Wista DX45 QR Plates, RSS MPR113 or B35? Your experience?Thoughts?Suggestions?

[l2oBiN]

I would like to purchase a Really Right Stuff (http://reallyrightstuff.com/home.html) QR plate for the Wista 45DX. RSS have a B35 (http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B35&eq=B35%2D004&Tp=) plate (Cost $55) that is specifically designed for the large format wooden field cameras. However, the thought of getting a multi purpose rail MPR-113 (http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/itemdesc.asp?ic=MPR%2D113&eq=&Tp=) (also Cost $55) has crossed my mind. One thing that concerns me regarding the B35, is that they do not state the plate has a set of slide stop screws at the bottom of the QR plate, which prevents the rail from slipping form the QR clamp when the clamp is in the semi-engaged position. Furthermore, B35 is only 89mm long while the MPR113 is 113mm long. The lenght of the bottom metal plate for the wista 45dx is ~115mm, therefore the MPR-113 would mate perfectly along the entire lenght of the camera plate, giving me additional flexibility in positioning the camera. In addition, I know for a fact that the MPR rails have the stopper screws to prevent the rail from sliding out of the clamp (when the clamp is semi-engadged). I am also thinking, the MPR is more versatile if I decide to apply it to a different camera or in general within the RSS system. I guess it should correspondingly have a higher resale value if I decide to sell it. A question crossing my mind regarding the MPR-113 is, is the MPR-113 it going to be as stable as the B35 because B35 has a stationary screw and a sliding screw, while the MPR-113 has two sliding screws.

Does anyone have any experience with these QR clams? Anyone have any thoughts, comments, recommendation on which QR plate to choose?

[Jeff Keller]

I've never had the screws come loose unless there is only one screw and the camera rotates. If you use the RRS lever clamp you may find some of the older plates don't fit it. I believe the MPR-113 worked fine with the lever clamp. You probably won't notice any difference between them while it is on your 45DX. The MPR with double dovetail, moveable stop, etc is more flexible, but sometimes shorter is better (lens hangs below base of camera).