Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

The more expensive plates are mostly one piece and I want one piece so it will be very solid.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I saw one that looked like it was two piece but it looked thicker and a little heavier than the one piece. Not sure I was looking at the same thing though.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

After field use it's a good idea to break equipment down and clean.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Good point! I agree and will definitely take them off as needed for that.

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

Hi Carol
You said you have a Manfrotto Ball Head. These as you know don't accept Arca Swiss plates BUT there is a guy in the U.S.
that Produces Arca Swiss Clamps that fit on Manfrotto Ball Heads.
His website is http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/
He produces really really good quality products. I have purchased items from him previously. His engineering and finish rival the top (Most expensive) companies. But not their prices
If you purchase the correct clamp from him, using L brackets will be a breeze.
His website allows you to email him, so if interested, tell him your Ball head name/model number and he will provide the appropriate clamp for you.
Good luck.
Roger

NikonGal Loc: Central Oregon

Carol, I've used an L bracket for a number of years now. I use an older Gitzo tripod and a RRS BH-55. I've used L brackets for my D3, D4 (got them both used and the bracket came with the camera body-sold the D3 with the L bracket, but unfortunately, not the D4 which just recently sold) and now have one on my D850. I didn't use the vertical format much before the D3 as I didn't want to take the time to change positions, but with the L bracket I've learned to do it quickly and probably use vertical at least as much as horizontal now. I agree with CO's 3 advantages. I don't think you'll regret this purchase. Bev

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you, Roger! Another poster told me about them earlier and I have seen their website. At this point I am seriously considering replacing the ball head decause it is a little light for my set up. If I don’t replace it, I think that would be the best option.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Clamps or brackets that hold spare allen keys are a waste of time and will ultimately prove very annoying. Once you make a decision to keep the bracket on your camera and you have an arca-swiss system set up there would be no reason to take it off. The key adds continuous weight (although not much) and will always have a potential of falling off and being lost. Carry any tools with you if doing local work but don't bother when flying. I am sure that whatever your destination you would find someone local with a set of spanners (or whatever) that could make any adjustments required. I have found that locktight is great on screws. It stops screws from coming undone unless they have been greatly abused. Fittings held by it can be removed although with great difficulty so there is always a fallback. Now if you look on some fittings you might wonder what all the holes are for. Sometimes these are to take small pins (Manfrotto QR system plates sometimes came with plastic pins included) to prevent fittings from being turned and loosened. Whenever possible I use, or even retro fit, pins to stop this as one of my big bugbears is plates that swivel. That is why, when buying an L bracket, you need one that has been designed specifically for your camera as this will prevent the camera/bracket from coming loose. Generic brackets tend not to have this.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I don't LIKE battery packs either - but they are a necessary evil when speed matters !....

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Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

For me if shooting of hand they are very ergonomically advantageous when going from horizontal to vertical. Two sets of controls available and then there is the balance with a long lens off hand. To each their own.

J. R.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thanks, Bev! I’m really looking forward to getting a bracket. Not sure how I missed out on this for so long.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Thank you for this additional advice. I can see the value of using camera specific brackets.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

👍

codliveroil

I was going with Sunway until I found this solution. The only drawback no slide lock with the Arca option. I have a tether on the camera should the Arca inadvertently become loose.


ProMediaGear C60 | 60mm Arca Swiss Compatible Quick Release Clamp
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=promediagear+arca+clamp&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Apromediagear+arca+clamp


ProMediaGear C60 | 60mm Arca Swiss Compatible Quick Release Clamp Demo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT9FNoP7zs0

stumbo Loc: Prescott, AZ

I have an L bracket I use on my Canon 5 D MKiii from RRS. I love the fact I can switch from horizontal to vertical in a matter of seconds with no problem. I can highly recommend RRS eqipment. This L bracket works great with my RRS ball head. Good luck.