RRS vs SmallRig: I’ve been a staunch and loyal RRS customer for years. Wondering what your experience with SmallRig has been. I recently purchased a couple Z9 L bracket from SR, a...

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I’ve been a staunch and loyal RRS customer for years. Wondering what your experience with SmallRig has been. I recently purchased a couple Z9 L bracket from SR, a fraction of the price at $69 vs $250 each, and were delivered within a week, vs the still awaited release date from RRS. Seems to be well designed and does the job. Not sure the additional cost of RRS is justifiable over the SR units. No moving parts, not a tripod or ball head, so why pay that much more?
Opinions and comments very welcome.
Thank you.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Look at Kirk too. I have a few of their brackets in a mostly RRS shop.

george19

I just took a quick look, since I forgot that my latest GAS attack included entering the L bracket world.

Quick comparison:

3 Legged Thing, made of magnesium

RRS, highest cost by far, but lowest weight, made of aluminum

Small Rig, lowest cost by far, also aluminum, but about twice the weight of RRS

Kirk seems to hit a sweet spot on cost (yes more than SR), and weight a fraction of an ounce more than RRS, also in aluminum

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have had my share of L brackets over the years. I have used RRS, Kirk and lately Midas for my Olympus camera. They all have done the job and never a problem with any of them.
If it does the job and it is cheaper just go for it.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Thanks all. Very helpful.

Weight is not really an issue. They are all so light, these do not add enough weight to make a difference I notice. You are all confirming my suspicions.

I love my L brackets for both flexibility and camera protection. Been using them for years. Have only used RRS to date. Got the SR and they seem to be fine as well. Will see how they wear and fare.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I have various SmallRig pieces for a shoulder rig I put together for video work. I find them well made and have no problems with them. A bunch of Chinese manufacturers have gotten into the accessory market and are making excellent products much cheaper than the established brands. The railblock shoulder rig I put together from parts cost me $300 and works every bit as well (and in some cases better) than the $2500 Redrock Micro railblock system we had at work. It's clearly not as well made in some aspects but it does exactly what I need it to do and looks like it will last.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

kymarto wrote:

I have various SmallRig pieces for a shoulder rig ... (show quote)

Thank you. I kind of figured as much. I took another look at my SR. Seems sturdy and rigid enough. Will give it a test in the field soon to see if I’m right.

tcthome Loc: NJ

george19 wrote:

I just took a quick look, since I forgot that my latest GAS attack included entering the L bracket world.

Quick comparison:

3 Legged Thing, made of magnesium

RRS, highest cost by far, but lowest weight, made of aluminum

Small Rig, lowest cost by far, also aluminum, but about twice the weight of RRS

Kirk seems to hit a sweet spot on cost (yes more than SR), and weight a fraction of an ounce more than RRS, also in aluminum

I don't know what type of aluminum the others are made of but RRS is made out of aircraft grade. = Stronger for sure than just aluminum. I never heard anything about a cheaper L bracket breaking , but...

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Robertl594 wrote:

I’ve been a staunch and loyal RRS customer for yea... (show quote)

I am a fan of both RRS and Kirk. I don't think Small Rigs quality control is up to snuff. I have two SR L brackets and on each one, one half of the bracket fits in my RRS BH40 head and the other one doesn't.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

camerapapi wrote:

.If it does the job and it is cheaper just go for it.

......unless you have money to burn and need to brag to your rich friends

.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

That RRS stuff is great, Small Rig? Also a thumbs-up. Can’t go wrong with Kirk either. If I was looking for something like a ball head they would all be contenders. I looked at their L brackets for my Z7, all nice. I went with the one on eBay that was $16, maybe it was $19. It has served its purpose admirably.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

I haven’t had any problems with my small rig L bracket etc. Don’t make a lot of specific gear for my RP and most of their stuff seems to be video related.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

For my money Kirk is right. I have Kirk L brackets on my Fuji and my Nikon Z. These Kirk L brackets work fit each of my cameras well and have lasted for the past 3 to 5 year and will last another 10 years+

Bill_de Loc: US

mflowe wrote:

I am a fan of both RRS and Kirk. I don't think Small Rigs quality control is up to snuff. I have two SR L brackets and on each one, one half of the bracket fits in my RRS BH40 head and the other one doesn't.

Is there a site that compares the quality of the different brands. It was your comment on Small Rigs quality control that piqued my curiosity.

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mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Bill_de wrote:

Is there a site that compares the quality of the different brands. It was your comment on Small Rigs quality control that piqued my curiosity.

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I don't know, Bill. Maybe my two were just outliers, but it was enough to make me stick to the way more expensive RRS and Kirk brands. Never had a problem in 20 years with their stuff.