Big surface area quick release plates?

[Avotius]

I was searching around for a Arca style quick release plate that had a large surface area. Not something like 150mm long, but looking more for wide. My plate is 60mm X ~48mm and I was searching around for something that was more like 80x80 or 100x100 for special purpose use.

Does anyone make anything like that? The largest I have come across is by Arca and is 80x60mm.

 

[Avotius]

Anyone please? Still looking around, an 80x80 plate would work perfect for what I need! Looks like its a very special needs item though because no one seems to make them. Seems like someone would though, it would be ideal for mounting a medium or large format camera, and some of the more meaty panoramic heads I have seen.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Sinar Pan Tilt Head works as quick release ;-p it really is worth it.

There used to be an eBay seller who made Arca plates on circular bases for the Sinar base, try searching for the keywords, "Arca" and "Sinar" together.

Also, there is a rectangular plastic Sinar rail base that is lower and perhaps better suited to using a long Arca plate, although it would be too weak for 8x10. For 8x10 you could use two rail bases on a long plate, but again, it's another compromise that you'd avoid by using the proper head.

 

[Avotius]

Haha Frank read me like a book. Yes I will buy a pan tilt head, you convinced me of that, but only when I get back to America and can inspect it myself. That may be a good year from now however and I am looking for a stop gap that is not the Gitzo G1570M. My plate "just" fits under the camera but just and this is the plate I use to mount my 360*180 panoramic head.

Also rest assured that until I got the proper mount for the camera I won't be using the 8x10.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Maybe a longer lens plate with a "L" lip and a slotted screw could fit the Sinar clamp and prevent it from twisting off? That would do OK in the interim.

 

[Avotius]

Here you can see what I have now. At 60x48 this plate just covers the edges but all the 80 to 150mm plates I have seen are all narrower at about 38-40mm. The Benro KB-2 head it mounts to is rated for 20kg so weight is not a problem.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Right, you need a lip to keep the plate from rotating. The plate you have now will simply rotate and unscrew itself when the camera is tilted off level. It is not only the weight of the camera but the torque... when you insert a film holder it is probably on a 150-300mm lever arm applying twisting force to the tripod connection.

Something like this plate would allow you to position the lip up against the rail base. The example is simply to illustrate the type, I am sure there are many vendors for similar type plates.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=329098&is=REG&Q=&A=details

 

[Brian Legge]

I have a Wimberly QR plate on a 4x5 Tachihara. It screws in at two places to avoid rotation. Love it.

I don't recall the model - it isn't wide - but I have total confidence in it on the camera,

If you really need something built to specs it may be cheaper to have a machinist custom make it for you. I imagine the specs would be relatively simple...

 

[john_s]

To stop rotation one possibility is to drill a hole through the plate and into the camera base, and then fit a screw. The hole could be tapped with a thread. I wouldn't do it to a rangefinder or SLR of course, but large format cameras generally have much more material with which to work.

 

[Avotius]

So I was able to find a 70x60mm plate which is not perfect but might do for now. I have access to a metal working shop so I am going to have them modify it to put a set screw for the Norma's base. Also the Norma's mount has some groves to keep it from rotating on the pan tilt head, so I am going to see if its possible to do something with that.

I will put up pictures probably next week when I get it and can take it in,