Triplets Loc: Reading, MA

I'm considering getting an L-Bracket for my Nikon D750 but I have a few questions:

1. I also occasionally use an MB-D16 battery grip. Would I have to remove the grip to use the L-Bracket?

2. Is the bracket easy to remove and re-attach or is it best to leave it on at all times?

Thanks,

Dennis

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

You should be able to get one for use with the grip attached. But it will cost you twice as much. Battery port should still be accessible so I would leave it on at all times.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The L-bracket adds a very small about of weight to a full-frame camera and full-frame lens. It adds a good bit of protection to the camera for scrapes and such to the body. But, the L-bracket's primary purpose is the facilitate the consistent and efficient use of your quick-release clamp on your tripod / monopod.

I have L-brackets on all my camera bodies, both digital and film. I never wonder where the hex-wrench is, where the bracket is. I just grab a body and the tripod and away I go, or skip the tripod, it doesn't matter.

I only have one body with a battery grip, a 1-series EOS body where the battery grip is integrated and permanent to that body. That L-plate is the design specifically for that body with the grip; and therefore, permanently attached. You'll have to decide which is the more likely scenario: camera with or without the battery grip when mounted to the tripod? Having invested in a battery grip, why remove it?

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I had a battery grip on my D610 and removed it when I bought the L Bracket. I never missed the extra battery(s) option. Everybody mentions RRS at what you should buy. I checked around and bought something else. A lot cheaper. It's metal it's under no stress or strain it fits on my Tripod head, Last summer and Fall I used it a lot. I leave it on all the time. You might not want to. So look around

tcthome Loc: NJ

I believe they will be 2 different grips. One for the camera alone &, one for the camera with the battery grip. Maybe someone might make a universal modular L bracket where it could be changed for either.

uhaas2009

There are different kinds ones. One where you can use with the battery grip, one without battery grip and just l-bracket. I got my over eBay and he had great pics to show exactly how it works and looked.
And I got a tool I put on my tripod https://www.adorama.com/3lteqtoolz.html

photoman43

I have a L bracket on my D850 that also has a battery grip. Once the L bracket went on, it has never been removed. Same goes for the battery pack. You buy the L bracket for your camera either with or without a battery pack. Or you buy a universal L bracket and hope it works.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

1. Yes, you will need to remove the L-bracket to attach the battery grip. The L-bracket screws into the same hole on the bottom of the camera that's used to attach the battery grip.

2. Most (if not all) L-brackets use an Allen head bolt to attach, so in that case you will need an Allen key or similar to attach and remove the L-bracket. There may be some that use a D-ring and require no tool, but that would likely make the L-bracket larger than most people would like. Another possibility is that the grip uses a bolt that has a slot for a coin... but I've never seen one set up that way and not sure I'd trust it to fasten securely.

If you want to also use an L-bracket with the battery grip you will probably need a second one. In other words, one bracket for the camera alone and a different one for the camera + grip. Most L-brackets are either for use directly on the camera's base OR on the base of a grip when one is attached to the camera. Normally the profile of the camera base and base of the grip are quite different dimensions, so properly fitted L-brackets have to be tailored specifically for each and are not usable on the other.

There are "universal" L-brackets that might be possible to use on both... But those have their own set of problems. For one, they usually don't have any of the anti-twist features of the fitted brackets, so might loosen way too easily. Also, the vertical portion of the L-bracket will likely be the wrong length either for the camera alone or the camera plus the grip. The universal L-brackets also often obstruct things on the camera you may need access to, such as sockets for remote releases, HDMI cables, battery or memory card compartments, etc. The custom fitted L-brackets are designed to allow access to these on the camera model they're made to fit.

Personally I don't use L-brackets on any of my cameras that have battery grips. I do have Arca-compatible, fitted (anti-twist) plates on them, but don't care for or need a large L-bracket on them. Very often I am using those cameras with telephotos or macro lenses with tripod mounting collars that allow the camera to easily be set up either in landscape or portrait orientation. Plus I have alternative methods of mounting the camera on a tripod in portrait orientation even when not using one of those larger lenses on them (such as a side mount gimbal head).

I do use L-brackets on a couple cameras without grips...Cameras where I don't need the extra battery capacity or the vertical controls of the grip. In one case it's a camera that doesn't have the option of adding a grip AND is quite compact. In fact, it's so small I find it a bit difficult to shoot with the camera alone and added the L-bracket, in part, to make it a bit larger and more comfortable in hand. Of course it also serves well allowing the camera to be set up in either portrait or landscape orientation.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

They are not hard to remove but do come disgned for the specific camera and configuration; units for use with the batter grip attached are differnt. What would probably serve you will depend on whether you are more likely to have the grip attached when using a tripon or monopod or not.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Triplets I use the Induro GHB1 Gimbal Head. It's a "Side" mount which eliminates the need for an L-Bracket.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655339-REG/Induro_485_001_GHB1_Gimbal_Head.html/reviews
Sadly it appears it's no longer available on B&H new... However it's build quality reviles Wimberley which I also have and LOVE! They sold lots of these so patience and look on KEH, mpb, Roberts etc (or eBay) for one.

Once you've used a Gimbal Head you'll likely never go back to anything else if you are shooting long glass.
L-Brackets while more cost effective still require a Tripod head... Why not simple get a Gimbal and enjoy it's advanced features...

btw, another option is the Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/205329-REG/Wimberley_SK_100_Arca_Sidekick_Ball_to.html

One thing I do for extra reach is attach a Nikon MB-D15 (with batteries) to my D7200 since this makes it an equal weight of my Nikon D3 and D3x. Thus I don't have to adjust my Wimberley to shoot long glass on it. Works like a charm!

Hope this helps Triplets, all the best with your epic D750!

napabob Loc: Napa CA

second thing I order after I order a new body, I use RRS but there are many others available

Triplets Loc: Reading, MA

Thanks. My longest glass is 24-120. Not exactly LONG!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"... My longest glass is 24-120..." Thank yor for providing that parameter Dennis...
If you had done so initially I wouldn't have responded with a recommendation for a Gimbal mount...

fyi: I typically ask an OP "What purpose are do you have a need for this piece of Kit"
My bad, moving forward I seriously need to always query an OP for their actual need(s) and kit parameters.

Now that I'm aware of your range of optics I would suggest you consider a robust Ball Head for your tripod.
Nearly all competent Ball Heads have a 90 degree rotation slot which pretty much negates that need for an L-Bracket.

I actually have the (Sirui G-20KX Ball Head) which I no longer use after I transitioned to Gimbal mounts
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966663-REG/sirui_g20x_ball_head.html
This would be ideal for your very light D750 (840 grams with battery and memory card)
And AF-S 24-120mm f/4G VR Nikkor (708 grams).

If you might be interested it's available for one half the price B&H is asking for it new (plus shipping)
It comes with everything listed as (In the Box) on the B&H web site and shows virtually no wear.
And yes the original box with all instructions and documentation would be included :)

btw this Sirui G-20KX Ball Head is rated for loading of 44 lbs however that metric is grossly over stated.
It's good for maybe a 10 lb rig at best...
PM me if you're interested in the Sirui G-20KX Ball Head.

Hope this helps...
Wishing you a very successful 2022 Dennis.
Cheers! Thomas

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I can't speak specifically to the D750, but I use L-brackets on all my D800 series bodies. They do not interfere with access to the battery compartment and since a charged battery will last for most of a day and I can change batteries in under ten seconds, it seems silly to add the extra weight of a loaded battery grip to an already heavy camera, lens and electronic flash combination. Furthermore, the L-bracket is a great substitute for a grip and I find that I take my camera on and of the tripod much more often than I change batteries. I leave L-brackets on my cameras all the time.