fliplocks, which I normally favour.