Arca Swiss adapter question

FishyFish

FishyFish

Suspended / Banned
Messages
8,792
Name
Nige
Edit My Images
No
I bought an Arca Swiss compatible L bracket this week thinking my Vanguard tripod head was also Arca Swiss compatible. Turns out it isn’t. It has a slightly wider mount so the L bracket is too small to fit.

I’ve seen a number of adapters that I think will solve the issue, e.g. something like this.

I’m presuming that I would attach one of my Vanguard fit quick-release plates to the bottom of this and then mount them both on the tripod head to allow me to use my L bracket. Or am I missing something?

Thanks.
 
Usually easier to remove the existing clamp and replace it with one like you have linked to.
The centre bolt can be a bit stiff especially if Loctite has been used.

Have a look at the stub once the existing clamp is removed, some have small lugs others are flat.
Replacement clamps come in all shapes and sizes, just pick one you fancy that fits onto your ball head.
 
FishyFish said:
The L bracket looks to be 38mm wide, so should fit the adapter I linked to (although that's not necessarily the one I'd buy - it was just an example).

I've made a quick attempt to remove the clamp from my ball head, but the screw is in tight. Any tips on how to loosen it without destroying it?
Click to expand...

If it's an Allen type head it will undo, but needs a bit of force and will probably go with a crack if threadlocker has been used.
A piece of pipe over the end of the Allen key helps to give more leverage.
Another way is to give it a squirt of a dismantling fluid like Plusgas, that sometimes does the trick.
This shows it quite clearly https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1263783
 
Last edited:
The Vanguard heads come with a 38mm plate (BH series arca swiss compatible)... which head do you have?
High heat is the only way to break high strength loctite... no idea how strong of a threadlock they used.
 
sk66 said:
The Vanguard heads come with a 38mm plate (BH series arca swiss compatible)... which head do you have?
High heat is the only way to break high strength loctite... no idea how strong of a threadlock they used.
Click to expand...

That's only the most recent ones Steven, they didn’t used to be Arca compatible.
I believe they usually use Blue Loctite which can be undone with hand tools.
Used my electric drill/driver last time and it worked a treat
 
I have one of those plates on a vanguard monopod . apart from needing the thread adaptor to fit the smaller vanguard stud no problem ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top