L-plate (or L-bracket) for Nikon D7200 (Page 2): The generic/univeral l-brackets work but usually slip between the body and bracket, and often cover the battery compartment or...

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

The generic/univeral l-brackets work but usually slip between the body and bracket, and often cover the battery compartment or something else important, so they're not super-optimal.

Usually you can find good used Kirk or RRS L-brackets for a big savings, but I don't see any at the usual places (KEH, UsedPhotoPro, Adorama) right now. If you're not in a hurry, you could keep checking those places.

As for custom knock-offs, there's this Pixco at Amazon, probably shipped from China, if you feel like taking a chance to save some money. I've had pretty good luck with knock-offs in general, but I did get one for a D500 and it was every bit as well built as a Kirk or RRS bracket except that the Arca-Swiss groves where just enough over-cut in the horizontal direction to not allow a tight clamp with one of my AS clamps (but it worked fine with maybe 10 other clamps). I ended up replacing it with a new Kirk.

If it were me, I'd probably order the Pixco and give it a try. If it didn't work then bite the bullet and get a Kirk or RRS. Both Kirk and RRS are consistently excellent, new or used.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I have used Kirk brackets for many years on all of my cameras. They fit very well and never break. They cost a little more, but it is a one time investment that is holding an expensive camera. I highly recommend them.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all, first of all I apologize if this is not th... (show quote)

I use an off the shelf L-bracket on my D800 that is designed for the D800 (made in china). It cost under $50. The advantage of a bracket designed for the camera is that it has tabs that keep it aligned parallel to your camera's body and prevent it from twisting off parallel. Look on Amazon or Ebay. There are several made for your camera. The downside is that since many of the lower priced ones are made in asia, it may take you a month to get one.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

aflundi wrote:

The generic/univeral l-brackets work but usually s... (show quote)

Thanks for all that information and the Pixco link. I will consider that one as well others that has been suggested.
I have considered the used market, but difficult for me based on restrictions where I live.

So far, thanks to help from several users and yourself, I have widen my options a lot. Now leaning to a custom model of a generic brand as the Pixco :)
As you said, this is not high tech and as long as the size is correct it will be good. And I am not a pro landscape photog to justify costlier ones if this will work.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

bweber wrote:

I have used Kirk brackets for many years on all of my cameras. They fit very well and never break. They cost a little more, but it is a one time investment that is holding an expensive camera. I highly recommend them.

Thanks!
I know that there either Kirk or RRS will be top-notch ones and will be perfect. The only concern, for a non-pro, is the cost :)

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

bpulv wrote:

I use an off the shelf L-bracket on my D800 that is designed for the D800 (made in china). It cost under $50. The advantage of a bracket designed for the camera is that it has tabs that keep it aligned parallel to your camera's body and prevent it from twisting off parallel. Look on Amazon or Ebay. There are several made for your camera. The downside is that since many of the lower priced ones are made in asia, it may take you a month to get one.

Thanks a lot!
Yes, at this point I made my mind that I deffinitively want a custom one. Although will try a generic brand first due to the significant price difference (and not being a pro landscape photog myself).
I already have a couple of them that other users suggested, and looks like they have good fit with the D7200 (I was concerned that a generic brand, even being custom made for the model, could not have a perfect fit).

Not in a hurry, but hope I will get one that ships in less than a month. Once I make my purchase decision I want it fast

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all, first of all I apologize if this is not th... (show quote)

You CAN make your own out of a steel bracket from Ace hardware if you have a drill motor and a drill bit - and a vice helps. Use a long A/S plate under the camera to allow for balance adjustments - on TWO axis. This becomes important when you are using a larger lens like a 70-300 as shown !
The one below uses Manfro QR's. The large L also acts as a nice carry handle.

All of the commercial L brackets I have seen are only capable of centering the weight on ONE axis.
..

(Download)

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

L Brackets are designed to center the camera body vertically and horizontally. Most long lenses have, or should have, tripod rings that allow you to mount the lens, and not the camera body, on the tripod. Those rings are designed to you can easily rotate the lens, and the camera, to any position.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

imagemeister wrote:

You CAN make your own out of a steel bracket from Ace hardware if you have a drill motor and a drill bit - and a vice helps. Use a long A/S plate under the camera to allow for balance adjustments - on TWO axis. This becomes important when you are using a larger lens like a 70-300 as shown !
The one below uses Manfro QR's. The large L also acts as a nice carry handle.

All of the commercial L brackets I have seen are only capable of centering the weight on ONE axis.
..

Thanks!
Although I am new to UHH, I have already come across your posts with the different "contraptions" that you made for your cameras. I find them amazing and very useful.
However, I lack the abilities and tools needed, and getting something similar done for me would be more expensive that a commercial L-plate solution.

For my basic, hobby level usage, a simple one will be more than enough.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and for having posts all your work, I am amazed at how good and useful all of them look :)

sailor2545 Loc: Victoria, BC

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all, first of all I apologize if this is not th... (show quote)

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

After an inferior knockoff, I broke down and purchased a RRS L bracket. I have no regrets. It fits like a glove and provides access to all ports etc. Sometimes (hopefully not often) one has to buy the best and cry once.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Might as well get an adjustable Nodal point mount if you are going to do panoramas.

akadeadhead

I use an Acratech Universal "L" bracket. Not inexpensive, but it includes an ArcaSwiss compatible clamp for quick attachment and removal. The design gives easy access to the ports on my D800e and D3. You will need a camera plate. As I said, not inexpensive but in this case you do get what you paid for.

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

I have a cheapo Chinese one that I recently bought (for my Canon, but they had ones for Nikons as well). It cost me $8, but may cost more to ship to Uruguay. Of course, coming from China it took about seven weeks to get to me, and the first time they sent it I got eight screwdriver handles instead. They were good about fixing their mistake and the plate I eventually got fits my camera and my tripod head well. I am pleased with it, though it took far longer than I would have wished to get it. [And I got eight free screwdriver handles too. :-) Now if I knew what to do with them...]

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all, first of all I apologize if this is not th... (show quote)

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Hi all, I just wanted to thank again all of you, and update with my choice.
I finally found this cheap custom one and made my bet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076M4TT8Q/

Haven't used it yet, but the fit is perfect in the camera and with my clamps