Alternative to Hejnar conversion 4 Manfrotto 410 arca

russellsnr

russellsnr

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Hi, anyone no of an alternative to the Hejnar conversion 4 Manfrotto 410 arca please?
Cost of the Hejnar conversion 4 Manfrotto 410 arca plus the postage is near as much as the 410 head in the first place.
Thankyou,
Russ
 
I have a Hejnar conversion kit and it is very good, but something you could do yourself. The most simple solution would be to buy an Arca clamp with a 1/4" thread and simply screw it to the Manfrotto plate. A more sophisticated solution would be to remove the plate and the locking mechanism and attach a brass plate (or similar) to the top of the tripod head using the available screw holes and screw an Arca clamp to this. This would need access to either a simple machine shop or you could draw something simple in sketchup and send it off to one of the online shape companies.
 
As Gareth suggests, just get an Arca-Swiss clamp and screw it directly to the Manfrotto QR plate. Couldn't be easier. In practical terms, it's identical to the Hejnar conversion. Loads of clamps on Amazon/ebay, from around a tenner :thumbs:
 
I attached a pano arca swiss clamp to mine with a simple bold to the manfrotto plate, ideal for doing panos obviously
 
phil_b said:
I attached a pano arca swiss clamp to mine with a simple bold to the manfrotto plate, ideal for doing panos obviously
Click to expand...

Exactly what I've done. Something like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/58mm-Flu...956450?hash=item4afbcadee2:g:2NIAAOSwGYVW9XzI

Works really well actually. I was going to remove the plate clamp mechanism all together and cut the top plate down a bit originally but chickened out. This option works really well in practice though I'd just advise you choose which pano clamp you buy carefully. There are loads on ebay but some (like one of mine) don't have any knurling on the knob that you tighten to stop the pano clamp rotating. This makes it a right pain to clamp up firmly, especially if you have cold/wet hands. One linked above, much better.
 
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Manfrotto's own solution looks neat, but quite expensive at £95. It's a case of removing the existing plate off the head and bolting the new one into place.

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/q6-top-lock-quick-release-adaptor-complete-with-plate

I'm thinking about a change to Arca Swiss, I like the Manfrotto quick release, but their L bracket looks like a clumsy solution.

I'm a bit concerned at attaching a generic Arca Swiss plate as the Manfrotto head has a U shaped groove on the top, I wonder how secure the grip would be if you bolted a flat plate directly onto the head. It would be good to hear of others' experience with this.


Chris
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
Manfrotto's own solution looks neat, but quite expensive at £95. It's a case of removing the existing plate off the head and bolting the new one into place.

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/q6-top-lock-quick-release-adaptor-complete-with-plate

I'm thinking about a change to Arca Swiss, I like the Manfrotto quick release, but their L bracket looks like a clumsy solution.

I'm a bit concerned at attaching a generic Arca Swiss plate as the Manfrotto head has a U shaped groove on the top, I wonder how secure the grip would be if you bolted a flat plate directly onto the head. It would be good to hear of others' experience with this.


Chris
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There is nothing on the top of the 410 to remove to allow for the fitting of that.
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
Manfrotto's own solution looks neat, but quite expensive at £95. It's a case of removing the existing plate off the head and bolting the new one into place.

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/q6-top-lock-quick-release-adaptor-complete-with-plate

I'm thinking about a change to Arca Swiss, I like the Manfrotto quick release, but their L bracket looks like a clumsy solution.

I'm a bit concerned at attaching a generic Arca Swiss plate as the Manfrotto head has a U shaped groove on the top, I wonder how secure the grip would be if you bolted a flat plate directly onto the head. It would be good to hear of others' experience with this.


Chris
Click to expand...
A word of warning about that Manfrotto head. At least two of us on here have that head. It is very good....but it appears to be over engineered. We have both had instances of cameras that we thought were securely fixed falling onto the floor. The culprit seems to be the "security" button. Over time it appears that dirt and crud will work its way into the mechanism preventing it securely locking in place. The clamp tightens up and the impression is that all is well. It may not be, with possibly expensive results.

I have taken the top plate off and replaced it with a panning head. Even that was not simple because I needed a little gizmo as an interface between the two. (Cost me £12!)

Tripod head is a good one but I don' trust the top plate. It's now on my macro rig!!!
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
Manfrotto's own solution looks neat, but quite expensive at £95. It's a case of removing the existing plate off the head and bolting the new one into place.

https://www.manfrotto.co.uk/q6-top-lock-quick-release-adaptor-complete-with-plate

I'm thinking about a change to Arca Swiss, I like the Manfrotto quick release, but their L bracket looks like a clumsy solution.

I'm a bit concerned at attaching a generic Arca Swiss plate as the Manfrotto head has a U shaped groove on the top, I wonder how secure the grip would be if you bolted a flat plate directly onto the head. It would be good to hear of others' experience with this.


Chris
Click to expand...
mickledore said:
A word of warning about that Manfrotto head. At least two of us on here have that head. It is very good....but it appears to be over engineered. We have both had instances of cameras that we thought were securely fixed falling onto the floor. The culprit seems to be the "security" button. Over time it appears that dirt and crud will work its way into the mechanism preventing it securely locking in place. The clamp tightens up and the impression is that all is well. It may not be, with possibly expensive results.

I have taken the top plate off and replaced it with a panning head. Even that was not simple because I needed a little gizmo as an interface between the two. (Cost me £12!)

Tripod head is a good one but I don' trust the top plate. It's now on my macro rig!!!
Click to expand...

I'm the 'other' person @mickledore is talking about, my camera took a tumble onto a hard surface, thankfully it was fixed promptly and effeciently though the defect did not show for a couple of weeks (cracked on back of glass covering sensor!! - I assume that it was induced by the fall, and not a natural manufacturing defect). The lens was saved by the lens hood.

What happens is that if the spring (behind the red push button) doesn't fully release the locking mechanism, when you tighten the locking mechanism, instead of clamping the part, it can either but up against it (not clamping it) or ride underneath, the thumbwheel stiffens leading you to believe that all is tighten up, when in reality the camera is just perched on top of the tripod.

I have left mine on the tripod, I just double and triple check everything before I take my hands away.

I don't think that it is Manfrotto's finest hour

Personally I would do as @HoppyUK says, but I would sink an additional fixing to stop the Arca plate from rotating. I used to have a Sunwayfoto plate on to of my 410. These usually have an extra couple of countersunk holes, into which a fixing could be put to stop rotation. If going this route just make sure the plate is big enough or the tightening arm long enough to clear the relatively bulky Manfrotto original plate.
 
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Thank you, Sir!
I didn't want to name you in case you desired annonimity.
As you say....not Manfrotto's finest hour. The Arca plate is somewhat cumbersome as well.
 
Thanks Mickledore and David, that's invaluable information re the Manfrotto Arca Swiss adapter, . My wife wants to use an L bracket and having watched her destroy one DSLR with a tripod head incident - it fell onto rocks at Godrevy in Cornwall - I'm looking for a secure & easy to use solution.

We have a few Manfdrotto heads, all work well and apart from the requirement to use an L bracket, I'm not keen to move away from their quick release system, but I can't find a decent Manfrotto compatible L bracket.

Hope the OP doesn't mind me jumping in with this thread.

Chris
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
but I can't find a decent Manfrotto compatible L bracket.
Click to expand...
What camera body are you using? I thought Arca was an accepted system although with no laid down standards. I thought all brackets and plates were compatible.
 
We use Canon DSLRs. The issue is that apart from Manfrotto's own, I've not been able to find and L bracket that uses Manfrotto's quick release - they all seem to use Arca Swiss, so I'm now looking at converting our existing heads to Arca Swiss. So far, the Henjar seems to be in the lead, following your comments above.

Chris
 
Well with that Manfrotto head in its original condition I've used both Sunwayfoto and cheap Chinese knock off L brackets. They have worked perfectly - until the security feature failed, which is nothing to do with the L bracket.
 
mickledore said:
Well with that Manfrotto head in its original condition I've used both Sunwayfoto and cheap Chinese knock off L brackets. They have worked perfectly - until the security feature failed, which is nothing to do with the L bracket.
Click to expand...

I was going to spend the £95 and buy the same plate that you are using, but the security issues you and David experienced have put me off. It looks as though the Henjar solution is going to be the way forward.

Apologies to the OP for the thread drift.

Chris
 
Not at all Chris. ALL info comes into play. I did come up with one rather cumbersome option for the Canon 6D. A sunwayfoto PCL-6DG Plate Bracket it allows you to attach the plates from the Manfrotto 410 on the bottom and the side but the problem is three fold (1) you cannot access the the left side of the camera to attach any cables (2) it does not reduce the weight infact the opposite and (3) the model I bought was for a camera with a battery grip attached so the idea of reduced weight goes out the window.
Must admit now leaning toward the Henjar option and not just because it works but also because it seems to be safe! Russ
 
Why would you attach the plate from the 410 to your L bracket? It isn't needed at all. The L bracket you mention will fit into the clamp. That's what they are designed to do.
The supplied plate is totally surplus to requirements.
 
mickledore said:
Why would you attach the plate from the 410 to your L bracket? It isn't needed at all. The L bracket you mention will fit into the clamp. That's what they are designed to do.
The supplied plate is totally surplus to requirements.
Click to expand...

I think we are taking at cross-purposes. My Manfrotto head, has their own QR assembly. As it's not possible to fit an Arca Swiss L Bracket to this I need to remove the Manfrotto QR assembly and replace it with an Arca Swiss compatible assembly. Manfrotto sell an Arca Swiss adapter to fit their heads for £95 (the one I linked to above). I was thinking about this option but your comments about the security issue have put me off.

Like Russ, I'm leaning towards the Hejnar solution, but my head is not a 410, so it will be a slightly different adapter.

Chris
 
mickledore said:
Well with that Manfrotto head in its original condition I've used both Sunwayfoto and cheap Chinese knock off L brackets. They have worked perfectly - until the security feature failed, which is nothing to do with the L bracket.
Click to expand...


Beware of (some) cheap knockoffs. Dad had a QR plate (knockoff of a Manfrotto) disintegrate as he clamped down on it. Luckily, he still had hold of the binocular telescope he was trying to mount so it didn't crash to the floor. Even luckier, I had a genuine Manfrotto plate spare in my bag.
 
The standard Arca-Swiss clamp and plate system has safety lock-stops built in. There should be a little stud at each end of the plate, which mates with a recess cut into the clamp. So if anything comes loose for whatever reason (has never happened to me) the plate can't slide out. It's dead simple and reliable, though note that not all plates and L-brackets have the studs fitted.

One of the beauties of Arca-Swiss is its efficient simplicity. It a mystery why other manufacturers feel compelled to meddle with it by fitting different locks and other devices, that are quite unnecessary and often make things worse (and can create some incompatibility issues). I have dozens of these things, used for various rigs I need for work. Price is no guarantee of better quality, they're generally all well made and my favourite clamp cost £8 I think.
 
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HoppyUK said:
The standard Arca-Swiss clamp and plate system has safety lock-stops built in. There should be a little stud at each end of the plate, which mates with a recess cut into the clamp. So if anything comes loose for whatever reason (has never happened to me) the plate can't slide out. It's dead simple and reliable, though note that not all plates and L-brackets have the studs fitted.

One of the beauties of Arca-Swiss is its efficient simplicity. It a mystery why other manufacturers feel compelled to meddle with it by fitting different locks and other devices, that are quite unnecessary and often make things worse (and can create some incompatibility issues). I have dozens of these things, used for various rigs I need for work. Price is no guarantee of better quality, they're generally all well made and my favourite clamp cost £8 I think.
Click to expand...
:plus1:
The man knows what he's talking about.
(It's his job!)
 
It's certainly a mystery why they do this - even Arca-Swiss themselves, who ought to know better, have introduced an incompatible system with narrower plates ('MonoballFix') that's available as an option on some of their heads, and their latest clamps have a 'double-decker' arrangement that works with both. 'The nice thing about standards is that you have so many to choose from.'
 
Retune said:
It's certainly a mystery why they do this - even Arca-Swiss themselves, who ought to know better, have introduced an incompatible system with narrower plates ('MonoballFix') that's available as an option on some of their heads, and their latest clamps have a 'double-decker' arrangement that works with both. 'The nice thing about standards is that you have so many to choose from.'
Click to expand...

Yes, the smaller Arca-Swiss system that nobody asked for and nobody uses as far as I can see. I have one of those genuine Arca-Swiss double-decker clamps and it's both my least favourite and most expensive :rolleyes:

If you want a really small standard Arca-Swiss plate, they are available - about 25mm x 38mm (standard AS width). I used a really neat one the other day, came with a Slik CF422 tripod, which was that size but only 5mm thick (which is all it needs to be). Perfect for mirrorless. Not sure where to buy just the plate itself, but easy enough to DIY from a standard plate if you're handy with a hacksaw and file.
 
davekiddle said:
Reading this with interest as it's something I'm considering doing.

I came across this but can't work out how it works. Any ideas?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-405-410-Head-Adapter-for-Kirk-Markins-Arca-Swiss-Wimberley-Acratech/182801680431?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=41375&meid=bd9d0e729faa49be9e051ea682ec8cd9&pid=100011&rk=2&rkt=11&sd=330552413812&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850
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I think it just bolts onto the manfrotto plate that fits the 410 geared hear, similar to what we described above earlier doing with a pano head instead.
 
There are an awful lot of these clamps to choose from but I found this one, my thinking is that along the flat edge side of the Manfrotto plate is slot where the screw/bolt goes through to fix to the bottom of a camera or drill two holes into the Manfrotto plate to align with the holes on this that is on ebay and located London (or so they say) anyway I ordered one but living outside the UK will take a while to get here.
Russ.
Capture.JPG Capture2.JPG
 
Hi, OK the plate arrived and only had to attach it with one screw through the bottom onto the Manfrooto plate. Tried it with a Canon 6D and 70-200mm F4 lens both with the camera L braket and the lens bracket and solid. Must be fixed as shown otherwise to tight on the plate and cannot open/close the Arca type plate.
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russellsnr said:
Hi, OK the plate arrived and only had to attach it with one screw through the bottom onto the Manfrooto plate. Tried it with a Canon 6D and 70-200mm F4 lens both with the camera L braket and the lens bracket and solid. Must be fixed as shown otherwise to tight on the plate and cannot open/close the Arca type plate.
View attachment 115110
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've been a bit unlucky with that particular clamp, but easy to fix. Trim the rubber around the edge of the Manfrotto plate so it clears the clamp, or fit a spacer underneath.
 
Just curious who folk use/buy from for the plates?

Got a Hejnar clamp on a 410 I’ve just bought, but no mounting plate came with it[emoji57]
 
russellsnr said:
You could go here http://stores.ebay.com/Hejnar-Photo
BUT look at the prices then check out the same plates from Ebay it's self.
eBay item number:
262423309715

or

eBay item number:
201748351558
Click to expand...

Thanks very much, will check all that out. [emoji41]


HoppyUK said:
So you've got a 410 head, with a standard Hejnar clamp (not the Hejnar conversion)? Then I think the plate you want is a 410PL, then just bolt the clamp to it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-410PL-Profile-Release-Adapter/dp/B00009R6H2

ps You still got the RB5? I had a MY2000 in similar spec, fabulous car :)
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I [think/] it’s just the clamp(will take a pic tomorrow to be certain).

RB5 has long since gone unfortunately. Actually had a couple other Scoobs after that, but getting married and having kids put an end to that. Totally hankering after another now though...currently throwing a Toyota IQ about like a looney...it can handle extremely well![emoji33][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]You still got a Scoob yourself?IMG_5104.jpgIMG_8144.jpg
 
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drb5 said:
Thanks very much, will check all that out. [emoji41]

I [think/] it’s just the clamp(will take a pic tomorrow to be certain).

RB5 has long since gone unfortunately. Actually had a couple other Scoobs after that, but getting married and having kids put an end to that. Totally hankering after another now though...currently throwing a Toyota IQ about like a looney...it can handle extremely well!
Click to expand...

O/T

No, my Scoob went a long time ago, but I kept it for ten great years and had loads of fun on track days and at the Nurburgring etc with Scoobynetters (y)
 
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