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L-bracket
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Jan 14, 2022 10:29:47   #
Ruthlessrider
 
I’ve search the archive, but have not found what I’m looking for, so I’m going to venture a question to the group. I shoot with my latest acquisition, an R5. I have a Monfrotto ball head on my tripod. I have read a number of articles about L-brackets, but the information really has not satisfied my curiosity about their use or why I would need one. I would appreciate responses that helped me understand how my photography would benefit from its use.

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Jan 14, 2022 10:39:18   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
An L-bracket gives an always-on mount point for your camera, both horizontal / landscape and vertical / portrait. The best implementation is along with a quick-release clamp on your tripod / monopod.

So, you need to use your tripod a lot. You leave the L-plate attached at all times so there's no thought of whether you brought all the necessary equipment. Also important, you should find an L-plate that is custom-designed to your camera model, one that allows access to all the doors and ports on the camera body, including the battery. If you have take the plate off and on (or loosen), that makes the L-plate less useful.

Although 'protection' is not a primary function, you can see how the metal sheath around the camera can absorb abuse that would have been applied to the camera body.



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Jan 14, 2022 10:39:21   #
cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX
 
L brackets are useful if your lens lacks a tripod ring and you want to shoot a vertical composition. The bracket allows you to keep your camera centered on the tripod rather than using the slot and hanging the camera to the side. In short, it is faster to use the bracket and more stable.

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Jan 14, 2022 10:41:57   #
In-lightened Loc: Kansas City
 
L-brackets are useful so that you can quickly change the camera between portrait and landscape position on the ball head. This is often used in landscape work or portraiture. I often change to portrait mode when I am going to do a pano. Speed and ease of doing this can be important with light changing quickly.

The L bracket is used less so in wildlife as typically you are using longer lens that has a tripod foot and collar that rotates between the 2 positions.

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Jan 14, 2022 10:43:18   #
aweisbach Loc: Omaha Nebraska
 
One common use of an L-Bracket it to hold the camera in a vertical position for taking multiple shot panoramas. Ideally, the bracket would slide on a rail, so you can move the camera back or forward over the tripod head, to put the camera in the proper position to avoid parallax.

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Jan 14, 2022 10:47:05   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
It's a solution for people who do not like taking the time to adjust the tripod.

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Jan 14, 2022 10:51:12   #
johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle
 
cactuspic wrote:
L brackets are useful if your lens lacks a tripod ring and you want to shoot a vertical composition. The bracket allows you to keep your camera centered on the tripod rather than using the slot and hanging the camera to the side. In short, it is faster to use the bracket and more stable.


Paul and Cactus are both on point. I used a Manfrotto ball head for quite some time and was never satisfied with the little "cut-out" built in to switch the camera from landscape to portrait. Like mentioned above, that slot changes the composition forcing you to re-adjust your tripod in most cases. It isn't a deal breaker, but it's very annoying when you are playing around with blue hour lighting that is changing rapidly.

One other advantage I discovered is that the standard Manfrotto quick release plate (200 PL?) works great on my 100-400 lens when using the Arca-type ball head that I bought


It goes to mention I probably over use my tripod even in conditions where I can get away with hand-held photography. But that is solely a personal choice I make and not necessarily any type of standard.

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Jan 14, 2022 10:51:34   #
johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle
 
Longshadow wrote:
It's a solution for people who do not like taking the time to adjust the tripod.


Me!!!!

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Jan 14, 2022 10:59:03   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
johngault007 wrote:
Me!!!!


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Jan 14, 2022 10:59:18   #
Ruthlessrider
 
I am always impressed with this website and those who are so happy to spread the wealth of information and experience they possess. I posted this question and within 12 minutes had all the information I was looking for from members who I have learned, over time, to trust. I can’t thank all of enough for your quick and helpful responses.

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Jan 14, 2022 11:25:03   #
KenProspero
 
I almost always have an L-Bracket on my camera, for the reasons that others have said.

I'd add few things things:

1. If you have an L-Bracket, you never have to worry about whether your plate got separated from your head.

2. It does save a bit of time since if the L-Bracket is always on the camera (you don't have to take the time to attach the plate.

3. It does add an insignificant amount of weight, if the Bracket is permanently installed. More importantly, your camera is slightly larger, so if you've been using a neoprine case for travel, make sure it still fits.

4. Most (all?) L-Brackets are arca style. You say you have a manfroto ball head -- so make sure that it is compatable with whatever L-Bracket you're using.

5. Unless you get an L-Bracket that was made for your specific camera model, you may have an issue in accessing your battery, memory cards, or other ports if the L-Bracket is on the camera.

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Jan 14, 2022 12:06:14   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
Besides all of the aforementioned, I have a clamp on my shoulder strap that allows for camera carry and quick deployment or attachment. The l-bracket also offers some drop protection.

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Jan 14, 2022 12:48:51   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Ruthlessrider wrote:
I’ve search the archive, but have not found what I’m looking for, so I’m going to venture a question to the group. I shoot with my latest acquisition, an R5. I have a Monfrotto ball head on my tripod. I have read a number of articles about L-brackets, but the information really has not satisfied my curiosity about their use or why I would need one. I would appreciate responses that helped me understand how my photography would benefit from its use.


L brackets facilitate shooting in vertical ("portrait") orientation - and here is the important part - while keeping the center of gravity of the lens/camera directly over the pivot point of your head. This is important for all camera/head combinations - but especially so for heavier camera/lenses and smaller ball heads (40mm and smaller) ! If you use only a two way pan/tilt head like a video/fluid head, a L bracket is the only way you can shoot in the vertical orientation !

To further facilitate keeping the center of gravity in line with the pivot point, I recommend hooking your L bracket to one of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/393331050194?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372 which allows an adjustment range for larger camera/lenses.
.

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Jan 14, 2022 12:50:07   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
DaveO wrote:
Besides all of the afore mentioned, I have a clamp on my shoulder strap that allows for camera carry and quick deployment or attachment. The l-bracket also offers some drop protection.



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Jan 15, 2022 05:23:14   #
cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania
 
To further facilitate keeping the center of gravity in line with the pivot point, I recommend hooking your L bracket to one of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/393331050194?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372 which allows an adjustment range for larger camera/lenses.
.[/quote]

This also enables one to mount the camera to a gimbal head when there is no tripod collar. Not the ideal set-up, but sometimes better (lighter) than carrying two heads





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