Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

  1. #1
    Photo Dilettante Donald Brewster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    Malibu, CA
    Posts
    359

    Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

    I have an Arca Swiss Discovery that I'm quite happy using with one exception: t he tripod block. It isn't very stable and it shifts slightly. I can't tighten it down enough. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have any suggest ions on either a remedy or a replacement solution? Thanks for the input.

  2. #2

    Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

    Donald,

    I just got a Discovery a couple of days ago and had the same problem. Mine came with the longer adjustable block that slides up and down the rail. It would twist when I would open the back to insert the holder. Foba makes an adaptor ($130.00) which will fit it exaclty but that in turn has to be attached to the tripod head resulting in the same problem. Screwing the tripid head plate to the block seemed like it would loosen over time not to mention scratching it up.

    I ended up buying a spare aluminum quick release plate for my Bogen 3030 head. I removed the rubber and screw and machined a notch into it. The tripod block now resides snugly and firmly into the notch with ablolutely no twisting at all. It works great! To make the notch, I used my woodworking router mounted on a router table using a fence as a guide. Attached with a 1/2" carbide bit, (aluminum can be machined easlily- don't try this with steel, you will need a mill for this) I took several light passes until I got the notch wide enough and deep enough. The notch in the adapter plate is only a 1/16" deep but is plenty enough to hold the block firmly. The "c" clip that's attached to the screw that prevents it from falling out when unattached won't be able to be used afterwards but thats ok, just leave it mounted to your camera.

    If this is beyond your skills or don't have the tools, instead try filing the notch with a simple file. Although machining it the way I described will make a much cleaner cut.

    Allan

    Allan

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 1999
    Location
    Paris suburbs, France
    Posts
    124

    Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

    You probably have a standard tripod block, of which the down face is dovetailed to slip in an Arca-Swiss style quickrelease.

    Original Arca Swiss Q/R or RRS, Kirk etc.. will do the job.

    But some tripod blocks in the former low-end Arca line are square.
    D.C.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 1998
    Posts
    1,972

    Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

    Where is the shiftiness? is it in where the block grabs the rail or where the bl ocks meets the tripod or QR? have you contacted Arca about this problem (arca- swiss@swissonline.ch)?

  5. #5
    Photo Dilettante Donald Brewster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    Malibu, CA
    Posts
    359

    Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

    Yes, the shifting occurs where the block and the rail connect.

  6. #6

    Arca Swiss Discovery Tripod Block Replacement?

    You might want to contact Rod at Photomark in Phoenix. I seem to recall he mentioned the problem and a possible solution.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 9
    Last Post: 19-Apr-2002, 23:20
  2. arca swiss discovery
    By zippy in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11-Nov-2001, 16:21
  3. Arca Swiss Discovery tripod block question
    By Mike Mahoney in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 27-Apr-2001, 23:30
  4. Arca Swiss - Discovery or Metric?
    By Yaakov Asher Sinclair in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 2-May-2000, 17:07
  5. Arca Swiss Discovery
    By Raven Garrow in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-Jul-1999, 05:33

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •