Red Dovetail and O'Connor quickplate

[JoshBertrand]

I just got the backordered dovetail in bottom plate in. Not being the most mechanically inclined person, I'm having a spot of trouble figuring out the best way to attach the O'Connor (1030HDS) quick release plate to the Red dovetail. The quickplate comes with two screws (one big, one small) that sit nice and flush. The dovetail only has taps for the larger size screw though and there isn't room for two of the larger screws (see crappy phone photos below). Using just the one screw does not lock it down tight enough. Any ideas?

 

[Harky Jewett]

By sliding the plate back you should be able to fit a second 3/8" screw (the larger one) in the middle hole so you can lock it down with two screws. I have the 1030 and the shoulder dovetail and it works on mine.

Just keep in mind the cheese plate is recommended if you want a truly stable tripod setup using the Red bottom mount.

 

[JoshBertrand]

Ah... it would seem that way. But that is why I included two fuzzy pictures. In picture one, the center hole is aligned with the dovetail hole... but that puts the two screws too close together. The second picture has the plate slid all the way, but it doesn't line up with the dovetail hole and the other slot on the quick plate is for the smaller screw. I think I'll try to track down a 3/8" screw with a small head so I can just jam them together.

I have the cheese plate as well, but I'd like to try out the dovetail so I know personally the extent of it's reliability.

 

[Mitch Gross]

You can get a 3/8" to 1/4" reducer (we sell them) that you can insert into the hole one the dovetail and then screw the smaller 1/4" bolt into that. Sounds wanky but is very solid.

 

[Michael Morlan]

filmtools.com sells spare 3/8-16 camera bolts that work perfect in my 1030 quick-release plate:

http://www.filmtools.com/oconnor-camera-tie-down-screw.html

Best,

Michael

 

[Harky Jewett]

I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. Here it is set up on mine.

 

[JoshBertrand]

Thanks for the pic Harky. I haven't been able to track down another 3/8" screw to try yet... I tried a Red 3/8" screw, but they are much too big. Thanks for your help guys. cheers,
josh.

 

[Greg M]

No you dont want to use the Red screws. The screws you need are made specifically for the plates (and are not provided by Red, these are parts for the head plate). They can be bought from any dealer that sells the heads or from filmtools.com

http://www.filmtools.com/oconnor-camera-tie-down-screw.html

 

[Mitch Gross]

Yes, you can buy the correct screws from Filmtools or us or any number of other sellers.