Unfortunately, the shoes of the tripods do not follow a standard that allows them to be interchangeable. Even within the same manufacturer all shoes are created equal. Only in the catalog of Manfrotto , one of the most prestigious manufacturers of tripods, we can find plates hexagonal, square and rectangular. That means that if you have several different media (tripods, monopods, etc..) Have to be changing the camera plate, depending on where you go to the place, which is not very comfortable.

In my case I have a monopod that uses a rectangular pad, but not Manfrotto has the same dimensions as the rectangular mark. On the other hand I have a tripod Slik 330DX who uses his own shoe with two curved sides and two straight. In addition, the weak point of this tripod is its subject the plate, because the trigger is plastic, does not close automatically and does not lock security . To address both, we see how the ball-joint supplement with a plate Slik compatible with Manfrotto rectangular pad.

For quick dish I bought the patella Ultralyte U-001h that distributes subside. I chose this option because it is the cheapest solution (17 €) I've found, and I have removed the dish holder (only takes an allen screw.)

There could also be bought only support Manfrotto plate , but it is about 25-30 € and I did not bring anything better, indeed, the Manfrotto not have the spirit level by including the Ultralyte.

I have removed the thumb screw to the plate of Slik, I put the dish on the patella and I drilled the base of the patella with a 6 mm drill. After putting up enough support plate was removed, through it all with a longer screw and put him some nuts on the other side.

To not be so neurotic about security as I do not have to drill the ball. Simply attach the bracket to the plate Slik clone with a screw and then put the dish in their normal shoe.

That yes, we must be careful to mount the bracket upside down with the trigger forward. Thus, even with the camera mounted, we see the spirit level included, and the trigger is still accessible below the target. If you got on the "natural" we will not see the level in place the camera.

This article was originally published in Canonistas.com .