Neewer® Black Aluminum Alloy Quick Release QR Plate Adapter with 1/4"-3/8" Screw and Bubble Lever for DSLR Camera Tripod Monopod Stabilizer Ball Head

I was previously using cheap Chinese-made clones of the Manfrotto 577 style quick release, which were very rugged and worked fine, but they ended up being a bit clunky for my taste and were proving mechanically problematic to use with certain camera rig setups. So I started shopping around for a new quick release system and it came down to either Arca Swiss or something in the style of the Manfrotto 323 RC2. I’ve always found Arca Swiss to be a sleek and professional design, and the biggest benefit is that it currently seems to be the most popular and ubiquitous system out there. So you can find tons of Arca Swiss style accessories from many different manufacturers at very cheap prices. The RC2 style QRs on the other hand are not quite as popular, so you have fewer options.I did a ridiculous amount of debating and weighing pros and cons of each system before finally settling on this Neewer version of the RC2. First of all, it’s clearly superior to the Arca Swiss in terms of the ease and *quickness* of attaching and releasing the camera on and off of the base, which can be done in a fraction of a second with a single hand. Secondly, the moving parts of the Arca Swiss are apparently more prone to getting jammed up by dirt if you’re using it outside a lot. And lastly, the little safety stoppers on the bottom of Arca Swiss plates prevent the camera from sitting flat on any surface when it’s not mounted on the base, which I knew would drive my OCD brain crazy.So I determined the RC2 style option was the right choice for me, but I needed to stock up on at least 6 of these and wasn’t about to drop over $200 to get the official Manfrotto versions. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find unbranded Chinese RC2 clones for very cheap, around $7-10 each, which claim to be durable all-metal construction. However I saw too many negative reviews about poor quality control from the factories or the locking mechanism getting worn out and loosening up over time. Also, many of these cheapos have a little safety lever or bolt that sticks out from the bottom of the base, preventing it from sitting flat or mounting properly on many tripod plates or other mounting surfaces. So I decided to stay away from those and go with a good middle-ground option, the only one of which I could find was this Neewer model.I was able to get the 6 that I needed for $100, which I thought was very reasonable, and I can fortunately say that I’m very happy with the quality of these. They’re just light and compact enough without feeling too small or flimsy for reliable professional use. I have no concerns at all about using these with expensive camera gear (granted I use micro four thirds cameras and lenses so I’m not attempting or necessarily recommending using these with big heavy rigs). They’re apparently not quite as heavy-duty as the Manfrottos, which is understandable given the cost difference, but seem well built and sturdy. The safety on the release lever is a better design than even the Manfrotto in my opinion. And the bubble levels are a nice addition. Another feature worth mentioning is that the screw that comes on the QR plate can be tightened onto the camera by hand, with a flathead screwdriver, or with a hex key. And when tightened down properly, the grippy rubber surface on the plate does a good job keeping the camera from coming loose and rotating.One caveat is that these are apparently not compatible with other RC2 style QRs. The size is slightly different. I guess Neewer wants to lock you into their own little quick release ecosystem. But that’s fine with me because I didn’t already own any of these from other manufacturers. So if I ever need any more I’ll just buy more of the Neewers.All-in-all, I believe I made the right choice in purchasing these for my particular situation. They’re a great quick release option at a good price. Highly recommended.

This quick release adapter for my tripod works just fine for this amateur photographer. I should point out that I have it attached to my reliable old (40+ years) Velbon VGB-3C aluminum tripod, and I can't speak to how it would work on other tripods.I looked at the wide range of adapters of this type and could see no reason to buy anything more expensive. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure there are better (and certainly more feature-rich) adapters, but this is all I need. Keep in mind that this is a simple quick release adapter, not a universal ball mount or a fancy 3-axis gimbal mount. It doesn't fold or tilt. It doesn't allow you to mount the camera off to the side of the tripod axis. It doesn't do any of those things. For the modest cost of $15.99, all it does is keep you from having to screw and unscrew the camera to the tripod. And since the Velbon tripod already allows for three axes of movement, why buy a separate attachment to do the same thing?It comes in two parts -- one part attaches to the camera and the other attaches to the tripod. The part that attaches to the tripod has a single (bullseye) leveling bubble that's very handy, especially when taking a series of shots that will be stitched into a horizontal panorama. Yes, two arc bubble levels at 90 degrees to each other would be better, but would add to the cost and take more space. The other part (camera plate) has a slot for the bolt so that it can be attached out of the way of the battery/SD card compartment. Very important! The camera plate attaches very securely to the camera using only fingers to tighten the bolt.The tripod part has a safety feature that keeps you from accidentally moving the release lever and thereby releasing the camera. Seems pretty fundamental to me, but not all quick release adapters all have this feature. Once the camera is snapped into place on the tripod, it seems very securely attached.This adapter seems very sturdy and durable -- made of aluminum, not plastic. I don't expect to ever need to replace it. It's a solid 5 stars as far as I'm concerned.

such an awesome adapter. great sturdy quality. extremely easy to use.I was hesitate to buy it because it was not clear to me if I could screw it on my tripods.I am happy that it fits perfectly.

I bought a couple to text on my gimbal and tripod and boy i can't be happier, they have a locking system that gives me peace of mind that my camera is secure, really well build and for the price you can't complain either.

I like the ease of mounting my camera on my tripod. Very well built but I haven't been able to find just camera base plates to buy as extras. Looking around I can buy the complete quick release by Neewer for about what other manufacturers charge for a spare camera base plate so I've bought a couple extra Neewer units. I also find them handy for mounting rod rigs and other accessories.