5D Mark iii portrait orientation on a tripod: I am looking a an L plate or ball head that would allow me to comfortably take portrait mode photos on a tripod. While I own a nice travel...

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

I am looking a an L plate or ball head that would allow me to comfortably take portrait mode photos on a tripod. While I own a nice travel tripod, I have to turn my camera on its ball head so it's off center on side of the tripod. This makes me uncomfortable in terms of stability. Does anyone have experience with L plates or ball heads for Mark iii that avoid the aforementioned issue?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Look here

http://www.manfrotto.com/manfrotto-announces-the-new-l-bracket

However at these prices I would get a gimbal from Lensmaster

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh1.htm

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

I have the L-Plate from Really Right Stuff. Have had them for every Canon that I have owned including my current 5D 111. Would not be without it. Makes life SO much easier when switching from horizontal to vertical. The added weight is negligible. Make sure it fits your camera model, otherwise it gets in the way of the side panels.....

Squint Loc: Stockton, CA

IzzyKap wrote:

I am looking a an L plate or ball head that would allow me to comfortably take portrait mode photos on a tripod. While I own a nice travel tripod, I have to turn my camera on its ball head so it's off center on side of the tripod. This makes me uncomfortable in terms of stability. Does anyone have experience with L plates or ball heads for Mark iii that avoid the aforementioned issue?

I can't recommend an L plate highly enough! The down side is that every camera takes a different plate, so if you buy a new camera, you need to buy a new plate. I have the RRS L plate as well as their ball head. I have the BH40. Going from horizontal to vertical (and back) could not be any easier. There are other ones as well, Kirk for example. None of them are cheap, however, but you get what you pay for.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Itpurs wrote:

I have the L-Plate from Really Right Stuff. Have had them for every Canon that I have owned including my current 5D 111. Would not be without it. Makes life SO much easier when switching from horizontal to vertical. The added weight is negligible. Make sure it fits your camera model, otherwise it gets in the way of the side panels.....

And there lies the downside as compared to a gimbal.

"Make sure it fits your camera model, otherwise it gets in the way of the side panels"

What when you change make/model, waste of valuable money, surely

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

I assume that Manfrotto L plates are only compatible with Manfrotto heads. Is that correct?

Gimbal looks interesting but it's not clear from the product demo video how easy is it to convert from landscape to macro? Also I am not sure how bulky and heavy it is. I have a nice small and light Oben carbon tripod from B&H and wouldn't want to add significant weight or bulk.

JR1 wrote:

Look here

http://www.manfrotto.com/manfrotto-announces-the-new-l-bracket

However at these prices I would get a gimbal from Lensmaster

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh1.htm

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

I was looking at RRS but wasn't sure about camera strap situation with it. Can the camera strap remain attached to the camera while the plate is also on? Also, I am unclear about the need for the accessory cable relief spacer.

Itpurs wrote:

I have the L-Plate from Really Right Stuff. Have had them for every Canon that I have owned including my current 5D 111. Would not be without it. Makes life SO much easier when switching from horizontal to vertical. The added weight is negligible. Make sure it fits your camera model, otherwise it gets in the way of the side panels.....

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

IzzyKap wrote:

I am looking a an L plate or ball head that would allow me to comfortably take portrait mode photos on a tripod. While I own a nice travel tripod, I have to turn my camera on its ball head so it's off center on side of the tripod. This makes me uncomfortable in terms of stability. Does anyone have experience with L plates or ball heads for Mark iii that avoid the aforementioned issue?

This may be what you are looking for. I have 2 Kirk "L" brackets and they are very well made.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/876159-REG/Kirk_BL_5D3_BL_5DII_L_Bracket_for_Canon.html

The Manfrotto plates are universal fit for bodies, but you have to buy the model for your Manfrotto head. Plus they tend to block door accesses.

Squint Loc: Stockton, CA

IzzyKap wrote:

I was looking at RRS but wasn't sure about camera strap situation with it. Can the camera strap remain attached to the camera while the plate is also on? Also, I am unclear about the need for the accessory cable relief spacer.

You can keep your strap on, no problem. I've got the cable relief spacer, but truthfully, haven't used it. Mainly for working tethered.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

MT Shooter wrote:

This may be what you are looking for. I have 2 Kirk "L" brackets and they are very well made.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/876159-REG/Kirk_BL_5D3_BL_5DII_L_Bracket_for_Canon.html

The Manfrotto plates are universal fit for bodies, but you have to buy the model for your Manfrotto head. Plus they tend to block door accesses.

That looks really interesting

KennyMac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

I modified my old STROBOFRAME flash bracket by drilling a new 1/4 inch hole in the vertical portion, then used a 1/4 x 20 bolt to mount the camera. Then you use one of the threaded 1/4 x 20 holes (normally used to mount camera) to attach to tripod head. I actually located a new hole to be able to pivot the camera around the sensor plane for panos .

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

I have the RRS LPLATE on my 5DMKIII. WHen I use a tripod shooting portraits(Which is only in studio) I use the RRS lens plate made for the 70-200. You rotate to portrait or landscape by rotating the lens collar. Longer lenses on any tripod where the camera's LPlate is mounted to the tripod is not recommended.
Rarely when I use my 85 1.2 lens for portraits in studio do I actually use the L plate.
When I shoot portraits at 24mm with a 16-35 lens in studio I do use the Lplate in portrait orientation. The RRS plate's cutout allow you to shoot tethered in studio. Works like a charm. The Lplate will not interfere with any canon attachment that I am aware of.

I often use the 16-35 with the Lplate on both portrait and landscape for backgrounds.

WNC Ralf Loc: Candler NC, in the mountains!

Have Kirk L plates on both of my Canon's and have had no problems, check them out also.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

MT Shooter wrote:

This may be what you are looking for. I have 2 Kirk "L" brackets and they are very well made.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/876159-REG/Kirk_BL_5D3_BL_5DII_L_Bracket_for_Canon.html

The Manfrotto plates are universal fit for bodies, but you have to buy the model for your Manfrotto head. Plus they tend to block door accesses.

Do you leave it on all the time & does it work with your OpTech straps?

Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller

KennyMac wrote:

I modified my old STROBOFRAME flash bracket by drilling a new 1/4 inch hole in the vertical portion, then used a 1/4 x 20 bolt to mount the camera. Then you use one of the threaded 1/4 x 20 holes (normally used to mount camera) to attach to tripod head. I actually located a new hole to be able to pivot the camera around the sensor plane for panos .

Please include some photos. 8-)