Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Over the years I have purchased a number of tripods, and have always
avoided getting ones with heads that use a proprietary quick release system (eg. Gitzo, and Manfrotto - I would need to purchase quick release plates for all my cameras(it would be OK), but I would not know if in the future I upgrade my tripod if these plates would still work); instead settled for ones that use the standard 1 /4" x 20 screw.
It was a real pain shooting an event going from handheld to a flash bracket, and then onto a tripod, with multiple cameras. All that screwing and unscrewing was a pain in the butt. So now I am in the middle of standardizing my tripods, monopod, and cameras to the Arca swiss system. I live in Toronto, and what I am finding is that all the major photographic stores (Henrys', Downtown Camera, Aden, Merkle, DV Shop)do not carry any major quantity/selection of Arca Swiss equipment. The only exception is Vistek. Forget Blacks', Best Buy or Future Shop.
I have been adding to my system by slowly buying stuff from Vistek(my only choice). The selection is not great but reasonable, but the prices are quite high. I know that I can go online and purchase from
B & H, Adorama,or even from Hong Kong, and save some money, but I want to be able to touch and feel the piece of equipment that I am buying. I am also not too keen about customs and the online purchasing experience.
Does anyone living in Toronto know of a source (bricks and mortar) other than Visek for Arca Swiss equipment (camera plates, ballheads, quick release clamps)?

Not much to offer but I was toying with the same idea as you. I wanted to get a Wimberley Sidekick head for my 300mmf2.8IS lens and was looking at the ballheads that was compatible with it. Seems it's hard to find an authorized retailer for Arca Swiss other than Vistek. My other option was to either go for Kirk Enterprises or Really Right Stuff ballhead and QR plates.

It's 2010 and Arca Swiss still doesn't have a website!

I have a Really Right Stuff clamp type and an L Bracket for my 40D. I also have a plate for my telephoto lens. The RRS clamp sits on my Markins M-10 and it is a fantastic combo - highly recommended.

I have heard that not all Arca Swiss type plates (Kirk, RRS, Arca Swiss, Markins) are not all interchangeable so if you pick a system you may be best served to stick with that manufacturer.

You are welcome to check out my RRS clamp and L-Bracket. Let me know. I like you went through the same challenges and finally met a TPMG member with the same setup I was looking at buying - so that was very helpful to be able to touch it before dropping my hard earned bucks on an expensive rig.

Sorry to thread jack a little but... Hey Jamesy, which RRS ballhead did you pickup? The BH-40 series?

I also recommend the RRS system. I have the RRS BH 40 ballhead with quick release lever clamp and their L bracket for my 5DII and the L bracket for the 5DII with Grip. I also use their plates for the tripod mount ring. Excellent quality products, highly recommended.

I have the Markins M-10.
http://www.markins.com/2.0/eng/products ... s/m10.html

Caution on the Sidekick as it is a pain to use if you have a full body camera like the Canon 1 series or a camera with a grip. There is not enough clearance resulting in constant adjusting pointing from the sky to the ground.

ACK! Thanks for the heads up. Guess I'm back to looking at the Wimberley Head II or possibly the Kirk King Cobra.

Thanks for the info Carlton,Jamesy, and others. I know all about the Kirk, Really Right Stuff,and Markins Arca Swiss equipment. I have been doing a bit of internet research. Right now I have a Benro carbon fibre travel angel tripod with a B-1 ballhead; a cheaper alternative to a Gitzo series 2 tripod, but I want to replace the ballhead with a Markins Q3(might have to actually go online and order it since no retailer sells it), and get some camera and lens plates to go with it.

I have been using the Sidekick with with my D300 with grip and 200-400 mm with the low profile Wimberly foot on the lens on the RRS BH-55 head (with clamp) without any clearance issues for over a year now. The Sidekick has the AK-100 plate on it for use with the RRS clamp, and was bought from Vistek.

DG

Again, you are welcome to meet up with me one day. I have the RRS clamp on a Markins M-10 on a Gitzo 2531 carbon fiber tripod. For me this combo is rock solid up to 200mm and hopefully a once in a lifetime purchase as it was pricey.
I considered a Markins Q3 but it is a lighter weight option that does not support as much as a M-10 or RRS BH-40. I found the quest in search of my holy grail of tripod/ball-head and clamp/L-Bracket involved a lot more research than most of my lens or camera body purchases!
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Hey Jamesy, have you noticed any issues with the pan lock? I've read that that's the only negative issue regarding the Markins M-10 head.

It can be rotated if you really push it but as far as I know it is a design choice Markins made on the entire line. It has never slipped under load.

It is unbelievable how well the ball-head locks - when you twist the large knob - it stops dead. The graduated thumbnail screw within the larger knob allows micro adjustment to compensate for various weights and configurations up top.

You are welcome to try it out for yourself if you were considering this config. It is hard with these items becasue no-one stocks them.

Awesome. Thanks for the mini review. Yeah, I'd like to check it out if we both show up for a TPMG event etc. Thanks.

Tripod adhoc event?

A tripod event would be a great idea

maybe that merkle store at vic park & 401 where they sell those strobist gels.

Are you proposing an adhoc tripod event at Merkle or are you responding to the OP? Merkle had lots in terms of higher end tripods.

Why would you want to limit yourself to bricks and mortar stores? Most of them are way overpriced and have limited selection of plates and heads. I've dealt with both Kirk and Really Right Stuff, which are probably the world leaders in terms of Acra Swiss compatible heads and plates of every kind. They both offered great email and phone service and shipping was not an issue.

Just look at their websites, no store can compare:
http://www.kirkphoto.com/
http://reallyrightstuff.com/index.html

responding to the OP

Brian at www.harrysproshop.com use to carry arca swiss products but not sure if he stocks it anymore... can't hurt to ask

Locally, I've noticed that Vistek carries acratech, and Henry's carries Wimberley, though in both cases it's not all items.

I have a Kirk BH1 Ballhead and use kirk plates on all my camera's, lens. (except for the 500mm which I have the wimberley foot and sidekick). Never had any issues with the sidekick, I find it really smooth and easy to use.

I have done many orders through Kirk and never had any issues. Fast shipping, confirmation e-mails, (actually they will e-mail you right after receiving your order to give you the shipping quote to Canada and will wait to hear from you regarding the method you would like it shipped.)

Same thing with Naturescapes where I ordered the sidekick and plate from....excellent customer service.

Megan.

Does anyone on tpmg have an RRS BH-55 that I could meet up with and see in the flesh?

I would also be very interested in seeing one of these as I am also in the market for either it or a BH-40

I have a Markins M-10 with a RRS quick release clamp on top. You guys are welcome to see it if you like.

I would be interested in seeing that setup. Is your clamp a lever release or classic screw release?

It is a lever type quick release and I have an L bracket on my 40D. I also have a plate for my tripod mount for my 70-200 L. It sits on a Gitzo 2531EX - it is rock solid setup.

I am out of town next week so perhaps early July, unless of course you are in a hurry then PM me and we can see about making alternate arrangements.

Any time early July is fine with me. I am buying my tripod this week anyways but I will be waiting to buy the head for a while so whenever is fine with me.

What tripod are you considering buying?