Unilock tripod- I need a quick release head....

**jeannot18** · 10-14-2006, 06:56 PM

I have got a Uniloc 1700 model with 25 Ball Head, I sometimes waste too much time fitting on and off my camera onto the tripod and would like to get a head with quick release, does anybody knows if I could buy a different brand to fit onto my Uniloc. THanks

JC

If nobody knows I will take the tripod to Jessops and check what they have got

**brucep** · 10-14-2006, 07:13 PM

I'm not familiar with the Uniloc, but most tripod leg sets have a 3/8"x16 stud to which most heads can be attached. I'm a real user of quick releases. I know the Acratech is really popular, but I have a few ball heads (including a hydrostatic... not worth the extra $ IMO, a grip action and a plain one) and a pan head all with RC2 releases.

I've found the simple Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 compact ball head works very well on either tripod or monopod.

I have plates on each camera as well as flash brackets and pano head. An adaptor plate is available for mounting your camera to any other bracket (I have one on my pano bracket, for instance... bracket snaps to ballhead, camera snaps to pano bracket).

**jeannot18** · 10-14-2006, 07:18 PM

Thanks Bruce, I will take to my local camera shop and see what they have on offer. It is such a pain to screw my camera on the stud (with the increased risk of dropping it if you don't look what you are doing).

JC

**brucep** · 10-14-2006, 07:42 PM

I didn't realize when I first got my non-studio tripod & head that I was buying into a quick-release "family," much as one buys into a camera "family." My studio tripod had one of those big Bogen hex releases which was fine when working with my medium format (film) camera, but far too cumbersome for hand-holding a SLR with the plate always attached.

Look at heads and their reviews on the web. There are staunch advocates of each brand, but when you settle on a stable head, you'll want a plate for each body and more. I even use an extra plate to attach my monopod to my lens bag. (the Photzo Beacon I made for the Red Bull race was attached to my mono with an RC2 bracket!)

In this thread, you'll find some links to comparisons of other tripod heads, such as the Markins.

**Capt Rick** · 10-16-2006, 07:21 PM

This is the one I have, and I do not like it it. Its VERY hard to align in the dark. Im looking for another one thats more user frendly.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

**brucep** · 10-16-2006, 10:00 PM

That's the kind of hex quick release my heavy pan head has, Rick, but I adapted it to RC2 to go with the rest of my gear. That hex base is too cumbersome to wrap my hand around. It was fine attached to a large camera I never hand held. The RC2 is much flatter and only goes on one way... I can do it by feel.

**jeannot18** · 10-17-2006, 02:40 AM

I finally ordered the one from Uniloc, so that I am sure that it will work, I should received it tomorrow.
JC

**speedybiker** · 10-29-2006, 05:03 AM

Manfrotto do a quick release connection which screws onto a head without a QR. I use one on my Uniloc 30 and it works perfectly.

**brucep** · 10-29-2006, 09:48 AM

Yes, that's the quick release adapter to which I was referring, above. I put one on my pan head, one on a flash bracket and another on my pano head, so each will receive my camera.

**JimL** · 10-29-2006, 10:20 AM

I use the Bogen midi ball head RC4 which is between the hex head and the RC2 models for my camera. It is a little heavier than the RC2 but I can and have changed lenses (with quick release attached) and moved the camera on and off the tripod in the dark before easily as the release lever tells you by feel when the camera is correctly mounted. The camera mounts when the lever is on the left and the lens is pointing away from you.
Sorry I am late to the discussion.
JimL

**jeannot18** · 10-29-2006, 11:49 AM

Thanks guy for all the input. I received the Uni-lock QR and I am fairly happy with it as I can mount on and off my camera very quickly, instead of before where it was a real pain screwing it onto the head.
JC