No, the hole is exactly the same for the adapter-to-tripod & the camera direct-to-tripod. ALL tripods. If you look at the first photo, you can see the quick release plate for my Manfrotto tripod. To the left of the RRS adapter, in question.

No one seems to know what the RRS plate is for or how it's used. Their website is no clue. They sure make some very nice tripods. Pro level stuff, for sure!

RRS - Sony Camera Plates

 

Thanks, for your replies! Saw this YT video on another board. I need Arca-Swiss quick-release tripod adaptor for tripod. And the L-bracket will then work as a quick-release Portrait-Landscape thing, for the tripod:

 

It’s your money Wind. Do whatever pleases you. The awkwardness and bulkiness is a turn-off for me.

Gary

 

Gary, well, I try it out and tell you what I think.

 

It looks like the plate might be just part of the L-bracket. Photographers use the L bracket so that when they line up and level their camera in the landscape position, then they can quickly switch to the portrait orientation by using the other part of the bracket. The RSS plates, as several have pointed out, make mounting your camera on the tripod fast and easy.

One problem with Manfrotto tripods is that their heads don't usually fit the more standard Arca-Swiss dimensions, so you have to use Manfrotto plates. I think RSS sells an adaptor for the Manfrotto tripod heads to enable use of Arca-Swiss type brackets.

 

I was told I needed a "Swiss-Cheese" plate adapter to go between the RRS quick release (Arca-Swiss quick release plate) --- and the Manfrotto tripod. Guess we'll all find out, when all the toys arrive.

Cheese Bridge 1/4" Base Plate Support For Manfrotto Arca Swiss RRS B2-LR-II 1568 | eBay

 

Got the quick release tripod plate from RRS today. Awesomely simple device. Fits my Manfrotto tripod without adapters. Seems that it would work on any tripod that has the usual top plate.

Model number of quick release plate for RRS L-brackets is: B2-FABN

[Note: my S2000 service manuals library in background!]

 

Enjoy the new equipment.
From my area this pic was taken from a very old swing bridge. (New Bedford/Fairhaven) The F/V Weatherly coming into port. That vessel is a scalloper and has equipment (winches) made by the company I work for. To the left are the canons at Fort Phoenix Fairhaven, in the rear is our famous hurricane dike with another vessel we have worked on coming through and the tiny lighthouse is Palmer's Light.

And here's the bridge, my company has also worked on the hydraulics on this bridge.

 

Very nice as usual!!

 

Thanks, Dave. Have you had time to play with your camera lately? With Mom gone, and the grandkids getting older, I have more free time on Saturdays. I was heading out to do an errand, looked at the clock and realized I had a couple hours to spare. I could have returned home after my errand and done some cleaning, but instead I grabbed the camera (s) the zoom and the 18-200 and headed out. I have also learned to never leave home without the spare batteries, and an extra memory card. Once bitten..............