eforcity Camera Tripod Quick Release?!

eforcity Camera Tripod Quick Release?!

As I’m gearing up for a huge motorcycle video shoot, I needed some quick release plates for a few different tripod/mounting options.  I really didn’t want to spend $32 for Manfrotto plates for using out on the trail, so I looked at these on eBay from eforcity.

eforcity Camera Tripod Quick Release

Looking at the photos of the plate, its really not clear if the center hole is threaded or not.. so based on their description:

“This camera quick release plate will quickly screw onto your tripod to properly and securely position your camera for the best shooting angle”

I figured it would screw right onto my tripod… especially seeing that almost 400 of these were sold.. but…not so!  You can not “quickly screw onto your tripod” as they advertise.. there are NO threads.  I emailed the ebay seller and here’s the response that was given:

Me:

Hello, I received both of my Quick Releases.. but, I’m unsure how do you mount them to a tripod? I thought they would screw right on to the 1/4″ mounting screw but I don’t see how they do. Can you help me? Thanks!

eforcity:

Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting us.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Screw size: 6mm .
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know, so we may further assist you.
Sincerely,
Wing
Customer Service Team
– eforcity

Me:

Dear eforcity,Your product description says “This camera quick release plate will quickly screw onto your tripod to properly and securely position your camera for the best shooting angle.” Based on your description, how do I screw this plate quickly on my tripod? The hole isn’t threaded so how does it “screw onto your tripod”>. I believe your description is false and very misleading. Please advice on how I can screw this onto my tripod. Thanks.
– basherdesigns

eforcity:

Thank you for contacting us.
This quick release pad is for the tripod that does not come with the quick release pad, but a 3/8? mounting screw. Customer need to mount the bottom of the quick release pad on the tripod, and attach the top part to the camera. If you have any questions, please let us know. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,Vicky
Customer Service Team
-eforcity

So there you have it.. they advertise as if this plate will screw “quickly” to a tripod and you are off. What they don’t tell you is.. your tripod must not have a quick release plate or in reality needs to have a way to mount this plate to it.  False advertising .. no?!

Anyway, I said the heck with it.. they are so cheap I’ll find some way to use these things.. so here’s what I did.

Mounting plate – notice no threads
eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

Using my dremel I notched out a diamond shape for the nut to countersink

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate
I used a 1/4″ 20 screw thru the center hole and screw into nut tightly. Use some Loctite to secure it.

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

Here you can see enough threads left to screw onto any tripod 1/4″ 20 mounting bolt.

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

A bit of a gap between nut and base of my RAM mount tripod adapter…

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

To make a better fit, I added a washer to close the gap.

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

GoPro Hero2 mounted up…

eforcity Tripod Quick Release Plate

On the cheap, this works very well and thus far I’m pleased with it.  I may try out some 1/4″ 20 threaded inserts like these on my next mount.. but who knows, that just adds more cost to the plate.. stainless steel inserts are $2 bucks a piece! We’ll see if that works, I fear the threaded insert could unscrew after awhile.. if I try it out I’ll post up my results.

Hope this helps others out there, let me know!

3 Comments
  • Ed Lomax
    Posted at 12:55h, 11 September Reply

    Hi
    I looked at this also as I need several. I, too, noticed that there appeared to be no 3/8 threads but I assumed I could work something out as you did. I was just planning to epoxy a 1.4 screw into the hole.
    However the add also says it has a 6mm thread for the camera. My camera has a 1/40 20 thread which is a standard on most cameras. I believe I can replace that screw but I was wondering if it really is 6mm. Do you know?
    I was

    • Basher
      Posted at 14:03h, 11 September Reply

      Hey Ed… basically all the mount has in it is a 6mm hole. No threaded anything.. which I don’t know why they just don’t thread that thing for a standard 1/4 20 so you can screw it on to a standard tripod!

      For the price I paid, I’ve been able to use these and they’ve been good. Most of my uses are for my motorcycle video projects so I did not want to worry about damaging my Manfrotto mounts. I hope this helps you?!

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