Arca Swiss lens plate for a 4/300 AF - first version

[jpgrahn]

Just got this lens. It is in very good condition.
But I am missing a good lens plate.

Found this on Ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322052532895?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
and this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351446359546?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I tried with this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-PU70-Universal-Quick-Release-Plate-for-Swiss-Benro-B1-B3-Ballhead-/262225175895?hash=item3d0dd6a557:g:mDAAAOSwT~9Wi7Kg
Problem is that the top is flat. No ridge. Only the screw will keep the lens from turning on the plate. And the force of the screw is not enough.

Any recommendations?

[Erik Lund]

Both of those will do the job but please use a high quality screw, these cheap ones often break,,,

[David H. Hartman]

One of the linked plates looks like a knock off of a Wimberley plate. I would not put an expensive lens on a brand-x plate. That's false economy. Also I would not buy a name brand Arca-Swiss type plate off of eBay as it's more likely to be a fake. I'd buy from a known supplier.

Dave Hartman

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Agree with the screw quality. There is a lot of strain on them as they are tightened properly. Avoid plates with rubber inserts.

The Chinese LQR-85 seems to be quite well designed and probably is robust enough. It also has an anti-twist ridge.

RRS delivers high-quality items, but prices are 'elevated' as were their products the only one in existence.

Buy some brass 1/4" (or 3/4" depending on lens) screws and cut them to the required length if the stainless steel screws following the chosen plate are deemed insufficient. Brass is self-lubricating and allows for excellent tightening. However, the screw heads wear if the screw driver isn't a good fit thus spares are recommended.

[jpgrahn]

You are quick! Thanks for the advice.

The lens is in very good shape but I would not characterize it as an expensive lens.
My experience with arca swiss components from ebay has been good sofar.

Thanks for the tip about brass screws. I will try to find some that fit.

[PedroS]

The main difference in price from those plates and the ones from RRS, Kirk, Markins, concerns the screws and the type of aluminum.
Frequently on top brands they use 6061 and the like, whereas the cheaper uses much less strength aluminum alloys (2014, 2024). Anodization covers all, but the strength, or lack of it, still stands.

For all my lenses I just rely on the brands cited.

[jpgrahn]

No argument against your facts about the quality of Kirk, RRS and the others.
I have managed to secure cameraplates from RRS. 2nd hand but still works perfectly.
Prices on american goods are many times very good. What kills the deal for me is the cost of shipping and import tax.

[David H. Hartman]

Johan,

You might look for used Wimberley as they are made of 6061-T6 aluminum as are all of the other top brands (if they weren't 6061-T6 they wouldn't be top brands).

Dave

---

I use and a very satisfied with Wimberley lens plates, Really Right Stuff camera L-plates and Kirkphoto macro flash arms. Kirkphoto made some simple custom bushings for me at reasonable price. It was really nice working with Kirkphoto.

I've worked with 6061-T6 back in 1971 when I built a dune buggy. It's hard stuff. When you cut it with a jigsaw the blade has to be oiled frequently or it wares out quickly.

[jpgrahn]

Thanks, will keep looking. I am never worried about buying good quality goods second hand. Most of my gear is bought second hand.
One big advantage with doing that is that a lot of the money is recovered when I sell the gear again.

[pluton]

I've worked with 6061-T6 back in 1971 when I built a dune buggy. It's hard stuff. When you cut it with a jigsaw the blade has to be oiled frequently or it wares out quickly.

7000 series Aluminium is significantly harder. 
Ask me how I know?
I once sawed, by hand, through a 2x2" bar of it.
6061 is like brass by comparison.
Next project I got 6061.

[Erik Lund]

Many types of aluminium are available,,, use methylated spirits (or specialised Aluminium cutting fluids)  for the saw blade and cutting tools - Makes the work a breeze and the end result much smoother

[MFloyd]

Some of us want to shape things with their own hands; why not ? It's an excellent pass time. Otherwise, why not buy these things from the shelf ? RRS sells an excellent base plate for the 300mm f/4 for a mere 55$ ....

[Les Olson]

There is nothing superior about 6061 aluminium.  it is less strong and less stiff than the 2000-series alloys - although the strength difference is not important: all the alloys are vastly stronger than is needed for our purposes.  6061 aluminium is used for photographic accessories mainly because it is much more easily machinable, which helps manufacturers but not users.  6061's important advantage for our use is that it has good corrosion resistance even when the surface is scratched - which 2024, eg, does not.  Although 6061 is often called "aircraft aluminium" it is mainly used for small non-structural parts - wing struts etc for commercial aircraft are made from 2024, which as well as being stronger has better fatigue resistance.

[PedroS]

Strenght is not everything.
2000 series are alloyed with copper, can be precipitation hardened to strengths comparable to steel. Formerly referred to as duralumin, they were once the most common aerospace alloys, but were susceptible to stress corrosion cracking and are increasingly replaced by 7000 series in new designs.

That's this cracking ability that we see on cheaper production pieces. Saw it twice on gimbal heads, with catastrofic results, but not in plates, thought.