E-M5 and Giottos travel tripod plate?

[drmarkf]

Dear all,
I've been using my E-M5 with some difficulty with my Giottos MH 5310 travel tripod which has the MH 630 mini ball head - the plate doesn't lock to the bottom of the camera at all well and it works loose after a few minutes.

Can anyone please recommend another Giottos-compatible QR plate that would fit securely?

I also use a full-sized tripod with a Markins head (which uses the Arca-Swiss system), and I've got a Kirk PZ-130 QR plate that works really well with the E-M5 and that ball-head. However, I'd rather not have to swap heads every time I want to use the travel legs. The PZ-130 has a lip at its rear that engages against the rear edge of the E-M5's bottom plate without fouling the screen articulation; unfortunately Arca-Swiss plates don't fit Giottos tripods.

Any advice gratefully received.

[Andrew Riddell]

Re: E-M5 and Giottos travel tripod plate?

Mark,

I think you need to change to Giottos MH652 adapter which takes the 642 plate. The 642's screw moves in a slot so you can locate the video pin flush against the front of the EM5 body (which helps prevent sagging when mounted vertically.

It's a little bigger than your existing setup. If the adaptor can be unscrewed from the ball of your 630, you should be able to replace it with the 652.

Hope this helps.

Andrew

[drmarkf]

Re: E-M5 and Giottos travel tripod plate?

Ah, yes, thanks. I see how that would work. I assume I would replace it by unscrewing the big hex bolt in the top of the adaptor that you can see on removing the QR plate.
I've already emailed Speedgraphic and Harrisons to ask them for ideas, and if they don't come back with a viable alternative I'll propose what you suggest.

It is possible to place the video pin of the MH 630 plate at the back of the E-M5's bottom plate, but you have to pull the articulated screen out, and its not secure since the screw's not in a slot and this leaves a significant gap between the pin and the camera back.

Having done some more web-digging today I also note that Gitzo produce a Gitzo-Arca adapter in the USA. Also, that Really Right Stuff have produced an Arca L-bracket for the camera

[Andrew Riddell]

Re: E-M5 and Giottos travel tripod plate?

I think you're right. The hex bolt on the MH652 is c.1.3 cm diameter across its top (i.e. at its widest), but you'd have to check if the one on the MH630 is the same.

On my set-up you have either to pull the bottom of the screen out first or the top out just a little and then flip it towards horizontal. This is because the bottom of the screen could otherwise snag on the adaptor. However, the description sounds more complex than the operation actually is.

If you want to tilt the screen down, the MH652 will only allow you to go about a third of the way, but I suspect you'd rarely do that with a tripod.

I'll be interested in your eventual solution.

Regards,

Andrew

[drmarkf]

http://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/Bags-and-Tripods/Tripod-Heads/Manfrotto-494-RC2-Mini-Ball-Head-with-RC2_MAN-494RC2.htm

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/quick_releases__plates/flm_srb40_quick_release/22648_p.html

I hope that helps. >>

Clifton Cameras:
<< The Olympus OM-D is quite a narrow camera so I can see how this may cause problems with quick release plates. The latest Vitruvian range uses a slightly different quick release plate system but I think this may still have a problem with working loose.
It sounds like the Acre-Swiss option works but the question is can you get an Arca-Swiss adapter for the Giottos? This I am finding hard to answer so it may require using a different head on the Vitruvian that is compatible with the Arca-Swiss system.
The only option I can see available is the Gitzo GS5360AS (http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Gitz...elease_Adapter