For years, I have been seeking the ultimate plate/clamp system for LF cameras. Specially big cameras, whereas when you are seating the camera on the tripod head, and you can NOT see what is happening below.
The best I have found so far, is the bogen Hexagon system with quick release clamp. The reason I like this type of system is, you have an initial spring loaded clamp to assist in blindly seating the camera plate into the clamp. Even though it will jiggle, it will not fall out. Then, you simply tighten the lever for a tight hold.
Now, this is good, however, it's not flawless. You can seat the hex plate into the clamp, feel the spring loaded clamp engage, then tighten the lever, and think everything is secure. However, since you did not visualy see this occur, a small % of the time, the hex plate "edges" on one side of the hex, can be clamped to the "edges" of the clamp, i.e. plate is NOT fully seated / secure. Then, you are operating under a false sense of security. Everything feels tight, but if you pick up the tripod to change composure, the camera can easily fall out - OUCH!
The beveled edge concept, also employed on Arca style clamps, in most cases, forces the plate into the clamp if not properly positioned by the user. And most often this does occur and the benefit of bevel design is appreciated. This beveled design is extra insurance the clamp will properly seat the plate when the user does not fully seat the plate on all sides. However, when failure occurs, as described above, the user has no means of sensing this failure, other then visual inspection, which we all get lazy and overconfident and do not employ consistently. It would be nice if the lever would NOT clamp tight if the plate is NOT fully seated in the clamp. This would let us know, there is a problem, re seat, look visualy, etc. In a counterproductive subconcious level, the beveled edges create too much confidence as they work properly 98%+ of the time, but the lack of a fail safe sytem has caused some catastrophes.
Any other plate / clamp systems out today that solves these issues? I thought Really Right Stuff (RRS) would have licked this problem, but they haven't.
TYIA
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