Manfrotto 496 RC2 conversion plate

You can now convert Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head to use with arca swiss type equipment
Simple plate will do the trick. You of course will need a clamp if you are seriously thinking about switching to the best system available. Plate and plate/clamp combinations are available in my store .

Adapter plate is attached to Manfrotto head in a few simple steps.
1) Remove original Manfrotto platform..
2) Align slots on plate back with island on Manfrotto post.
3) Attach conversion plate in place of original Manfrotto platform using original center screw.
4) Attach clamp to adapter plate using two side holes and provided 10-32 screws.

Lens plate selection

As you all know, I am not a fan of dedicated plates (I do change my lenses and camera every few years and I hate when a perfectly good camera or lens plate can not be used with newer equipment simply because the hole location changed just a bit).

I do receive a few questions every week about what plate should be used  for XXX lens.  In some occasions, the answer is simple. But sometimes it is not. To determine type, length and plate type please follow these short guidelines

1)Determine the number of screws you need. If your lens foot has more than one mounting hole, it is recommended that more than one hole be used to mount the plate in order to keep the plate from twisting on the foot. If your lens foot has only one mounting hole, see the anti-twist section below.

2) If your lens has only one hole, you can prevent the plate from twisting on the lens foot by positioning the plate ridge on the back of the plate, against the back of the lens foot If you need or prefer to have the plate extended behind the lens foot, you can set the plate ridge against the front of the foot. You also have the option of purchasing the plate with a removable ridge. In that case the ridge can be mounted in various positions along the plate.

3)To determine the length of the plate needed for your lens please measure your lens foot. In normal circumstances that is length of the plate you will need. If you are using optional flash brackets and you wish to mount it on the lens plate you may prefer to add an additional 3/4 of the inch to lens plate. Also you may opt for one that is a bit longer than your original lens foot, especially if you are using a gimbal head where you have to move the camera and lens backwards and forwards to get optimal balance.

4)If your lens foot has a 3/8" mounting hole (very rare) install a reducer bushing into this larger mounting hole. This allows use of the 1/4" plate fastener in the larger 3/8" hole. You can purchase reducer bushings in the miscellaneous section if you have a 3/8" hole, the center slot is not wide enough to use 3/8" screw.

web store in finally ready-www.hejnarphotostore.com

After few months my web store is up and running. Not all items are loaded there yet but will be in a few weeks
( I have to re-shoot some photos). Pay Pal and credit cards are accepted.
For now there is only one shipping option (standard- first class mail to US and Express to rest of the planet).
I hope I will work out some issues with the post office and have all options available (priority, express etc) available soon.
10% discount on most items www.hejnarphotostore.com is open :)

New clamps

Few addition to my clamps

Table top clamp(F60) - 1.00 inch wide  with center hole as always countersunk for 1/4-20 and M6 screws but also threaded 3/8-16. It works great with small point and shoot camera with combination of arca swiss type clamps. 


Second addition is 2.375 inch clamp with bubble level. (F72)
This clamp was long overdue since i had tons of request for a clamp with built in bubble level.

Since I had to removed  side holes from this model to have room for the level I also found room on the opposite side for a dowel pin locator. Now two of them can be connected back to back  in various orientation to each other by using pins and bushing.

Also 4 inch clamps are back in stock as always with short and long knob options.

And since I had request from Germany to build 122mm (4.8 inch) clamp same of them are also available. Please not that they do have 3/8-16 taped holes spaced 35mm apart. 




Also i do have all clamps available with black knobs
http://hejnarphoto.blogspot.com/2012/02/clamp-with-black-knobs.html 

10 inch Macro rail

New 10 inch micro rail has been introduced to costumers.
Now you have a choice between original 8 inch model and a new 10 inch
There is no difference between those two other than length. All components and mechanisms are identical.

Dual stage can now be built with 10 and 8 inch rail. You may opt for 8 inch rail at top and 10 inch rail at bottom or vice verse.