How Comfortable Are L Brackets For Cameras

Sad, this isn't exactly the near beautiful photograph I've always taken. I'thousand typing this post while in the airport, flying home from a free meetup with some readers of Improve Photography in Arizona.

For years I've been recommending that every photographer should go an Fifty-plate for their camera.  Withal, when I become on meetups with readers of Improve Photography from around the world, merely nigh 1 out of every 30 readers of this site actually has an Fifty-plate–probably because it's a little disruptive until yous see one in action.

So in this post I want to prove you lot what L-plates are, how inexpensive they are, and how useful they can exist.

What's an L plate for a camera?An L plate is a slice of metal that replaces the quick release plate for your ballhead.  The piece of metal turns 90 degrees upwardly the side of the photographic camera and then yous can adhere the side or bottom of the photographic camera to the ballhead.  It makes switching from shooting horizontal to vertical much easier.  Every pro lensman I know, who frequently uses a tripod, has an L-plate on their camera.

Why I (Highly) Recommend Getting an Fifty-Plate

First of all, I should clarify my recommendation.  If you lot shoot portraits and don't work on a tripod very often, then I'd skip the L-plate.  An L-plate is only useful when shooting on a tripod.  Withal, if y'all shoot architecture, landscape, product, commercial, nighttime, nature, macro, or any other blazon of photography that is done on a tripod, then it'due south an crawly accessory to have.

The benefit of an Fifty-plate is that y'all tin can attach either the bottom of the camera to your ballhead, or you tin can flip the camera on its side (for taking a vertical orientation photo) and attach the side of the camera to the ballhead. This way, yous don't have the camera flopping off the side of the ballhead, unable to get your composition right when shooting a vertical.

Likewise, an L-plate allows the photographer to center the lens on the ballhead.  Traditional quick release plates for ballheads (the little thing that attaches to the bottom of your camera and came with the ballhead) put the lens too far to the correct.  This ways the tripod is off centre (and more probable to tip if bumped or very windy).  Information technology also means that when you shoot a panorama, the photographic camera is not pivoting on the correct spot, so it can pb to problems in stitching the shots together.

Cost of an L-Plate

This is 1 of my favorite photography accessories partly because an L plate is very inexpensive, generally.  Commonly, you lot can observe an 50-plate for under $50.

At that place are much more expensive L Plates.  I in one case bought one from Really Right Stuff for over $100 and it actually was no better than the $40 l plate I had purchased on Amazon.  So I'll tell you some things to look for when buying, merely don't feel similar you have to become the premium L-plate.

Where To Find An 50 Plate for Your Camera

Step 1: Click this link to see the L Plates bachelor on Amazon.

Step 2: Look on that folio for one that works with your photographic camera model.  Yous may desire to type in your camera model in the search box with the term "l plate" to discover one.  Just be sure you DON'T buy ane that says information technology'southward "universal"!!!  It needs to exist formed specifically for your camera model.

You'll probably find one for $50 or less that gets decent reviews.  I actually wouldn't worry unless it has fewer than 3 stars.  Since these are very unproblematic pieces, most people don't actually bother to write positive reviews for an L plate because they are mostly notwithstanding.  Information technology'southward normal to see some negative reviews from the few people who were picky well-nigh something.

This is a Expert L-plate. It goes around the ports on the side so I can modify the bombardment and use the ports without taking the plate off. The plate stays on permanently.

What to Look For When Buying an L-Plate

L plates are pretty unproblematic, so you really won't find any with crazy features or tech.  Nonetheless, here are some handy features to have.  Don't feel like any of them are deal-breakers.

• NEVER buy a "universal L plate." You'll run across many of them advertised on B&H and on Amazon.  They merits to fit any camera.  These are NEVER a adept thought.  They'll almost always block the little doors and ports on the side of the camera, or require you lot to take off the L plate to supervene upon the battery.  Only purchase an Fifty-plate specifically fitted to your photographic camera.  I have links beneath to assistance with that.
• Make sure it's made of metal. I wouldn't trust a plastic 50 Plate.  They are essentially cramped downwardly in a vice (your ballhead) every time you lot utilize ane, so information technology'due south probably all-time to get a sturdy metal plate.
• It'southward handy if you lot can find one that attaches to the bottom of your photographic camera with something other than an allen wrench. If it has the lilliputian flippy mitt crank on information technology, information technology makes information technology easier to tighten by hand if it works loose.
• Information technology'due south nice if they come with a rubberized bottom and then it couldn't scratch the bottom of your camera, only this shouldn't be an issue as long as you tighten information technology very well to the camera so it doesn't move effectually.
• Be sure the plate doesn't encompass up your ports.

Source: https://improvephotography.com/42411/l-plate/

Posted by: pyattsawn1947.blogspot.com

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