Manfrotto to Arca Swiss

I know this isn't a new question, the reason I'm asking is if there is a new solution to this long-standing problem. Especially in relation to long plates.
 I am basically a bird (still) photographer who is now considering venturing into video. All my support devices have Arca Swiss clamps and long QR plates. I shoot with long lenses. 400/500/600 mm.
I am now considering buying the Manfrotto 502AH fluid head. I could attach the QR plate that comes with the head to my lens foot, and that would work most of the time. However, there are times I would need to quickly switch between the tripod and monopod (which has an  Arca Swiss clamp) - and that flexibility is limited by the incompatible Manfrotto QR plate.
Do you have a workaround for this problem? One that allows me to keep my Arca-Swiss plate attached to the lens foot while being able to use the Manfrotto fluid head and whatever other  Arca Swiss fitted supports that I might use?

I just added a Sirui video head using one of the Manfrotto style plates. It's plate was slotted and came with both 3.8" and 1/4" screws. There are quite a few Arca Swiss compatible clamps out there. I went with a Fotonic but have used Desmonds on another plate. I went with a longer clamp to provide for adjustability with a longer lens foot and balance but they look to be available from under 50mm to as long as 90mm, etc.  Just check to see that the clamp is designed to be screwed on from beneath as opposed to some which are designed to screw on from above to replace ball head clamps, etc.

Kirk also makes a replacement top bridge with an integrated clamp system.

https://kirkphoto.com/quick-release-bridge-system-for-the-manfrotto-mvh-502ah-fluid-video-head.html

Available at B&H, too.  This one is handy in that it includes a wrench and the clamp can be swapped 90 degrees to accommodates L brackets or camera plates that clamp crosswise if needed in addition to the front/back lens feet.  Since I've got a Sirui, I may just get a second plate and clamp.

Craig Gillette wrote:

Kirk also makes a replacement top bridge with an integrated clamp system.

https://kirkphoto.com/quick-release-bridge-system-for-the-manfrotto-mvh-502ah-fluid-video-head.html

Available at B&H, too. This one is handy in that it includes a wrench and the clamp can be swapped 90 degrees to accommodates L brackets or camera plates that clamp crosswise if needed in addition to the front/back lens feet. Since I've got a Sirui, I may just get a second plate and clamp.

Thanks, Craig. I'll check this out.

Krish6102 wrote:

I know this isn't a new question, the reason I'm asking is if there is a new solution to this long-standing problem. Especially in relation to long plates.
I am basically a bird (still) photographer who is now considering venturing into video. All my support devices have Arca Swiss clamps and long QR plates. I shoot with long lenses. 400/500/600 mm.
I am now considering buying the Manfrotto 502AH fluid head. I could attach the QR plate that comes with the head to my lens foot, and that would work most of the time. However, there are times I would need to quickly switch between the tripod and monopod (which has an Arca Swiss clamp) - and that flexibility is limited by the incompatible Manfrotto QR plate.
Do you have a workaround for this problem? One that allows me to keep my Arca-Swiss plate attached to the lens foot while being able to use the Manfrotto fluid head and whatever other Arca Swiss fitted supports that I might use?

Krystof Hejnar also make replacement plates for some of the Manfrotto fluid heads.

For example: http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/mvh502f63.htm

The mounting is a bit better than the Kirk conversion, and the package is cheaper, particularly if you already have a compatible clamp.

I have one of his Arca conversions on a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head (ideal if your video style is a bit Tokyo Story  ), which works very well. I wouldn't have bought the head, with it's cranky plate system, if the conversion hadn't been available.http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/m410longf63.htm

The inner holes on these mounts are on a 30mm circle, which is compatible with Mr Hejnar's 2.375" clamps (e.g. http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/f62b.htm ), and also compatible with some chinese clamps.

rivi wrote:

I use the Kirk bridge. Works very well.

Thanks. I thought of it, but I was looking for a long clamp to hold my telephoto lens, and this one is a bit short.

John Vickers wrote:

Krystof Hejnar also make replacement plates for some of the Manfrotto fluid heads.

For example: http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/mvh502f63.htm

The mounting is a bit better than the Kirk conversion, and the package is cheaper, particularly if you already have a compatible clamp.

I have one of his Arca conversions on a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head (ideal if your video style is a bit Tokyo Story ), which works very well. I wouldn't have bought the head, with it's cranky plate system, if the conversion hadn't been available.http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/m410longf63.htm

The inner holes on these mounts are on a 30mm circle, which is compatible with Mr Hejnar's 2.375" clamps (e.g. http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/f62b.htm ), and also compatible with some chinese clamps.

Thanks, John. Will check it out.

Krish6102 wrote:

John Vickers wrote:

Krystof Hejnar also make replacement plates for some of the Manfrotto fluid heads.

For example: http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/mvh502f63.htm

The mounting is a bit better than the Kirk conversion, and the package is cheaper, particularly if you already have a compatible clamp.

I have one of his Arca conversions on a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head (ideal if your video style is a bit Tokyo Story ), which works very well. I wouldn't have bought the head, with it's cranky plate system, if the conversion hadn't been available.http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/m410longf63.htm

The inner holes on these mounts are on a 30mm circle, which is compatible with Mr Hejnar's 2.375" clamps (e.g. http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/f62b.htm ), and also compatible with some chinese clamps.

Thanks, John. Will check it out.

Mr Hejnar is quite helpful, I've found.

One problem I can forsee with this kind of setup is balancing your kit on the (fluid) head. (I don't have a fluid head).

Do your long lens setups balance on the collar foot (or attached clamp) ?

My cameras have L-plates, so I don't think they would balance well on this kind of setup with the clamp from left-to-right, in the centre of the mount plate. It might work better if there were extra clamp mounting holes set back from the centre of the clamp.

Mr Hejnar also offers Manfrotto-compatible plates with rotatable arca clamps, which would be a way to address this problem: http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/category-s/149.htm

John Vickers wrote:

Mr Hejnar is quite helpful, I've found.

One problem I can forsee with this kind of setup is balancing your kit on the (fluid) head. (I don't have a fluid head).

Do your long lens setups balance on the collar foot (or attached clamp) ?

My cameras have L-plates, so I don't think they would balance well on this kind of setup with the clamp from left-to-right, in the centre of the mount plate. It might work better if there were extra clamp mounting holes set back from the centre of the clamp.

Mr Hejnar also offers Manfrotto-compatible plates with rotatable arca clamps, which would be a way to address this problem: http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/category-s/149.htm

I intend to use it with long lenses that balance on lens collar-feet.
Since I first posted the question, I did some searching and found this Fotasy 120 mm clamp, which fits quite nicely on top of the Manfrotto QR plate (which is 140 mm long). The Manfrotto QR plate will stay permanently clamped, so I can use the Fotasy clamp with my Arca Swiss equipment. The Fotasy clamp is long enough to cater to any balancing adjustments needed, for long lenses.
For those interested, the Fotasy clamp comes with three 3/8-inch holes with 1/4 inch bushings pre-inserted. Nothing else. The Manfrotto plate has a single 3/8 inch and 1/4 inch screw, each.

Grey - Manfrotto, Black- Fotasy

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.

https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-quick-release-plate-with-arca-swiss-for-dji-rs-2-rsc-2-ronin-s-3061.html

It isn't much different than screwing an Arca QR clamp on to a 501 plate. But this is more elegant, lighter, sturdier.

It's Smallrig's version of a DJI QR plate for the RS2 gimbal. I have the DJI version as well and the Smallrig is better designed. You'll need to remove the gears underneath the plate, which was designed for micro adjustments on the gimbal. Make sure you have a teeny, tiny screwdriver.

My gimbal, 2 tripod heads, shoulder rig and handheld rig all use 501. But Smallrig's Nikon Z fc handle uses Arca, this this little QR plate makes it interoperable with my other gear.

BTW, I have the head you're thinking of getting, it's okay, but I quickly outgrew it. I use it on my slider and when I'm doing a 2 camera shoot. It isn't a true fluid head, you won't get that for <$300. It just has some oil on the spring, so they can get away with calling it a fluid head.

I think this one is much better: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1100020-REG/e_image_gh03f_gh03_fluid_head_with.html

Their GH05 and GH06 heads are better still, but then you're getting into 75mm bowl heads and that's different from most photo heads.