Arca Swiss plate instead?

Tulipone · 25 Jun 2023

I need to get a tripod collar for a lens that comes with Arca Swiss connector. My current Gitzo head has a standard quick release - is it a normal practice to change the plates rather than the head? This appears to have an Allen Key screw retaining. Anything that is going to trip me up?

Thank you in anticipation.

Box Brownie · 25 Jun 2023

Tulipone said:
I need to get a tripod collar for a lens that comes with Arca Swiss connector. My current Gitzo head has a standard quick release - is it a normal practice to change the plates rather than the head? This appears to have an Allen Key screw retaining. Anything that is going to trip me up?

Thank you in anticipation.

FWIW
I like the standardisation of AS but perhaps to start and keep costs down. When you say the lens tripod collar is AS, do you mean the tripod foot itself is AS grooved? If so, I would surmise that it also has standard screw hole in its base. Therefore buy another QR plate for the Gitzo head and use that.

When funds allow buy a head conversion kit(?) to make the AS only.

Tulipone · 25 Jun 2023

Thank you. The tripod collar foot does have AS groves but unsure what holes it may have. I guess prudent to wait for the collar and have a look.

Snapsh0t · 26 Jun 2023

Are you sure that the standard Gitzo QR is not Arca Compatible?

tijuana taxi · 26 Jun 2023

Older Gitzo heads had a proprietary plate, but the newer ones are AS fit.
The collar will likely have a threaded hole and as suggested above a new plate could be screwed into it.

Alternatively buy a new ball head, maybe something more substantial for what sounds like a larg'ish lens.

swanseamale47 · 26 Jun 2023

Be aware some online AS plates are not compartable with AS fittings. It seems not all are equal in my experience.

Tulipone · 26 Jun 2023

tijuana taxi said:
Older Gitzo heads had a proprietary plate, but the newer ones are AS fit.
The collar will likely have a threaded hole and as suggested above a new plate could be screwed into it.

Alternatively buy a new ball head, maybe something more substantial for what sounds like a larg'ish lens.

swanseamale47 said:
Be aware some online AS plates are not compartable with AS fittings. It seems not all are equal in my experience.

I think I’ll wait for the collar to arrive and then do something - very probably a new head. Thanks both.

Box Brownie · 26 Jun 2023

swanseamale47 said:
Be aware some online AS plates are not compartable with AS fittings. It seems not all are equal in my experience.

Indeed, because Arca Swiss is not standardised.

IIRC the 'impact' of lack standard mostly affected usage of QR versions of AS clamps which rely on all plates being used to have an identical profile. If you use a screw clamp it is not/rarely(?) an issue.

Snapsh0t · 27 Jun 2023

Box Brownie said:
Indeed, because Arca Swiss is not standardised.

IIRC the 'impact' of lack standard mostly affected usage of QR versions of AS clamps which rely on all plates being used to have an identical profile. If you use a screw clamp it is not/rarely(?) an issue.

I have the same problem with Picatinny accessory rails on my airguns and that is supposed to be a standard.