lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

If I had one I would use it. I either rotate my hands and arms to shoot in portrait format or tilt my tripod head. I've also used a strobe bracket in an awkward set up as a "L bracket."

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I suppose I should correct my prior statement, I do use a Panosaurus for panoramic shots.
But for single scenics, just the tripod.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you use a tripod an L bracket is a good investment. It allows to position the camera in a vertical or horizontal position on the tripod without moving the center of gravity.

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

Tho I acknowledge their usefulness, I’m lazy. I shoot 99% in landscape and crop if need be.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

No, I avoid L-brackets because they're bulky and expensive.

I don't need an L-bracket because I use a gimbal adapter (Wimberley Sidekick) along with a ballhead . Of course, the primary purpose of a gimbal is to allow mounting the camera both vertically and horizontally when using a larger lens that has tripod mounting ring. But, like all gimbal adapters, it's a "side mount" and that also allows me to vertically mount a camera with an Arca-plate directly, while using a smaller lens on the camera. This probably isn't an ideal set for someone doing precise multi-shot panoramics... it doesn't necessarily position the camera and lens exactly on the lens nodal point. But it works great for all my uses.

http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm

EDIT: The problem with simply shooting everything landscape, then cropping to vertical/portrait if wanted, is that you're throwing away fully HALF the image the camera captured (assuming the vertical crop is the same aspect ratio as the camera's sensor... it could be slightly less or more image data being trashed with other aspect ratios). So if you're shooting with a 24MP camera, you're left with a 12MP image... or if your camera is 20MP, a vertical crop will be 10MP.... etc. Cropping like that is also potentially 2X "magnifying" any lens short-comings, slight focus problems, image noise, subject motion blur, etc. I didn't buy a higher resolution camera and top quality lenses just to throw away half of their "goodness". Probably 50% my shots are done in vertical/portrait orientation. And that's almost always by rotating the camera, whether on a tripod or handheld. Only on very rare occasion I'll change an image's orientation after the fact by cropping. But it has to be a near perfect image... or the image has to have very minor intended use... for that to be acceptable. I see people shooting everything horizontal/landscape orientation all the time and think it's a mistake. I avoided heavy cropping with film before digital, but it sort of got driven home to NOT do crops like that sort of crop back in the days when my DSLRs were 6MP or 8MP... and the image files simply wouldn't tolerate that much crop.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I use an RRS custom made bracket on all my cameras and the only one with an "L" bracket is my D850 because it's my choice fo that type of work. I have a love-hate relationship with "L" brackets as I really appreciate them when needed, but they seem to get in my way when not needed. The two-piece "L" bracket that RRS made for the D850 (with grip) is my choice. Upon the rare occasion I need an "L" bracket for another camera I do have a Three Legged Thing universal "L" bracket I bought while waiting for RRS to release theirs. Works for me! Best of luck.

grandpaw

I am getting a lot of good information out of the comments to my post. I am really amazed at how much participation this post has gotten. Thanks for the info and thanks for taking the time to respond. grandpaw

MJPerini

I use RRS L-brackets on all my cameras. I wouldn't be without them. I use Canon 1 series and 5D4 with grip.
The bracket centers the weight on a ball head over the apex of the tripod. Provides a roll cage for protection, and makes panoramas & stitching far easier. It makes mounting and unmounting the camera nearly instantaneous. The right angle shape allows leaning against a wall or door frame or horizontal railing extremely easy and effective.
The RRS brackets are now modular (and slightly adjustable) and make tethering & port access a breeze.
Also I've mounted RRS Clamps on studio setups, and macro setups, and even a ring light, so the more of the system I use, the more value it has.

I usually work with a leather hand strap rather than a camera strap. But when I need a camera strap I use the Black Rapid with an Acratech Lever clamp made just for straps, that attaches extremely securely to either side of the L-Bracket or lens foot.
They make everything a bit faster and more secure.
L-Brackets work most seamlessly with pro body cameras or cameras with grips that have duplicate controls, but, for me, they add function to any camera.
The only downsides are cost, a few ounces of weight, and a few mm of bulk.

Not everyone needs or wants one, so it is a personal decision, but for me they regularly result in better pictures, or pictures I would not have otherwise gotten. So I'm sold on them.
Be aware that some of the knock off brands are out of spec in either width or height of the dovetail which can result in slipping. I think it is rare, but it happens.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I don't.
Don't need the added weight and bulk.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Four years ago I purchased a Tiffen Vertaflip 300-115 bracket which I find excellent for easy change from landscape to portrait position without removing from the tripod. When I searched today I found a couple on ebay for $40.00 and one on Amazon for $30.00. It is somewhat bulky, yes, but it is easily attcahed to the tripod and once there flips easily while maintaining the lens axis and camera center of gravity over the center of the tripod. I have found it an excellent addition to my equipment.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I have an RRS L bracket on each of my camera bodies. I keep them mounted all of the time, as I shoot off of a tripod nearly 99% of the time. I find them invaluable. They allow me to switch back and forth between landscape and portrait orientation effortlessly, and without the risk of throwing my tripod dangerously off balance because I have the camera cocked over to one side rather than centered over the ball-head. I’ll never own a camera body without an L bracket.

The RRS brackets are a bit expensive, but their quality justifies their cost. Made to fit specific camera bodies, all ports, card slots, battery doors, are easily accessible without having to remove the bracket.

Dan R Loc: Way Way Way Upstate NY

I have them on both my cameras. They make switching from landscape to portrait on a tripod easy and convenient. They also help protect the camera body a little, when setting it down. My only recommendation is not to get a cheap one.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

The purpose of bracket is to keep the source of light higher than the lens resulting in shadows falling more down and behind the subject than beside it. They work . . . with two caveats . . .

1) it does not change the harsh quality of the light from the flash . . .
2) it creates a very uncomfortable, unbalanced combination of camera/flash because of the weight of the flash being so far away from the camera. This is especially tiring when carried for hours at an event.

I have used several different models, all of which basically accomplish the same thing. I stopped using them about 10 years ago when I discovered the Lite-Scoops from Lite Genius. They keep the light source higher than the lens in both portrait and landscape modes . . keeps the flash in the hot shoe, so stays better balanced . . weighs about 60 grams . . improves the spectral highlights and softens shadows . . does not require a flash cord . . and costs about the same as a good bracket.

How's that for a rambling commercial???

Of course that is just my humble opinion.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

The OP is asking about L brackets, not flash brackets.