Manfrotto "Quick Release Plate" question

Michael Piziak · 02-05-2023, 05:51 PM

Upon looking at used Manfrotto tripods, I notice that the Quick Release Plate is often something missing from the tripod.

I'm just curious if all the Manfrotto quick release plates or if all 3rd party plates for Manfrotto are of the same compatible same size - ?

Thanks

MarkJerling · 02-05-2023, 06:10 PM

There are a fair variety of Manfrotto plates, including aftermarket options. Some are interchangeable, some are not.
See, for instance: Manfrotto Quick Release Systems | B&H Photo Video

**mikeSF** · 02-05-2023, 06:53 PM

ha, what Mark said...there are so many different Manfrotto QR plates. Some are discontinued and some are widely available through primary and secondary market sources.
I would stick with genuine Manfrotto made ones vs 3rd party, but i'm not sure if that was what you were asking. Good luck!

Michael Piziak · 02-05-2023, 07:44 PM

Thanks Mark & Mike...

I really don't have my heart set on any specific Manfrotto tripods - I was just browsing at the used ones on the auction site.

People must either lose these plates a lot or decided to keep them when they sell their tripods - or they break? Because it's like a significant amount of used Manfrotto tripods are sold without the plates on the auction site - hmmmm....

I'm just looking for a stronger more sturdier tripod design to use. The one I'm using right now is what you'd call an old cheap Amazon Prime tripod - definitely not worthy of holding a DSLR with a heavier lens on it!

Michael

p.s. Maybe some of you could suggest a different brand, besides Manfrotto, to look for on the auction site. I know of no brands other than the name Manfrotto..... Smiles...

**Bob 256** · 02-05-2023, 08:30 PM

Lose them would probably be the more likely, at least in my case. I usually keep one stuck in the little zipper pouch on my tripod bag but the last time I lost one, that little pouch somehow got unzipped and the plate was gone. Fortunately, I could steal one from another lens that was so equipped. Because of my losing ways, I usually keep a stock on hand in a known location.

This is the one that I use and is carried by B&H. They are a bit spendy but it's handy to have extras:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878358-REG/Manfrotto_200PL_Mounting_P...dc73bd31a4ce11

**Mr. Ed** · 02-05-2023, 09:09 PM

Some excellent information available on Tripods if you look under the "accessories" section.

MarkJerling · 02-05-2023, 11:39 PM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

Thanks Mark & Mike...

I really don't have my heart set on any specific Manfrotto tripods - I was just browsing at the used ones on the auction site.

People must either lose these plates a lot or decided to keep them when they sell their tripods - or they break? Because it's like a significant amount of used Manfrotto tripods are sold without the plates on the auction site - hmmmm....

I'm just looking for a stronger more sturdier tripod design to use. The one I'm using right now is what you'd call an old cheap Amazon Prime tripod - definitely not worthy of holding a DSLR with a heavier lens on it!

Michael

p.s. Maybe some of you could suggest a different brand, besides Manfrotto, to look for on the auction site. I know of no brands other than the name Manfrotto..... Smiles...

I suspect there's a fair few people, like me, who permanently leave these adapter plates mounted to their cameras and some of their lenses. Maybe, when people have more than one tripod, and sell one, they keep the plates.

**Digitalis** · 02-05-2023, 11:39 PM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

I'm just curious if all the Manfrotto quick release plates or if all 3rd party plates for Manfrotto are of the same compatible same size

Always best to buy from a reputable manufacturer: if you use RRS dovetail plates which are as closest to universal as we're likely to get, RRS sell an adapter that if you find the correct QR plate you can attach the adapter and use any RRS compatible plate/brackets you desire.

Originally posted by mikeSF

I would stick with genuine Manfrotto made ones vs 3rd party

^THIS^

Some manufacturers get the tolerances wrong and this can lead to falls and other forms of accidental damage

**yucatanPentax** · 02-06-2023, 12:46 AM - **2 Likes**

You can always buy a tripod/head combination that uses the Arca Swiss standard. Replacement plates are widely available through 3rd parties. It's one of the more ubiquitous standards, common across many brands. Manfrotto may make really good tripods, but because of their exclusive (and variety of) plates, I've always bought Arca-Swiss.

**ramseybuckeye** · 02-06-2023, 02:48 AM - **2 Likes**

I have been using an Induro tripod for about 13 years, during that time I have purchased some smaller travel type tripod that came with Arca style plates. I got tired of changing the QR plates for the tripod and changed the QR system in the tripod to the arca style. The arca style is as close to a standard as there is in QR, and standards make life easier. Now I would not buy a head without arca style QR. Now if I could replace the ball knob on my Sirui with a lever I would have no tripod concerns.

**Papa_Joe** · 02-06-2023, 02:51 AM

AFAIK there are at least 6 different systems of quick release plates that are or have been sold by Manfrotto.
I think two of them are allready discontinued.

The good thing is, you can buy the plates for all the systems as spare parts. The bad news is, they are sometimes quite expensive.

Another thing to mention, is that the Manfrotto "Top-Lock" series uses the Arca-swiss plates. So you can buy genuine Manfrott, Arca-Swiss compatible ballheads. Another very nice option is the 200PL-Pro System which is (a quite small) Arca-Swiss and Manfrotto RC2 (same as PL200) compatible plate in one piece.

Despite the confusing variety of Manfrotto quick release systems, I am an absoulute fan of them. You can allways put the the camera with one hand onto the tripod and the plate will snap in and be locked on the tripod securly. No fidling around with two hands and tightening a screw and not being quite sure if the camera is now secure on the tripod like the Arca system. This is especially nice with the 234RC monpod head, with the left you hold the monopod, with the right you put your gear onto it. Done! Yes, of course I own two different quick release systems from one manufacturer. I can deal with that.

**Digitalis** · 02-06-2023, 03:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by yucatanPentax

It's one of the more ubiquitous standards, common across many brands.

Like most standards, there are some interpretations of it by 3rd parties that continues to raise an eyebrow. Some Arca compatible tripod heads don't fully lock properly with other 3rd party plates and brackets due to the "standard" having no official specified profile on the shaping of the clamp/QR plates interface.

I think I own every QR plate Manfrotto and Gitzo has ever made...

texandrews · 02-06-2023, 08:24 AM - **1 Like**

Well, I'm not a fan of Manfrotto's or Gitzo's plate systems. I use heads that are Arca-Swiss compatible. And Yes, there are some weirdnessess there, but I still favor Arca-Swiss. As for RRS---it's great stuff, but if you are sensitive to these sorts of things then check their politics.

**mikeSF** · 02-06-2023, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by Papa_Joe

AFAIK there are at least 6 different systems of quick release plates that are or have been sold by Manfrotto.
Manfrotto quick release systems, I am an absoulute fan of them. You can allways put the the camera with one hand onto the tripod and the plate will snap in and be locked on the tripod securly. No fidling around with two hands and tightening a screw and not being quite sure if the camera is now secure on the tripod like the Arca system. This is especially nice with the 234RC monpod head, with the left you hold the monopod, with the right you put your gear onto it. Done! Yes, of course I own two different quick release systems from one manufacturer. I can deal with that.

me too. I prefer RC4 because the very large plate size means much more solid contact with the camera body, and I love how i can mount the thing just by snapping it down on the spring loaded QR receiver.
My current main tripod has arca-swiss style, but I have at least a few times not noticed that the knob style QR lock had come ever so slightly loose and almost released the camera to the ground. This could never happen with the Manfrotto RC4 style which i prefer.

thus when shopping for a good "forever" tripod/head, i support trying everything you can (borrow, buy/return, etc) under actual field conditions in order to find those little quirks that interfere with your photography. It has taken me 10 years to get there, so i know it is not easy.

---------- Post added 02-06-23 at 09:06 AM ----------

also, around here a tripod for sale with no QR plate could mean stolen.
same as someone selling a camera(with 1 lens mounted) and does not have the battery charger. why not? stolen.

**MossyRocks** · 02-06-2023, 02:17 PM

From what I have seen the legacy Manfrotto QR plates come in a rather large variety. I keep my eyes open for old hex plate ones as I have a number of big old heads that take them. I can usually pick them up for $5 at my local camera shop if they have any.

02-05-2023, 05:51 PM	#1
Michael Piziak Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,724	Manfrotto "Quick Release Plate" question Upon looking at used Manfrotto tripods, I notice that the Quick Release Plate is often something missing from the tripod. I'm just curious if all the Manfrotto quick release plates or if all 3rd party plates for Manfrotto are of the same compatible same size - ? Thanks

02-05-2023, 08:30 PM	#5
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,003	Lose them would probably be the more likely, at least in my case. I usually keep one stuck in the little zipper pouch on my tripod bag but the last time I lost one, that little pouch somehow got unzipped and the plate was gone. Fortunately, I could steal one from another lens that was so equipped. Because of my losing ways, I usually keep a stock on hand in a known location. This is the one that I use and is carried by B&H. They are a bit spendy but it's handy to have extras: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878358-REG/Manfrotto_200PL_Mounting_P...dc73bd31a4ce11 Last edited by Bob 256; 02-05-2023 at 08:36 PM.

02-06-2023, 03:16 AM - 1 Like	#12
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide,South Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,317	Originally posted by yucatanPentax It's one of the more ubiquitous standards, common across many brands. Like most standards, there are some interpretations of it by 3rd parties that continues to raise an eyebrow. Some Arca compatible tripod heads don't fully lock properly with other 3rd party plates and brackets due to the "standard" having no official specified profile on the shaping of the clamp/QR plates interface. I think I own every QR plate Manfrotto and Gitzo has ever made... Last edited by Digitalis; 02-06-2023 at 06:35 AM.

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02-05-2023, 06:10 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 19,506	There are a fair variety of Manfrotto plates, including aftermarket options. Some are interchangeable, some are not. See, for instance: Manfrotto Quick Release Systems \| B&H Photo Video

02-05-2023, 06:53 PM	#3
mikeSF Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,532	ha, what Mark said...there are so many different Manfrotto QR plates. Some are discontinued and some are widely available through primary and secondary market sources. I would stick with genuine Manfrotto made ones vs 3rd party, but i'm not sure if that was what you were asking. Good luck!

02-05-2023, 07:44 PM	#4
Michael Piziak Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,724 Original Poster	Thanks Mark & Mike... I really don't have my heart set on any specific Manfrotto tripods - I was just browsing at the used ones on the auction site. People must either lose these plates a lot or decided to keep them when they sell their tripods - or they break? Because it's like a significant amount of used Manfrotto tripods are sold without the plates on the auction site - hmmmm.... I'm just looking for a stronger more sturdier tripod design to use. The one I'm using right now is what you'd call an old cheap Amazon Prime tripod - definitely not worthy of holding a DSLR with a heavier lens on it! Michael p.s. Maybe some of you could suggest a different brand, besides Manfrotto, to look for on the auction site. I know of no brands other than the name Manfrotto..... Smiles...

02-05-2023, 09:09 PM	#6
Mr. Ed Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 550	Some excellent information available on Tripods if you look under the "accessories" section.

02-05-2023, 11:39 PM	#7
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 19,506	Originally posted by Michael Piziak Thanks Mark & Mike... I really don't have my heart set on any specific Manfrotto tripods - I was just browsing at the used ones on the auction site. People must either lose these plates a lot or decided to keep them when they sell their tripods - or they break? Because it's like a significant amount of used Manfrotto tripods are sold without the plates on the auction site - hmmmm.... I'm just looking for a stronger more sturdier tripod design to use. The one I'm using right now is what you'd call an old cheap Amazon Prime tripod - definitely not worthy of holding a DSLR with a heavier lens on it! Michael p.s. Maybe some of you could suggest a different brand, besides Manfrotto, to look for on the auction site. I know of no brands other than the name Manfrotto..... Smiles... I suspect there's a fair few people, like me, who permanently leave these adapter plates mounted to their cameras and some of their lenses. Maybe, when people have more than one tripod, and sell one, they keep the plates.

02-05-2023, 11:39 PM	#8
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide,South Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,317	Originally posted by Michael Piziak I'm just curious if all the Manfrotto quick release plates or if all 3rd party plates for Manfrotto are of the same compatible same size Always best to buy from a reputable manufacturer: if you use RRS dovetail plates which are as closest to universal as we're likely to get, RRS sell an adapter that if you find the correct QR plate you can attach the adapter and use any RRS compatible plate/brackets you desire. Originally posted by mikeSF I would stick with genuine Manfrotto made ones vs 3rd party ^THIS^ Some manufacturers get the tolerances wrong and this can lead to falls and other forms of accidental damage

02-06-2023, 12:46 AM - 2 Likes	#9
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,583	You can always buy a tripod/head combination that uses the Arca Swiss standard. Replacement plates are widely available through 3rd parties. It's one of the more ubiquitous standards, common across many brands. Manfrotto may make really good tripods, but because of their exclusive (and variety of) plates, I've always bought Arca-Swiss.

02-06-2023, 02:48 AM - 2 Likes	#10
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,040	I have been using an Induro tripod for about 13 years, during that time I have purchased some smaller travel type tripod that came with Arca style plates. I got tired of changing the QR plates for the tripod and changed the QR system in the tripod to the arca style. The arca style is as close to a standard as there is in QR, and standards make life easier. Now I would not buy a head without arca style QR. Now if I could replace the ball knob on my Sirui with a lever I would have no tripod concerns.

02-06-2023, 02:51 AM	#11
Papa_Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: SW Bavaria Posts: 448	AFAIK there are at least 6 different systems of quick release plates that are or have been sold by Manfrotto. I think two of them are allready discontinued. The good thing is, you can buy the plates for all the systems as spare parts. The bad news is, they are sometimes quite expensive. Another thing to mention, is that the Manfrotto "Top-Lock" series uses the Arca-swiss plates. So you can buy genuine Manfrott, Arca-Swiss compatible ballheads. Another very nice option is the 200PL-Pro System which is (a quite small) Arca-Swiss and Manfrotto RC2 (same as PL200) compatible plate in one piece. Despite the confusing variety of Manfrotto quick release systems, I am an absoulute fan of them. You can allways put the the camera with one hand onto the tripod and the plate will snap in and be locked on the tripod securly. No fidling around with two hands and tightening a screw and not being quite sure if the camera is now secure on the tripod like the Arca system. This is especially nice with the 234RC monpod head, with the left you hold the monopod, with the right you put your gear onto it. Done! Yes, of course I own two different quick release systems from one manufacturer. I can deal with that.

02-06-2023, 08:24 AM - 1 Like	#13
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,091	Well, I'm not a fan of Manfrotto's or Gitzo's plate systems. I use heads that are Arca-Swiss compatible. And Yes, there are some weirdnessess there, but I still favor Arca-Swiss. As for RRS---it's great stuff, but if you are sensitive to these sorts of things then check their politics.

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02-06-2023, 10:02 AM	#14
mikeSF Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,532	Originally posted by Papa_Joe AFAIK there are at least 6 different systems of quick release plates that are or have been sold by Manfrotto. Manfrotto quick release systems, I am an absoulute fan of them. You can allways put the the camera with one hand onto the tripod and the plate will snap in and be locked on the tripod securly. No fidling around with two hands and tightening a screw and not being quite sure if the camera is now secure on the tripod like the Arca system. This is especially nice with the 234RC monpod head, with the left you hold the monopod, with the right you put your gear onto it. Done! Yes, of course I own two different quick release systems from one manufacturer. I can deal with that. me too. I prefer RC4 because the very large plate size means much more solid contact with the camera body, and I love how i can mount the thing just by snapping it down on the spring loaded QR receiver. My current main tripod has arca-swiss style, but I have at least a few times not noticed that the knob style QR lock had come ever so slightly loose and almost released the camera to the ground. This could never happen with the Manfrotto RC4 style which i prefer. thus when shopping for a good "forever" tripod/head, i support trying everything you can (borrow, buy/return, etc) under actual field conditions in order to find those little quirks that interfere with your photography. It has taken me 10 years to get there, so i know it is not easy. ---------- Post added 02-06-23 at 09:06 AM ---------- also, around here a tripod for sale with no QR plate could mean stolen. same as someone selling a camera(with 1 lens mounted) and does not have the battery charger. why not? stolen.

02-06-2023, 02:17 PM	#15
MossyRocks Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,789	From what I have seen the legacy Manfrotto QR plates come in a rather large variety. I keep my eyes open for old hex plate ones as I have a number of big old heads that take them. I can usually pick them up for $5 at my local camera shop if they have any.