Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you for the confirmation, stumbo. Sounds like you re happy with your set up!

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Maybe two or three years ago I found the "Tiffen Vertaflip PhD On-tripod Camera Rotator 300-115" which I cannot find anywhere except on e-Bay and I'm not sure how many are available. The item allows the camera to be quickly rotted from landscape to portrait orientation without removing the camera from the tripod. Also it permits easy access to any and all connections on either side of the camera body. The Vertaflip is metal and very durable. In my opinion it beats an "L" bracket hands down. Just my $0.02.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I just Googled it and it is still available on Tiffen’s website. It is definitely an interesting item.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Not sure what you mean by no side lock. If you are referring to the clamp about 3-4 items down then yes it does have the grooves on the top which act on the end screws (shown just under the edge of the plate in the top view) to prevent it from sliding off. Note however that the screws and grooves only work when the clamp is loose. If it is too loose then the camera is history. This is the same for most arca-swiss fittings. The only one to watch for is the clamp and plates designed, usually, for tripod heads with integral AS fittings. Instead of the 2 screws/2 slot method of most AS fittings the clamp has a small push pin that you push in to release its companion plate. The push pin is located on the rear of the clamp from the tightening screw. It is designed to fit into different cutouts on the plate. If you happen to use one of these plates with the more normal AS clamp then there are no screws on the ends to stop the camera sliding off if the lock screw comes loose.
Also to watch out for are the quick release clamps clamps that have a screw on one side and a quick release lever on the other. As best as I can tell you set the correct width of the plate by tightening the screw until you reach a point where the lever will lock the plate. Although the idea is good I found they were an exercise in frustration because it was only possible to lock the clamp with some plates, other plates could be slid in and out so you had to tighten the screw on the opposite side and this constant changing was annoying. If you bought everything from the one supplier you may be okay.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Here is another option - a bit bulky and expensive - but has the most speed ! - http://www.custombrackets.com/products/camera-flash-brackets/digital-pro-series-brackets/digital-pro-sv-kit.html

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imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

And, to hear/tell the A/S is such a GREAT system !

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chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Well AS is the best so far. Like anything there are a few things to watch out for but once you have a handle on them it is an extremely versatile system with a whole lot of things that you cannot do any other way.
Actually the biggest problem so far has been getting around the things some manufacturers do to make using an AS system, as opposed to their more proprietary one, difficult to use. And it doesn't matter how foolproof you make something there will always be somebody who can break it.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I have a Kirk L Bracket; it is very well made, and suits my Nikon D3 perfectly- hope that helps !

Kuzano

My point on cropping was that the OP mentioned he has not used an L plate, but rather cropping to get verticals out of landscape mode. From his statement, a smart person can suppose that he is cropping pixels out of his images to create what normally should have been shot vertically. It's not a big leap, for a smart person to then understand that he is losing pixels that could have created a more high resolution. I don't see how anyone could have misinterpreted my intent in my statement. But please note I was writing for the people who could understand my meaning.
We all think differently, and some not at all.

My point on the RRS tools. Great company. And it's not as if they are the only company figuring out solutions for these issues. However, many of us choose NOT to be their market. First, I don't think everybody necessarily has the money to pay what they ask for their solutions. Secondly, if their merchandise were protected by patent, and they enforced those patent rights, more power to them. I do not however choose to pay their prices, both by means and my own judgement. There are companies selling copies, probably just as well made and durable, for less money. If RRS has any right to close down such interlopers, let them do so, instead of overpricing their product.

I choose not to pay their prices, and I get my problems solved. Yes, it's a cruel world, and as good as RRS may be, they take advantage of those who pay high retail. I presume they still make a profit and can do so from those who are "conspicuous consumers"!

Conspicuous use of brand names means nothing to me if the end goal is simply a means to derive higher profits than justifiable, from the consumer market. RRS, as many photography companies simply overprices, while they could, but won't, provide reasonably priced solutions for the buyers.

It's really the fault of overpaying buyers who have no idea about proper solution pricing, but simply must have the "brand" be so totally obvious. I have no reservation in my thinking on this. People who think like you do, simply cost us all more than we need to pay, unless we are resourceful and thrifty in our spending.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Carol, hold off on the tripod. I also have a Manfrotto tripod and they have come out with a new bracket (the one that goes on the camera or lens) that fits thier tripods and also the standard Swiss. I have them on all my lenses and camera bodies that need them. I have two Swiss style tripods and all of my monopods also Swiss so now I am covered without even thinking about it. They run about $30 dollars and work great. B&H has them for a tad less than $27. (Manfrotto 200PL-Pro Aluminium Plate)

Greg

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You sometimes need to remove the bracket when attaching a battery grip, or in my case, a Syvp Mini Genie for timelapses.

SierraP Loc: Eastern Sierras

Manfrotto 3232 costs very little and you can go from horizontal to vertical with a twist of the little knob. Add a Arca Swiss quick release and your out about $30. Mine is on my monopod and works great. Everything is available on EBAY.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

It’s always good to have another voice confirming a product’s value and quality. I’ve heard a lot of good about Kirk.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Greg, this sound like a solid option and I will definitely take a good look at it.

Carol

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Gary, I have that head on my monopod. I need to take a look to see how to add AS to it. Thank you for pointing it out.