Manfrotto to Arca Swiss

Just for completeness: I use Manfrotto video heads with improvised manfrotto+arca-swiss plates routinely as I do a lot of combined photo and video work. I prefer the arca-swiss plates because they are so quick to mount and unmount bodies and to switch between tripod monopod slider & gimbal within seconds. But I don't want to retire my existing Manfrotto heads such as the 503HDV seen in the photos below.

Photo 001 shows the standard Manfrotto plate with an aftermarket arca-swiss clamp. These sorts of clamps may have large screw knobs so it is not possible to add a clamp in the normal front to back position as the knob touches the top of the head of some tripods including my 503 (but my 701HDV's do fit fine). So just turn the clamp 90 degrees so the knob is at the back rather than on the left side. That is also prefereable anyway if you are mounting a camera body rather than a lens direct onto the head because you get far easier access to tighten the knob.

Photo 002 shows a longer Manfrotto plate. You can use this to slide a heavy lens forwards and backwards obviously. This plate happens to have a slightly different design of arca-swiss clamp sitting on it as you can see. Its knob is smaller in diameter so it will work if the knob is on the left rather than behind; but when using it on a body rather than on a long lens it is difficult to tighten by hand so use a hexi-spanner.

Photo 003 shows the Manfrotto plate fully forward.

Photo 004 shows the head mounted with a long lens - a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2 since you ask :- ) The lens collar is cut for forward - backward arca-swiss clamping so you just add a separate arca-swiss plate at 90 degrees so it sits on the arca-swiss clamp as illustrated.