L Plate

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to where I can purchase an L plate that would fit my Canon 40D.
Really Right Stuff sells them but, cost wise, it's more than I want to spend if not necessary.
I'm using a Manfrotto tripod/head system so, if I was to get the RRS L plate, I then either have to buy a RRS clamp and a reducer bushing to make things fit on the Manfrotto ballhead or, one of their ballheads and matching clamp.

You'd need a replacement head (of which there are many options) otherwise a replacement clamp or adapter of some type could let you use it with your Manfrotto head.

I prefer Kirk over RRS personally, but price wise they're about the same. Markins makes L plates too these days but I don't know much about them (they make a great tripod head though). I'm sure there are other options, I've seen cheap knockoffs on Ebay which can certainly save you some money but I don't know how well they fit.

You would not necessarily have to get an RRS head to use their plates, although their BH55 is fairly well regarded.

You dont have to get an RRS clamp. Any arca-swiss compatible screw clamp should work. However if youre going to get an L plate you really shouldnt consider anything but one designed specifically for your camera body. The 40D is an old body, check/watch ebay for a used RRS L Plate for it. Im sure you could get one cheap there and its a solid piece of a aluminum, its not like it can really be that damaged even if used heavily.

If you don't have a battery grip installed on your 40D, eBay does have an L bracket available.... but it isn't cheap: http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​2a23016e87
Add in the shipping and I think you might as well buy from RRS.

As far as clamps are concerned, I just upgraded all my Manfrotto RC2 stuff to Arca-Swiss compatible quick release clamps and plates. I ended up with Kirk Enterprise Solutions because they had a one piece L bracket for my 60D and RRS didn't. This is nothing against RRS, mind you. I just ordered a set of tripod legs from them.

All the L plates cost about the same. Since the 40D is an older model you should be able to find a used one here on this forum or on EBay for under $100. You'll need a head with the Arca-Swiss clamp system.

manfrotto does make a universal L bracket......
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …es&sts=ma&Top+N​av-Search=

Scatterbrained wrote in post #15891894
manfrotto does make a universal L bracket......
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …es&sts=ma&Top+N​av-Search=

I haven't seen this before. Does anyone have experience with this bracket?

I have a Manfrotto and I went with RRS clamp and L plate for my 7D. Smartest photo money I've spent so far.
If money prevents you from RRS or the like check THIS!
Can't personally vouch for these but others seem to like 'em!

Canongear,

Changing out the clamp is a simple deal, usually. I would call the company from whom you are buying to get the right one. Manfrotto has several designs.

As others have mentioned, it's well worth changing over to the Arca-Swiss style clamping system.

I love my RRS L plate and at the time I couldn't afford to sink a lot of money into an arca Swiss ball head. Someone recommended me a Flashpoint F series ballhead by Adorama. It's reasonably priced and I have used it for three-ish years.

Thank you all for the suggestions.
My options aren't as limited as I thought.
I don't know how I missed the L plate Manfrotto offers.
Think I'll check into that one a bit more.
My only concern about that one is, will it allow access to the side ports of the camera, when attached.
The picture in the link Scatterbrained provided indicates the plate is adjustable so, hopefully it's adjustable enough to allow access.

canongear wrote in post #15894732
Thank you all for the suggestions.
My options aren't as limited as I thought.
I don't know how I missed the L plate Manfrotto offers.
Think I'll check into that one a bit more.
My only concern about that one is, will it allow access to the side ports of the camera, when attached.
The picture in the link Scatterbrained provided indicates the plate is adjustable so, hopefully it's adjustable enough to allow access.

Several reviews I have seen have said no to side access. The thing to remember if you decide to go with the Manfrotto unit is that you are becoming more and more invested in their system the more you buy, which will make switching out that much more painful. Of course, if you see yourself sticking with Manfrotto then it's not an issue. Just something to think about.

Scattered,

That's what happened with me. I added this and that to my Manfrotto setup for a couple years: macro focusing rails, rotating flash bracket, etc so when I changed over to the Arca-Swiss design, it ended up being quite expensive.

If I had to do it over again, I would have nipped the RC2 setup in the bud.

canongear wrote in post #15894732
Thank you all for the suggestions.
My options aren't as limited as I thought.
I don't know how I missed the L plate Manfrotto offers.
Think I'll check into that one a bit more.
My only concern about that one is, will it allow access to the side ports of the camera, when attached.
The picture in the link Scatterbrained provided indicates the plate is adjustable so, hopefully it's adjustable enough to allow access.

It looks to me like it will be fairly restrictive in actual use. I agree you should put some thought into whether it is wise to further invest in the manfrotto head.

Pinto wrote in post #15892123
I haven't seen this before. Does anyone have experience with this bracket?

I recently purchased this. You'll spend a few minutes adjusting it to the camera. I use a T3i, and the battery grip makes this fit better than without. It seems there isn't much to choose from if you use a Manfrotto head (I do). This is a "good" item, maybe not "great". I would have needed a new head and not use the grip if I went RRS. The cost would have easily been twice as much.

Different camera and different ball head? RSS or Kirk would have been an option.