Peter Blake
Well-Known Member
for a very long time I had the Manfrotto hex plate, on one of their 029 heads. then recently I came across an ArcaSwiss ball head at a good price, which I hoped would solve the problem of not being able to tilt a dslr body up or down, when turned to portrait format. well, it has solved that problem, but I just don't find the AS qr system anywhere near as intuitive, as the hex plate. mainly because you need to check that the wedge-shaped edges of the qr plate, are correctly aligned with the slot on the head, and that sometimes isn't very easy because it's under the camera or lens, and therefore in shadow. the hex plate is first of all larger than most bodies at least front to rear, and is a lot easier to connect to the head, mainly using the effects of gravity!
in your opinion, is this just a case of getting used to, or is it a more widespread experience?
so I'm kind of thinking that I've made a mistake. the ball head itself is fine, but the qr system is just a bit fiddly when you don't want it to be. qr becoming sr! so recommend me a Manfrotto ball head that uses the hex plate? I just haven't shopped for tripods for such a long time......bit out of touch. or can the AS QR system be removed and replaced with a hex plate setup?
the other thing is, I now find I miss the 029 head, for the long lens, and for the 4x5...
although I have discovered something called a gimbal head, which will definitely work for the 400mm.
is there a particular model of 3 way? head, that anyone would recommend for 4x5? my Toyo only has the 1/4" socket on its clamp. I appreciate you only really need a two way for large format, but a 3way at least has some extra versatility.
what I disliked the most about the 029 (3D STD)head, was the handles. which had to be removed to fit in the Manfrotto bag.
in your opinion, is this just a case of getting used to, or is it a more widespread experience?
so I'm kind of thinking that I've made a mistake. the ball head itself is fine, but the qr system is just a bit fiddly when you don't want it to be. qr becoming sr! so recommend me a Manfrotto ball head that uses the hex plate? I just haven't shopped for tripods for such a long time......bit out of touch. or can the AS QR system be removed and replaced with a hex plate setup?
the other thing is, I now find I miss the 029 head, for the long lens, and for the 4x5...
although I have discovered something called a gimbal head, which will definitely work for the 400mm.
is there a particular model of 3 way? head, that anyone would recommend for 4x5? my Toyo only has the 1/4" socket on its clamp. I appreciate you only really need a two way for large format, but a 3way at least has some extra versatility.
what I disliked the most about the 029 (3D STD)head, was the handles. which had to be removed to fit in the Manfrotto bag.