Really Right Stuff 7D L-plate fits the bill

[advaitin]

I have to make a short announcement here for new owners of the 7D. Really Right Stuff has made a new design for its Camera-Only B7D-L plate. It allows for the option of mounting a neck strap to the left side of the camera with a loop-pin at the corner of the L-plate and, to mount a hand strap on the right, has a loop-pin on the right end of the L-plate.

Certain camera bodies have had the extra lower right loop-pin, including some older film cameras, and there are advantages to having a camera hang vertically from your shoulder or neck. If you wanted a hand strap, however, it generally took away the neck strap option, except for Canon's clever hand strap design which allowed the strap to be looped through an adapter buckle for horizontal use.

RRS puts the options on opposite sides of the camera. It looks neat and it keeps the two straps from catching on the other. No matter whether you hang the camera from either shoulder or the neck, it's easy to slip your hand through the hand strap and bring it to your eye. It aids in a bracing technique similar to shooting a rifle with a strap where you loop the strap around your left arm to tighten the rifle (camera) to your body (or cheek) for a steadier shot.

I'll see if I can get some one to take images of me with this setup later, after Christmas, so you can see what I mean.

Unfortunately, This design does not extend to the L-plates for the battery grip or wireless transmitter. If others, besides me, like this design, I suspect it will show up on forthcoming camera model L-plates, perhaps even begin to be a modification for older cameras.

[argyle]

RRS makes quality stuff and usually responsive to user feedback...I'm sure they'll take a look at future upgrades.

BTW...I saw an RRS video clip of how an L-bracket is made. Believe it or not, each bracket starts off as a 12-pound block of aluminum.

[windpig]

I just got an L bracket for my 7D and 5d Mk II. They are fantastic.

[NicolasRubio]

RRS makes quality stuff and usually responsive to user feedback...I'm sure they'll take a look at future upgrades.

BTW...I saw an RRS video clip of how an L-bracket is made. Believe it or not, each bracket starts off as a 12-pound block of aluminum.

I saw that same video and, as an Engineering student, I can't help thinking how bad that process is! It looks like it was designed by a PR specialist! (No offense to PR people, please).

[ben_r_]

RRS makes quality stuff and usually responsive to user feedback...I'm sure they'll take a look at future upgrades.

BTW...I saw an RRS video clip of how an L-bracket is made. Believe it or not, each bracket starts off as a 12-pound block of aluminum.
yep!

http://exposureroom.com/members/douggardner/35f5d90a9caa44ecb709a22337d883ec/

[tsaros]

Thank you for the link with the video.

[Green_Tea]

I saw that same video and, as an Engineering student, I can't help thinking how bad that process is! It looks like it was designed by a PR specialist! (No offense to PR people, please).

Wow... no kidding... no wonder they cost so much. Ridiculously inefficient.
-Trevor

[Roger W. Spillman]

Green_Tea, They cost so much because they are quality and you get what you pay for. "Ridiculously inefficient" if you didn't see the part of the video that they say they recycle what they don't use. I have owened the L plate since my 10D. I have quite a bit of their stuff and have not
Regretted buying any of it. Roger

[NicolasRubio]

Green_Tea, They cost so much because they are quality and you get what you pay for. "Ridiculously inefficient" if you didn't see the part of the video that they say they recycle what they don't use. I have owened the L plate since my 10D. I have quite a bit of their stuff and have not
Regretted buying any of it. Roger

The point is not wasting materials because as you said so, it can be recycled. What could be optimized is the time it takes to make one single L-Plate... which could dramatically decrease the price of it.

[jdizzle]

Even if it takes so much material to make one L plate, the point is that they are recyling the material. All good for the environment imho.

[hollis_f]

Even if it takes so much material to make one L plate, the point is that they are recyling the material. All good for the environment imho.

Er, to recyle the aluminium they have to melt it again. Not sure how using that amount of energy is good for the environment.

[Jon]

The point is not wasting materials because as you said so, it can be recycled. What could be optimized is the time it takes to make one single L-Plate... which could dramatically decrease the price of it.Might, but might not. As it is, regardless of the camera the L plate is for, they can start with the exact same block of metal; there's no need to pre-cut, and keep track of, separate blocks for, say, a gripped 5D2 and an ungripped T1i. Just plug in the next block of metal and punch in the code for what part you want. No checking inventory for the right blank, no re-setting the jig to accommodate the different blanks, just one consistent operation no matter what you want. Fast, straightforward, and about as foolproof as you can get. Pre-cutting "L"-shaped blocks would take several cuts and either just as much "waste" or a much more complex cutting operation. Not to mention that I suspect the recyclers find the shavings faster and more convenient to reprocess than larger chunks would be, since they'll re-melt faster and more evenly.

[jdizzle]

Er, to recyle the aluminium they have to melt it again. Not sure how using that amount of energy is good for the environment.
Well, how do we recycle all of our paper, glass, plastic, etc.? :);)