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Alpa tripod mounting plate
- Thread starter GrahamWelland
- Start date
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
Another vote for the MPR-73 from RRS. It's a perfect fit with no possible chance of rotation on pretty much any Alpa body. I use it on my STC and TC.
dchew
Well-known member
I settled on the Kirk PZ-130. Basically because quite often I mount the camera on the grip side for rise/fall - I have the STC. The RRS BNS plate was a little too short for my taste in that position, and the MPR-73 is just too big for the grip side. Jeeze I sound like Goldilocks...
I would use the nice big RRS MPR-73 on the bottom, but as most of you know RRS and Kirk have slightly different dovetail sizes. That becomes a problem on the Arca Cube (I hate adjusting that little wheel in the field). So in the end I put the Kirk plate in both positions.
Dave
I would use the nice big RRS MPR-73 on the bottom, but as most of you know RRS and Kirk have slightly different dovetail sizes. That becomes a problem on the Arca Cube (I hate adjusting that little wheel in the field). So in the end I put the Kirk plate in both positions.
Dave
The 32x32 Slidefix plate works well for me. I used to use the Kirk PZ-130 on a RRS panohead with my TC, and it was/is certainly fine, but I prefer the slightly lower profile of the Arca Slidefix mount, I have a D4 head with this mount. I really like it. Two of those on the sides of the TC is just perfect. The Arca plate does not have the ridge to prevent twisting, but in practice it 's not a problem at all. For a 35XL or 24XL there is plenty of room to adjust for the nodal point (entrance pupil - actually is the correct point), might work for the 43/47XL as well - not sure about that. I'll try to post a picture when I get back home.
Cheers, -Peter
Thanks. Got mine now
This is an old and somewhat ongoing thread, but I have a current question: What tripod mounting plate do people recommend for an Alpa SWA, mounting into a standard Arca/RRS dovetail head (Linhof 3D Micro with dovetail fitting)?
I'm looking for a baseplate that won't rotate when fixed to the camera, obviously. The one Alpa makes for the SWA, with index/locking pins, only fits a Linhof Quickfix head. The new Alpa dovetail baseplates don't fit the SWA.
thanks
ethan
I'm looking for a baseplate that won't rotate when fixed to the camera, obviously. The one Alpa makes for the SWA, with index/locking pins, only fits a Linhof Quickfix head. The new Alpa dovetail baseplates don't fit the SWA.
thanks
ethan
stephengilbert
Active member
Will the RRS BP-CS work? As I recall, this was discovered by Graham during a visit to RRS. He disappeared for a while, and returned with his new discovery.
I have two on my STC. BP-CS multi-camera plate
I have two on my STC. BP-CS multi-camera plate
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
I found that with the Alpa reversing adapter (which seems to be the same dimensions as the SWA base) that the B22 is a good fit. I use that on my Alpa FPS on the SW/SWA reversing foot.
Not too big, not too small, and still keeping square and twist resistant with the lip of the plate against the Alpa foot.
Hey, what do you know ... RRS thought so too
RRS recommendation for Alpa 12-SWH
This is on the reversing foot:
Not too big, not too small, and still keeping square and twist resistant with the lip of the plate against the Alpa foot.
Hey, what do you know ... RRS thought so too
RRS recommendation for Alpa 12-SWH
This is on the reversing foot:
stephengilbert
Active member
I defer to Graham. I'd forgotten that the SW cams had that round protrusion on the bottom.
anyone tried the Base plate of the fantastic L shape plate by Arca swiss ?
http://www.arca-shop.de/en/camera-plates//V-holder-/-L-holder
otherwise, have a square plate on my RM3D is really cool... i can use my camera in two positions, depending on the head !
http://www.arca-shop.de/en/camera-plates//V-holder-/-L-holder
otherwise, have a square plate on my RM3D is really cool... i can use my camera in two positions, depending on the head !
tylerallenmohr
Active member
Is anyone using the plates Alpa now shows on their website? They may not have been out around the last time this thread was active. I need something for my TC and the small mount looks really sleek but the very minimal surface area in contact with the clamp scares me. The square mount seems more suitable for supporting a setup that might include a DB and delicate lens. Both look really well integrated with the system in the promo photos.
Last edited:
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
I can recommend the square plate. I had both and the thin one was too thin to feel comfortable with a MFDB & Alpa on top.
With the STC, the stitch (taller) bracket is better too.
With the STC, the stitch (taller) bracket is better too.
dchew
Well-known member
That’s interesting Graham. What keeps me from trying that plate on th “bottom” of the camera is the desire to use a flat plate on the hand grip for rise/fall. Easier to hold a flat plate on the grip.
I still use the RRS BP-CS plate on the grip, and prefer to keep the brands the same so I don’t have to worry about setting head tension between two similar, but not exactly the same, dove tail designs.
Dave
Yes, the RRS B22 (I think) on the side with the handle, unobtrusive, and the small Alpa dovetail one on the bottom. It has sharp corners, but is thin and doesn't get hung up on things. And yes, it surprisingly holds the camera quite steady in RRS clamps, no issues. Thanks to Paula for the recommendation - right again!
beano_z
Active member
No issues at all with the tiny plate (the one shown on the right hand side TC on your image). I've used it with the 32mm and 90mm Rodenstock lenses, with the Phase One IQ backs and roll film backs, all works fine.
It may look funny when clamped down, but trying to get it to budge feels impossible without actually breaking something.
So I'd say, if your setup needs the smaller plate then go for it by all means.
GrahamWelland
Subscriber & Workshop Member
I have used all of the Alpa mounts and agree that they're definitely strong enough, even the narrow adapter. For me it was always a case of rather having an over engineered part vs minimal part just because of having $50k+ of gear sitting on top. The narrow base plate was a little too easy to put in crooked into the mouth of my Cube QR clamp, albeit admittedly it would square up when the clamp was closed. Once clamped everything is absolutely rigid.