L Plate Help

I have a Manfrotto 190XPROB with a 496RC2 ballhead & QR plate. I like the idea of an L plate. Is there one for my 7D and this set up?
Thanks for any input!

I tired a Manfrotto L bracket a few years back and never used it, not a very elegant solution at all. I would look into an Arca Swiss compatible L plate and ballhead. RRS or Kirk L plates are both very good.

For all practical purposes, no. You could replace the clamp on the 496 with an Arca-Swiss compatible one and get a plate for that, but honestly the 496 is probably marginal, at best, for what you have now; I'd suggest getting a Markins or RRS head, which include the Arca-Swiss-style lever clamp, or at a minimum, getting a less-expensive A-S style ball head with screw clamp. like the Adorama Flashpoint F3. Then get a RRS, or maybe Kirk, L plate to go with it. The sooner you make the shift the less it'll cost you in the long run.

When I had a Manfrotto 055 and 489 RC2 clamp...I replaced the clamp with an RRS Quick Release multimount clamp and put L brackets on the bodies. When I replaced the 055/498 combo with Gitzo legs and RRS 55 ballhead, the multimount clamp moved easily to the RRS 55 ball head without any loss of investment.

Gave the Manfrotto stack to a niece.

MCAsan wrote in post #13785983
When I had a Manfrotto 055 and 489 RC2 clamp...I replaced the clamp with an RRS Quick Release multimount clamp and put L brackets on the bodies. When I replaced the 055/498 combo with Gitzo legs and RRS 55 ballhead, the multimount clamp moved easily to the RRS 55 ball head without any loss of investment.

Gave the Manfrotto stack to a niece.

+1 on this

Thanks all for the help! The "L" set up just seems like such a basic "necessity" for any serious photographer. Considering the money we spend on our hobbies and or professions an "L" conversion for me, though not cheap, is still a bargain.

I bought L plates for my 7D and 5DII. I bought the standard non-L plate for my 40D 'cause I didn't want to spend the money. I sold my 7D and L plate separately.

The RRS Arca-Swiss QR is wonderful, L plate or not. At least go the route I did with my 40D.

The Manfrotto RC2 QR clamp is replacable with an Arca-Swiss style QR clamp. Theres no need to replace the ballhead unless you want to. It is a good idea though, because a high end ballhead* and QR system is like chalk is to cheese compared to the mid-range Manfrotto system.

Names like Markins, RRS and Kirk immediately spring to mind, but there are others in the same league.

As others have already suggested, replace the clamp on your ballhead with an Arca-Swiss compatible one and then get an acra-swiss compatible L plate. I highly recommend the Really Right Stuff equipment.

Do what Jon says, it's your best bet.

Thanks for the help!

As a follow up, I ordered and received an RRS L Plate and Clamp!
WHOA! I can't get my tail to quit waggin'!

Thanks for the solid input, gang!

Lowner wrote in post #13789310
... Names like Markins, RRS and Kirk immediately spring to mind, but there are others in the same league.

Yes.

I've also heard rumors that Arca Swiss makes a nice ballhead with an Arca Swiss compatable clamp.

NU27D wrote in post #13917368
As a follow up, I ordered and received an RRS L Plate and Clamp!
WHOA! I can't get my tail to quit waggin'!

Thanks for the solid input, gang!

It really is something that has to be used to be appreciated. Truly a great long term investment in camera gear.

NU27D wrote in post #13917368
As a follow up, I ordered and received an RRS L Plate and Clamp!
WHOA! I can't get my tail to quit waggin'!

Thanks for the solid input, gang!

Ha ha, yep, like I tell everyone, swallow the cost, order it up, and once you get it in your hands, youll understand why RRS is worth the money!