Quick release plate is slipping

[just whistle]

I just got a new tripod, Vanguard VEO3 263 which gets rave reviews, and a 600mm lens so I tried taking a daytime moon shot. It became quickly apparent that the quick release plate is not gripping the camera. It seems like it's gripping until I start trying to position it and then it loosens up. I removed it and used a screwdriver to tighten, rather than by hand. It still slips on me. At first I thought it was a bad plate, but after looking online it seems that this is a common problem with plates and heavier lenses. This lens is only 2 pounds. Any suggestions for me?

 

[just whistle]

After more reading I've come to realize that I need a camera-specific plate, or a lens-specific plate. In other words...spend more money! lol

 

[Stuperfox]

Luckily it uses an arca swiss type plate so it is rather easy. Generally you can use any plate without a problem. Is the plate loosening up as if you were unscrewing it?

 

[West Coast Birder]

A camera-specific plate will certainly help, as it would generally have a lip that curls around the edge of the body and therefore would resist rotation. However, I think even a generic plate should not slip so easily. There is something wrong, either with the screw on the plate or the threaded hole on the body. I would be concerned that a camera specific plate may give you the illusion of tightness and still work its way out if the problem is with the body.

By the way, what 600mm lens are you using?I assume it’s the 600/11, otherwise you should be placing the plate on the lens and not the camera.

 

[joayne]

The lens foot, right Sam?

 

[just whistle]

Thank you. Yes, it's the 600/11 and there is a female thread on the lens. Canon does not include a lens foot or collar with it, which is stupid, lol. The plate slips on both the camera and the the lens.

 

[West Coast Birder]

The good news then is that the problem is likely with the plate as it slips on both the camera and the lens. I don’t think you need to get a camera specific plate although those are very nice and superbly engineered, especially when made by RRS, Kirk, etc. A generic plate should also work. Does the tripod accept a standard Arca-Swiss plate? I am not familiar with the brand.

 

[just whistle]

Stuperfox, thank you, yes. With the movement of positioning the ball head, the screw becomes loose.

Sam, yes it is an Arca Swiss, so should be generally compatible. I'm going to reach out to Vanguard soon to see if they have any advice. I'll keep you posted! Thanks, everyone.

 

[Stuperfox]

Stuperfox, thank you, yes. With the movement of positioning the ball head, the screw becomes loose.

Sam, yes it is an Arca Swiss, so should be generally compatible. I'm going to reach out to Vanguard soon to see if they have any advice. I'll keep you posted! Thanks, everyone.

That is kinda weird, usually if you use a driver to tighten it then you will be fine.

 

[Scott M]

I purchased this lens foot for my RF 800 f/11. It works with the 600 f/11, too. If you have an Arca Swiss head, you shouldn't need a plate at all. Works great on the RF 800 -- no slipping at all.

 

[SkedAddled]

What's your camera, Lesley? Does it have an anti-slip pad around the tripod mount point?
If not, how about similar on the tripod mounting plate?

I've had anti-slip rubber pads on all my tripod-mount plates.
The cheap and knockoff and original Manfrotto RC-2 plates included it,
and they didn't loosen with my finger-tight applications.

The cheap and knockoff and original plates for my Sirui Arca-Swiss-type plates
also include pads, and they don't loosen up as you describe.

But I learned to put the center of gravity in the middle, such as using a lens mount
to the tripod, instead of mounting the camera itself.

Those really long lenses can weigh in at a lot, even in older vintages.
Find a better center of gravity/weight distribution, and you'll probably see some relief.

Years ago, I found a generic lens collar and thick felt pads to make a mount
for my Tamron SP 70-300, which is a heavy lens. With a bit of fiddling,
it has a tripod mount, and can be used fully without mounting the tripod
to the camera body. It's a better balance and doesn't stress my camera mount.

 

[just whistle]

What's your camera, Lesley? Does it have an anti-slip pad around the tripod mount point?
If not, how about similar on the tripod mounting plate?

I've had anti-slip rubber pads on all my tripod-mount plates.
The cheap and knockoff and original Manfrotto RC-2 plates included it,
and they didn't loosen with my finger-tight applications.

The cheap and knockoff and original plates for my Sirui Arca-Swiss-type plates
also include pads, and they don't loosen up as you describe.

But I learned to put the center of gravity in the middle, such as using a lens mount
to the tripod, instead of mounting the camera itself.

Those really long lenses can weigh in at a lot, even in older vintages.
Find a better center of gravity/weight distribution, and you'll probably see some relief.

Years ago, I found a generic lens collar and thick felt pads to make a mount
for my Tamron SP 70-300, which is a heavy lens. With a bit of fiddling,
it has a tripod mount, and can be used fully without mounting the tripod
to the camera body. It's a better balance and doesn't stress my camera mount.

Thanks, I have the EOS R7, no pads on the camera. I think I've solved the problem with a new plate that has a few more anti-slip pads than the tripod plate. It also has an anti-twist screw. So far, so good. Thank you so much for the tips, Craig!