Here's something you LXers might find useful:
About a year ago I caught the Arca-Swiss QR virus,
and had been looking for an appropriate camera body
plate for my Winder LX. Really Right Stuff's
recommended (and generic) B21 plate works very nicely
with the LX body alone. It also fits the winder, but
the problem with the winder is the pronounced
leftwards offset of the tripod socket. RRS's recom-
mendation, their B9, does not address the offset
problem and also does not have a safety stop.
RRS B21 & B9:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/body_plates/pentax/index.html
Strictly on spec, I just bought Kirk's PZ-21 plate
for the Nikon F3 with motor drive MD4. Fits just fine
on the LX winder, just missing that small longitudinal
bump. It lets you center the camera over the ball head
the way it's supposed to be for best weight transfer.
Kirk PZ-21:
http://www.kirkphoto.com/newplate1p.html
Down sides are two in number:
1. The plate covers up the battery holder release
button - but that's why <insert deity here>
created Allen wrenches. Besides, I've never had
to change winder batteries in the field.
2. Kirk plates don't appear to have safety stops.
I'm off to see a machinist friend about drilling
and tapping an appropriate hole.
Hope this helps someone,
Stephen Moore
