[kuau]

Well, I took the plunge, and ordered the 645D today from acephoto, they are authorized pentax dealer and I believe they had 4 in stock.
Now I am trying to figure out which quick release plate will work the best with the 645D
I guess I need 2 of them arca swiss style of course.

Any suggestions? I assume there is no L bracket out for the 645D since it has two mounting wholes for tripod / QR plates.

Steven

[interested_observer]

There are a number of firms that provide Arca Swiss compatible plates, and they are all very good quality (and interchangeable). I have 2 plates from Acratech, and an L bracket from Kirk. Here are some websites....

• Acratech, Inc::Ballheads & Tripod Accessories
• Really Right Stuff -
• Kirk Enterprises : Quick Release Lens Plates
• Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Quick-Release Plates

On evilbay, you can search for

• Arca Swiss plates items - Get great deals on Cameras Photo, arca swiss items on eBay.com!

Also, if you have any questions just call any one of the manufacturers. They are all extremely service oriented.

[Royce Howland]

Lots of choices. I'm using a pair of small Acratech plates with the cork base. You want something with a non-slip surface, not just smooth metal. This is so the plate will be less likely to permit the rig to rotate & loosen while clamped on the head, under the weight of the body and lens.

[pxpaulx]

Of the several different brand and off-brand plates I have or had, my photoclam is easily a favorite. It's not right in front of me but I think it's the pc-52n model, something like that. Anyway, it is slim, with dovetail slots on all sides (nice depending on how you used your head, or if you want to attach another clamp for a macro rail or something), and it has strap lugs as well. The grip is also very good, only plate I have never noticed any slip or turning at all with. under $35 a piece is a pretty solid deal, can be found on fleabay; got mine from reallybigcameras.com.

[kuau]

on the 645D, is there an indentation also where a nipple can fit into so the QR plate can't rotate?

[Tim Wilson]

There are holes on the 645D to mate with anti-twist pins. I bought two of the B67 plates from Really Right Stuff. They're perfect.

Tim
Chicago

[kuau]

Tim,
Just got off the phone with RRS and ordered 2 B67's i am all set.
Curious if I may ask, what lenses are you shooting with right now with your 645D?

Steven

[Tim Wilson]

Tim,
Just got off the phone with RRS and ordered 2 B67's i am all set.
Curious if I may ask, what lenses are you shooting with right now with your 645D?

Steven

Steven,

I have the new 55, plus a 75 and the 120 macro, plus 45-85 and 80-160 zooms, all AF.

Tim
Chicago

[kuau]

Tim,
Out of all you AF lenses you are using can you list for me from best performer to well not as good performer?

I feel there is so much miss information floating around out there when it comes to the 645D and which lens are up to the task and which are not.
As of today I am still awaiting arrival of my 645D which should be here on Monday,
In terms of lenses I have the 45mm FA, 75mm FA, 120mm A, manual focus and the FA 200mm

I am really interested on your thoughts on the 45-85FA zoom, plusses and minuses.
What kind of images do you shoot?

Steven
WordPress › ReadMe

[Tim Wilson]

Steven, funny you should ask. I did some lens testing today and just posted results in a separate thread.

To answer your questions specifically, this is the order, good to not-so-good:

120mm, 75mm, 80-160mm, 45-85mm (an alignment problem?), 55mm (design or manufacturing issue?)

If the 45-85mm didn't have an alignment problem (or whatever it is), it would probably become my most used lens. I'm going to see about fixing or replacing it. What do I shoot? Good question. It ranges from studio product illustration to "general commercial", as needed, to fine art--but not sappy fine art, more of a conceptualist/formalist blend.


Tim Wilson
Chicago