Quote Originally Posted by DanoPhoto View Post
I am have used the Manfrotto quick release clamps and plates for the past couple of years, but am considering moving to an Acra Swiss type of system. It seems that "AS" type systems are the choice of many professionals and very serious amatuers. I now think that I took the cheap way out a few years ago, but as I am progressing/evolving, I think I need to make the change.

Any advice or experience is welcome.

Dan.
I bought a Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 DP w/Quick Set about six months ago. I have a Wimberley Head WH-200 Version II that I have been using with my supertele's for almost two years now. Wimberley uses the Arca-Swiss style so I decided to go all Arca-Swiss so all my stuff is uniform and I don't have to switch plates around. I bought Acra-Swiss adapter for the monopod and one head that is not compatible so I can still use the one head I have that is not Arca-Swiss compatible.

All of my plates are Wimberley, I have one on each camera body. A plate on my 70-200mm L and the supertelephoto lenses. I use a bracket system made by Wimberley to get the flash off camera. It attaches to the Arca-Swiss style Wimberley plate.

To sum it up, everything I have that is Arca-Swiss or Wimbereley is as solid as a rock. I couldn't speak to any other brands that are Acra-Swiss compatible.

If you go with the Arca-Swiss brand, be prepared to lay out more cash than you will with many systems. It is not a cheap brand. I don't think you would be disappointed with the brands performance at all.