[stemked]

I just scored a Pentax FA 80-200mm f2.8 for a price I couldn't believe after rebates from KEH. Now I'm going to be in search for a good Arca Swiss plate for the lens. The lens looks like it takes a very short plate for the tripod collar. Are there any Arca Swiss plates that users here recommend?

[UncleVanya]

I just scored a Pentax FA 80-200mm f2.8 for a price I couldn't believe after rebates from KEH. Now I'm going to be in search for a good Arca Swiss plate for the lens. The lens looks like it takes a very short plate for the tripod collar. Are there any Arca Swiss plates that users here recommend?

I have the one I used on mine before I sold it. I however got it with the lens and don't know the brand. It's very small but thick and sturdy. I wish I knew where it came from.

---------- Post added 11-27-18 at 12:20 PM ----------

Just measured it. 1 3/4 x 1 9/16ths. The shorter dimension has one side with a raised ridge to prevent twisting. The bolt is stainless and has a hex key fitting. Not including this ridge it is about 3/8th of an inch thick and very beefy. There are no markings, no model info, no brand name.

---------- Post added 11-27-18 at 12:47 PM ----------

This is a little smaller than what I have:
Kirk PZ-130 Universal Camera Plate for Point and Shoot PZ-130
I have used this plate on my m43 GX1 - it is a lot smaller than the one I used on the FA* 80-200 f/2.8 Pentax. I would not put these in the same league in terms of support.

another small one:
Narrow plate for pocket Point-n-Shoot The lip looks sturdy but it is very small and narrow.

another:
Really Right Stuff B22 Multi-Use Fore-Aft Plate B22 PLATE B&H

[bdery]

I wouldn't pay a fortune for a QR plate. They're all pretty much the same and machined aluminum is hard to break, whether it comes from Germany or China (and the German one is probably Chinese).

If your lens can accept it, do get one with two screws, THAT's going to make a much bigger difference. Otherwise, get one with a surface area as close as possible to your foot. That way friction will be maximized.

[jlstrawman]

Hejnar Photo - Design Manufacture Delivered

Made in the US, if that matters to you.

[stemked]

Thank you for the replies so far. I don't have the lens yet, but it looks very short. It is also important how the lens is balanced. My 600mm A f5.6 really needed a very long one for better support. I just don't know about this lens.

[UncleVanya]

Thank you for the replies so far. I don't have the lens yet, but it looks very short. It is also important how the lens is balanced. My 600mm A f5.6 really needed a very long one for better support. I just don't know about this lens.

I used it on the K-3 which is lighter than the K-1 and found it OK with a tiny plate. This plate is the closest I have seen to what I used:
2.00 inch Bidirectional Plate with Ridge

The bidirectional part is probably important since I do not recall which orientation the plate was used in and mine is the bidirectional type.

[stevebrot]

I use an Acratech 2130 2.5" plate for this sort of thing. It has a rearward anti-twist lip* and is very robust, but the length may interfere some with focusing with the FA* 80-200. Much depends on how one addresses the focus ring.

Acratech Quick Release Plate for Telephoto Lenses 2130 B&H Photo


Steve

* The lip allows for a top surface with no cork or rubber. This is an advantage since the metal-to-metal mating will not loosen with use as is common when a compressible pad is used.

---

Last edited by stevebrot; 11-27-2018 at 01:24 PM. Reason: typo

[Amarony]

Fusion Plates

Fusion Photo Gear | Black Rapid Arca Swiss Compatible Fusion Plates

I have a couple of the dual use capability and love them.

[angerdan]

The problem will be the massive weight of this lens on the small area of the tripod foot.
So without video pin or other soulutions to keep the lens from moving around on the plate this will happen.
Since the collar foot only has one thread and two video pin holes, there aren't much options.
amazon.com/Sirui-TY-70A-Video-Quick-Release/dp/B014QX26LM
Sirui TY-70A Quick Release Plate SUTY70A B&H Photo Video
MengsPhoto | MENGS® M-501PL Camera Quick Release Plate 1/4 Inch Screw For Camera And Tripod
MengsPhoto | MENGS® DPL-115 115mm 1/4” Screw Quick Release Lens Plate Compatible Arca Swiss Clamp Such As Sunwayfoto, RRS, Arca Swiss, Feisol, RRS And Gitzo Etc
MengsPhoto | MENGS® PL-62 Lens Quick Release Plate For Canon 70-200mm/2.8, 400mm/5.6 Lens And Telephoto Within 62mm
kirkphoto.com/lens-mounting/tamron/400mm-f-4-ld-if/universal-multi-use-lens-plate-3-6.html
kirkphoto.com/lens-mounting/sigma/500mm-f-4-dg-os-hsm-sports-lens/multi-purpose-lens-plate-4-5-inch.html
Midwest Photo Arca Swiss Slidefix Lens Plate 100mm

There are also shorter plates, but without Anti-Twist options.
Genesis Base PLA-60 quick release plate - Foto-Tip
Genesis Base PLA-50 quick release plate - Foto-Tip

Pictures from the FA* 80-200mm 28.
googleusercontent.com/-l3nbFuYH8ZM/Vxjco6eNuUI/AAAAAAAAcO4/UGfk5MVrqmoVMNZa684vyqd-4ihYBmC0wCCo/s800/IMGP0582.jpg

Finally the Wimberley P-30 plate offers aditional anti-twist screws:

Additional Antitwist Feature:
If your lens foot has only one mounting hole, the two extra safety stop screws included with your plate can be used to prevent the plate from twisting on the lens foot.
Thread the small screws into the two counter-bored holes in the plate, so that the screw ends protrude from the top of the plate (the side you attach to your lens foot).
When installed in this fashion they provide a second set of anti-twist nubs that can be seated flush against the front or back of your lens foot to prevent rotation.

tripodhead.com/products/instructions-p-30.pdf
tripodhead.com/images/p-30-wimodal.jpg
Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Product Details
Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Quick-Release Plates

[angerdan]

I just scored a Pentax FA 80-200mm f2.8 for a price I couldn't believe after rebates from KEH.
Are there any Arca Swiss plates that users here recommend?

How did you decide?

[angerdan]

Now I'm going to be in search for a good Arca Swiss plate for the lens.
Are there any Arca Swiss plates that users here recommend?

How did you decide?

Found a new option:
Hejnar Photo Pentax Lens Plate D033

[UncleVanya]

How did you decide?

Found a new option:
Hejnar Photo Pentax Lens Plate D033

Does that one make sense? It has a raised pin designed to fit into the two lens feet mentioned.