Why L Plates? Why RRS plates over others?

coorz wrote in post #5071894
Nitpicking mode: hard to reach the review and delete buttons with the RRS-L on 1D.
Might not be an issue on your 40D.

I don't find it an issue on my 1D2

René Damkot wrote in post #5071897
I don't find it an issue on my 1D2

Ditto. No problems using those buttons on my 1D2 and RRS L bracket.

Hmm i was refering to the MK3 actually, don't know about the MKII.
Sure if you're on tripod there's no big deal or hurry, i can press the review/delete button with my rightthumb or with myleft thumb nail

coorz wrote in post #5071894
Nitpicking mode: hard to reach the review and delete buttons with the RRS-L on 1D.
Might not be an issue on your 40D.

Nitpicking mode: This is true. It is hard to reach the review and delete buttons with the RRS-L on the 1D Mark III.

coorz wrote in post #5072683
Hmm i was refering to the MK3 actually, don't know about the MKII.
Sure if you're on tripod there's no big deal or hurry, i can press the review/delete button with my rightthumb or with myleft thumb nail

Yes, you're right. It's a little harder to reach the Review button with the L-plate on but you get used to it. I have small hands but it's not a big deal for me. For me, I have other things to worry about, like getting the shots I need, to worry about sweating over the little stuff like the difficulty, if you can really call it that, of reaching for the Review button with my left thumb.

Besides, I review my images at my leisure (when I'm not shooting) so it really doesn't matter which finger/thumb I use to press the Review button.

drPheta wrote in post #5071040
Sweet, thanks guys. I just put in my order for RRS L-Bracket and 70-200/2.8 bracket. Markins ordered, and on the way. Damn, this hobby is so expensive.

I hear yah. I just spent more on RRS QR Brackets and plates than I did for my new tripod/ballhead setup.

I did, however, get a QR plate for the new ballhead and one for my monopod. Plus I needed a universal plate for my Yashica-D and Rolli (will be Rolli's soon).

After a month+ of kicking around the Gitzo and the RRS BH-40, I opted for the Bogen 055MF-3 with a Cullman 40180 ballhead. I saved a lot of money and have a pretty decent setup. The Cullman is a lot better than I'd expected and will mate nicely with the RRS QR bracket.

I ordered an RRS setup a few days ago. It hasn't shipped yet. I'm used to merchants shipping the next day after the order is received. Does RRS move at a slower pace?

I ordered the B2 LR II to replace the RC2 on my Bogen head. I would have gone Kirk but I preferred the lever as opposed to the screw knob and I didn't see a lever release clamp offered by Kirk. I also would have gotten the Kirk L plate but there was a note on RRS that only RRS and Wimberly plates work on their lever release clamps. Overall, I spent more on changing over to Arca-Swiss than I did on my whole Bogen tripod/head setup.

Rey wrote in post #5073592
I ordered an RRS setup a few days ago. It hasn't shipped yet. I'm used to merchants shipping the next day after the order is received. Does RRS move at a slower pace?

I ordered the B2 LR II to replace the RC2 on my Bogen head. I would have gone Kirk but I preferred the lever as opposed to the screw knob and I didn't see a lever release clamp offered by Kirk. I also would have gotten the Kirk L plate but there was a note on RRS that only RRS and Wimberly plates work on their lever release clamps. Overall, I spent more on changing over to Arca-Swiss than I did on my whole Bogen tripod/head setup.

I've been using Kirk L-brackets with my RRS lever clamp for years...never a problem. With RRS (and Kirk) you're getting high-quality, precision machined components that are both functional and aesthetic, without any slop between mating parts. That's why they cost as much as they do.

I also ordered the B2 LR II on March 08. Sale person said they were out of stock. It would be one or two weeks before they have any. He also said fifty (50) unit of the B2 LR II were already promise.

If you're going to get different brand plates and clamps, it's a good idea to get the non-QR version. I learned the hard way, but the RRS QR plate was not compatible with anything else. They say they are compatible with Wimberley, but I had a problem with mine.

Personally, I'm only buying Kirk or Arca Swiss from now on because the service at RRS sucks big time.

The RRS plates are fantastic! They make portrait orientation so much faster and easier. A lot of my work requires precision leveling, and having a camera slung sideways on a ballhead for portrait is out of the question.

I also use their ultimate pano package for most of my work now. Everything including their plates is laser engraved and has centering points. It makes setup easier. I can quickly align my gear and then adjust the tripod into the correct measurements depending on my lens/camera combination.

The RRS plates are also extremely heavy duty! Ide rather my camera take a hit on a plate and hood than the camera should it ever slip.

As for service and compatibility, ive had totally the opposite experience. I regularly use wimberly stuff and it works just fine with the RRS stuff. I'm pretty sure the Kirk stuff works too. No reason it shouldn't based on the design. RRS has also been one of the best companies to deal with in terms of support. I had a strange issue with a setup I was trying to do and they sent me some parts to customize exactly what I needed. No charge. It was just an odd quirk I found myself in. They were very helpful in finding a solution for me. I've called them with questions many times and Ive gotten nothing but the best responses and friendliest people. I highly recommend them, as well as Singh-Ray! (they are another company with proper support!)

SunTsu wrote in post #5073860
If you're going to get different brand plates and clamps, it's a good idea to get the non-QR version. I learned the hard way, but the RRS QR plate was not compatible with anything else. They say they are compatible with Wimberley, but I had a problem with mine.

Personally, I'm only buying Kirk or Arca Swiss from now on because the service at RRS sucks big time.

I think you're a little misinformed about the RRS plates' lack of compatibility with the other AS QR system. All the RRS plates are compatible with the AS QR system. What RRS did stipulate is that for their lever release clamps (not the screw-knob clamps), you need to use a plate made by RRS or Wimberley because the dovetails on the plates made by the other are too shallow to be used use safely on the clamp. That's a far cry from saying that the RRS plates are not compatible with any other AR clamps.

winky wrote in post #5073840
I also ordered the B2 LR II on March 08. Sale person said they were out of stock. It would be one or two weeks before they have any. He also said fifty (50) unit of the B2 LR II were already promise.

I still haven't heard from RRS regarding my order which I'm sure is held up because of this. I'll probably email them today to check the status, but the lack of communication shows poor customer service IMHO. If they were an eBay merchant they'd get a neg feedback.

I'm thinking of canceling and just ordering the Kirk stuff.

Rey wrote in post #5100214
I still haven't heard from RRS regarding my order which I'm sure is held up because of this. I'll probably email them today to check the status, but the lack of communication shows poor customer service IMHO. If they were an eBay merchant they'd get a neg feedback.

I'm thinking of canceling and just ordering the Kirk stuff.

Don't feel bad. I ordered a macro rail package setup, and learned that I'm #26 on a waiting list of 46. Apparently, their machine shop is backed up. Its you choice to cancel or not, but they're stuff is worth waiting for. Look at it this way...if they sold junk, they wouldn't have a waiting list of customers. If you call and talk to them, they're more than happy to assist you. Their customer service is one of the best that I've ever dealt with.

PacAce wrote in post #5073928
I think you're a little misinformed about the RRS plates' lack of compatibility with the other AS QR system. All the RRS plates are compatible with the AS QR system. What RRS did stipulate is that for their lever release clamps (not the screw-knob clamps), you need to use a plate made by RRS or Wimberley because the dovetails on the plates made by the other are too shallow to be used use safely on the clamp. That's a far cry from saying that the RRS plates are not compatible with any other AR clamps.

That is my understanding. I had a Wimberley plate that did NOT fit on my RRS QR. RRS blamed Wimberley and told me it was their fault but offered no solution except "Oh...then Wimberley's tolerance must be off". So much for their claims.