Concerns about the RRS L-plate for Canon 450D

While trying out the RRS L-plate several things occurred to me.

1) While the L-plate does not block the ports on the side (USB, Shutter Remote, etc.), it does make it rather hard to open with my fingers. I've resorted to using a card to open it now, but perhaps there's a better way.

2) Another concern is if I use the L-plate in portrait orientation. Doesn't that pretty much block all the ports (haven't actually tried yet)? That would make the wired shutter remote useless, but I think you also need to use the wired remote to do mirror lock-up.

3) With the L-plate attached, the camera seems even more unstable than before when not using a tripod and I'm merely resting it on a surface. i.e., the camera immediately tilts forward, resting on its lens. Maybe attaching the flash will improve its center of gravity though... this is mainly for times when I cannot use a tripod but am trying to improvise by resting the camera on something. It would sorta defeat the purpose of having a plate if I'd have to unscrew the plate on and off for these situations.

1) Don't know the 450D L plate, but my 1D L plate can be mounted a bit off to the left (as seen from the back of the camera). This helps.

2) Give it a try. I can mount my 1D sideways on my Markins and still use all ports

3) Put the camera down already leaning on the lens. I do that all the time. That's where a hood helps

2) Looking at the L-plate for the 450D, there's a channel that leads any wire from the accessory ports towards the bottom of the camera so that the camera can be mounted in the portrait orientation without a problem.

3) With my camera, whenever I set it down, the front always tips forward whether I have the L-plate on or not so that's not an issue for me.

Thanks for the responses! I guess I'll fiddle with it more tonight.

RRS L-brackets are designed specifically for the camera body...you shouldn't have any problems using your remote cable with the bracket attached to the camera, either in landscape or portrait. Mine never comes off my cameras...

I think you will find that you get better and easier access to your ports if you leave a 1/8-1/4" gap between the left side of the bracket and the camera body.

Hmm, I'm a little confused about that the whole shifting it a bit left thing. I haven't examined the plate in detail, but I thought the screw was at one specific place on the bracket, so the position of the bracket relative to the camera would fixed. There is a separate screw hole that I saw, but I thought that was for screwing it into more traditional non-AS heads.

Dracil wrote in post #5799021
Hmm, I'm a little confused about that the whole shifting it a bit left thing. I haven't examined the plate in detail, but I thought the screw was at one specific place on the bracket, so the position of the bracket relative to the camera would fixed. There is a separate screw hole that I saw, but I thought that was for screwing it into more traditional non-AS heads.

You are right. I have 2 different L brackets. But, I don't have one for the 450. I assumed it was designed like my 1D2 and 40D L brackets that have a slot that allows one to shift the mount. Apparently, the 450 is a single hole rather than a slot. It is unfortunate because I've found that a small gap helps with port access. Sorry for the misinformation.

I have one on my 40D + grip and it never comes off either. I have used the remote with the camera in both positions and it works. The covers are harder to get at but that doesn't really bother me.