"L" Brackets

[Luvntravln]

Hi, who uses an "L" bracket on their camera? Pros and Cons?

They do seem expensive and are body specific; any reasonable alternatives to the Kirk or RRS brackets?

[argyle]

Hi, who uses an "L" bracket on their camera? Pros and Cons?

They do seem expensive and are body specific; any reasonable alternatives to the Kirk or RRS brackets?

Not that I have seen. You basically answered your own question with the first part of that sentence: they are body-specific, and to top it off they're very well machined, top-quality items.

PROS
The two big advantages is that the L-bracket will (1) let you switch quickly from a horizontal to a vertical camera position without having to totally recompose your shot (as you'd need to do when dropping the camera into the drop slot on a ballhead), and (2) the L-bracket keeps the supported load centered over the apex of the tripod, guaranteeing stability.

Once you shoot with one, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one (and I have an RRS bracket for the 5D Classic (without grip) for sale if anyone has an interest). ;)

CONS
Can't think of any.

[JWright]

Start using an L bracket from either Kirk or RRS (along with the necessary clamp) and you will never go back to using an inferior system.

[chinoamigo]

con: makes the camera bulkier!

[JWright]

con: makes the camera bulkier!

Not by much and it's worth the trade-off... I also find the bracket handy to set the camera down on, thereby protecting it.

[chinoamigo]

don't get me wrong, i think it is worth the trade-off too, but that is a con regardless ;)

[Garry Gibson]

Another pro, it does offer an amount of protection to the camera.

[markyb555]

Im actually in the process of making my own. When i was working, we had quite abit of aluminium 90 degree angled stuff at the company i was at, so i cut some off and im using that. Ive machined a cut out for the shutter remote cable. So far its cost me nothing apart from another tripod quick release plate which is £8. Im using a spare one i got with the tripod and i have one for when i take it off the L bracket. The bracket is rather bulky and heavy compared to the plastic ones, But it was only ever going to be for portrait pics at home or that was the idea till things happened with my model/girlfriend:rolleyes: But i have the option of making it lighter etc by cutting away at it or if i like using it i might even buying one. :)

[JohnJ80]

Hi, who uses an "L" bracket on their camera? Pros and Cons?

They do seem expensive and are body specific; any reasonable alternatives to the Kirk or RRS brackets?

I wouldn't buy a body without one. Once you use one, you will understand how valuable they are.

J.

[RichNY]

I'm going to be the dissenting opinion here. I purchased a D3 with a RRS L bracket; I previously purchased RRS standard brackets for all my cameras. I do not like the feel of the L bracket when shooting hand held and leave it off my camera.

I think a much better approach is the standard RRS plate with a RRS clamp on a Newton Tripod Rotator. http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/new_page_25.htm

[rklepper]

I only use my L bracket when I am going to be using the tripod. Otherwise I leave it off. Invaluable for tripod use though.

[Jannie]

I leave it off some of the time because I only am using a tripod occasionally, but I've got the RRS one on the MKIII and it's really neat.

[ben_r_]

Start using an L bracket from either Kirk or RRS (along with the necessary clamp) and you will never go back to using an inferior system.
Agreed.

[advaitin]

L or floor plate, regardless of weight, simplify attaching to heads, monopods as long as you have qr clamps on everything. It can get expensive, especially since the companies have added bubble levels to the clamps--unnecessarily, I think.

But the final determination for me was dropping an XTi twice in four months onto concrete with the only damage being a couple of scratches on the plate--not only was the camera spared a scrape or crack, but it continued to work as before. If nothing else have a QR plate mounted on the camera saved its appearance for future sale.

[jacobsen1]

PROS

90º flop w/o moving the tripod head
rollcage
better balance
won't twist/move once installed
faster vertical to horizontal recomposition
perfect attachment point for a strap or black rapid strap with some spectra. ;)

CONS

price
weight
bulk


the pros outweigh the cons BY A LOT. I just remove my L-bracket when I'm not using it. I used to leave it on all the time, but the camera fits in my bag much easier (a bag issue, boda dry) w/o it. Plus I ONLY use it on weekends so I prefer the smaller package w/o.

[bps]

Start using an L bracket from either Kirk or RRS (along with the necessary clamp) and you will never go back to using an inferior system.

Yep. Absolutely, positively a great thing to have.

Bryan

[argyle]

I just don't see a 'weight' issue...these things measure in grams...not like we're talking anything that's noticeable and would make difference overall. I have three, and they're mounted 100%.

[rfreschner]

Start using an L bracket from either Kirk or RRS (along with the necessary clamp) and you will never go back to using an inferior system.

+1! They're always mounted on my cameras and even on my wife's G9. ;)

[monoprint]

All my cameras have L-brackets and they stay on. They don't bother me shooting handheld and only weigh 3-4 oz.

[Cyclop]

The L-Bracket/Plate provides user with the advantage of mounting camera for both horizontal and vertical shots without altering ballhead on tripod changing view-position.
Good to have on the camera body.

[jdizzle]

I have the RRS L bracket and I don't see a problem with weight. If you're a weakling then too bad for you. :) My bracket hasn't dissapointed and makes it real convenient to go into portrait mode.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb83/delarosaIII/3R1I1887.jpg[/IMG]

[ChrisMc73]

I'm going to be the dissenting opinion here. I purchased a D3 with a RRS L bracket; I previously purchased RRS standard brackets for all my cameras. I do not like the feel of the L bracket when shooting hand held and leave it off my camera.

I think a much better approach is the standard RRS plate with a RRS clamp on a Newton Tripod Rotator. http://www.newtoncamerabrackets.com/new_page_25.htm

Add another piece of equipment to the equation? No thanks.
RSS L bracket +1 here.