conurus

[allebaug]

Bo-Ming:

I've ordered a copy of your new EF-Nex adapter from Metabones. Would it be possible to have future adapter designs machined to have an Arca-Swiss style dovetail base compatible with the current standardized quick release clamps available from many manufacturers (Kirk, Really Right Stuff, Arca-Swiss, Acratech, ...).

A redesign would not interfere with traditional tripod mounts using a 1/4-20 screw or with other styles of quick release plates, but A-S style quick attachments are becoming more common and affordable.

Thank you, and continued success.

Joe

[conurus]

Thank you for buying our product and also your constructive suggestion.

I looked into an Arca-Swiss style quick release system a little bit. Our adapter is nominally 26mm thick but the QR dovetail has a width of about 38mm. The primary design objective of our tripod socket is to be unobtrusive when it is not used. An L-shaped QR protrusion would be a little obtrusive and would likely interfere with hand-holding.

Right now, our adapter housing with its mini tripod foot is machined from a single piece of aluminum. If there is an L-shaped QR protrusion from the adapter housing, it can no longer be machined from a single piece of aluminum. If the QR has to be a separate piece of metal anyway, maybe what we should do is to create an accessory QR that fits the bottom of our adapter perfectly? Potentially a standard QR plate for all future Metabones adapters... I sure will discuss with Metabones the machining specialists about this and try to come up with something.

[allebaug]

I was not thinking as far as an "L" base machined into the adapter, but simply an A-S-dimensioned dovetail perpendicular to the width of the adapter. I am currently using a new RRS "L" plate designed for the NEX 5N, but earlier I was using their generic P&S slim foot plate, "BPnS-S" (http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=BPnS-S&type=0&eq=&desc=BPnS-S%3a-Narrow-Plate-for-Slim-Cameras&key=it), until the "L" plate became available.

I think I may be able to reuse the slim foot plate on the new EF adapter. I did receive an email from the Metabones company yesterday (1/20), that the adapter had shipped. I'll let you know if the plate is a good fit when the adapter arrives. Other plate manufacturers might have similar plates available.

I imagined using the EF-NEX adapter in Portrait mode on a ball head by dropping the clamp 90 degrees. I will send two jpegs to the Conurus email account illustrating the pieces and ideas I've been referring to next to the 5N and attached 90 degrees to an A-S clamp head.

**UPDATE**

I just received a second email from Metabones stating that there might be a "data transfer problem" using the EF-NEX adapter with the NEX 5N and NEX 7 models, and may have to return the adapter to get updated firmware installed, so it may be a little longer to be able to work with it here.

Thank you for keeping up with our feedback. Best,

Joe

[conurus]

Sorry but we are unable to look at your RRS link. However, we are very happy to talk with RRS if there is a mutual interest in producing the tripod mounting product you ask for.

By an 'L' shaped protrusion I didn't mean anything like the famous RRS L shaped brackets for camera bodies. I meant just something like the 'L' shaped foot you find on most tripod collars. My point was, we can always add a tripod foot to the EF Smart Adapter and that tripod foot could have the A-S-style dovetail for quick release. However, that additional tripod foot would be detachable and would be an optional accessory.

[allebaug]

I understand your "L" reference now. I use a similar QR plate on every one of my longer lenses having a tripod foot.

The most flexible QR plate for this new EF Adapter might be a 38mm square design with a QR bevel on each side, with short anti-rotation tabs similar to those built into the long lens QR plates. I had an A-S style QR plate like this years ago but sold it with the small camera it was attached to. The square bi-directional QR plate design was very handy; not needed with a QR ballhead, but great to have using a fixed QR clamp design such as on some panos and rails.

I have enough spare plates to test out this idea and clearances as soon as the adapter arrives and I get some hands-on time.

Thanks again.

Joe

[conurus]

Detachable AS-style QR tripod foot added to every Smart Adapter II since July 2012 and also a standard feature for all Speed Boosters.