Tripod head to tripod base quick release system question

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AlanB313 said:
I'm looking for a way to quick release a tripod head from a tripod so that I can either quickly switch a head between tripods (travel vs heavier duty) or to quickly switch to a head appropriate for a camera instead of a spotting scope. I have several scenarios:
  1. I just bought a lightweight tripod that I will use for a spotting scope and camera when hiking and want to be able to switch heads from something appropriate for the scope to a light weight ballhead (maybe an acratech) for botany, etc.
  2. On a car trip, I will take a travel tripod and the heavier tripod. Being able to quickly demount a head and switch it to a different tripod seems to be an advantage.
Does anyone have one they like? I saw these on B&H;
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513554-REG/arca_swiss_802320_quicklink_set.html (Kind of pricey)

Any others I should look at? Or are these not a stable way to go? Fiddling with the 3mm locking set crews in addition to the 3/8-16 treaded mount to secure a head to a tripod is really cumbersome and no fun in the field.

Notes:
Another alternative is I am seriously looking at is a Flexshooter Mini. I'm currently shooting with a d500, a 500mm pf, a 150-600mm tamron G2, a 300mm pf, a 16-80mm f2.8 and an ai-s 55mm f2.8 macro. I plan to switch to a z8 and add a 105mm macro and Plena someday. I think all are light enough for the flexshooter mini. I think the mini would work for my Kowa 88mm Prominar scope as well. (I've read a lot of BCG threads on the Flexshooters. Thanks for all who posted.) Or...I will get a good gimbal and a good ballhead. However, I still think a quick way to switch heads will be convenient.

I bought the travel tripod because I realized I just wasn't putting my heavier one in the pack and was missing shots. I got the PD carbon. We'll see how I like it over time. I used it with the scope yesterday in breezy conditions and it was fine. So far, I wish it had three rather than two detents in the leg angle positions. It is very compact, which is very nice. I doubt I will use their ballhead much. I got the head adapter and I'm currently using a different head (Sirui fluid head) but will add another head soon.

As I gain experience, I'm trying to buy once rather than buying something and realizing I shoulda spent a little more and bought something a little better...
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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I have ben using the Flexshooter mini for 3 years and love it. My biggest lens is the Olympus 150-400 and it does fine on the Flexshooter. It replaced my much-loved Wimberly
 
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AlanB313 said:
B&H is out of stock of the Leofoto plates and clamps in the diameter I need. I'll check back with them or choose a similar thin system that is the same diameter as the base of my tripod head. Super thankful to all who answered. I'm hopeful that this thread might be useful to others getting started like me.
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If you do not need to buy from only B&H, you can buy direct from Leofoto USA as well.
 
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I use a Gitzo systematic 3 tripod and I have a Gitzo leveling base installed in the tripod. I have both ball heads and gimbals but lately have only been using a gimbal for the type of photography I have been using. I have not bothered with a quick release plate but I am beginning to reconsider. Getting the gimbal unthreaded is a bit difficult because getting the head released without disturbing the leveling base has been a struggle.

I really like the RRS lever clamps they really work an I think it is time to get quick release system set up.
 
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wotan1 said:
I use a Gitzo systematic 3 tripod and I have a Gitzo leveling base installed in the tripod. I have both ball heads and gimbals but lately have only been using a gimbal for the type of photography I have been using. I have not bothered with a quick release plate but I am beginning to reconsider. Getting the gimbal unthreaded is a bit difficult because getting the head released without disturbing the leveling base has been a struggle.

I really like the RRS lever clamps they really work an I think it is time to get quick release system set up.
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If you do, please report back on your results. My setups are fairly lightweight which will influence what I choose. The RRS gear is also attractive. It's a little pricier, and I'm trying to keep my gear acquisitions within an "acceptable" range so that a z8 isn't out of the cards eventually....
The 60mm Leofoto setup might be an inexpensive alternative to try the concept out.
 
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I also use the 70mm Leofoto Quick Release plates. I can readily see the appeal of the RSS clamp, however the demands I place on my gear aren't nearly as strenuous as those of some here, and a set of the Leofoto plates are a fraction of the cost of the RSS system. I have had no issues. Quickly changing between a geared head and a ballhead is simplicity itself, as is moving a head from one tripod to another. And, FYI, it is available on Amazon, too.
 
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