Quick Release Safety

I have an Arca-swiss monoball Z and quick release plates. It uses a screw type of knob for locking. Yesterday for the second time in 2 years, I didn't manage to get the release fully tightened and when I picked up my tripod and camera to move a few yards, the camera fell to the ground with significant damage to the camera and possibly the lens. In addition, there have been a couple of times when I noticed the looseness seconds before a similar disaster. Given the cost of camera and lens repairs, it seems smart to get a system with better locking performance. I'm interested in suggestions for a reliable system at moderate cost. Or should I consider changing the release system? While the ability to slide the camera is useful when I'm doing macro work, I'd gladly exchange that for a QR system where the plate is either locked or not.

Wow, real bummer Mark. Hope they can fix it for you. Assuming your camera was still screwed into the plate and the fault was with the release mechanism, it seems rather incredible that a well known system could fail you like that. I don't have a lot of experience with other system but I have a Manfrotto that has a pretty reliable plate and release. The main lever won't release the camera unless you push in another button on the lever to allow it to open fully. I'ts an akward move which is probably good as you wouldn't be likely to accidentally cause it to open, I'm sure you'll get quite a few other options, but wanted to let you know I'm please with mine.

HI Mark, Sorry to hear about your problem. I hope the damage was not too serious. I have pretty much the same system that you do. Years ago I started using the Wimberly camera and lens plates. They have stop pins at each end on the bottom. This prevents the camera from sliding out of a loose clamp. Realy Right Stuff has the same type of plates. Take a look at some of these and see if they can help.

I had a similar experience with a Manfrotto quick release, although the camera landed on tundra without damage. On the advice of several folks here, I switched to Really Right Stuff. Rock solid clamps, although you don't easily swap the plates after they are fastened on. Good luck with the repairs...

Here is an additional suggestion, regardless of the system you go to. When you mount the camera and lens on the ballhead, make sure that the loop the camera strap makes has a tripod leg through it. If the camera disconnects, the strap at least has a chance to catch the camera and lens on a tripod leg on its way down, of at least slow its fall. It is not perfect, won't mean much if it is a 500 making a break for it and won't help if the head is near the ground when ir detachs but is better than nothing,

I have a Gitso Ball and I don't see how the situation you described could be possible with their system. But some might consider the locking mechanism tedious if you were trying to set up quickly. First a button must be depressed to slide the plate onto the head then a tensioning thumb-screw is adjusted and then the locking lever is flipped into position. It's not going anywhere and I've gotten pretty quick at it but still missed a few opportunities........but who doesn't.
Bummer about your mishap. Dan's idea sounds like a good one but since I always shoot off a tripod I never have the strap on my camera body. Once or twice early on the strap got caught on something and and almost caused a topple.