5D Mark III L-plates?

mrmarks wrote in post #14766636
I received my Kirk 5D3 L bracket and was quite disappointed that I have to remove the left strap so that the camera strap hook can sit nicely in the L-bracket. There is simply no allowance for the strap thickness in the bracket recess for the left strap hook.

You should use that screw on strap connector for the neck strap, it also adds extra connection/reinforceme​nt point. Kirk's item description on web site is very clear on that.
Not sure how you managed to get those marks on the body, I can assure you it would be much, much worse with RRS as their flange in not rounded. Properly aligning plate before tightening it down would have help avoiding that, I guess.

Andrew_WOT wrote in post #14780321
You should use that screw on strap connector for the neck strap, it also adds extra connection/reinforceme​nt point. Kirk's item description on web site is very clear on that.
Not sure how you managed to get those marks on the body, I can assure you it would be much, much worse with RRS as their flange in not rounded. Properly aligning plate before tightening it down would have help avoiding that, I guess.

Kirk does not offer a clear photo in their website and their email reply to me said that it's not necessary to remove the strap. They were clearly wrong. On the other hand, RRS shows a clear photo that there is ample space in their L-bracket design for the strap.

Actually, even if the tab is used, it doesn't really add any additional stability as it doesn't clamp on the strap hook. If the bracket is pressed in a bit from the left side, you can see that it still moves despite the tab being fastened.

After ensuring proper alignment before fastening the bracket, the scuff marks are still there, so it's no different from the RRS, except that the RRS is much much more convenient to use as I don't have to remove the left strap all the time.

I have an RRS on order and my Kirk will be up for sale.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. My Kirk bracket is rock solid, and it will never be removed from the camera, so I don't worry about moving the strap one time in the camera's life. After a few years of use, if a tiny scuff is the only mark on the camera, I will consider myself blessed - it is a tool to be used, not something to put on a pedestal and admire.

I also have the Kirk bracket for the 5D Mark III. its a solid fit but the left strap attachment tab is unnecessarily complex when RRS clearly did a better job designing their bracket. That said, the Kirk bracket was available when the RRS bracket was being revised. If only Kirk would have an update program

Yeah, I think I am regretting not waiting actually. I think I may end up buying the RRS and selling the Kirk. I don't know, I'm using my Kirk without the strap attachment and it's okay... but just think I like RRS stuff more.

biodan wrote in post #14783647
I also have the Kirk bracket for the 5D Mark III. its a solid fit but the left strap attachment tab is unnecessarily complex when RRS clearly did a better job designing their bracket. That said, the Kirk bracket was available when the RRS bracket was being revised. If only Kirk would have an update program

Yes, the tab design was totally unnecessary. It didn't serve any purpose and only caused unnecessary inconvenience to strap users. The RRS design is better, but if they could remove that small machining step, it will be a clear winner.

Are you guys (with Kirk bracket) not using the supplied strap support? That's what you attach the strap to and not the cameras strap lug. It gives an extra anchor point than just the bottom screw. Personally I like the extra mount point with the Kirk.

Digitally_Altered wrote in post #14783953
Are you guys (with Kirk bracket) not using the supplied strap support? That's what you attach the strap to and not the cameras strap lug. It gives an extra anchor point than just the bottom screw. Personally I like the extra mount point with the Kirk.

The tab does not mechanically clamp onto the strap hook/lug and the lug can still move freely. You can test this out by pressing the bracket sideways near the lug area and you will see that the tab is not clamping the lug. So the tab does not offer any additional stability compared to the RRS design.

I don't like that the screw is a different size, so I have to carry another wrench, which is just piss poor design.

More and more, I'm regretting the Kirk.

Really Right Stuff over here.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.ocabj.net …ripped-canon-5d-mark-iii/

RRS brackets are now in-stock. Just FYI.
Plan to order one in a few days.

I will be the first to admit that this is a personal choice, and if you like one brand over the other, go with it. But I will call anyone a bald faced liar who says my Kirk bracket moves at all. Maybe with a vise and a pair of pliers, but by hand, even when on the tripod, I cannot get it to wiggle. I don't understand how it could. Everything is just too tight. I have absolutely no problems with the Kirk bracket.

mrmarks wrote in post #14780421
Kirk does not offer a clear photo in their website and their email reply to me said that it's not necessary to remove the strap. They were clearly wrong. On the other hand, RRS shows a clear photo that there is ample space in their L-bracket design for the strap.

Actually, even if the tab is used, it doesn't really add any additional stability as it doesn't clamp on the strap hook. If the bracket is pressed in a bit from the left side, you can see that it still moves despite the tab being fastened.

After ensuring proper alignment before fastening the bracket, the scuff marks are still there, so it's no different from the RRS, except that the RRS is much much more convenient to use as I don't have to remove the left strap all the time.

I have an RRS on order and my Kirk will be up for sale.

- First, besides detailed photos, there is a very clear, step by step installation instruction on Kirk's web site that shows in details what that strap hook is about and how it works.
http://www.kirkphoto.c​om/manuals/BL-5DIII.pdf
See pic below
- Second, there is a protruding tab at the bottom strap hook that goes right into opening of the stock strap attachment, it locks right in, not sure what you mean by saying that it doesn't add any stability.
- On marks issue, I have mine for like three months already and haven't observed any scuff marks yet.

You can always return it and get RRS if that's your thing, seems like Kirk plate just doesn't like you

And btw, RRS did not revise the flange on L or regular bracket at all, it's still the same non rounded, sharp angled kind. You can check detailed comparison of revised and nor revised RRS brackets here
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …topic/1103460/1​2#10603472

Kirk's can be seen here
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …topic/1103460/1​5#10617208

Andrew_WOT wrote in post #14786154
- Second, there is a protruding tab at the bottom strap hook that goes right into opening of the stock strap attachment, it locks right in, not sure what you mean by saying that it doesn't add any stability.

Anyone can do a simple evaluation to show that the tab does not add any stability in the Kirk design.

1) Remove the bottom bracket screw so that it does not interfere with the evaluation
2) Attach the Kirk L-bracket to the camera and fasten the tab to the camera left strap hook as tightly as you can
3) You will see that the tab does not clamp on the strap hook at all and the freeplay allows the bracket can move in the x, y, and z directions at the tab position.

I do not have a second camera, otherwise I could make a video to demonstrate this. The photo in the Kirk manual may give an impression that it is clamping on the strap hook, but in reality it does not.

Bottomline, the strap tab design in the Kirk L-bracket is useless and only adds to the inconvenience of having to constantly remove and re-attach a strap, and having to lug around two different allen keys for two different screws. A proposal to Kirk is to do away with the tab and machine the strap hook area like in the RRS design.

On the scuff marks prevention, both RRS and Kirk need to be taped anyway.