L bracket
Mar 1, 2018 10:13:54 #
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
Mar 1, 2018 10:20:15 #
philo wrote:
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
I have L-brackets on all my bodies, including finding old ones from the film bodies. I needed to go with Kirk for one rather old body. The first time your tripod falls over when you drop the ball to the side with a heavy lens / body, you'll become a convert (and become a lot more careful in your tripod set-up).
Mar 1, 2018 10:25:33 #
philo wrote:
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
Easier to maneuver a camera that has an L bracket installed than using the ball head to change the camera orientation. None of my cameras use standard plates on the bottom - they are all fitted with L plates.
Mar 1, 2018 10:28:38 #
Check your major photo retailers for l-plates and find one for your camera. The plate attaches to the camera an enables the camera to be quickly mounted to a ball head or other device. For example:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=rrs%20d850%20l-plate&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
If you decide to purchase one, I believe most are for arca-swiss use. Not sure. Also, if you may want to go to the newer QD socket release strap systems, very few have the ability to accept them.
Note: different plates are usually required for camera use with and without a battery grip.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=rrs%20d850%20l-plate&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
If you decide to purchase one, I believe most are for arca-swiss use. Not sure. Also, if you may want to go to the newer QD socket release strap systems, very few have the ability to accept them.
Note: different plates are usually required for camera use with and without a battery grip.
Mar 1, 2018 10:29:10 #
MichaelH
Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI
philo wrote:
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
It probably depends on how often you use a tripod. If you use one often and leave an Arca-Swiss compatible mount on the bottom of your body anyway I would say it is worth the investment. Or if you use a Peak Design strap that requires an attachment point on the bottom of your body for the tab attachment mini-straps you would already have something mounted on the bottom anyway and an L-bracket would substitute for that attachment point. I have one on a GH5 and I barely notice it is there - granted this is a hefty M43'rds body. It also sits on a flat surface like a desk very nicely on the two sides that are the L-bracket.
Mar 1, 2018 12:07:50 #
philo wrote:
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
I have and always had L brackets on all my cameras (except MF) and yes, I would not have any, if I did not find them valuable! They sure make life easier. In some situations a ball head (or any other head for that matter) does not allow you to place a camera at 90 degrees, but with an L bracket you don't ever have to worry about that, you're always good to go. I have L brackets from Kirk, RRS and PMG, I like the PMG the best (most versatile and best build)!
Mar 1, 2018 12:36:42 #
I have L brackets on all of my camera bodies. After using one for the first time, I vowed to never again have a camera body without one. They make switching between landscape and portrait orientation a breeze, and they keep the weight of the camera centered over the tripod. The only difficulty I have had was adapting the L bracket for use with a Cotton Carrier chest harness, as the lug used for attachment got in the way. But as RRS L brackets are arca-swiss compatible, I simply mounted the lug to one of RRS's clamps which eliminated removing the lug from the camera whenever I wanted to mount to my tripod, while still keeping the camera centered on the vest when carrying. My opinion is that L brackets are great accessories well worth having.
Mar 1, 2018 13:14:03 #
philo wrote:
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
I've always had a "L" plate on my DSLRs. I do a lot of panoramas, and tilting the ball head 90 deg screws up the alignment when stitching, plus makes any out of level condition even worse.
The convenience in being able to rapidly shift orientation is outstanding.
Mar 1, 2018 18:33:22 #
I used to buy one for every camera. By the time I was going to order one for the D500 I realized the shortest lens I ever use on that camera is a 200 - 400, so the body itself never gets mounted on a tripod. It stays on the D4s.
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Mar 1, 2018 18:41:54 #
Bill_de wrote:
I used to buy one for every camera. By the time I was going to order one for the D500 I realized the shortest lens I ever use on that camera is a 200 - 400, so the body itself never gets mounted on a tripod. It stays on the D4s.
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Good point. For some strange reason it seems like the plate offers some sort of protection for the camera. Psychological, no doubt, but I have so little to work with.
Mar 1, 2018 21:43:20 #
When the camera is on a standard plate, the weight of the lens will try to rotate the camera around the mounting screw when the ball head is turned to a vertical orientation. The center of gravity is now also off to one side. L-brackets are machined to match the contour of the bottom of the camera and will prevent any rotation. Another plus is that the center of gravity remains centered over the tripod. I have Kirk L-brackets. The Really Right Stuff L-brackets are also top notch.
Mar 1, 2018 23:07:13 #
Mar 2, 2018 06:41:20 #
My RRS is made up of the base plate and the L can be added or removed with one screw and the screw and Allen wrench store in the base plate. That said I usually just have it in the full L congratulation.
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Best,
Todd Ferguson
Mar 2, 2018 07:55:17 #
philo wrote:
When using the rrs system do you fine an L bracket of value? Or just turning the ball head does the job?
Even though most ball heads have a slot where it should stop for a vertical shot, they all slip out of plumb position...Kirk, Manfrotto, you name it. With L brackets, Kirk and the Right Stuff, IMO being the best, for head shots they are dead on vertical. This is especially important when shooting tiles and panos with precision heads— Models too.
Mar 2, 2018 08:20:20 #
I checked out the prices for the kirk and rrs and they are really pricey. So I purchased a lower price one. I won't be using it all the time.
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