Modestly-priced QR options for Bogen 724B Digi Tripod

[jreades]

<p>I've done some searching in the forums (as well as reading the RRS

web site and the tripod tutorial) and am having trouble synthesising

all of the different threads in to a coherent picture of what I should

be buying by way of a quick-release plate for my new tripod (which as

the title indicates is the Bogen/Manfrotto 724B Digi with the ball

head).</p>

 

<p>As I understand it, we have:</p>

<ul>

<li>Arca/Swiss

<li>Bogen

<li>Really Right Stuff

<li>No one else really seems to even get a mention

</ul>

 

<p>Prices are all over the map and I can't get a grip on what I should

be looking for. To my mind, what I'd like to have is something that

is:</p>

 

<ul>

<li>Modestly-priced -- obviously, a $20 QR would be like asking for my

camera to fall out one day, but I have a hard time imagining that I

need to spend more than the cost of the tripod on one either (so let's

say something reliable but not flashy or fancy that ideally costs less

than $100)

<li>Easy on/off -- having screwed the tripod on to the camera and off

again a few times yesterday (which I'd not care to repeat

unecessarily) I'd like to get something that would allow me to attach

camera to tripod fairly quickly (say, under 5 seconds with minimal

exertion)

<li>Secure -- once the camera is on to the tripod I'd like to be sure

that it will stay there until I choose to release it.

<li>It doesn't need to hold up extremely weighty systems -- the

heaviest combination that I can imagine having/being able to afford in

the next three to five years would be my Elan 7, a Canon 1.4x TC, and

a 70-200/F4 zoom lens. I'd be very surprised if I ended up with

anything longer/heavier than that.

</ul>

 

<p>Based on these details, can anyone enlighten me a bit?</p>

 

<p>TIA</p>

[sheldonnalos]

With that specific tripod, it would be complete overkill to use the Arca-Swiss style plates. You would quickly spend more on plates than the tripod is worth.

 

I'd recommend the Bogen RC2 quick release system. I don't know if simply screwing on an adapter to the existing ballhead would be secure enough, so it may make more sense to buy a Bogen ballhead with the QR system built in. The RC2 system is plenty secure and has a safety latch to prevent accidental release.

 

Check out the 484RC2 or 486RC2 Ballhead and Quick release combos. The 486RC2 would be a nice upgrade for the ballhead that comes with your tripod, and the 484RC2 would be comparable to the existing ballhead but would have the QR system built in.

 

I use a 486RC2 with a 10D, battery grip, 70-200mm f/4 L, and 420EX with no complaints. Sure, it's not an Arca-Swiss B1 with RRS plates, but it's not $400 either.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Sheldon