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After approx $1k (excluding tripod) I have converted to the Arca-swiss system.

It all started with a new tripod and head. I got a Benro C327 and KB-2 ballhead. A good start, but only one A-S style bracket. Time to get a bit more involved ...

After much gnashing of teeth I bought some plates.

Yesterday my kit from Wimberly arrived finally via UPS.

- I bought the all purpose plate (decided against an L-plate) for the camera.
- And I bought 3x P20 plates for my 3 lenses that will eventually use it - presently I only have it on my 70-200 2.8 foot, but will fit it to my 400 5.6 foot when that lens arrives, and also to the foot of my Canon 100 macro when I order the foot for it.
- I also bought a C-10 quick release mount to fit to my Manfrotto monopod (I like the joystick head on top of it - 222RC). I will need to take to my monopod head with a grinder to make the C-10 fit properly (its not flat even after removing the Manfrotto plate from it); so for now the C-10 is attached to the Manfrotto QR plate (so I have two QR plates, if that makes sense).

Installing the bits was all relatively painless. With a mount on everything, I can see the benefits - no more changing base plates (they can stay on permanently). Less chance of dropping something while swapping base plates, and I have the safety stops on my plates too - so while I have to lever them into position (rather than slide), there is no chance of them sliding off once on the mounts. I felt a bit more comfortable with that approach.

I really only bought Wimberly stuff as it was a touch cheaper than RRS and faster delivery. I am still deciding about a macro / flash bracket, I will probably go Wimberley for that too (But will get my stuff sent via USPS).

I will probably also order the Sidekick if I get serious with my 400 5.6, just to allow that bit more flexibility.

So it all worked out quite expensive in the end. I hope it was all worth it. I think it will be - after mounting my 70-200 tonight on the tripod, it just feels so much more solid. I did have some thoughts thinking "what the hell am I doing spending this much just on bits of metal" but these should give me many years of service.

With the anti-twist nubs mounted, I don't think it is going anywhere soon. My old manfrotto base plate used to twist and squirm a bit in comparison.

Money well spent Dion!
Yes it's expensive but boy is it nice stuff!
Looks like you've got a great set up, now go out there and take some pictures!

If you have access to a second camera can you take some shots of your new setup, of if you don't (have a 2nd camera) just take some shots of what you can without the camera mounted.

And congrarts on your new toys!

Switch to Arca Swiss system is the best way I found.
Long ago, I used the Manfrotto, once I saw the A-S, then no more.
You have to spend good money in building up the one you like and it's there forever, RRS, Kirk, Wimberly, they're legendary stuff, no doubt!

DionM, you have done a good job!

Thanks guys.

I will try and take some pics tonight with my Powershot G2.

One thing I did note - I had to remove the Benro safety lever, as it was interfering with the P-20 foot.

DionM wrote: One thing I did note - I had to remove the Benro safety lever, as it was interfering with the P-20 foot.

DionM,
That's, if you want to use its QRP with any other A-S plates or brackets..
It's still safely enough when your gears mounted on it.

Birddog114 wrote:DionM,
That's, if you want to use its QRP with any other A-S plates or brackets..
It's still safely enough when your gears mounted on it.

Birddog - yeah its not a big problem - at least it could be removed ! I have the safety nubs fitted to each end of my Wimberley plates as well so it cannot slide out.

DionM wrote: Birddog - yeah its not a big problem - at least it could be removed ! I have the safety nubs fitted to each end of my Wimberley plates as well so it cannot slide out.

DionM,
Modify brake pads & disc brakes, install on both ends of the plates

Sorry if I'm stealing the tread but my question seems to be related .....

Is there flash arms and focusing rails could be used with RRS BH-55? RRS has got wonderful rail with clasp but it's price - US$450 is quite distractive Flash arms aren't cheap also. I'm just wondering if there are 3rd party products which could be used with virtually any arca-swiss system?

Hlop wrote:Sorry if I'm stealing the tread but my question seems to be related .....

Is there flash arms and focusing rails could be used with RRS BH-55? RRS has got wonderful rail with clasp but it's price - US$450 is quite distractive Flash arms aren't cheap also. I'm just wondering if there are 3rd party products which could be used with virtually any arca-swiss system?

Yes, they're:

- DIY from Bunning hardware by wooden or plastics and they cost around $25.00 - $30.00, only use once and throw it in the garbage bin after.
This has been talked before few times on this board from few folks with their new venture.

- Kirk, Wimberley do have them but not much cheaper than RRS.

I have used the Manfrotto dual arm flash bracket to which I have attached an Arca Swiss Markins PG-33 and on the top a Kirk Arca Swiss quick release clamp. The arms on the Manfrotto are adjustable.

Hlop wrote:Is there flash arms and focusing rails could be used with RRS BH-55? RRS has got wonderful rail with clasp but it's price - US$450 is quite distractive Flash arms aren't cheap also. I'm just wondering if there are 3rd party products which could be used with virtually any arca-swiss system?

Arca-Swiss focussing rails are made by RRS and Kirk. They have some old versions of those which can be found on eBay occasionally. Manfrotto have a focussing rail, but when you combine that with the required Arca-Swiss clamp and plate you'll find the price (and weight) can surpass the RRS/Kirk solutions.

RRS, Kirk, and Wimberley make flash brackets which will clamp onto the Arca-Swiss plate on the lens or camera. The good lens plates have a "double-dovetail" design so the bracket can clamp on the top of the plate as well as the bottom.
The old RRS and Kirk flash arms bolted onto special holes on the front edges of their lens plates, but when they saw the Wimberley double-dovetail design they both changed their designs within a few years. The Wimberley plates have the holes for the old Kirk/RRS designs, and the new arms are fairly interchangeable amongst all the brands.
So you don't have to stick to RRS.

You could buy an RRS mini-clamp (such as the B2-FAB) and bolt onto that your own DIY flash bracket (this could then attach to the camera/lens plate easily), you can look around for older brackets on the 2nd-hand market, or you can buy new gear.
To me those seem to be the only serious options. For my own macro work I currently use a Wimberley Module-1 (which has the mini clamp) and attach a DIY construction to that.

P.S. Chris: nice work!

Chris,
Your setup will cost the same or closed to the RRS or KirK or Wimberley if Hilop wants to go that way and buying bit & piece all over the places.

DaveB,
Hilop has a full gear from RRS as L bracket, BH-55, lens plates for his 80-400VR.
He can go with any other options as products from Kirks or Wimberley to match with his gears.
End up the costs are still not much difference in pricing with the completed setup from RRS.

Wendell, for the 70-200VR if you have the LCF-10 you won't need the MPR-CL. So only the B85-B or B87-B will be required. The last I looked aswell the MPR-CL is only $110US and the flash bracket is only about $240US. So that's $350US not $450US. You'll only need the MPR-CL when you're working with lenses that don't have a lens foot that uses the double dovetail.

Anyway $450US isn't really a lot when you see the quality of the item.

kipper,
He may need the full set of flash bracket coz he'll use it with all other lenses as well.

I agreed with you the total cost of US$450.00 or US$350.00 is not a waste and it worth with the investment.

I know somewhere or other brands may have some cheap systems, but I never like them nor do not suit my style and gears, and these tools will last for life, regardless of which system you're with, as Nikon or Canon or others

Kipper,
I concur this is a fantastic peice of equipment, I purchased the portrait package (MPR-CL + 87-B) plus the FA-29 Flash Adaptor for the SC-28/29 cord and have used it in the last 2 weddings I was at.
It worked a breeze with the shorter lens, and as you've said it simply clips straight onto the LCF-10 for the 70-200VR.
It's a bit of a beast to handle especially with the LSII attached, but the results speak for themselves. (A monopod would help but not always pratical)
Wendell if you really want a flexiable strong system then from what I've seen you should just accept the cost and go for the RRS system, You've already bought a few of the parts so you might as well continue with the same system.
Nothing worse than running 2 different systems and forever dismantling one down to attach another system.
It's all extra time that you should be using to take pictures.

D70 + 24-120VR + MPR-CL + 87-B + FA-29 + SB-800 + LSII

Birddog, oh well.....$450US. I've just forked out $125US + shipping for a skimmer pod that looks like a frying pan with a base for wimberley head attachment

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=41&cat=19&page=1


If you want the best, and want to get the job done without fucking around with fiddly systems or setups you have to pay.

kipper,
That's exactly right! and I agreed!
Even you have to put yourself on instant noodle for a year, it will trade off.

Still better than spending your hard earned cash on gambling or buying some other nonsense stuffs

Or pissing it up against a wall every week.

kipper wrote:Or pissing it up against a wall every week.

I worked it out that you could easily spend $100-$200 a week socialising and if you did that every week, that's 52weeks so you're looking at $5000-10000 a year. Now that's $10000-20000 over two years that I haven't spent on drinking!

kipper wrote:I worked it out that you could easily spend $100-$200 a week socialising and if you did that every week, that's 52weeks so you're looking at $5000-10000 a year. Now that's $10000-20000 over two years that I haven't spent on drinking!

kipper,
You have done well so far!

Well I still drink, but just not at clubs.