June 24, 2014

Manfrotto M577 Arca Compatible Conversion Set from Hejnar PHOTO

Hejnar PHOTO Manfrotto M577 Arca Compatible Conversion set
Hejnar PHOTO line of Manfrotto® conversion adapters and custom quick release clamps was further expanded with three more Arca-Swiss® compatible conversion sets.
These sets are addressed to Manfrotto® heads and DV Heads featuring the 577 Rapid Connect Adapter which uses the 3433PL Mounting Plate, as well as certain Sachtler® DV fluid heads using a compatible mounting plate.

Each set contains one custom M577-xxx adapter plate, the sturdy Hejnar PHOTO F63b Arca-Swiss® compatible Quick Release clamp and all necessary dowel pins, screws and Allen hex key for the installation.

Hejnar PHOTO Manfrotto M577 Arca compatible conversion set components

The M577 adapter plate comes in three different lengths to cover a variety of needs in fore-aft adjustment.

The Conversion Plate Models

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:M577-350F63b
Length:3.5" (88.9 mm)
Weight:4.2 oz (120 gr)
Model:M577-550F63b
Length:5.5" (139.7 mm)
Weight:5.6 oz (167 gr)
Model:M577-875F63b
Length:8.75" (222.25 mm)
Weight:---

Common Characteristics:
Precision C.N.C. machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum, Black hard coat anodized surface. Made in USA

Hejnar M577-xxx adapter plates are compatible with Manfrotto® 3433, 3460, 3465 heads and  501, 502, 503, 504 and 504 Pro Video heads all using the 3433PL type sliding mounting plate.
The plates also work with Sachtler® DV-1, FSB 2, FSB 4, FSB 6, and FSB 8 fluid heads.

Hejnar PHOTO M577-350 conversion plate top w/ dowel pins
The M577-350 conversion plate is the shortest with a length of 3.5". All M577 plates feature a center socket tapped 1/4"-20 for mounting the accompanying F63b QR clamp and two sets of outside holes tapped 10-32 positioned at 45 mm and 30 mm apart from each other. The plates are also equipped with four dowel pin holes around the center hole for the alignment of the QR clamp, two of which are shown above occupied by 5 mm dowel pins.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-550 conversion plate top w/ dowel pins
The M577-550 conversion plate shown above, has identical characteristics but extends to 5.5" total length, enabling more fore-aft adjustment withing the 577 Rapid Connect Adapter.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-550 conversion plate bottom
Bottom view of the M577-550 reveals the hollowed out design. Similarities with the 3433PL mounting plate in regard of the  security stop grooves and bosses are evident, which permit the quick insertion but restrict the slip off of the plate.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-875 plate w/ F63b QR clamp conversion set
Further, the 8.5" long M-577-875 adapter plate may be considered a direct replacement of the special Manfrotto® 501PLONG accessory sliding plate, featuring full length decimal scales on both sides.
The M577-875 differs a little in the mounting holes section, where in order to avoid vibrations due to its length the QR clamp is aligned and secured with 10-32 flat-head screws besides the existence of the dowel pins.

The F63b Quick Release Clamp

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:F63b
Jaw Length:3.25" (82 mm)
Weight:135 gr (4.7 oz)
Countersunk/threaded holes:Three (1 x 3/8"-16 center hole and
2 x 1/4"-20 outside 45 mm apart)
Safety Stop Relief Grooves:Two
Long Captive Screw Knob:Stops at maximum opening
Material:Precision C.N.C. machined 6061-T6 Aluminium
Color:Black hard coat anodized
Hardware:Stainless Steel
Made in :USA

As all Hejnar QR clamps, the F63b is compatible with Kirk®, R.R.S.®, Arca-Swiss®, and many other Arca style Quick Release plates and clamps.
Since it is an add-on unit, it can be used independently mounted on a ball head or other equipment at will.

Hejnar Photo updated F63b QR clamp
The clamp included in the conversion set is the updated classic Hejnar F63b with long black knob. The clamp is accompanied by one 1/4"-20 hex-socket flat-head screw 3/4" long and the appropriate Allen hex key.

The F63b clamp features a Tongue-in-pocket design that protects internal parts from dust and grit. It does prevent the tendency of the moving jaw to hinge backward during clamping, It keeps the jaws aligned with the geometry of the plate and eliminate unwanted bending forces on the threaded stud.
You may seek more information about F63b in the Updated Hejnar PHOTO Quick Release Clamps Preview.


Mounting the clamp / Conversion Process
The conversion process is quite simple and completely reversible since it does not interfere with the Rapid Connect Adapter itself but is a mere sliding plate replacement.
By removing the current 3433PL plate from your head, you can insert one of the Hejnar M577 plates thus convert the head to accept the large number of Arca-Swiss® compatible rails, plates and other accessories. The F63b  QR Clamp can be positioned in any four possible orientations by 90° using the anti-twist pins.

Hejnar PHOTO M577-350 conversion plate top w/ dowel pins set perpendicularly
Hejnar PHOTO M577-350 conversion plate with two 5 mm dowel pins installed on either side of the center hole for perpendicular mounting of the QR clamp.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-350 conversion plate w/ F63b QR clamp set perpendicularly
The QR clamp in turn can be set with the screw-knob facing backwards (as above) or forwards according to users' convenience.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-350 conversion plate top w/ dowel pins set longitudinally
In the same manner, the dowel pins may be installed aside of the center hole in the longitudinal axis of the plate in order for the clamp jaws remain parallel to the mounting plate.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-350 conversion plate w/ F63b QR clamp set longitudinally
Once again the QR clamp screw-knob may be oriented facing on the left (as above) or on the right at will.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-875 plate w/ F63b QR clamp set longitudinally - closeup
As previously mentioned instead of using dowel pins for the F63b QR clamp alignment on the M577-875 conversion plate, two 10-32 flat-hea screws may be used.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-875 plate w/ F63b QR clamp set longitudinally - full view
In this way the F63b QR clamp and the M577-875 conversion plate become a sturdier unit, while the reorientation of the clamp is still possible.
Hejnar PHOTO M577-875 plate w/ F63b QR clamp on Manfrotto 502 VH
Pictured above is the Hejnar PHOTO M577-875 plate combined with the F63b QR clamp on Manfrotto 502 VH

I hope you found the article useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos used by permission: © 2014 Chris Hejnar / Hejnar PHOTO

Price and Availability:
Current price for any of the M577 plates w/ F63b clamp is US$ 110.00 (+Shipping where applicable) and are all available from the Hejnar Photo online Store.

If you are interested in the products above, do check the Recommended Sellers page for a valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before ordering.

Referenced Articles:
Updated Hejnar PHOTO Quick Release Clamps Preview

Relevant Articles:
Manfrotto 324/327/322 RC2 Arca Compatible Conversion set from Hejnar PHOTO
New & Unique Hejnar PHOTO Arca Compatible QR Clamp for Manfrotto 496 / 498 and 054 Ball Heads
New Arca Compatible Conversion for Manfrotto 400 Geared Head by Hejnar PHOTO

4 comments :

  1. Is there any way to convert Manfrotto's 504plong plate to take Arca-Swiss? That plate pairs with the popular entry fluid head 502HD. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. According to Hejnar Photo all their above M577-xxx adapter plates are compatible with 502 Video Head.

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    2. As I understand it, the 504PLONG plate for the 502 and 504 Video Heads is wider (5 cm). Wouldn't that present a problem? I'm new to fluid heads or Hejnar for that matter, so please bear with me. BTW, excellent practicle articles that truly fill in the bits and pieces missing from the official site by demonstrating real-world applications.

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    3. The Hejnar 577 conversion plates are identical in width (5 cm) with the Manfrotto and Sachtler plates, but via the addition of the F63b QR clamp on top of them, can accept Arca-Swiss plates (3.81 cm wide).
      Thanks for the kind comments, glad you find the articles useful.

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