Lightweight/Traveling Tripod

[ahab1372]

RSS Plates-1459 by kayaker72, on Flickr
The plates are impressively light. I also like that there is a place for my Black-Rapid strap to screw right into the bottom of the plate. The B7D can also have straps attached. The only item that surprised me was that you need an allen wrench to screw the plate into your camera. Both plates came with allen wrenches, but that is something that I will now have to remember to keep with me at all times. My understanding is that RRS feels that this is a more secure design as you can better tighten the screw.

Why would you want to take the plates of the camera? Ideally they stay on the camera all the time, and you just plug them into another clamp.

[Kayaker72]

Why would you want to take the plates of the camera? Ideally they stay on the camera all the time, and you just plug them into another clamp.

Those with more experience may be able to answer this question better. All I can say is that I've previously only had the Joby or Manfrotto plates on the 7D when I am using the tripod. I've never left either of those plates on my camera long term. I can say that I've been testing simply leaving both plates on my 7D and 100-400L. Thus far I think they get in the way. For example, the 100-400L no longer fits easily into my Think Tank Holster 30. I either have to force it a little, and then just barely does it fit, or I am playing with rotating the collar. But I've yet to find a solution I think I'll carry forward with me long term. For just general use, both plates make setting the cameras on a surface less stable, which is another concern. If you look at the bottom view of the L84 plate for the 100-400L, the screws on either end of the plate intentionaly stick out from the base (that is their function, to prevent sliding off the ball head). They are removable, but right now you can't set the plate flat on a surface, say, as I am doing right now downloading photos. While the plate on the 7D doesn't have the screws, it does making setting the 7D on a surface less stable.

So, I don't know if I will be leaving the plates on all the time. If I do, I will likely need to change my habits.