For the manfrotto 649,
1) does the silver stud/screw on top detatch? If so, whats the stud size (hopefully 5/8th standard stud).
2) Assuming yes to the above, has anyone tried a stud with a hex base (still 5/8th standard stud, but has a hex base for locking)? Can you get the stud in far enough to "lock" it without being impeded by the hex base?
I'm trying to go [649 clamp > 396-AB arm > rapid adaptor > 237HD arm] for a specific venue which has a parallel/rectangle support structure (so superclamping is not optimum). I'm tempted to buy the 649 but I'd like to verify some stuff first.
3) Is there anything better than the 649 that I can buy new (likely to need it soon) that fits the above requirements? I know johnw didn't like the 649, I swear I was there when his broke, so I figured I'd ask.