Kirk Snap Collars

[rpcrowe]

These seem like a good idea for a photographer who carries a camera and lens on a tripod head while moving from place to place.

https://www.kirkphoto.com/asc-3-snap-collar.html

Unfortunately, they were only available to fit the BH-1 and BH-2 tripod heads. It seems, however, that a handy person could fabricate something like this for just about any head. I might just try to fabricate one for my Giottos and my Kaiser tripod heads. I think that I could cut some rubber matting in several layers and cement the pieces together.

Might be worth a try, what do you think?

[Mike Buckley]

they were only available to fit the BH-1 and BH-2 tripod heads.

According to that website, "Now available for the Kirk BH-1 and BH-3, and Arca Swiss B1 and Z. " Even so, the product is currently out of stock with no indication of when it will be in stock.

[DanK]

Seems to me that checking that the ball is well locked before picking up the gear wouldn't take as long as fitting this on (which seems to require making the mount vertical) and then retightening the ball.

Being a klutz of the first degree, I have had countless mishaps where I didn't set something correctly or forgot to set something, but I don't think I have ever had a problem with the tripod ball head being loose when I picked up my gear to move.

[Geoff F]

I frequently try to pick up my camera/tripod by slipping my fingers under the mounting plate then the ball, which wasn't so completely tightened as I thought, rotates and traps my fingers. I have received so my cuts and bruises to my digits, particularly when doing macro work which requires a quick change of position.

But I wonder how many of these devices would I lose in the average year. Also how many times would I miss a quick shot because I had forgotten to remove it in time.

With my problem, you would think 'Once bitten, twice shy' particularly with the weight of a heavy camera and 180 macro lens, plus flash, but I keep doing it. Although I try to remember to pick up my equipment by holding it in a different way I keep reverting to what feels easiest.

Yet another bruise suffered today!

[Shadowman]

Richard,,

How far do you move the setup, if it's just a few inches probably not a big deal but if moving a few miles maybe so; however I often see videos of wilderness photographers moving their equipment braced on their shoulder for long treks.

[rpcrowe]

When I am shooting with my longest lens (100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II) on a Canon DSLR, I will usually carry the rig over my shoulder with the lens pointed rearwards resting on my shoulder. I then hold the legs of the tripod a bit out in front of me with the hand of the shoulder that is supporting the lens.

I "think" that if I cut several pieces of rubber foam mat, the type used in the kitchen or in front of a work bench, with a slot which would accept the ball, that would be even more secure.

I am going to try it. If it works: fine, if not: I won't be out much money or time.

I think that if the rubber foam when glued together is a bit higher than the distance from the base of the ball head to the camera support, I can squeeze the rubber and slip it in between the tripos head and the platform on which the camera is mounted....

Which will take a lot of pressure off the head when I am carrying the rig...