Broken lens

[neuroanatomist]

I've been looking at new ball heads, ones that have a screw type closure, so hopefully that won't happen again.

Hi Trent! Not sure what brand you’re currently using, but RRS lever clamps have two positions, 90° open and 180° open. At 90°, a plate can be slid forward and back in the clamp, but if the plate has the safety screws on the bottom (RRS plates feature that), it cannot slide out of the clamp. Opening it fully to 180° is required to remove the plate.

I use their lever clamps on tripods (my bigger one has two, one on the leveling base to let me rapidly switch from ballhead to gimbal head, the other on the head itself). I’ve never had a scare with them. I do use a screw clamp in my monopod head, because I frequently carry that on my shoulder with a lens mounted, and there’s a reasonable risk of a lever catching on a backpack strap and getting pulled fully open. But otherwise, I prefer the ease and speed of a level clamp.

[Rogue]

Hi Trent! Not sure what brand you’re currently using, but RRS lever clamps have two positions, 90° open and 180° open. At 90°, a plate can be slid forward and back in the clamp, but if the plate has the safety screws on the bottom (RRS plates feature that), it cannot slide out of the clamp. Opening it fully to 180° is required to remove the plate.

I use their lever clamps on tripods (my bigger one has two, one on the leveling base to let me rapidly switch from ballhead to gimbal head, the other on the head itself). I’ve never had a scare with them. I do use a screw clamp in my monopod head, because I frequently carry that on my shoulder with a lens mounted, and there’s a reasonable risk of a lever catching on a backpack strap and getting pulled fully open. But otherwise, I prefer the ease and speed of a level clamp.

Thanks for the recommendation of RRS. Still doing homework, so it could be a while before I make my decision. I use the Acratech GP-s Ballhead. Love it, except for what happened. I've had it since 2018 and it has served me well. L bracket doesn't have a safety screw on the bottom so I may also look for a plate that does. Appreciate the advice.