shoulder dovetail sticks with red quickplate

[nigelsmith]

Hi
I bought the base production pack as it seemed a good deal, even with the bits I didn't want included.....
..but I'm having real problems with the shoulder dovetail getting stuck on the red bottom plate. When you want to slide the dovetail forward or backwards to adjust how the camera sits on your shoulder, you have no idea if the pop-up 'button' is lined up with a hole in the bottom plate. If it isn't, and you try to lock the plate in position, then the 'button' sticks, the front lever won't release it, and nothing short of a tap with a hammer will dislodge it. This is not going to look good when I demonstrate proper use of the equipment to a room full of students
Anyone else had this problem and/or got any tips to share?
Thanks
Nigel

 

[Paul Leeming]

I just line it up so the front is flush with the front of the dovetail. then it's guaranteed to click into place. what you can also do is make a set of marks on the shoulderpad slide which line up flush with the front and back to the same distance as that between holes. then you just line up the mark and click in.

HTH

Paul

 

[ericyoung]

You can try pressing the lever partly over as you slide it - you can kind of feel the button clicking through the holes.

You could also try a little pencil graphite on the button to help it slide (but don't put any on the wedge or you'll reduce the friction and security of the locking!

 

[REINHART PESCHKE]

for sale : i never used mine

for sale : i never used mine

I never used my Red Bootom Pltae nor my Shoulder dove tail, i will sell both for 200.-, call Ray 310 963 7220

 

[nigelsmith]

Paul - I have been lining up the front too, but found I wanted to move it further back when hand holding with the Ronford Baker moose bars. Good idea about the marks though - cheers.
Eric - I'll try the pressing the lever lightly thing.
Thanks for the replies