Improving the budget fluidhead

WEIFENG/FANCIER HEAD WITH MANFROTTO 577 ADAPTER PLATE

I have been using the cheap Weifeng aka Fancier 717 fluid tripod head and I really appreciate the relatively small form factor and its fluid qualities but... there's one big drawback with this head and that's the quick-release plate. It is really fiddly to slide your camera with plate onto the tripod head: my Manfrotto head, for instance, has wedged edges that make sliding your camera onto the head a breeze. With the Weifeng/Fancier, this is bad design and a big drawback; particularly noticeable and aggrevating when you're working with a heavier setup like a DSLR rig or bigger/heavier camera than a DSLR. I simply could not mount my 15 pound DSLR rig with that quick-release plate...

But you can give your budget fluid head the same ease and convenience of a more expensive system. I mounted my Manfrotto 577 adapter plate on my Fancier quick-release plate and you will never have to deal with the Weifeng/Fancier quickrelase plate again! Another benefit is that -if you already use Manfrotto- you only have to use one type of quick-release plate. Calumet sells their own brand which is compatible with Manfrotto but much cheaper. (they have European stores as well: free delivery action running now!))

IMPOSSIBLE WEIFENG/FANCIER SLIDER PLATE

WEIFENG QUICK-RELEASE PLATE WITH SHARP EDGES

SMOOTH SLIDING MANFROTTO 577 PLATE

WEDGED EDGES MAKE FOR EASY ENTRY INTO ADAPTER PLATE