For the last 20+ years, I've been using the Bogen QR system with the medium sized hex plates. As I also shoot LF, the large, flat square Bogen plates work well for the 4x5 and 8x10. It also allows me to use the same gear on several different tripods of varying sizes as needed.
Lately, I'm starting to think that the Bogen QR system, while great for LF (and for my Pentax 645!) is letting me down for the "smaller" gear. I'm becoming suspicious of flex and have been wondering if some of the softness when using a tripod is due to the QR system. I'm locking the mirror up and I seem to notice that the camera really doesn't seem to be anchored to the head. (My usual head is a Linhof Profi so I don't think the head is to blame!)

I've been looking around for a new QR system for the digital stuff. I will keep the Bogen QR for the medium and LF as I already have it and I know it functions fine for that gear. What type of QR systems are the folks here using?

Seems like Arca Swiss style is the way to go. I see that they have some choices, short vs longer bases and knob vs lever. I'm leaning toward the longer 80mm base with the lever release, am I heading in the right direction?

Many of us are using the Arca Swiss type camera and lens plates available from Really Right Stuff or Kirk and probably others. My personal choice is Really Right Stuff. Same choice for ballheads as well. The gold standard would be the RRS BH55 ballhead but there are several others that folks like as well.

My bet is that the response here will be pretty much unanimous in support of the Arca-Swiss system. As a matter of fact it seems to be the standard for ballheads, gimbal heads, etc.

I have tried every quick release system and they all basically suck except one - the Arca Swiss style system that the VAST majority of nature pros use.

Arca Swiss. I get most of my plates & clamps from Wimberley (through the NSN store, of course).

-Paul

I use the Arca-Swiss Quick Release System and I use all Wimberley QR plates on my cameras and lenses.

Before I could afford Arca-Swiss, I used the Manfrotto QR system for many years and found it adequate and very reasonably priced. I also use both the rectangular and hex plates, depending on the camera gear. They worked fine on my MF too. Later, I discovered I could not afford to go without the Arca-Swiss QR. It definitely is stronger and more secure in my experience. I have several ball heads (Arca-Swiss, Giottos, Kirk and Really Right Stuff). Without doubt the RRS BH-55 is phenomenal. Relatively expensive (at least for me), but worth every cent and then some. I bought the RRS universal leveling base to go with it and that is a killer combination! I still use the others occasionally for specific set-ups, but will probably acquire the BH-30 and BH-40 over time. The tripods by RRS also look to be among the best, but I will really need to save some serious pennies for one of those!

I use the Wimberley QR plates and clamps. This system is especially useful to balance your long lenses on the wimberley head. Change a body,add or subtract a teleconverter or flash and you have to re balance your rig. Loosen the clamp and easily slide your rig back and forth to achieve balance. Not if but when you fail to fully tighten the clamp, your plate will slide in the clamp but will be stopped from falling completely out.The wimberley plates, have safety stop screws on both ends of plates that will prevent a catastrophic fall of your camera equipment. Whatever Arca Swiss system you use, make sure the safety stops are on the plates.

Thanks, all. I get the picture, Arca-swiss.
Just to repeat some of my editted first post, I see that the Arca-Swiss style has a long vs short mount and a knob vs lever. I leaning toward the 80mm mount with the lever, am I headed in the right direction?

I'm not really sure of your intentions here, are you planning on using the new QR system on your Linhof head or buying a new head?

I use a screw clamp I don't find a big disadvantage compared to the lever types and I've seen reports on the levers catching on things, plus you must use RRS or Wimberley plates, other plates are different width and will not hold firmly.

I don't see an advantage in the long clamps the standard clamp will hold the heaviest load firmly. Realise you will need a camera or a lens plate for each and every camera and lens you own.

If you are planning on converting your Profi II head to A-S clamps, you need to order the right clamp to fit your head, this page gives you that info:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx?fc=100

Note that you will need to swap the clamps back and forwards if you plan to continue to use the Bogen QR with MF/LF. If you don't want to do that (I wouldn't) there are 2 choices either a new head with A-S QR or buy A-S plates for your MF/LF gear

The biggest issue with the Bogen QR is rotation. longer lenses will rotate on the QR plate, the secondary issue is that the cork platform allows flexure. The A-S style plates have an absolutely solid connection to the camera/lens.

Thanks Chris. I plan to use the A-S QR system on the Linhof ball head. I have 2 larger tripods with Bogen heads for the MF/LF gear so no worries there. I have the Bogen "anti-rotation" plates, but they just don't mount firm enough and rotate anyway. Maybe not as much but they still loosen up. I stopped at a local store yesterday and did see a clamp with a knob and it seems ok, I was concerned that the knobs might be small and hard to operateAs for the plates, my Nikon 300 f4 already has a Kirk replacement collar with the plate built in. I was planning on getting a replacement foot for the 70-200 VR anyway, so this is the time. The only other lens is the 80-200 AFS and the plate isn't too expensive for that. The body plates are ok, but the L brackets are out of sight so I'll have to make some careful choices there.
Kirk has a lever clamp and their stuff seems compatible with most of the other players except RRS. As I have the collar for the 300 f4 already I think I'm ruling out RRS.

The compatibility issue only comes up with lever clamps, with screw clamps you can mix and match, the knob on the RRS clamp is easy to operate. The lever clamps need a precise width of the plate to ensure they grip when closed.

What you need to do is get a clamp that is compatible with your Linhof head, The RRS site says that the Linhof heads have a female 3/8" thread in the post to attach the platform or clamp. For that you need a B2-Pro clamp which is threaded 3/8" and a 3/8" stud, I'd also suggest getting loctite to lock the threads in place on that installation.

Thanks Chris. I have most of what I need ordered. Between Kirk, RRS and B&H I think I have it covered. I still want to get an L-bracket but I'm waiting a while to see what Nikon announces early next month. With the prices they get for the dedicated brackets I want to buy smart, once! The woman I spoke to at RRS was very knowledgable about ball heads and knew what was needed for the Linhof.