I have the Miller Solo sticks and DS20 head combo and I am integrating them into my 7D set up but it is very confusing. Mainly due to getting a fast set up using the same quick release plates so I can use my shoulder rig and monopod quickly.
Basically I have arrived at a choice of not using the DS20 head because of the QR plate. So I keep the Solo sticks and use the Manfroto 75mm bowl adapter then buy a new fluid head that can use the same QR plates from Manfroto - the 501PL. So now I have to buy a new Manfroto head for the Miller sticks. I also have the small 701 head for my monopod.

Manfrotto 577 Rapid Connect Adapter with Sliding Mounting 577 -


There must be plenty of people in the same boat that moved to the HDDSLRs.

Any advice based on the jumble I just wrote above - if you can understand it.

Er, I think this is an answer to your question, tho'.................

You have actually answered what I percieve the question to be, I think.

No need to stop using the DS20 head. Simply fit that Manfrotto 577 to the QR plate of the DS20, then fit the 501PL to the camera, hey presto, your DS20 now has a 501PL QR plate and everything's rosy.

Just in case that didn't hit the mark, try two.

The underside of that 577 has fixing holes for both 2 X 3/8" or 1 X 1/4" threaded bolts (the same as the QR plate of the DS20 and every other QR plate ever made).

So, in effect, you can convert any make/ model of pan/tilt head or monopod or anything else to a Manfrotto 501PL plate system unit by simply bolting the 577 to that heads QR plate.

It's an exceedingly usefull little gizmo.


CS

I've got a number of 577s, on monopods and other mounts. It's really handy to be able to slide cameras onto them without having to unscrew different bottom plates...

Chris - I see it.

I would need an extra 577 QR plate to do this. Fix the 577 bottom plate to the Miller QR sliding plate permanently then the bottom of the second 577 to the Shoulder rig. That would work. 2 sets of 577.

I was thinking to replace my Miller fluid head to Manfroto because you get so tired of the incompatibilty.

Cheers!