I have a vanguard vt-200 and the plate that the camera attaches to broke. I need to repace only this piece but I cant find it online. can you help?

It should work for DSLR as long as the release plate will fit your DSLR camera. Most screws for the quick release plates 1/4 x 20 screw. Larger cameras and those with larger lenses need a bigger screws...making some plates non interchangeable.

Check here: http://www.tripodquickrelease.com/Vanguard_Quick_Releases.htm
They have a very wide selection of quick release plates available.

That's more than I got from Vanguard, they just said they didn't have the part and offered a small discount on a new one, oh yeah so when it breaks again I get the same answer, no way Vanguard

Unfortunately, Vanguard does not sell replacement pieces, you may have to ship it off to them in order to get it fixed. It's either that or you can buy a new pan head or quick release adapter. You can find those at www.tripodquickrelease.com, sometimes though pan heads don't come off of a tripod.

Try www.TripodQuickRelease.com for that part. There is listed the widest selection of quick releases and support more brands than any other web site I've seen.

The part you are looking for is the Vanguard QS-10.

Get it via mail order here:
http://shop.thefotogeeks.com/vanguardvt-840quickreleaseplate.aspx

or ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vanguard-QS-10-Quick-Release-Plates-/170479531839e

Call Vanguard. They're sending me the lower latch and a foot free.

If you have not found the part for your tripod you are looking for, I have the whole assembly complete, still in the original box.$50 and it's yours.

OKAY!! Thanks to the reply of "Baldwink", I was able to locate the product he suggested here in the U.S. from several dealers. This is the plate that mounts to the camera and allows easy removal/attachment to the tripod.

For the Solidex VT-90 tripod (the one I have and may fit others), order the Cullman CU-40470 Quick Release Plate. This is also described as the "Cullman Medium Quick Release 42mm" plate.

If you don't have the VT-90, measure the shoe plate area on top and remember that there will be at least one beveled (angled) area. Mine measured exactly 42mm square, so I am confident that the Cullman plate will fit. Also, the standard thread size for camera mounting is 1/4", but there are some cameras that use 3/8", so you might want to double check your camera for this spec.

I googled "cullman 40470 quick release" and found several U.S. dealers. The best price was from Adorama.com at $14 plus $5 ground shipping. Some dealers want as much as $33.

After nearly 20 years, I can use my Solidex VT-90 again!

Think you'll find its a QS29 adaptor which is used on other models. At least the one on mine is labelled QS29 and the pictures look the same. They seem to be available.