Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I saw that yesterday. Almost everything is out of stock and they didn’t have etas either. Someone mentioned that RRS is moving and that is apparently the problem. Since it is hot and miserable this time of year I can wait a little bit once I decide for sure what to do.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

An earlier comment in this thread included a link to a company that sells conversion kits so that is a possibility. I am hesitant to do that because I think my ball head is not strong enough. I didn’t have a FF camera or big lens when I got it.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I have only used RRS. I love the build and design quality. I use the L brackets for two reasons. 1. Convenience. 2. Protects my cameras.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I haven’t had an interest in doing pano but since my direction changes regularly, I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m not aware of that brand, but I will Google it and take a look.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I think a new head is the direction I am going. I just need to be sure it is a strong enough unit for a D850 w/200-500. I’m looking at this as a long term choice. I don’t want to be dealing with it again in a year or so. I’ve also looked at the Kirk and RRS brackets and like the looks of them but I have also seen one or two other brands that have good reviews.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

"Are you heading for the Smokies. If so, I’m jealous!"

I may-the company I'm working with is about an hour away. The trip will be out to Arkansas and then up to Pennsylvania. If I get some downtime, I'll definitely be headed to the GSMNP.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You CAN adapt Manfro to A/S quite easily ! Generic L brackets are cheap and they work ! If you use larger lenses without tripod collar, IMO, you need a way of providing BALANCE over your tripod head ON BOTH AXIS for efficient use. PM me for specifics.

Acratech has a new head - https://www.ebay.com/itm/DEMO-never-used-Acratech-1160-Long-Lens-Head/183330020191?hash=item2aaf521b5f%3Ag%3AKv4AAOSwoSFbTdi4&_sacat=625&_nkw=acratech&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313 - for large lenses.

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j.l.h

I have two L brackets, one for my K-1 and one for my X1D. Custom brackets are more expensive but they won't block access to the card slots, outputs or battery. If you have a generic one it could be frustrating have to remove it when you need access to the camera. I have a Manfrotto tripod and bought an arca-swiss compatible ball head for it. The L brackets make switching from horizontal to vertical (portrait) easy. I shoot panos in the vertical and with the L bracket the camera is centered above the ball head not hanging off the side.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I was in your position a number of years ago - a Manfrotto tripod and the head had its clamp built in. When I decided to start using RRS, I wanted to start small [$ was an issue...], so I wanted to purchase their clamp and camera plate. Talked to people at RRS and was told how to make that happen. Not exactly sure now, I don't remember everything, but the new clamp was attatched to the Manfrotto clamp. I believe it was done by attaching the RRS clamp to the Manfrotto plate being held in the Manfrotto clamp! From there I ended up with all RRS - Tripod, B-55 ballhead, plate for my camera. Heavy-duty stuff, and that first clamp and plate I bought exuded an aura of quality when I took them out of the package! I've never been disappointed with anything from RRS. Now I have RRS L-plates on both my cameras.

The L-plate from RRS has been made to fit a particular camera, and it is not just to prevent rotation. It also has openings on the vertical side that allow you to access ports for accessories [such as the wired remote shutter release] without hassle. The reason why Rotation is an issue is because the camera and lens combination may be within the declared limits for the tripod head, but not all manufacturers will sufficiently account for that extra pressure [I think it is called "shear force"] that occurs with longer lens length and with tipping the camera up or down so it is no longer centered over the tripod. As has already been mentioned, the L-plate will also be added protection for the camera. This I know from personal experience. Took a nasty fall, camera was on the strap around my neck. The L-bracket got a "ding" in it right on the corner. If it was not there, the possibility the camera itself would be damaged was very much higher. I also had the lens hood on the lens, so no damage there either! Only damage was to me, but luckily it was messy but only superficial.

Head slippage was also an issue I had. Similar to the reasons for rotation. I love the B-55, heavy duty ball head from RRS. Yes, a gimbal head would be better for a large lens, because it makes it easier to move the lens quickly. The main reason for any difficulty with a large lens on a ball head seems to me to be because of its weight, but many people are so used to it that it does not bother them. I am planning to buy a gimbal head, but don't have a very long lens yet!

If you are considering purchasing a new tripod in the future, keep in mind that a very good tripod is not likely to be any less than ~$500 [RRS start at $835 for full-size carbon fiber] . And when you have spent more than that for each of [or most of] your cameras and lenses, it is not unreasonable to buy the best you can for that added quality and stability. Nothing worse than a tripod tipping over because the camera/lens combination makes it unstable.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I’ve been in a similar quandary about an L bracket. The issue with the generic ones is access not only to the side panels but, of great importance to me, the battery door! Hence, a different model for each camera and at greater price. Because my camera has such great image stabilization, I seldom have to use a tripod unless I’m going for long exposure/landscape. So no L bracket for me.

jtwind

I do mostly landscapes and find a L bracket is indispensable. Having to find the slot in the ball mount and when you do realizing that the tripod needs to be adjusted so you can get things level is really a pain. Generic L brackets are ok but but can be a hassle if you need to change batteries or plug in a remote release, plus they can make a handheld shooting a bit awkward. The "better"brackets" are quite nice and tend to blend more with the camera body shape and allow you to access all the camera ports. Well worth it in my opinion.

ggenova64

Try calling RRS @t 888-777-5557

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

They have moved. Their 800 number is temporarily not working. You need to dial 385-248-0777

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

I have Manfrotto heads too (geared 405), I have found ProMediaGear to have great, well made products , great customer service and very good pricing. I used their C60 quick release clamp with their PLNMBD18 L bracket for a Nikon d 850 with battery pack and it works great. They have other combinations specific to camera models. Promediagear.com is the site. Hope this helps.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Everybody else has already told you the benefits of a l bracket so I won't go into that. But be advised if you go with a new ballhead and are looking at a RRS with lever clamp, a lot of arca swiss plates ( even high quality like Kirk) will not fit the clamp. It's a crapshoot, some will, some won't. The clamp will not tighten down all the way. Best to go with RRS clamps in that case.