Fluid Head using Arca-Swiss clamp? (2 Viewers)

[Chris B.]

Does anyone make a reasonably priced fluid head which uses an Arca-Swiss clamp? The head will be holding an Arca-Swiss rail mounted DSLR and long lens. I already own an excellent Mongoose gimbal head... what I'm looking for is something to give me more of a "damped" movement... in other words, I won't be using it for BIF just perched birds.

Chris

 

[Kevin Conville]

You won't find one. But, it's easy to convert!

I've mounted an Arca type clamp to a Manfrotto 3130 (now 128) by making a simple plastic block that fills the rectangular recess where the manfrotto plate normally seats. Drill a through-hole through plastic and head, then bolt it up.
It is non destructive and reverts at any time for Manfrotto plate use.

Not the best pic, but it conveys the idea. Works great.

 

[John Russell]

If you are starting from scratch and don't already have a head with the Manfrotto quick-release system (as Kevin above) it would be better to buy a head without QR such as the Manfrotto 128LP.
You could then attach an Arca Swiss compatible clamp from Kirk, Markins, Really Right Stuff or Novoflex (Q-Mount) directly to the head.
The only Arca Swiss compatible video head that I know of is the Berlebach 552 (see my report below), but that does not fulfil your requirement of being reasonably priced.

John

 

[Kevin Conville]

If you are starting from scratch and don't already have a head with the Manfrotto quick-release system (as Kevin above) it would be better to buy a head without QR such as the Manfrotto 128LP.
You could then attach an Arca Swiss compatible clamp from Kirk, Markins, Really Right Stuff or Novoflex (Q-Mount) directly to the head.
John

Oh yeah! :-O

I forgot that Manfrotto offers their lower end fluid heads w/o a QR.
That makes it very simple indeed.

Good save, John.

 

[KennyW]

The best should be Sachtler FSB-8 or perhaps the Sachtler Cine DSLR. It is abit expensive though. And you might need to ask a salesman for how compatible with Arca style release plates. As far as I know, people use them to load long lenses for birding. It can do both BIF and still birds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXo5X0zNbP0&feature=related

 

[Chris B.]

Thank you all for the info! Picking up that inexpensive Manfrotto will work great for me since the weight requirement is enough... and I have a couple of spare Kirk Clamps, one of which could be put right on...

Chris