Peter Walker Posted June 16, 2016 Share #1  Posted June 16, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) A question for people who already own the 90-280mm lens:  Has anyone added a QR plate to their new 90-280mm SL lens or do you not need one?  I have arranged to pick up the lens next month (fingers crossed) but I will be on my way to a landscape shoot so I wanted to work out all the "accessory" requirements beforehand. I plan to use the lens on a RRS monopod with a simple tilt head as I'm not sure how well I can handhold the lens at the long end. There's a fair bit of uphill hiking so I don't want to lug a tripod. The monopod will double-duty as a walking stick.  Unfortunately, I can not find anything that mentions the size / shape of the lens' tripod mount nor can I find any clear photos online.  One review mentioned that the foot that comes with the 90-280mm SL lens can function as a QR plate. Does that mean it is already shaped for an Arca-Swiss type QR system - will it connect directly to the RSS heads - which follow the Arca-Swiss model?  Or do I need to add a QR plate like one of these:  http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/MPR-73-73mm-rail http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/MPR-113-113mm-rail (I understand that they only differ in length.)  Has anyone installed one of the above on their 90-280mm SL lens?  Are there other options that I should consider?  Are any of you using the 90-280mm SL lens on a Monopod? Views?  Regards Peter     Regards Peter http://www.peterwalker.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 16, 2016 Posted June 16, 2016 Hi Peter Walker, Take a look here QR plate for 90-280mm SL lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
FlashGordonPhotography Posted June 16, 2016 Share #2  Posted June 16, 2016 Here you go...  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259430-unboxing-the-apo-vario-elmarit-sl-90–280-mm-f28-4/  Yes. You need a plate.  Gordon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ingo Posted June 16, 2016 Share #3  Posted June 16, 2016 Unfortunately I don't have my 90-280 at my fingertips this morning. But I will check the dimensions of the tripod mount. It definetly has on built in Acra Swiss functionality. I'm using a RRS plate which I formerly used for my Canon 70-200. I will give you the details later.  PS: Gordon was faster . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 16, 2016 Share #4  Posted June 16, 2016 I am using an iShoot ARCA-ish plate from Fleabay. It seems well made and does the job perfectly. I have a number of these iShoot plates and they have never given any problems.  They are freely available on eBay in all sorts of different shapes, sizes and configurations. They are a bit more than the no-name plates but a lot less than ARCA or RRS.  Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ingo Posted June 16, 2016 Share #5  Posted June 16, 2016 The tripod mount is 78mm x 29mm.  The other photo is with a RRS L84R.   Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/261628-qr-plate-for-90-280mm-sl-lens/?do=findComment&comment=3062511'>More sharing options...
Peter Walker Posted June 17, 2016 Author Share #6  Posted June 17, 2016 I love this forum.  Within a few hours of posting a question, you receive several really great answers with all the facts needed to help make a decision.  Because I've always been happy with RRS, I have just ordered the L84R.  http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/L84-Multi-use-fore-aft-plate  And, after some agonising between ball-heads, tilt-heads and no-head-at-all, I decided to try an RRS leveling base with quick-release clamp.   http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-2-LC-Series-2-Leveling-Base-with-Clamp  I realise that I can only get 15 degrees tilt in anyone direction (i.e. with the monopod held in the "human tripod" stance, I can get horizontal to 45 degrees up) but, for most work, that should be sufficient.  My rationale is that the smaller, lighter levelling base will not detract from the monopods second function - a walking stick...  Let's see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 17, 2016 Share #7  Posted June 17, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I wish someone did a long plate like the RRS L84R but with the dovetail at right angles. The lens plate could then support the lens foot throughout its length, which must be desirable. However, it would still work on my Manfrotto 322 joystick head (Hejnar modified to Arca compatible), where the release handle needs to be at right angles to the lens to operate it comfortably - see photo below, with my short iShoot plate fitted across the foot. Anyone know of such a plate?  Wilson   Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/261628-qr-plate-for-90-280mm-sl-lens/?do=findComment&comment=3063023'>More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 18, 2016 Share #8  Posted June 18, 2016 I had several of these in a drawer .... used a spare bolt for extra security. Rubber footing so zero chance of movement .....  Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!   Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!   ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/261628-qr-plate-for-90-280mm-sl-lens/?do=findComment&comment=3063847'>More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 18, 2016 Share #9  Posted June 18, 2016 I just sent RRS an email asking if they have a two bolt plate like the one above but with the dovetail at 90º.  Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Walker Posted June 19, 2016 Author Share #10  Posted June 19, 2016 I wish someone did a long plate like the RRS L84R but with the dovetail at right angles. The lens plate could then support the lens foot throughout its length, which must be desirable. However, it would still work on my Manfrotto 322 joystick head (Hejnar modified to Arca compatible), where the release handle needs to be at right angles to the lens to operate it comfortably - see photo below, with my short iShoot plate fitted across the foot. Anyone know of such a plate?  Wilson  Hi Wilson,  Right at the bottom of your photo of the Manfrotto joystick head is the curved shaft that connects the joystick ball to the grip with the controls.  A few years ago, I used one of these Manfrotto joysticks.  One day, when I had the tripod at an awkward angle due to the terrain, that shaft shattered right through.  Luckily I was holding the camera at the time.  I showed the shattered shaft to a friend who knew something about metallurgy and he said it looked like the aluminum crystals were clumped, probably due to heat.  It's probably fine if the stress is vertically down through the shaft but, if my experience is any indication, be careful using it with that shaft off the vertical.  Regards Peter 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 19, 2016 Share #11  Posted June 19, 2016 (edited) Hi Wilson,  Right at the bottom of your photo of the Manfrotto joystick head is the curved shaft that connects the joystick ball to the grip with the controls.  A few years ago, I used one of these Manfrotto joysticks.  One day, when I had the tripod at an awkward angle due to the terrain, that shaft shattered right through.  Luckily I was holding the camera at the time.  I showed the shattered shaft to a friend who knew something about metallurgy and he said it looked like the aluminum crystals were clumped, probably due to heat.  It's probably fine if the stress is vertically down through the shaft but, if my experience is any indication, be careful using it with that shaft off the vertical.  Regards Peter  Peter,  Many thanks for the warning. I know that the load of 11lbs/5.5kg is strictly with the ball shaft vertical. There does not seem to be a lot of wailing on the Interweb about the ball shaft failing on either the 222 or 322 (I have both). Eventually the ball clamp can wear out and need to go back to Manfrotto for service but I know quite a few pros using these (mainly the 322 side handle) with MF cameras and yours is the only story of outright failure I have heard. I have been using mine for 10 years with no problems. Hopefully your friend's was an isolated instance of a faulty diecasting. I would assume like nearly everything made of metal in Italy, it is diecast from Zamak, zinc/aluminium alloy.  Wilson  PS. I was just reading some of the 1 and 2 star reviews of the 222 and 322 or Bogen equivalents on Amazon and then laughing. Virtually every one who did not like it was complaining about sag/creep with the ball lever released/locked. It is completely a case of RTFM. There are two friction adjustments on these joystick heads. The one everyone finds, the roller in the middle of the handle which adjusts the friction with the ball clamp released. The other one, which virtually nobody seems to have found (it IS in the manual) is the 3mm hex socket at the base of the handle which adjusts ball locked friction. I was not getting any creep with a 560mm f5.6 Telyt on a Televit and Visoflex, which is by far the longest heaviest lens I have. Edited June 19, 2016 by wlaidlaw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donzo98 Posted January 7, 2018 Share #12 Â Posted January 7, 2018 (edited) Just wanted to revive this thread in case anyone was still wondering... Â I picked up a RRS L84 plate on FM this week for my 90-280. I ordered an extra B-107 screw from RRS as well... so I would have 2 hole fixation. Â Here is a quick pic of the foot/plate on an RRS B-40 ball head. Â If you are looking for a bi-directional plate... the B9 works well too, but it has only 1 hole. Â Â Edited January 7, 2018 by Donzo98 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted January 8, 2018 Share #13 Â Posted January 8, 2018 I have the 90-280 lens and was faced with the same dilemma. I use the Arca Swiss system and decided on the RRS L84 plate. This is the correct one. It is the best one because of the anti-twist feature. Â When installing, make sure that the anti-twist flange is flush with the rear edge of the tripod collar foot (the edge closest to the rear element) and screw it into the farthest screw-hole (the one closest to the front element of the lens) and tighten it - but do not over-tighten. Â -Brad 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted January 8, 2018 Share #14 Â Posted January 8, 2018 Don had a good point... Â You can order an extra screw as insurance, but RRS said that if installed correctly (with the anti-twist flange) up against the rear of the tripod foot, AND you use the provided blue Loctite on the threads, it is not really necessary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted January 8, 2018 Share #15  Posted January 8, 2018 (edited) I was using an RRS B9 bi-directional square plate, on my 90-280. This plate also has an anti-swivel flange. This is good for using on various different heads on both tripods and monopods as you can mount it either north-south or east-west. Since I sold my 90-280, I now have the same plate on my R to T adapter, which principally gets used with my 80-200 Vario Elmar R lens. The R to T adapter has a very nice foot, which is cranked forwards, to put the support close to the centre of gravity for a combined camera/lens.  Wilson Edited January 8, 2018 by wlaidlaw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted January 8, 2018 Share #16 Â Posted January 8, 2018 Wimberley long plates plates have anti-twist lip and long fixing groove so multiple 1/4" screws can be inserted. Sold by several, in UK; WEX and by Bob Rigby. Â https://www.bobrigby.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted January 10, 2018 Share #17 Â Posted January 10, 2018 I fitted a Wimberley plate to the 90-280 soon as I got it. Works fine. Â I used to have those Manfrotto grip heads, but found them a bit imprecise. Now I'm using the Arca-Swiss Monoball P0 and the new P0-hybrid that has Cube like adjustment arcs for precise positioning when needed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Z. Goriup Posted January 12, 2018 Share #18  Posted January 12, 2018 I bought the Wimberley long plate the same time I picked up my 90-280 and have lived very happily ever since................sturdy, can't slip and shift, solid, light, reasonably priced and fits my RRS QR ballhead base-plate perfectly. The reason I went with the Wimberley is that RRS, which I prefer under any and all circumstances when it comes to camera support equipment, sells only direct in the US and I couldn't wait for them to ship me one since I had an immediate need for the lens. The Wimberley plate has proven perfectly reliable and satisfactory.  An absolutely win-win solution,  JZG Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/261628-qr-plate-for-90-280mm-sl-lens/?do=findComment&comment=3438084'>More sharing options...
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