QD connector failure

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

Member's gallery
soundwatts said:
Was carrying my Z8 on my peak design slide strap attached to my lens foot (Kirk) with a QD connector. The internal mechanism of the QD broke the lens was fine as I think the camera body hit the ground first. The Z8 has a broken IBIS and sensor It’s out to Nikon for repair. Has this ever happened to anyone else? The QD is most convenient as you just unlock and put the foot on a tripod without having to remove anything else. Would you trust it again and what do you use to attach a lens foot to your straps?
Click to expand...
If you mean the Manfrotto QD then mine failed too - but I caught the camera.
Since then I went arca swiss.
Although the foot on my 70-200 came apart and damaged the mount and ibis on my Z9.
Unfortunately it fell on the laptop too destroying the screen...🦘
 
Member's gallery
Roy said:
If you mean the Manfrotto QD then mine failed too - but I caught the camera.
Since then I went arca swiss.
Although the foot on my 70-200 came apart and damaged the mount and ibis on my Z9.
Unfortunately it fell on the laptop too destroying the screen...🦘
Click to expand...
Don’t know if it was the manfrotto but I did buy it from b and h. It had a recessed button
 
Member's gallery
Just to add a bit to this topic. The discussion, thus far, has focused entirely on the QD connector. I am sure the quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, there has been little mention of the ports into which they are inserted. How many connection failures can be attributed to the ports as opposed to the QD devices? Are some inherently more reliable than others? I'm just a little curious to know if anyone has changed the plate (or, whatever is home to the port) after a failure instead of the QD device. Also, if anyone has a notion of where a BlackRapid Lockstar I (not the Lockstar II) can be obtained, I would much appreciate that tidbit.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
viper699 said:
How is it connected underneath? I looked at the plans and couldn’t figure that out.

Basically that’s like the Kirk strap. I think the clamps are a solid choice.
Click to expand...
It's connected to the strap via the hook on the black rapid!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1343.jpeg
    IMG_1343.jpeg
    440.5 KB · Views: 42
  • IMG_1342.jpeg
    IMG_1342.jpeg
    505.9 KB · Views: 42
Member's gallery
soundwatts said:
Was carrying my Z8 on my peak design slide strap attached to my lens foot (Kirk) with a QD connector. The internal mechanism of the QD broke the lens was fine as I think the camera body hit the ground first. The Z8 has a broken IBIS and sensor It’s out to Nikon for repair. Has this ever happened to anyone else? The QD is most convenient as you just unlock and put the foot on a tripod without having to remove anything else. Would you trust it again and what do you use to attach a lens foot to your straps?
Click to expand...
I haven’t had it happen with cameras or rifles but anything can fail. There is a wide range in quality in a part like this. I moved all of my QD to Promedia Gears which appear to be built better than anything I’ve ever seen before.
 
Member's gallery
Wrogu said:
I really do not like the BR sliders, they look (might not actually be) too fragile for me.

In that setup besides checking the slider condition and arca clamp, be sure to secure the screw with a loctite.
Click to expand...
I have 2 BR straps and I’ve used both a lot over the past 5+ years. I’ve never had an issue with the sliders. They seem to be very durable, although once I set them I don’t really move them much. And I think a failure, if one ever happened, would be an inconvenience rather than a critical event.

And I don’t think Loctite is required. The fastener includes a thick rubber washer which compresses and acts very effectively as a lock washer. The carabiner also acts as a lever so you can get the fastener on really tight.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
spamalot1950 said:
Just to add a bit to this topic. The discussion, thus far, has focused entirely on the QD connector. I am sure the quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, there has been little mention of the ports into which they are inserted. How many connection failures can be attributed to the ports as opposed to the QD devices? Are some inherently more reliable than others? I'm just a little curious to know if anyone has changed the plate (or, whatever is home to the port) after a failure instead of the QD device.
Click to expand...

Of course the ports, unlike the connectors, have no moving parts to stick or fail but I would think that wear might become an issue. Material choice might definitely be a factor; even more reason to purchase from highly reputable manufacturers like Kirk, RRS, Hejnar, etc.
 
Member's gallery
Blufftonian said:
I have 2 BR straps and I’ve used both a lot over the past 5+ years. I’ve never had an issue with the sliders. They seem to be very durable, although once I set them I don’t really move them much. And I think a failure, if one ever happened, would be an inconvenience rather than a critical event.

And I don’t think Loctite is required. The fastener includes a thick rubber washer which compresses and acts very effectively as a lock washer. The carabiner also acts as a lever so you can get the fastener on really tight.
Click to expand...
I have seen myself a camera fall into a stream because of that screw failure. The rubber did not help. It was a user mistake - not retightening every use. But that kind of solution should be fool proof.
 
Member's gallery
QD sockets should always be stainless steel or a material as resistant to wear and corrosion. Stainless steel is the best in most cases. With the balls in the QD connector and the QD socket also being stainless steel there should be very little wear or corrosion. The parts in the QD connector may be more susceptible to wear and tear.

Quality of the components as well as regular inspection is always important just as it is with any and all other tethering systems. Here is a page about Kirk Enterprises QD system and all the components you can get with QD sockets.

Quick Disconnect System | Kirk Photo

Kirk Photo is a manufacturer of camera parts and equipment including camera monopod, gimbal & ball heads, mounting equipment, brackets, rails and more!
kirkphoto.com kirkphoto.com
 
Member's gallery
gdecamp said:
It's connected to the strap via the hook on the black rapid!
Click to expand...
It wasn’t the hook I was wondering about 🤣

I see there’s BR piece that attaches to the base of the clamp, screws in it seems. Thanks

I tried BR and compared to my Peak Design Slide I didn’t like it as much. I can see why people do like it, it wasn’t for me. Straps and bags are so personal.
 
Member's gallery
Wrogu said:
I have seen myself a camera fall into a stream because of that screw failure. The rubber did not help. It was a user mistake - not retightening every use. But that kind of solution should be fool proof.
Click to expand...

Is anything totally foolproof? If a user leaves the screw loose then I’m not sure Loctite would help. And I agree that your account was user failure rather than screw failure. I’m also surmising that the BR safety tether also wasn’t in use?

And I and others I know frequently change lenses out in the field. I can’t imagine taking Loctite with me and applying it fresh after every lens change.
 
Member's gallery
Blufftonian said:
Chris Hejnar makes terrific products. I've bought several items from him over the years and I've always been highly impressed with both the quality and the pricing.
Click to expand...
Agree, and Chris is a super guy. He answered several emails from me same day, regarding a Hejnar foot and use of cotton carrier adapter. He even provided a schematic on using the rear QD connection point as a mount point for the cotton carrier mount adapter . Worked perfectly. Hejnar is my first stop for replacement lens foot. Awesome customer service and high quality parts!! FYI: the foot in the attached photo is for the 600PF.
 

Attachments

  • image003.png
    image003.png
    68.9 KB · Views: 32
Member's gallery
maxxus46 said:
Agree, and Chris is a super guy. He answered several emails from me same day, regarding a Hejnar foot and use of cotton carrier adapter. He even provided a schematic on using the rear QD connection point as a mount point for the cotton carrier mount adapter . Worked perfectly. Hejnar is my first stop for replacement lens foot. Awesome customer service and high quality parts!!
Click to expand...
Whoa are you using something else to connect to the cotton, seems that way. The green plate is very similar in design to one he made for me.
 
Member's gallery
viper699 said:
Whoa are you using something else to connect to the cotton, seems that way. The green plate is very similar in design to one he made for me.
Click to expand...
Nope , that is the stock Hejnar foot for the 600pf. The schematic shows that you can use the rearmost QD connector hole to mount the cotton carrier G3 adapter that comes with the vest. By mounting the adapter puck in that location, this drops the entire camera about 2.5 inches , lowering the ride height of the camera while attached to the vest without use of a plate . Tyl
 
Member's gallery
maxxus46 said:
Nope , that is the stock Hejnar foot for the 600pf. The schematic shows that you can use the rearmost QD connector hole to mount the cotton carrier G3 adapter that comes with the vest. By mounting the adapter puck in that location, this drops the entire camera about 2.5 inches , lowering the ride height of the camera while attached to the vest without use of a plate . Tyl
Click to expand...
I didn't know this. The part I have is stamped NFR-008. I used with the 600PF and magpul, worked great. I didnt know it would work like that with a cotton, thank you.
 
Member's gallery
viper699 said:
I didn't know this. The part I have is stamped NFR-008. I used with the 600PF and magpul, worked great. I didnt know it would work like that with a cotton, thank you.
Click to expand...
Yes, you just have to run a 1/4-20 x 1 length or 1-1/4 length stainless steel button head bolt through the adapter and QD hole...then use a stainless washer and lock nut on opposite end. Super strong, absolutely zero concern of the adapter ever coming loose with the lock nut. Works great with the Hejnar foot. In addition , with the adapter at the very rear of the foot, I can still use the arca foot on my monogimbal head without removing the cotton adapter. Take care
 
Member's gallery
maxxus46 said:
Yes, you just have to run a 1/4-20 x 1 length or 1-1/4 length stainless steel button head bolt through the adapter and QD hole...then use a stainless washer and lock nut on opposite end. Super strong, absolutely zero concern of the adapter ever coming loose with the lock nut. Works great with the Hejnar foot. In addition , with the adapter at the very rear of the foot, I can still use the arca foot on my monogimbal head without removing the cotton adapter. Take care
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's really convenient then. I have the Wimberly monogimbal. Thanks!
 
Member's gallery
Blufftonian said:
Is anything totally foolproof? If a user leaves the screw loose then I’m not sure Loctite would help. And I agree that your account was user failure rather than screw failure. I’m also surmising that the BR safety tether also wasn’t in use?

And I and others I know frequently change lenses out in the field. I can’t imagine taking Loctite with me and applying it fresh after every lens change.
Click to expand...
I like my stuff to be as fool proof as possible. Why? I do not trust myself :) at 4 in the morning, after waking up at 2 in the night. When I am sleepy I want the lowest user error chances as possible.
Well, there was no secondary tether and no loctite. I reminded my friend of both with no result ... and the camera ended in a stream :)
But to be honest I like the QD+tether solution a lot more. Super fast, and secure. And does not require retightening/loctite at all.

You do not need to apply the loctite every time. Just use multiple screws with eylet at every lensfoot. Or in case of connecting via arca - you just need it on one arca clamp. So reapplying in the field is not needed. If you were using a camera thread to mount the eyelet/thread - that would be an issue with loctite if you also want to swap cages/plates etc. In that case arca clamp is a better solution imho.

In my case I use QD + PD tether and lens changes in the field are non issue. Just use a cage/plate at camera with QD socket for short lenses without lensfoot and use a lensfoot with QD socket for long lenses. Heck, when I use a monopod I do not need to disconnect the strap - as it does not get into my way when mounting the lens on monopod (actually that was the main reason when going for QD/PD setup).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top