QR recommendation for Tiltall?

[Bill_1856]

I can't see spending several hundred dollars for a new carbon fiber tripod and magnesium head to save a pound from the 6# of my elderly Tiltall. I do miss not having QR though. Can you recommend one which won't add more than a few ounces to the weight (preferably with bubble levels)? Thanks.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I use a Wimberley C-30 on my Tiltall, but no levels. The Kirk and RRS clamps have levels generally, and they're both nicely made. I'd avoid the RRS clamp with the cam lever--the ones with the screw have a tighter grip.

There's a guy who sells Arca-Swiss style plates in various lengths on eBay under the name "fletcher28wu" very cheaply. If you e-mail him directly you can order them in any combination, and the deal he's given me was usually six plates for the price of five. I've got 18 of them.

[Leonard Evens]

I manage quite well without quick release with my old Tiltall Pro, but every once and a while I look into the possibility of getting a carbon fiber tripod. But every time I look, I find that for plausible legs and head, the weight comes pretty close to what I already have, about 6 lbs.

Securing the monorail section of my Toho FC-45X takes less than five seconds. I don't think using a quick release would speed things up signficantly. Are there other advantages to a quick release?

[Bill_1856]

Securing the monorail section of my Toho FC-45X takes less than five seconds. I don't think using a quick release would speed things up signficantly. Are there other advantages to a quick release?
Leonard, I'm about to take a workshop, and will need to interchange my 4x5 and a small digital camera for backup and (self) instructional purposes. It takes me more like 30 seconds to attach the Graphic, and probably at least a couple of minutes with a lot of fumbling to juggle two cameras. It's more a matter of decreasing my frustration level than saving a little bit of time. It would also be nice to not carry a separate hand level.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Well, with a long QR like the one I have, I can have a short plate on the body of my Technika and a long plate on the bed, and I can slide the camera from one plate to the other or the clamp can span both plates for better balance and strength, and it functions a bit like a ersatz macro rail in a pinch. Obviously it doesn't have the precision of a geared macro rail, but it doesn't have the bulk either, and I can leave the plates on the camera all the time.

I do find it a bit faster to connect various cameras to the Tiltall with the QR with no hunting around for the tripod hole. With a camera like the Toho or another small monorail like a Gowland, though, it's pretty easy to locate the tripod hole quickly, so it doesn't make as much of a difference.

[Ron McElroy]

I've used a Linholf quick release on my Tiltall for lots of years. I don't think they are inexpensive though. I think I bought this one from KEH in the mid 80s and its held up great.

[Jim Ewins]

After taking a workshop with Michael and Paula Chamlee I fasten direct to my Berlebach. (I shoot 4x5 & 8x10 B&J monrails) No 3 way no QR. I level with the legs looking threw the GG. I pay more attention to the subject and consideration to composition. I do like my 3047 with MF & 35mm.