Lever type clamps

[Jack Calypso]

I have a couple of situations where I want to attach an Arco-stye clamp to wide flat surfaces. All the clamps I currently own are tightened with a knob, which require riser blocks to use.

With lever-style clamps, are the lever arms slim enough to open and close while laying flat?

 

[Bing Chow]

With lever-style clamps, are the lever arms slim enough to open and close while laying flat?

Yes for Arca Swiss's Fliplock.

 

[Ellis Vener]

I have a couple of situations where I want to attach an Arco-stye clamp to wide flat surfaces. All the clamps I currently own are tightened with a knob, which require riser blocks to use.

With lever-style clamps, are the lever arms slim enough to open and close while laying flat?

Hello Jack,

In the past I have done something similar to what it sounds like you are doing, using both RRS lever equipped clamps, with those at least you should have no problems.

But I am curious, are you sung the ARCA-Swiss type QR system to attach a camera directly to those surfaces, or are you using the A-S QR system between a tripod head and the surface?

If it the latter situation, my advice is that you consider a quick-disconnect system like the Area-Swiss Quick-Link (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513554-REG/arca_swiss_802320_quicklink_set.html, or the iFootage SeaStars Q1 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1560246-REG/ifootage_seastar_q1_quick_release.html

or if you want keep everything In the ARCA-Swiss type , but want use a screw knob, there is the Large Tripod Head Quick Disconnect System from Kirk Photo: https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-mo...arge-tripod-head-quick-disconnect-system.html

 

[Jack Calypso]

I have a couple of situations where I want to attach an Arco-stye clamp to wide flat surfaces. All the clamps I currently own are tightened with a knob, which require riser blocks to use.

With lever-style clamps, are the lever arms slim enough to open and close while laying flat?

Hello Jack,

In the past I have done something similar to what it sounds like you are doing, using both RRS lever equipped clamps, with those at least you should have no problems.

But I am curious, are you sung the ARCA-Swiss type QR system to attach a camera directly to those surfaces, or are you using the A-S QR system between a tripod head and the surface?

If it the latter situation, my advice is that you consider a quick-disconnect system like the Area-Swiss Quick-Link (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513554-REG/arca_swiss_802320_quicklink_set.html, or the iFootage SeaStars Q1 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1560246-REG/ifootage_seastar_q1_quick_release.html

or if you want keep everything In the ARCA-Swiss type , but want use a screw knob, there is the Large Tripod Head Quick Disconnect System from Kirk Photo: https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-mo...arge-tripod-head-quick-disconnect-system.html

Yes, I'm looking to interchange heads and such. I'd considered the Kirk unit, but couldn't decide if I liked it, so I got some Chinese ones on the Amazon brand iShoot. While I was waiting for them to arrive, I saw Kris Hejnar has a selection in several sizes, as well as what SunwayFoto calls "Discal" clamps in various sizes too.Typical Hejnar quality: Excellent. The iShoot ones arrived and they are nice also, if a bit lighter and more Spartan finish.

The main source of my question is, I have a Manfrotto Multi-row pano rig, and sometimes I shoot with the leveling base; sometimes without. I have dovetail plates under both the rotator and leveler. I'd want a clamp for the top of the leveler, but it's 100mm in diameter. None of my knob clamps can be mounted to it.

What I think I am going to do is mount a dovetail to the top of the leveler, and then use a two-sided clamp to hold them together. The dovetails raise it a few millimeters from the surface, so there's clearance for the knobs. I got a SunwayFoto for another purpose, and I like that it's just one piece of aluminum with two jaws, rather than two clamps screwed back-to-back.

 

[Ellis Vener]

I have a couple of situations where I want to attach an Arco-stye clamp to wide flat surfaces. All the clamps I currently own are tightened with a knob, which require riser blocks to use.

With lever-style clamps, are the lever arms slim enough to open and close while laying flat?

Hello Jack,

In the past I have done something similar to what it sounds like you are doing, using both RRS lever equipped clamps, with those at least you should have no problems.

But I am curious, are you sung the ARCA-Swiss type QR system to attach a camera directly to those surfaces, or are you using the A-S QR system between a tripod head and the surface?

If it the latter situation, my advice is that you consider a quick-disconnect system like the Area-Swiss Quick-Link (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513554-REG/arca_swiss_802320_quicklink_set.html, or the iFootage SeaStars Q1 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1560246-REG/ifootage_seastar_q1_quick_release.html

or if you want keep everything In the ARCA-Swiss type , but want use a screw knob, there is the Large Tripod Head Quick Disconnect System from Kirk Photo: https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-mo...arge-tripod-head-quick-disconnect-system.html

Yes, I'm looking to interchange heads and such. I'd considered the Kirk unit, but couldn't decide if I liked it, so I got some Chinese ones on the Amazon brand iShoot. While I was waiting for them to arrive, I saw Kris Hejnar has a selection in several sizes, as well as what SunwayFoto calls "Discal" clamps in various sizes too.Typical Hejnar quality: Excellent. The iShoot ones arrived and they are nice also, if a bit lighter and more Spartan finish.

The main source of my question is, I have a Manfrotto Multi-row pano rig, and sometimes I shoot with the leveling base; sometimes without. I have dovetail plates under both the rotator and leveler. I'd want a clamp for the top of the leveler, but it's 100mm in diameter. None of my knob clamps can be mounted to it.

What I think I am going to do is mount a dovetail to the top of the leveler, and then use a two-sided clamp to hold them together. The dovetails raise it a few millimeters from the surface, so there's clearance for the knobs. I got a SunwayFoto for another purpose, and I like that it's just one piece of aluminum with two jaws, rather than two clamps screwed back-to-back.

Th Kirk Device is very solid. I owned two and they are now for sale through Quality Camera Company’s eBay store.

I needed about four or five bases and if it weren’t for cost reasons I’d have gone with ARCA-Swiss QuickLink system. I also tried it and it was great.

Instead I decided to go with the iFootage SeaStars Q1 system. They work great I use them with various tripods (two old Gitzos, a Pro Media Gear carbon fiber tripod, a Platypod Max) and various heads - Arca-Swiss B1 Monoball, RRS BH-55, Foba ASMIA, Benro S8 fluid video head, Kessler Pocket Jib (it’s marginal for the job), a RRS PH-02 multi-row panoramic kit, and a Zeapon Micro Slider 2.

 

[Jack Calypso]

That SeaStars looks nice. I don't know; it took me so long to move from the various Manfrotto types to Arca-swiss, am I ready to embrace yet another system! ;-)

 

[Ellis Vener]

That is very valid question!

 

[Jack Calypso]

I decided to try out the Quick Link system. The real deal AS version is rather pricey, so I decided to get my feet wet with the Leofoto knock-off, which also comes in a selection of sizes — I went with 60mm.

Compared with the two-dovetails-and-a-clamp set-up, it's much sleeker and smaller, which means lighter weight, and no knobs protruding.

Seem to be solidly made, with good fit and finish. How it holds up remains to be seen.

 

[Ellis Vener]

I decided to try out the Quick Link system. The real deal AS version is rather pricey, so I decided to get my feet wet with the Leofoto knock-off, which also comes in a selection of sizes — I went with 60mm.

Compared with the two-dovetails-and-a-clamp set-up, it's much sleeker and smaller, which means lighter weight, and no knobs protruding.

Seem to be solidly made, with good fit and finish. How it holds up remains to be seen.

Good luck! When and if it fails, don’t blame the idea, blame the large company backed by a lawless totalitarian government which ripped off a small family owned company’s intellectual property and used inferior materials so they could sell their version for less.

 

[Jack Calypso]

Point taken. I do wish the AS version came in a selection of sizes, as the 60mm size is just what I need.

 

[Jack Calypso]

Nifty as the Quick Link is (brand notwithstanding), I think an all-dovetail set up would suit me best. I just ordered a RRS lever-type clamp from Adorama, which should work nicely.

 

[Ellis Vener]

Nifty as the Quick Link is (brand notwithstanding), I think an all-dovetail set up would suit me best. I just ordered a RRS lever-type clamp from Adorama, which should work nicely.

Been there, and tried that.

I tried clamps made by RRS, ProMediaGear, Kirk, and Sunwayfoto. The best of the clamps designed to go under a tripod head is the one made by Kirk Photo. It is robust and the knob is positioned high enough to not interfere with whatever you are mounting it on.

--
Ellis Vener
A working photographer since 1984.
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
Or on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio

 

[Jack Calypso]

Nifty as the Quick Link is (brand notwithstanding), I think an all-dovetail set up would suit me best. I just ordered a RRS lever-type clamp from Adorama, which should work nicely.

Been there, and tried that.

I tried clamps made by RRS, ProMediaGear, Kirk, and Sunwayfoto. The best of the clamps designed to go under a tripod head is the one made by Kirk Photo. It is robust and the knob is positioned high enough to not interfere with whatever you are mounting it on.

I may yet go with the Kirk. For this instance, I'm focused on something compact, to save weight, but I have more tripods to set up, and the Kirk looks like the way to go.

Another one that caught my eye is the Novoflex Q=Base II. The "snap-in" feature is something I always liked on my Manfrotto heads.

 

[crowley213]

Nifty as the Quick Link is (brand notwithstanding), I think an all-dovetail set up would suit me best. I just ordered a RRS lever-type clamp from Adorama, which should work nicely.

Been there, and tried that.

I tried clamps made by RRS, ProMediaGear, Kirk, and Sunwayfoto. The best of the clamps designed to go under a tripod head is the one made by Kirk Photo. It is robust and the knob is positioned high enough to not interfere with whatever you are mounting it on.

I may yet go with the Kirk. For this instance, I'm focused on something compact, to save weight, but I have more tripods to set up, and the Kirk looks like the way to go.

Another one that caught my eye is the Novoflex Q=Base II. The "snap-in" feature is something I always liked on my Manfrotto heads.

I personally also use the Kirk clamps and I think they are a good option.

The main reason for me to go that route: The Kirk system uses AS style clamps and plates. Mounting the clamps on my tripods and the plates on my ball head, my AS Core Leveler and my Edelkrone FlexTilt head, all of them also again using their / an AS clamp, gives a lot of opportunities which, for example, the AS system doesn't provide.

As an example: I can mount my Leveler on the tripod legs and then on to the leveler either the FlexTilt or the ball head. But I also can mount the FlexTilt or the ball head without the Leveler on the tripod legs.

Again, for me a good solution, but your miles may vary.

Also, the Kirk system may look a little clunky, not as sophisticated as the AS system, but it is functional, not overly heavy and priced reasonably.

Herbert

 

[Jack Calypso]

I've been doing something similar for a while, using a dovetail plate and circular Arca clamp from Hejnar Photo. The Hejnar clamp has an extra-long handle, which I need to spin it down onto my Manfrotto tripod with a bubble level 'ear' on the top plate.

It works great, but having the long handle hang out once it's mounted makes me nervous. As Ellis pointed out, the Kirk knob is raised above the plate, which means it can have a "normal" knob. I have a couple of other situations where I need to mount the camera on a flat surface, but don't want to dedicate a head just for each one. The Kirk looks ideal for this.

 

[afoton]

I've been doing something similar for a while, using a dovetail plate and circular Arca clamp from Hejnar Photo. The Hejnar clamp has an extra-long handle, which I need to spin it down onto my Manfrotto tripod with a bubble level 'ear' on the top plate.

It works great, but having the long handle hang out once it's mounted makes me nervous. As Ellis pointed out, the Kirk knob is raised above the plate, which means it can have a "normal" knob. I have a couple of other situations where I need to mount the camera on a flat surface, but don't want to dedicate a head just for each one. The Kirk looks ideal for this.

I use plates from Kirk. But I use different clamps for different tripods, I like to use the clamp that fit the tripod best, not one model clamp that has to fit all of them. That is also why I use this style of mounting, instead of one of the quick releases system specifically made for mounting the head on the tripod.