Date: 6/14/26 11:02 am From: Joe Donahue (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Quick release plates
I would call B&H and talk to them about your issues. Maybe even get in a bulk discount.
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On Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:42 PM, Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
OK, Carolinabirds listserv, let's see if you've still got the juice. Though I'm not 100% sure I'm here for answers, might mostly be here to broadcast my complaints.
I (well, the school I teach at) have two large telephoto lens cameras and four spotting scopes. I teach ornithology, which is why I have so many scopes. I am constantly moving scopes back and forth from tripods to window mounts, so quick release swapping is essential.
For decades I have used the manfrotto rectangular quick release system, but those were getting cranky and modern tripod heads seem to use the Arca-Swiss type quick release plates. So, prompted by a drop onto asphalt of a nice Kowa scope when the manfrotto quick release wasn't as secure as I thought, I decided to upgrade/update the whole flock to the Arca-Swiss standard. It will cost a pretty penny, but what the heck, every few decades one (my institution, that is) can afford it.
Now to my complaint: This new cross-manufacturer Arca-Swiss standard is not a standard! While approximating the same shape, the Arca-swiss compatible Oben brand clamp is about 0.3mm too big to firmly hold the Arca Swiss compatible Gitzo plate, which therefore slides around in it. WTF, manufacturers?? Why adopt the new standard if you're still going to have bespoke, manufacturer-specific takes on it? It's frustrating because there is a window mount that meets my needs perfectly for $80 (Oben) but if I have to have everything from the same manufacturer then I'll probably have to return that and fork over $400 (Gitzo) instead.
And to be honest, the Arca-Swiss idea kind of sucks anyway (doesn't snap in, you have to tighten a screw to get it to hold, so not as quick as a quick release should be).
Yeah, I guess I was mostly complaining but among all the scope users out there, if you have found a favorite quick release solution, please feel free to comment about it because I'm still in the middle of figuring out what I'm getting.
Chris Hill,Conway, SC
