Tripod plates. If you're like us at Fstoppers, you have a ton of tripods and a ton of tripod plates, and it's sometimes a struggle finding the correct plate to match the tripod. Give the boys a break; I'm trying to teach them how to organize. Not only is "where's that tripod plate!?" a common outburst in the office, but so is "does anyone have their keys?" Thinguma is a tool made for photographers so we don't have to ruin our car keys to change plates.
I know, at first I was thinking, "why on earth would we need this," but this little nickel-plated piece of steel has won me over. First huge reason: you don't look like a dingbat. Sometimes, it's not ok to carry a multi-tool with you (or maybe you're like me and struggle with opening one), and this awesome plate tool fits in the palm of your hand and also can attach to a key ring. Seriously, Thinguma will help you look like a professional and not have to whip out a pocket knife in front of clients.
Secondly, this tool works with just about every tripod plate you most likely have, and that's right, including your annoying Really Right Stuff plates that use a hex socket (seriously RRS, stop trying to be different). Let's be honest, you always need an Allen wrench when you don't have one. Well now, you've got one on your key ring! We have two here at the office, and they really have come in handy, and now all my keys from here on out won't be bent or have weird marks on them, which is something my landlords with appreciate.
I would seriously suggest purchasing one of these things, especially if you are just getting started as a production assistant or working on set in some other fashion. Small actions like having the correct tools in your grip bag or camera bag really do stand out to others and put you in the professional playing field.
For the next two weeks, you can save 20% by using the code "Fstoppers" when you check out.
Neat tool. The paint can opening things that home depot gives away for free work well too. It's basically a right angle flat head screwdriver key. They work well for taking off strap adapters mounted in the tripod socket, then tightening manfrotto plates on. This one does not seem to have a tool to take off tripod socket strap adapters, like the Black Rapid FastenR-3.
You gotta be kidding me right! is this April fools day 3 months late? $20 for something that really costs about 25 cents? Actually that same 25 cents is all the tool I really need. Give me a friggin break! slow news day??
$20? :D hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha aaaa hahahahahahahahahahahaha
It looks like it would be handy for going through security screeners for getting access to certain venues like Air Force bases for air shows, or at Augusta National for The Masters. I leave my pocket knife in my car, or leave it in the house, lest I forget about my pockets. I won't even take small screwdrivers through security screening.
Might pay $5.00 but $20.00 no F'ing way.
Unfortunately they cost well more than $5 just to manufacture in the US
For that price, it should also open my beer ;)
It does!
All my Arca-Swiss plates are from Peak Design, and every one of them came with a hex wrench. I have one in my pocket every day, and at least one in every bag. They're only free-ninety-five with the purchase of a CapturePRO...
Same here. All my plates are hex - and all come supplied with a wrench. RRS is not so unusual.
Just out of curiosity, Chelsey, have you purchased one of these yourself, or have you received one for evaluation?
They sent me one to use.
nickels work just as well, and only cost 5 cents.
Or you could just get different size heads that share a common-size plate that's finger-tightenable. I got a Benro BH1 on my full-size tripod, a BH0 on my travel tripod, a DJ80 on my monopod, and an Oben QRA-R2 Quick Release Assembly on my flash bracket, and they all take the same plate that requires no tools to tighten.
I'm just using one of my house keys :P
Looks cool but overpriced.
Really Right Stuff has started to include a hex key in some of their designs. Just got an L-plate fro my D5 and it stores in the plate so I always have it.
Until you lose it. ;)
There are 2 magnets keeping it in there. It is pretty secure. I dont see losing it being an issue.
Pick up some D-rings.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/992657-REG/ikan_drs_01_3_1_4_20_d_...
EXACTLY what I was going to say. No need for fucking allen wrenches anymore. Especially when you don't have one. Simplified my life soooo much when I replaced all my plate screws with those. I don't know why manufacturers don't provide their plates with those for starter ....
wow, can these be adapted to the longer manfrotto plates? I've never seen these sold separately. I absolutely hate having to find a set of keys or coins to tighten my plates especially when travel with no keys or coins
Just search for "1/4 20 D ring" on Amazon.
I use a penny. Guess how much it costs?
Another click bait article title with ABSOLUTE ZERO value to readers. A nonsense of the month for me actually !
"Seriously, Thinguma will help you look like a professional and not have to whip out a pocket knife in front of clients."
If this is a problem, you have some "interesting" clients.
If someone gave it to me and it fit on my "already too many keys on on it" key ring I may use it. But until now I wasn't aware that looking professional while changing QR plates was something I needed.
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All TriPods have Arca Swiss heads and my camera has a Fusion plate. Once attached, never removed again as it fits the tripod as well as my strap.
A solution without a problem.
This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. I use the side of my key to open plate screws... never damages it, gets it tight. If you're using and allen head in your quick release head... I would much rather use the hundreds of standard size allens I have laying around included free with every fixture or piece of furniture from ikea. Heck... save your $19.99 and use a freaking penny!
I find it amusing that simply because you might never use a tool like this you find it necessary to spend your valuable time writing such negative comments about something you apparently have no experience with. Some of us are landscape photographers, some of us get out and hike and don't carry allen wrenches with us always. One loose camera plate in the middle of nowhere can be detrimental to a landscape shoot. The primary use for this tool is with hex socket application in mind. For this reason your comments about a key and a penny hold no merit. $20 is not too much to pay for any successful photographer out there.
so you think this tool should be sold for less than it costs to manufacture?
This is actually my product. Raw materials alone very expensive. I went for higher quality US workmanship, which cost a good portion more. This is hardened and plated shock-resistant S7 tool steel. Other materials bend when torqued. I can tell you that the profit is very minimal after free shipping and packaging and overhead. Rip off? I created the tool because I hated forgetting or not having an Allen wrench with me. Works great for me and hundreds of others and is Not cheap to manufacture.
Every similar tool for cyclists or the outdoor industry at least recognizes the value in adding a bottle opener.
I think the response is to the current trend on fstoppers and other sites to hype things that have dubious value and my pet peeve posting PR releases as "news". Just to fill up space. After the first time I was on location without the proper tools (like an allen key) I learned to be prepared.
It's also amusing that your only 3 comments are in reaction to this topic, are you involved with this product?
I just leave my L bracket on all the time, and make sure all my other stuff is arca swiss. It would be such a hassle to always be messing with plates.
For the last year or so I'm using this one an it is great and the best thing it only costs £5.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00J5MB2YM/ref=pd_aw_sbs_200_2?ie=UTF8&...
Go to a key maker. Buy a key for 1 dollar. Tell him he doesn't even need to shape it. call it your tripod-key. done.
Who doesn't transport camera gear in a bag of some sort? How hard is it to simply keep a suitable coin (20c here in Australia) in one of the million compartments in said bag? Seems like an easy solution, and one that costs about as much as this 'tool' should cost to produce.
Pass.
Dang $20 for this tool. You got to be kidding. Why not just go to lowes and buy a key blank and grind it down to work.
Good luck. Tried something similar. That metal bends. For a flathead you are probably okay, but for a hex socket, not a chance.