L Brackets (Page 2): I don’t use an L-bracket very often, so I went for a Sunfoto (~$50], which does the job for a whole lot less than the big boys. And has the same plus and minuses.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I don’t use an L-bracket very often, so I went for a Sunfoto (~$50], which does the job for a whole lot less than the big boys. And has the same plus and minuses. For example, most don’t allow complete use of the Canon rear. flip LCD. I don’t have Jerry’s mount dilemma. I’m all Arca-Swiss, which can be tricky. All Arca-Swiss aren’t the same.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

jerryc41 wrote:

I've never had much of an interest in L brackets. If I want to go from landscape to portrait when the camera is on a tripod, I flip the head.

I watched a couple of reviews of the new SmallRig L bracket, and the reviewers liked it. One thing that surprised me is that it must be paired with a Arca Swiss QR Plate. I've been using the Manfrotto type plate for years, and I like it. If I decided to buy an L bracket - just to have one - I'd have to buy all new QR plates.

As one who enjoys doing landscapes and portraits, I prefer a flip bracket. I've had one for several years and it has worked perfectly well for me. No need to remove the camera from the bracket to change orientation, replace battery or even memory card. It saves time and effort and was reasonably priced. All positives in my book.

rcarol

jerryc41 wrote:

I've never had much of an interest in L brackets. If I want to go from landscape to portrait when the camera is on a tripod, I flip the head.

I watched a couple of reviews of the new SmallRig L bracket, and the reviewers liked it. One thing that surprised me is that it must be paired with a Arca Swiss QR Plate. I've been using the Manfrotto type plate for years, and I like it. If I decided to buy an L bracket - just to have one - I'd have to buy all new QR plates.

The advantage of using an L bracket compared to flipping the tripod head to the side is that the L bracket allows you to maintain the same optical prospective in either position whereas flipping the tripod head does not. It may not be of any importance to you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rcarol wrote:

The advantage of using an L bracket compared to flipping the tripod head to the side is that the L bracket allows you to maintain the same optical prospective in either position whereas flipping the tripod head does not. It may not be of any importance to you.

I tend not to use a tripod very often, so I'll probably continue shooting without a bracket, although I will continue to bracket photos in unusual lighting conditions.

jlsphoto Loc: Chcago SubBurbs

I shoot a lot of portraits and product, mainly on a tripod. I have a Pro Media Gear L bracket. It had the Arca Swiss dovetail on both sides. It fits my camera like a glove, and still allows access to the battery and all the ports. Quick switch of shooting modes. Is a good L bracket expensive yes. But then you get what you pay for in photography.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’m a big proponent of L brackets and have them on all the cameras I use regularly except my Sony RX10MIV, since that’s just my kayak camera and there’s no tripod use in a kayak. I shoot mostly handheld for wildlife but also do a lot of long exposures and the L bracket makes it so easy and fast to set up and swap orientation.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

I have a Canon R5 and I purchased the L bracket before the camera. It is a form of protection for the body should the worst happen.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

moonhawk wrote:

I used to automatically buyan L bracket every time I got new camera. Now that I shoot Oly mirrorless exclusively, I almost never use a tripod anymore, even shooting birds at a 100 mm equivalent. The IS is that good.

That said, once in a while I think a tripod would come in handy, and If I'm going to shoot with one, I would definitely want an L bracket.

I shoot Oly too and yes always handheld with the long lenses but I also make good use of features like Live ND, Live Composite and focus bracketing. The L bracket really comes in handy for those.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

jlsphoto wrote:

I shoot a lot of portraits and product, mainly on a tripod. I have a Pro Media Gear L bracket. It had the Arca Swiss dovetail on both sides. It fits my camera like a glove, and still allows access to the battery and all the ports. Quick switch of shooting modes. Is a good L bracket expensive yes. But then you get what you pay for in photography.

I’m all for quality and for paying for what’s needed, but some of these prices for what is essentially a hunk of metal or ridiculous. I see a RRS simple Arca Swiss plate and they want $100. I can get a decent one that works exactly the same for a tenth of that. The L bracket for my Z9 is the Smallrig at $69 and very nice. RRS makes the only dedicated L bracket for my OM-1, but it’s $165 and I think the design is awkward so I went with a $60 universal bracket from Three Legged Thing that’s not perfect, but fits well and allows battery access. My Z7 was the best deal. A $16 L bracket from eBay that fits and works great.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Jerry
I use an L bracket on my Canon 5D4 and would not go back. I use a sunway photo bracket. It will add to the overall dimensions of your camera. It is Accra Swiss on both legs Sunway also has an arca Swiss clamp for the head on your tripod that will also accommodate a Manfrotto plate. It’s a pretty slick design although not quick release.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunwayfoto-MAC-14-Manfrotto-Compatible-Tripod/dp/B00GY5E13W

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

While I don’t have a drawerful of L brackets, I have never found one that worked for me, not even the one made for my camera. Some blocked the battery door while others wouldn’t let me fully deploy the articulating screen and none played well with my tripod QR. As my tripod lets me flip my camera, I’ve decided I didn’t need one.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

It depens on how and waht you are shooting.

In my studio, back in the film days, I loved my Mamiya RZ67 because it rotated back and automatically the viewfinder mask from vertical to horizontal and vice versa. Especially when photographing active kids, etc., I could change up orientation and composition in a second. Even shooting other kids of action in a quick film can be advantageous. With my current digital camers, I use L-brackets and other such devices for fast operation and not havg to bother with mechanical adjustments on tripod heads or have to manually flip the whole rig while hand-holding. It can help with big lenses and certain on-camera flash gear.

You need to try it on with your favorite lenses and see if it suits your hands, grip, and muscle memory.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

jerryc41 wrote:

I've never had much of an interest in L brackets. If I want to go from landscape to portrait when the camera is on a tripod, I flip the head.

I watched a couple of reviews of the new SmallRig L bracket, and the reviewers liked it. One thing that surprised me is that it must be paired with a Arca Swiss QR Plate. I've been using the Manfrotto type plate for years, and I like it. If I decided to buy an L bracket - just to have one - I'd have to buy all new QR plates.

Jerry,

I have a combo plate from Manfrotto that accomodates both their proprietary brackets and you then loosen the mounting D-ring, rotate it 90 degrees and it fits the Arca-Swiss brackets.

So yes, you may need to buy a new plate or two, but you then have a lot of flexibility.

jims203 Loc: Connecticut

They make pano photo’s easier.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jims203 wrote:

They make pano photo’s easier.

What's hard about shooting panos besides getting the tripod level?