Quote Originally Posted by Mpieris View Post
Thanks for the assistance. $1200 is a little more than I was looking to spend on a tripod and head setup. I'm a newbie when it comes to this gear. By clamping system, are you referring to anything more than the head?

The 190CXPRO4 has a lot of good reviews. The 468MG has several options with a "quick release" on it. What do I need too consider when deciding on a model?
The clamp + plate is how you attach your camera to the head.

I'd recommend just the 468MG, no RC anything. Like Rich, I'm not a fan of the Manfrotto clamps. I used the RC2's for a while, but there's some play when they're 'locked' into the clamp, and the other Manfrotto plates are too big (extend beyond the camera base).

The Arca-Swiss system locks robustly, no play, and it's a standard system supported by many vendors.

So, for the 468MG, I'd get a Wimberley C-12 clamp (which is Arca-Swiss type). For the camera, a universal plate like the Wimberley P-5, or a camera-specific plate or L-bracket from RRS or Kirk. For non supertele lenses with a tripod collar 28-300, 100-400, 70-200/2.8), a Wimberley P-20 plate works well.