HEAVY LF/ULF Quick Release Mechanism and Plates

[C. D. Keth]

I thought I'd let everybody here know of a nice solution for a really heavy duty quick release. Another camera assistant I know has a local machinist make these in batches. it's a standard in the film industry and I don't at all hesitate to put a 60lb loaded camera that costs $250,000 on mine. They're absolutely rock solid. Mine has been going for a few years of work and it's still tight and safe.

He can have them made in any of the shown anodizing colors but not black. It's an agreement with a rental house here in LA that supplies black ones.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386034_217789578309910_885908190_n.jpg

They cost $350 for the quick release mechanism and $50 each for plates.

I don't want to publicize his name and phone number without his knowledge (I'm not affiliated in any way with this enterprise other than being acquainted with him through work) so PM me for contact information.

[Mark Woods]

Ronford-Baker quick releases. I've put more than 60# on them and they are solid. That's a good price. On the street they're closer to $900.

[Lachlan 717]

Any details on their dimensions (specifically, their length)?

I'd love to see a long QR plate that helps to underpin/support the front standard.

Thanks.

[Mark Woods]

Arri makes a base with rods to support lenses & matte boxes. They're about $900 too, but that would be the tool you'd want. They connect via a sliding dovetail to better be able to balance the camera/lens package used.

[Bob Salomon]

Any details on their dimensions (specifically, their length)?

I'd love to see a long QR plate that helps to underpin/support the front standard.

Thanks.

The Novoflex Q=BASE is a fully automatic Arca compatible quick release that accepts and supports over 60 pounds and Novoflex makes plates for it up to 17.7" long with multiple camera screws and slots for positioning the screws. Additionally the plat is a double sided Arca profile so Arca type releases can be used on both the top and the bottom of the plate.

How long a plate do you need? Novoflex also makes these plates in 13.8" and 10.6" lengths.

If you need a shorter plate Novoflex makes single profile Arca plates in lengths up to 6.1". The 6.1" one is available with or without built-in crossed levels.

[C. D. Keth]

Any details on their dimensions (specifically, their length)?

I'd love to see a long QR plate that helps to underpin/support the front standard.

Thanks.

The size of the plate for the RBQ is 120mm by 80mm. The entire device is 92mm wide, 174mm long (not including the lever, that protrudes another 20mm or so), by 17mm thick.

[Lachlan 717]

Thanks, Chris and Bob.

I'll have a look at these.

[Mark Woods]

Here are some shots of the Arri System.8937189372

[C. D. Keth]

Here's a photo that shows that arri gear in use. You could very comfortably support larger lenses than this, too, if you used a longer dovetail plate (top left in Mark's second photo) with support rings for the rods.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/190758_709188538565_6750719_n.jpg

[Daniel Stone]

@Chris,

Where's the film magazine go :p?

Sweet looking setup, definitely not your average joe handicam ;)

[C. D. Keth]

@Chris,

Where's the film magazine go :p?

Sweet looking setup, definitely not your average joe handicam ;)

I know it was a "where's the film" joke but I'll answer anyway. Under the "Arri" label, where that tab of red tape is, it takes SxS solid state memory cards. 32Gb gets you 14 minutes at 24fps.

I think I took this while we were waiting for talent to shoot the title sequence for "Chloe and Lamar."

[Shootar401]

These look similar to the Miller QR system used on their ENG heads, do you know if they are interchangeable? I own a Sony HDW-730s (for my real job) and would love some sort of system I can use to replace the standard tripod plates. Even it it means removing the dovetail on the bottom of my camera. I have an Alexa on the way too so that a double plus.

[C. D. Keth]

They are not interchangeable. They're the same idea but the miller plates are much smaller and the RBQ holds much more weight.

[Shootar401]

They are not interchangeable. They're the same idea but the miller plates are much smaller and the RBQ holds much more weight.

Ok, thanks. It's hard to tell the size from the photo.

[C. D. Keth]

The size of the plate for the RBQ is 120mm by 80mm. The entire device is 92mm wide, 174mm long (not including the lever, that protrudes another 20mm or so), by 17mm thick.

[C. D. Keth]

Here's mine mounted up on the gitzo No.4 head I received today:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/379292_10100412944797355_1643141851_n.jpg

[texabilly71]

every time i do a google search for quick release plates cd keth shows up on a different forum. you've gotta be my biggest fan! thanks.

for anybody interested in my quick releases, you can check out my website:

www.cleanscamerasupport.com

coming soon we will have mini-quick releases which are 3" x 5-1/4" long with a touch & go measuring 2-1/2” x 3”.

both sizes of my quick release plates are compatible with existing ronford baker large & small quick releases.

cheers!
dave

[NancyP]

A slightly cheaper moderately-quick-release might be to adapt telescope optical tube assembly dovetail mounts, which tend to be brand specific (eg, Losmandy may not fit Vixen may not fit....) The OTAs can reach up to 60 pounds in higher-end hobbyist-grade telescopes mounted on semi-high-end hobbyist equatorial mounts. Basically, these are large versions of Arca-Swiss-style plates and clamps. Plates are quite long, because there are at least two ring brackets on the plate holding the OTA to the plate. You might be able to get two clamps and one long plate for about $200.00. Consult your local astronomy club. There are likely to be a lot of DIY types who could help you with information. Amateur astronomy attracts engineer types who like hand-crafting lenses, building custom mounts, etc.