Tripod Head Quick Release

[DougC]

A GREAT idea IMHO. I'll get one as soon as it's available.

quick-release-youtube.mp4 - YouTube

quick-release-youtube.mp4 - YouTube

[jeeper]

Looks interesting. I don't personally have a use for something like that, but it's still pretty cool!

[hdctx]

It would be great for video shooters to move their expensive fluid head from a tripod to a monopod or especially a slider.

[Abel]

The guy never gives the name of the actual product itself so how are we suppose to know what to search for...

Marketing FAIL.

cool design though...

[DougC]

As of now it's the TQR1. It will be sold by outdoorphotogear.com and naturescapes.net.

[Jim Victory]

Great idea and something I could use.

My only concern is the locking system. How fullproof is the locking system and does it have any play when locked.

[DougC]

Won't know until I get one, but Troy Lim, who posts on naturescapes.net and is the Asian man at the end of the video is using Nikon 600 f4 with it and has been helping with the design. He's a serious nature photographer and I respect his opinion. I suspect it works quite well if he's willing to risk $10-15K worth of lens and camera on it.

[wwong]

I like the idea! But will use it for the ease of switching heads at home and not in the field.

[Patti Edens]

Looks very cool. I could use one when switching from my groundpod to tripod and back. I couldn't find it anywhere either. I searched Outdoor Photo Gear and still didn't find it. If you get a link to the product, post it here.

[scottbuckel]

Looks like it would be nice to have for those of us that switch between heads and tripods and other devices like the round pod.

Scott

[DougC]

OPG said it may be available in a week or so. I asked them to let me know so I'll pass it on when I hear anything.

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by DougC

Won't know until I get one, but Troy Lim, who posts on naturescapes.net and is the Asian man at the end of the video is using Nikon 600 f4 with it and has been helping with the design. He's a serious nature photographer and I respect his opinion. I suspect it works quite well if he's willing to risk $10-15K worth of lens and camera on it.

Since it is going to be my $10-15K hanging off my tripod I want to make sure before I try or buy.

I thought the Gitzo was capable of holding such a rig safely until the top plate started coming off. Fixed that with the plate from Naturescape. I'm very cautious about anything that may be a weak link in holding my rig when slung over my shoulder for a hike.

Although Troy is a respectable nature photographer he isn't a structural engineer and the problem with the Gitzo top plate wasn't evident at first either. Time in the field by many users will be needed for me to risk my rig. I would feel more comfortable with the design if the locking mechanism was like a clamp that could be secure by tightening it rather than a pin.

Only time and use by many will tell.

[kenw]

I'm kinda with Jim here. Based on 30 years of making thing fit together, here's my 2c' worth....

The locking pin here doesn't appear to be anything more than a screw-in pressure pin that screws up against the dovetail. Notice he carefully turns it. That's so he doesn't damage the dovetail area that it bears against. IMHO (as an engineer, too) I wouldn't have done it this way at all; over tightening will damage the sliding area or at least deform the screw over time. And it WILL be overtightened, gar-ron-teed... since it also appears that the dovetails are not tapered to wedge the halves together without slop. Therefore the only way to remove the slop is to crank down on that pin. Not good. If that pin isn't screwed in tightly, the whole thing slides apart when you sling it over your shoulder. REALLY not good (it appears a spring loaded dimple-catch is in the mix, but it isn't going to carry any load whatsoever, imho it is useless in this design).

And if it (pin) is tight, you're deforming that brass pin each time and you'll have to replace it soon. (Brass is very soft). If it isn't brass (my $ says it is brass), anything harder (like steel) now damages the dovetail when you crank down on it and the slide-apart action is majorly compromised with a lot of bite marks and dimples in the base's dovetail. Perhaps it is rubber tipped (can't tell). Bottom line is that a screw-in clamping pin, be it brass, steel or rubber tipped isn't a good secure design.

This engineer says wait for V2.0.
Geek out....

[DougC]

Thanks for joining in. You bring up some interesting and valid points.

[DougC]

Here's the response from the inventor;


This is a basic tongue and grove design The side of the tongue are sharply tapered in and the grove has a corresponding cut. The picture below ( not the best), as I never claimed to be a photographer shows the taper on the tongue. There is barely a 1/100 of an inch clearance between both surfaces and this is by no means a sloppy fit. The vlier pin at the far right of the photo on the tongue is the first locking device with a final force of 15 pounds. This lifts slightly on the V of the tongue and grove causing a very snug fit. As you know this can be adjusted and at 15lbs it can be difficult for someone with weaker hands to release the two parts. Adjustment in pressure is made my threading the Vlier pin slightly up or down. The Pin sits in a divit and when it comes into it final resting spot.




This next shot shows the divet and the brass locking pin in place. The brass locking pin is a hand-retractable spring plunger with an end force of 2.5 pounds. Once the two parts are pushed together you could hang a great deal of weight from them and they will not come apart. The spring plunger seats into a predrilled positioning hole on the side of the tongue.


The spring plunger is brass and I am trying to work with a company to manufacture this out of Stainless Steel. If that takes place it will make the plunger stronger than brass. The next shot shows the spring plunger in the open position.


This final shot shows the side of the tongue deeply grooved and tightly fitting.


It is made from 6061 Aluminum anodized Black and stainless steel set screws and bolts. This part may not be for everyone, but I do feel it has a place and only time will tell if I am right. We have field tested this device or earlier versions of it in the hands of of photographers here in Sarasota as well as working with Greg Downing, Chris Klapheke and many others all giving their input. Jim Cadwell and Siddhardha Garige and you have been using it in the field for a little while. I continue to take input and suggestions from those in the field and will incorporate what I can over time. A year ago there were no tripod quick release devices on the market and just recently RRS released there device. Should people have any other questions I can be reached at markrunnals@gmail.com.