7D L-plate availability

[Lester Wareham]

Anyone have any indication of when Realy Right Stuff expect to ship body only L-plates for the 7D?

I have a pre-order in place but don't want to call to enquire because it is an international call.

[moeronn]

You could always try e-mailing them. ;)

I haven't pre-ordered, but am waiting on my grip and will order the L-Plate for the 7D w/Grip.

[Luvntravln]

I spoke with RRS a couple of days ago; they had just gotten a 7D to make the plates. Guesstimate is 4 - 6 weeks. Interesting that they can make the plates without having the grip since I have my camera and am waiting for the grip. I have paid for both and am anxiously waiting.

[Dinomite]

What is an L plate?

[rx7speed]

http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html

[Lester Wareham]

Thanks folks.

moeronn, yes your right I could email them, but I thought one of the keen folks here would know.

[cfibanez]

Anyone have any indication of when Realy Right Stuff expect to ship body only L-plates for the 7D?

I have a pre-order in place but don't want to call to enquire because it is an international call.

Here is an answer I got from RRS:

HI Carlos,
That was timing. I went into the engineers office and he had the BGE7 grip in his hand. He was trying to find if we already have a conventional plate in stock that will fit. The BGE2 was close, but not close enough. I am getting off topic.
To answer your question the BGE7-L is 4-6 weeks away. J

Thank you, Casey
Customer Support Representative for Really Right Stuff LLC
www.ReallyRightStuff.com
205 Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 USA
Toll Free in US, and Canada (888) 777-5557
tel: 1-(805) 528-6321
fax: 1-(805) 528-7964

[FL PHOTO]

What is an L plate?

A dinner plate with a red ring on the perimeter. Sorry, I had to do it. :lol:
See the link posted above to learn about plates, clamps etc.

[dave92029]

I have a "L" plate from a Nikon D100 that was sitting in a drawer that looks like it was made for the Canon 7D. Looks like I just saved $140!!!

[NewphotoMan]

my normal quick disconnect plate from my 40D fits perfect on my 7d

[kingkongpennock]

I have a "L" plate from a Nikon D100 that was sitting in a drawer that looks like it was made for the Canon 7D. Looks like I just saved $140!!!

you should let RRS know this

[Lester Wareham]

I had word my lplate (ungripped) is on the way.

Now I can also look forward to paying the import duty here in the UK, darn taxman.

[bminnie]

I just received my RRS B7D-L L-Plate today! A bit surprised since I was told 4-6 weeks. Out of curiosity I emailed to ask how it got here so far ahead of schedule and I was told that "We knew this was going to be a popular plate, so the engineer spent some long nights on this." I really appreciate their craftsmanship and customer service.

My 7D is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, just in time.

[cfibanez]

I just received my RRS B7D-L L-Plate today! A bit surprised since I was told 4-6 weeks. Out of curiosity I emailed to ask how it got here so far ahead of schedule and I was told that "We knew this was going to be a popular plate, so the engineer spent some long nights on this." I really appreciate their craftsmanship and customer service.

My 7D is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, just in time.

Thanks for letting us know.

[j00sten]

It looks like they're starting to mass produce these L-plates. I've been patiently waiting for it, and it just shipped out today :)

[Jon]

Mine did too.

[moeronn]

Good to hear these are shipping out. Still waiting for the grip version to be released.

BTW, I'm curious to see if anyone decides to use the "dual strap lugs" for the neck strap.

From RRS site:
"Image Below: This L-plate features dual strap lugs. This allows you to keep your neckstrap, but also use a handstrap! This is the first L-plate in the world with this feature. "
http://reallyrightstuff.com/RRS/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B7D-L&eq=&Tp=

[Jon]

Nah. Not me - I don't use a handstrap anyhow. I prefer to carry my cameras by the lens.

[j00sten]

I probably won't either as I would only find it useful if I used a hand strap.

[PacAce]

It looks like they're starting to mass produce these L-plates. I've been patiently waiting for it, and it just shipped out today :)

They must have just made enough for the pre-orders because they're showing them as not being in stock anymore (assuming they were in stock at one point).

[PacAce]

Good to hear these are shipping out. Still waiting for the grip version to be released.

BTW, I'm curious to see if anyone decides to use the "dual strap lugs" for the neck strap.

From RRS site:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/RRS/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B7D-L&eq=&Tp=

I couldn't quite picture what they meant by the description until I saw a picture of the lady in the raincoat. But now that I see it, I personally don't think it's very useful since the E1 hand strap I use already allows me to use both the neck strap and the hand strap at the same time.

[Lester Wareham]

They must have just made enough for the pre-orders because they're showing them as not being in stock anymore (assuming they were in stock at one point).

That is why I pre-ordered mine just after pre-ordering the camera.

Apparently a text from my wife tells me it has just been delivered, although it has been in the country since Friday. The joys of the UK customs and post office.

Always very expensive in the UK $140 + $30 ship, £85 + £18 shipping then another £29 import duty and collection fee from the post office. That is about a 30% increase assming the actual duty is 15% and a local delivery fee of say £5.

I wish RSS would sell via Warehouse Express like Kirk, it would save a lot on this shipping and import handling as it could be averaged over a lot of units. I am sure they would get 10 times the business from the UK.

[Lowner]

Apparently Warehouse Express did approach RRS a while ago and were told by RRS "No thanks". Very silly marketing mistake by RRS I'd say. UK Customs and Royal Mail together are very effective at choking off sales here in the UK.

[Lester Wareham]

Apparently Warehouse Express did approach RRS a while ago and were told by RRS "No thanks". Very silly marketing mistake by RRS I'd say. UK Customs and Royal Mail together are very effective at choking off sales here in the UK.

Yes exactly. I thought I would splash out on a RSS plate for the 7D as they had one for pre-order. If Kirk had done the same I would have gone Kirk, RSS won the business simply because I wanted the plate fast and was prepared to pay through the nose for it.

I guess a Kirk L-Plate from Warehouse Express would be £50-90, quite a difference.

This is why all my other QR kit and main ball-head is Kirk as the RSS stuff would be double the cost simply because of the way RSS operate.

I don't know if the 7D Kirk plate is available yet, I'll check to see how fast they make them available for the next camera I get.

[cfibanez]

I have now tested my L plate from the gripped 40D and it fits nicely in the gripped 7D. Though a little difficult to open the ports with the plate installed.

[krepta]

I have now tested my L plate from the gripped 40D and it fits nicely in the gripped 7D. Though a little difficult to open the ports with the plate installed.I tried this too. It does fit, but as you said, it's nearly impossible to open the ports once the plate is tightly in place. It's preferable to open the ports before installing the plate.

On another note, I noticed in pictures on the RRS website that the bottom rail on the 7D L-Plate (both versions, w/o grip and w/ grip) is quite small, just a small portion that seems half the length of the bottom rail on my 40D L-Plate (which runs the entire length of the bottom portion, up to where the plate curves up). Can anyone who has already received his/her 7D L-Plate confirm this? It seems odd that the bottom rail would be so short in length.

[PacAce]

I tried this too. It does fit, but as you said, it's nearly impossible to open the ports once the plate is tightly in place. It's preferable to open the ports before installing the plate.

On another note, I noticed in pictures on the RRS website that the bottom rail on the 7D L-Plate (both versions, w/o grip and w/ grip) is quite small, just a small portion that seems half the length of the bottom rail on my 40D L-Plate (which runs the entire length of the bottom portion, up to where the plate curves up). Can anyone who has already received his/her 7D L-Plate confirm this? It seems odd that the bottom rail would be so short in length.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. At first I was thinking that the shorter length would be a disadvantage but then I thought about it a little more and now i think it's more of an advantage. The way it is now, you can mount the plate on a clamp that either runs parallel to the bottom of the camera or perpendicular to it (like the clamp on the Wimberley full gimbal head). The only thing is, this was done only on the plate at the bottom of the camera and not the side. Why not all-or-nothing?

[Edit: Just took a closer look at the L-plate and it looks like there would be no way to make the side plate the same as the bottom without blocking access to the ports on the side of the camera.]

[krepta]

Yeah, I noticed that, too. At first I was thinking that the shorter length would be a disadvantage but then I thought about it a little more and now i think it's more of an advantage. The way it is now, you can mount the plate on a clamp that either runs parallel to the bottom of the camera or perpendicular to it (like the clamp on the Wimberley full gimbal head). The only thing is, this was done only on the plate at the bottom of the camera and not the side. Why not all-or-nothing?

[Edit: Just took a closer look at the L-plate and it looks like there would be no way to make the side plate the same as the bottom without blocking access to the ports on the side of the camera.]Well, I had to read and re-read what you said, and then look at a picture of the Wimberly head, and I finally get it, lol. Yes, it makes perfect sense. Otherwise you would need an additional plate between the camera's L plate and the clamp on the Wimberly to connect it (or use a plate mounted on a lens with a tripod collar).

[Lester Wareham]

Yeah, I noticed that, too. At first I was thinking that the shorter length would be a disadvantage but then I thought about it a little more and now i think it's more of an advantage. The way it is now, you can mount the plate on a clamp that either runs parallel to the bottom of the camera or perpendicular to it (like the clamp on the Wimberley full gimbal head). The only thing is, this was done only on the plate at the bottom of the camera and not the side. Why not all-or-nothing?

[Edit: Just took a closer look at the L-plate and it looks like there would be no way to make the side plate the same as the bottom without blocking access to the ports on the side of the camera.]

Plus one on that. However I have yet to get used to the idea of clamping the other way round and keep forgetting I can do that. Old habits die hard.

[stax]

I tried this too. It does fit, but as you said, it's nearly impossible to open the ports once the plate is tightly in place. It's preferable to open the ports before installing the plate.

On another note, I noticed in pictures on the RRS website that the bottom rail on the 7D L-Plate (both versions, w/o grip and w/ grip) is quite small, just a small portion that seems half the length of the bottom rail on my 40D L-Plate (which runs the entire length of the bottom portion, up to where the plate curves up). Can anyone who has already received his/her 7D L-Plate confirm this? It seems odd that the bottom rail would be so short in length.


I ended up sending the 7D L-plate back to RRS because I didn't like the short bottom rail (which I understand is designed that way because it better fits tripod heads commonly used by videographers, although I am not sure about that). The short rail also means that, when set on a flat surface, the camera is not quite as stable as when I use the 40D L-plate (this is a minor concern to me. ).

I decided to just use the 40D L-plate which fits the 7D just fine (although accessing the ports does take a little work, as you note. Then again, I didn't find it that easy to access the ports when the 40D L-plate was used on the 40D).

[PacAce]

I ended up sending the 7D L-plate back to RRS because I didn't like the short bottom rail (which I understand is designed that way because it better fits tripod heads commonly used by videographers, although I am not sure about that). The short rail also means that, when set on a flat surface, the camera is not quite as stable as when I use the 40D L-plate (this is a minor concern to me. ).

I decided to just use the 40D L-plate which fits the 7D just fine (although accessing the ports does take a little work, as you note. Then again, I didn't find it that easy to access the ports when the 40D L-plate was used on the 40D).

I personally would find not being able to access the ports a lot more annoying or bothersome than having a smaller area touching a surface when the camera is set down on it (stability shouldn't really be a concern unless you're planning to set the camera down where it's going to be "iffy" in the first place). But that's just me. :)

[stax]

I personally would find not being able to access the ports a lot more annoying or bothersome than having a smaller area touching a surface when the camera is set down on it (stability shouldn't really be a concern unless you're planning to set the camera down where it's going to be "iffy" in the first place). But that's just me. :)

Oh, I agree. That's why I said stability is a minor concern. I didn't return the 7D L-plate because I thought there was any thing terribly wrong with it (but I would like a longer rail). I returned it only because it wasn't worth spending $150 when my 40D L-plate worked well. I preordered and received the 7D L-plate before I received the 7D, so I didn't realize the 40D plate would work. Like all RRS product, the 7D L-plate is solid.

[krepta]

Oh, I agree. That's why I said stability is a minor concern. I didn't return the 7D L-plate because I thought there was any thing terribly wrong with it (but I would like a longer rail). I returned it only because it wasn't worth spending $150 when my 40D L-plate worked well. I preordered and received the 7D L-plate before I received the 7D, so I didn't realize the 40D plate would work. Like all RRS product, the 7D L-plate is solid.How did you get yours for $150? I purchased mine directly from RRS last night for $183 + tax since I live in CA.

I think in the end I will be able to live with the shorter bottom rail. If I need to, I can always switch the 40D's plate on and deal with the ports.

[PacAce]

How did you get yours for $150? I purchased mine directly from RRS last night for $183 + tax since I live in CA.

I think in the end I will be able to live with the shorter bottom rail. If I need to, I can always switch the 40D's plate on and deal with the ports.

He probably got the L-plate for the gripless 7D for $140 plus shipping.

[krepta]

He probably got the L-plate for the gripless 7D for $140 plus shipping.Oh, that's true. I was thinking of the gripped version all along.

[stax]

How did you get yours for $150? I purchased mine directly from RRS last night for $183 + tax since I live in CA.

I think in the end I will be able to live with the shorter bottom rail. If I need to, I can always switch the 40D's plate on and deal with the ports.


I just checked my receipt. The total was $157.72 with tax and shipping (I am also in CA). The raw cost of the plate was $140. On the receipt, the column that says "Price Discount" shows $140.00 under it, as does the "Amount" column. I guess there was a pre-order discount, but I don't remember.

I don't think you will have any problems with the shorter rail. It was kind of strange because it didn't take up the full length of my release plate, the RRS B2-Pro II. The shorter rail sat in the center of the plate, with space at either side. Don't get me wrong, though, it worked well and I trusted it to hold the camera securely.

[stax]

Oh, that's true. I was thinking of the gripped version all along.

Right. That accounts for the price difference.

[krepta]

Yeah, I think the plate will hold up. I can tell from my 40D plate that there is quality craftmanship in there.

Thanks for clarifying on the price difference. The difference is not much compare the the sum I spend on all photography gear, but I do try to save a little bit whenever I can. Those add up as well! :)

[stax]

Yeah, I think the plate will hold up. I can tell from my 40D plate that there is quality craftmanship in there.

Thanks for clarifying on the price difference. The difference is not much compare the the sum I spend on all photography gear, but I do try to save a little bit whenever I can. Those add up as well! :)

Sure thing. Those smaller costs definitely add up!

[OldA1]

I just ordered the L-bracket for gripped 7D from Kirk. Kirk's price was 3 dollars cheaper than RRS and it includes the strap lug which connects the bracket to the camera strap loop.

Peace
Mark

[Lowner]

It's difficult to visualise the short base and the port access issues being discussed. Any chance of one of you lucky 7D owners with the RRS plate in question showing us plebs a couple of pictures?

[stax]

It's difficult to visualise the short base and the port access issues being discussed. Any chance of one of you lucky 7D owners with the RRS plate in question showing us plebs a couple of pictures?

You can see the short rail and a picture of a cable accessing the ports through the l-plate in the photos on RRS's website ( http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=B7D-L&eq=&Tp= ), but here is an example showing the short rail.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Images/gallery/B7DL-front.png

[Lowner]

stax,

Thanks for the picture. I see what you mean, my 30D RRS plate covers more than half the base.

Any idea why RRS might have done this?

[hfgarris]

stax,

Thanks for the picture. I see what you mean, my 30D RRS plate covers more than half the base.

Any idea why RRS might have done this?

It looks like the dovetail is on all four sides. This would allow placement in the clamp in any orientation. For example, if your tripod was set while you were shooting with a telephoto with a foot mount in the clamp, then you switched to a wide angle where you would use the body L Plate in the clamp, the tripod head would not have to be turned 90 degrees as it would with a conventional full width plate.

This would be even more evident if you were using a monopod with a simple tilt mount. Switching the clamp from parallel to the subject to perpendicular to the subject (as you would in the above situation) would defeat the use of the tilt head in one configuration.

-howard

[b.d.bop]

As an aside (please forgive me) - does the 7D gripped L-plate allow the strap attachments to remain as they would be on the camera without the L-plate, or is there a separate piece on the L-plate to receive the strap attachment (as on the 50D L-plate)?

[stax]

It looks like the dovetail is on all four sides. This would allow placement in the clamp in any orientation. For example, if your tripod was set while you were shooting with a telephoto with a foot mount in the clamp, then you switched to a wide angle where you would use the body L Plate in the clamp, the tripod head would not have to be turned 90 degrees as it would with a conventional full width plate.

This would be even more evident if you were using a monopod with a simple tilt mount. Switching the clamp from parallel to the subject to perpendicular to the subject (as you would in the above situation) would defeat the use of the tilt head in one configuration.

-howard

That makes sense. Also, video fluid heads don't have landscape orientation. For example: http://www.videoguys.com.au/ProdImages/MF516.jpg

[krepta]

As an aside (please forgive me) - does the 7D gripped L-plate allow the strap attachments to remain as they would be on the camera without the L-plate, or is there a separate piece on the L-plate to receive the strap attachment (as on the 50D L-plate)?I am pretty sure you can still attach the strap to the camera as your normally would. I am able to do this with the gripped L-Plate for my 40D with BG-E2N.

RRS already shipped out the L-Plate for gripped 7D I ordered, and once I receive it I can verify and report back here.

[b.d.bop]

I am pretty sure you can still attach the strap to the camera as your normally would. I am able to do this with the gripped L-Plate for my 40D with BG-E2N.

RRS already shipped out the L-Plate for gripped 7D I ordered, and once I receive it I can verify and report back here.

Thanks! :cool:

[krepta]

Thanks! :cool:I received it and confirmed that the plate will not obstruct the camera strap mount. In fact, there is a groove at the top of the plate to fit the camera strap mount.

I posted a mini review with photos here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=780897).

[b.d.bop]

I received it and confirmed that the plate will not obstruct the camera strap mount. In fact, there is a groove at the top of the plate to fit the camera strap mount.

I posted a mini review with photos here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=780897).

Thanks a million for the update, krepta! Much appreciated. Now I can sleep again - you gotta be better than a boyscout to get that tandem neckstrap and handstrap thing going simultaneously, I'd hate to have to remove it again! :lol:

[krepta]

Thanks a million for the update, krepta! Much appreciated. Now I can sleep again - you gotta be better than a boyscout to get that tandem neckstrap and handstrap thing going simultaneously, I'd hate to have to remove it again! :lol:You are welcome! I guess it's time you order your L-Plate! :)

I know what you mean about the handstrap + neckstrap; I have this setup on my 40D, and I agree that it is a pain to undo and redo, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. I found a way to attach both the handstrap and neckstrap without using the small metal holder thingie, which usually does not remain tight near the body. Anyway, that's not for here; I might post in one of the handstrap threads I have seen before later on.

[b.d.bop]

You are welcome! I guess it's time you order your L-Plate! :)

I know what you mean about the handstrap + neckstrap; I have this setup on my 40D, and I agree that it is a pain to undo and redo, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. I found a way to attach both the handstrap and neckstrap without using the small metal holder thingie, which usually does not remain tight near the body. Anyway, that's not for here; I might post in one of the handstrap threads I have seen before later on.

Done! Thanks to you! :D

[krepta]

Done! Thanks to you! :DYou are welcome! And, I suppose I may have to apologize to your wallet and/or savings account. :lol:

[b.d.bop]

You are welcome! And, I suppose I may have to apologize to your wallet and/or savings account. :lol:

Too late! It's on my 7D and smilin' purty! :lol: Thanks again.