645z Arca compatible plates

[alatreille]

Hey all,

Just wondering from you 645z(orD) owners, what plates you have installed on your cameras.

I'm contemplating a bidirectional plate like this guy..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/837739-REG/Sunwayfoto_DP_39_DP_39_Universal_Quick_Release_Plate.html

I haven't used sunway before, but one thing I'm trying to rationalise at the moment is plates of all the same dimensions...ie, RRS is different to some of the others I have, which is really annoying..

Interested in any thoughts/feedback.

Cheers

Andrew

[NancyP]

Plates' dimensions matter more for lever QR clamps than for screw clamps.
I found that a bidirectional universal A/S-type camera plate does tend to shift some. One tends to want to overtighten the screw mounting the plate on the camera, and I would imagine that using a universal bidirectional plate on a 645z might require using Locktite to be at all feasible, given the size of the camera and lenses. I prefer custom-fit L brackets despite the increased cost. Of course, with the 645z having a side screw tap as well as the usual base screw tap, a custom L bracket ought to be an easy and simple design.

[alatreille]

Hi Nancy,

Thanks or the reply.  I wondered about the bidirectional plate moving.
I don't think anyone has made an 'L' bracket for the 645D/Z due to the two screw locations.

I might look a little further for other options.

Cheers

Andrew

[NancyP]

Ask CAD photo gear designer and CNC machinist Chris Hejnar of www.hejnarphoto.com if an L bracket would be easy to design and practical to make. He does do custom design, especially if it meets a need not yet served by the market. He is in the Chicago area.  I would envision a two-part L bracket where the two parts are assembled by a screw on the end of one part and a screw tap on the corresponding other part - the two parts being stock-milled, with just a little extra custom milling to connect them. But I am not a machinist, so my idea might not be great. His plates and clamps are good.

[atlnq9]

Andrew,

Look at the Really Right Stuff plates.  They are bi-directional and have the short pin that goes in and prevents rotation.  Have two on mine and never had an issue.  Pricey but in the big scheme not so much considering you never have to worry about it rotating.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Shop/645D/

Regards,
Andrew

Edit: All of my heads use a screw clamp currently.  Never had an issue with any screw clamps fitting bad (Arca Swiss, RRS, and Kirk).  But did have an issue with the RRS plate on my Arca Swiss lever release before I sent it to the repair centre and had it swapped for a screw clamp...

[alatreille]

Hi Andrew, Nancy.

Chris Hejnar has designed a prototype that I'll test out.

Will let you all know how it goes.

Cheers

Andrew