Arca-Swiss BlackRapid Combination
Arca-Swiss BlackRapid Combination.
Updated from 2012 this still do work using the same cobination together.
Really Right Stuff B2-FAB 38mm clamp with threaded socket, attached to a BlackRapid 1/4 screw, can also be used in combination to the B2-MAS.
Since I have started in the biz of man strap style camera slings, I have overlooked a lot of tripod setup options and just stuck with the norm standard of shooting on a simple style ball head with a really simple tripod setup. After a while I have noticed Manfrotto tripod heads and began using them along with their CR style plates that slips into their system and as I got with a BlackRapid I quickly notice how attached I became to this solution to carrying my camera around with me. It was fast and very handy to put things in the camera without having to worry about things knocking around the place. But there came a problem and this problem was that with the CR plates the standard ones that comes with the plate isn’t recommended to be used to attach to the black rapid system so they sold a separate stronger nut to hold the lens with the Plate onto a Manfrotto CR head this worked find for the moment but after using this for about 5 months I notice how much after I shot a landscape scene that I always had to recompose the tripod with the head into the position that I had before. But after doing some research around the web and looking up the Arca-Swiss style then it began to make more sense, simply put this is the best route I should have started out in working with but my mistakes is now an experience for others to learn from and to take note.
Arca-Swiss is one of the industry standards in shooting and when I got mine it was right on the nail as to why this system works so darn well. Its fast, strong, smooth and so light I don’t know how I was using the earlier system before this one but I must say that this system only drawback Is in price, it’s a bit pricey for the ball heads in this class especially if you’re going to getting the best of the best in the market of ball heads, I’m on the BH-55 and I have no regrets at all, I have no intentions of ever buying another ball head as long as I’m around so it’s very important to know which system you want to work with in the Arca-swiss department there are only a hand full of really well made top end quality products but the trick is finding one that’s simple for you to manage with your eyes closed once you know this then you should be well on your way. No matter what its always better to buy something good right away this way you won’t have to lose your hard earn money with what you just bought but better off with something high end to last a lifetime under well maintenance.
Ok, that’s a little bit of the run down on how I narrowed my usage for a better system for the future of straps and ball heads on a stable platform setup. After much research on getting the Arca-Swiss to work on my black rapid I came across Enthusiast Photographer on the web and his article is well worth checking out. From his information I decided to try the B2-FAB 38mm from RRS instead of the kirk QRC-1 version. Despite the B2-FAB 38mm being $20.00 more than the Kirk I had a hands on feel on both of them and the RRS version became my choice for the setup it’s a bit wider so for me this was a plus as to I always like more mass on my system it just gives it a stronger feel, RRS got a really another new B2-FABN I like this one better for neck straps other than for a BR setup only because the nipples on the back is an added bonus that the BlackRapid FastenR-3 is better for the earlier choice behind the rubber with its groves that locks behind the nipples.
This thing weighs nothing.
Now to the info on why I find the RRS version in this system better for me. Once you screw in The black rapid 1/4 screw into the B2-FAB 38mm being you will notice that rubber below will either get crushed or squeezed from the hinge on the bracket (this is a good thing) that hinge is what the screw will lock behind from the groves, it’s like a pin, once you turn clock wise hard enough you will feel it go behind the hinge locking in place, now in the pictures I show how this works, as for the rubber you will need to get a x-acto knife or any knife that’s extremely sharp (please don’t cut yourself be very careful and take your time ) the rubber is a bit tough, so cut 2 groves for the washer to lock onto the hinge preventing it from crushing or getting squeezed in the process, the height of the hinge is the same height as the washer so this is another good thing, once you cut the washer (be careful as you will have to do this right the first time so you don’t over size the gaps in the cut, you want it to hold tight to the hinge so when you loosen or tighten it will not shake out or fall out from any angle) to a little smaller size than the hinge. After that try putting the washer over the hinge to see how it works it must not fall out it should grip the hinge tightly you will need to apply some force to stretch it over and onto it. Once that is done try the ¼ screw for the connector, screw it in to the hole in the hinge (don’t lock it yet) and check if there are any thing sticking up to high the screw must be able to bounce on the hinge don’t turn it super tight yet, then you will need to have some Loctite 242 to apply around the ¼ screw don’t overdo it but make sure the threads are all lubed, now you screw it back into the hole and screw it tightly with a allen key turn it until you get a little bump in the road, what I mean is, when your turning it you should feel something go up and then down, this is the grove going behind the hinge, let it dry for a few then you can test out your black rapid strap, I tried mine right away as the locking hinge made my day I didn’t even notice that the hinge served a purpose until I tried it out.
Make sure you tighten as much as your strength can, I’m sure it won’t get loose at all under no chance, I also applied the OP/TECH USA Uni-Loop System Connectors to the system, this one I use to hold to my pants keeping the camera from swinging around or anything and the screw ¼ I’m not worried at all getting loose but I love the carryspeed uni-strap how it came with their camera strap, (not that exact one but something like that) but black rapid don’t have any that comes with there’s, (RS-5) the OP/TECH USA Uni-Loop are cheaper and made for the weight of your camera so I added it the same way also, This was my way of making the B2-FAB 38mm work right for me and adding what I found from Enthusiast Photographer and applied it. Thanks goes out to Enthusiast Photographer for the big solution for getting this to work. I hope this was helpful to others and to those that would like to use the B2-FAB 38mm in their system.
Please note: Im adding on to my own style from what I found on the web at Enthusiast.
If Anyone does find this helpful, please to give me a heads-up, let me know how you like it.
Published: Friday, June 15, 2012 – 10:59
Updated: Saturday, September 16, 2023 – 18:30
your very welcome indeed, just updated the site for a much more organized feel, yes they did, I will be adding some more setups, havent had the time to really add anything cause of the transformation but it will all be coming, do feel free to check back and comment. Thanks for the support I will be checking your site as well for updates. Cheers.
Hi!
Thanks for the attribution on my setup. I’ve been carrying it for some time now and taken it all over the world, and I still love it! I just wanted to add a couple notes. First, I guess Really Right Stuff has been listening, because they recently added a new model of their clamp without the alignment pins on the bottom:
http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B2-FAB-F&type=0&eq=&desc=B2-FAB-F-38mm-clamp-with-flat-back&key=it
Also, I’ve added a video walk-through of the setup that might be useful, too:
http://youtu.be/zJK1Ad4TOJU
Thanks again!
Lee…
http://www.enthusiastphotographer.com