Toronto Photography Meetup Group

So after having done the cherry blossoms again in High Park, I was reminded once again why I need an L-Bracket.

Unfortunately, nobody makes a custom L-plate for the Sony a900 + vertical grip, or for the Minolta Maxxum 9 (film) + vertical grip.

The solution I'm leaning towards is a combination of parts as documented here: http://www.jeffwrightphotography.com/ga ... age14.html which essentially results in a quick removable L-Bracket. I'm leaning towards this over the kirk universal L-bracket because it appears to attach permanently to a kirk arca swiss plate. ( http://www.kirkphoto.com/Universal_L-br ... _pack.html ). Also, for the a700 and a900 I need left size access for the remote release.

Anyway, the question that comes up is this: I'm looking for arca swiss plates to mount to the bottom of my vertical grips. Any suggestions?

Should I stick to RSS, or will something from Kirk, Wimberley, Camdapter or Markins work?

Have you looked at the Acractech Universal L bracket. I got one and am
very happy with it. It's a bit pricey at $280 (Vistek), and you can order it
online from Acratech ($230 US)but have to pay shipping, or you can go directly to Vistek to try it out, and buy. With the shipping the cost will
almost be the same. You can remove/put on the bracket in less than 5
seconds. I have a battery pack with my Canon 7D and it works rather well.
They also have an extended version coming out soon, but the only thing about it is that it is a little longer and costs a little bit more. You need
an arca swiss plate for your camera first. You can also get an Acratech one
at Vistek (~$45 canadian) or online made special made for you camera with
a battery pack. What I found out was that acra swiss plates are not
readily available in Toronto. I managed to find a plate not designed for
my camera body and pack, that fit and works. It was one designed for the
Canon 5D. You can also go for a universal acra swiss plate but you have
to screw them on rather tightly so they do twist. Good Luck

Can you post some picks of the setup? I had looked at the acratech one, but the information lacks critical things like dimensions, so it was inconclusive to me as to whether the bracket would fit a body w/ vertical grip.

Also, the website does a rather horrible job showing the variable plates... I want to see all of them on one page to try and narrow it down as there is nothing specifically listed for the a900 w/ grip, or the a900 sans grip for that matter.

I will try to his Vistek Mississauga tomorrow with my camera to get a look at them in the flesh.

I've also looked at www.mestos.com, but cannot read Korean.

Also, I found a reference on a pentax forum that mentioned a nylon flat set screw can help with rigidity when there is no lip on the camera plate.

Add this to the strange occurrence list. I just got an email from RSS telling me the MPR-L (essentially the 90 degree corner piece) has been discontinued.

There is a Youtube video by acratech on the L bracket. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIosBfLdW5A
The L bracket is a universal one. You could switch from one camera body to
another(even from a Bronica SQ-Ai to a Canon 7D - I have both)very quickly. I don't think you would have any problems switching from your Minolta to your Sony cameras with or without the camera grip.
You can always try different Acra Swiss plates on you camera to find
one that best fits yours, even if there isn't one specifically made for it.
I know it fits very well with my Canon 7D and BG-E7 grip. I use the plate for the Canon 5D with the grip on this combination, since they don't
have a plate for my setup just yet(too new they said).The most important criteria for the camera plate is the shape and length of the curve.

I saw the video, and I would definitely go for the extended version, but it seems to be vapourware, since the video came out during the middle of last year. I've emailed acratech looking for specific info on the extended version.

The only luck finding sony v-grip specific plates has been from a korean site called mestos... and I'm not even sure of that since I don't remotely understand korean .

Of course for the minolta VC-9 grip for my Maxxum 9, I'm going to be going to a generic plate for sure.

It seems that the Sony a900 has a somewhat different design for the
vertical grip (where the fingers are), and this would require a company
to make a unique arca swiss plate for it. Unfortunately I don't think Sony
cameras are all that common among the majority of users, and the plate
makers have responded by ignoring this group. I think your best route would
be a universal plate, but get one that have a fair amount of rubber on its
surface to help avoid rotation. Good luck!

I've managed to successfully contact an ebayer that I guess reps the Korean arca swiss plate mfgr. I will finalize my order with them in the next day or so to get my a900 and a700 plates.

I've also ordered the extended L-bracket from acratech by phone this afternoon (not available on their website, you have to call), as well as a quick release clamp that I got a nice discount on since they call it a "second". Apparently the paint plating didn't bond quite right in one spot, and it'll get scratched up the first day anyway.

Now the problem is getting the Kirk PZ-45 plate for my Maxxum 9, since Kirk discontinued it, and I found it listed at a UK site called warehouse express. Unfortunately, they will not ship outside the UK.

Sounds like quite an adventure trying to get your plates. ACK!

I would like to know how you feel about the Acratech extended L bracket. Please post an update when you get your equipment, and how much does
the extended bracket cost?

The Acratech order came in. They shipped via USPS Express Mail so the costs were as follows:

Extended Universal L Bracket - $ 249.95 USD
Leveling Quick release clamp w/ Detent Pin (Cosmetic Second [Paint Blemish]) $ 89.96 USD
Shipping - $ 38.00 USD

On my credit card statement, the currency converted charge was $ 393.70

Canadian border taxes (13%) - another 52.78 bucks CAD.

On first impressions, the bracket looks nice. Need the camera plates to see how the system works as a whole, which for the a700 and a900 have landed from Korea, and are in Mississauga pending customs clearance. For my Maxxum 9's plate, I have a friend in the UK who has agreed to help me out.

I'm going to Vistek this afternoon to check out the Acratech lens plates, which fortunately are cheaper in our local Brick and Mortar than paying for shipping again from California. On the whole, they look to be less expensive than the Wimberley ones at Henry's as well. I'll also dabble with Ballheads today.

I'm also going to pick up a generic camera body plate so I can start using the setup now, though not ideal. Depends on the stock at Henry's and Vistek.

One question remains: the double r-strap remains in my future, as at the minimum I'm going to need it for the Caribana Parade this year (I am not carrying the camera by hand strap alone again). I would prefer to leave the camera plates on the cameras, so how should I attach the R-strap to the plate? I'm wondering if I should go the route I saw online of using an extra QR clamp with the Fasten-R screwed into the bottom, or if there is somewhere else I can attach the plate? When I hit the shops today I'll look at the possibilities.

Krik and RRS plates have a threaded hole in the plate that allows you to attach the Fasten-R screw/bolt. If you have a tap and die kit, you can tap a hole in any plate that doesn't have one.

However, the Fasten-R screw/bolt would interfere with mounting the plate onto the tripod. The Korean ones have the threaded hole as well.

Yup. That's the part that sucks. With my Krik plate, I can mount it on the ballhead but only 2/3 of it sits in the clamp, probably not something I'd feel comfortable doing despite it feeling secure. Now if they made that plate an inch longer problem solved. I don't own any L-plates as yet. I couldn't justify the cost and the added bulk for the amount of times I've used my tripod. Maybe if I started shooting more landscape and macro stuff.

Hey hotwire that Acratech order was pretty hefty- $400+ for a few pieces of aircraft aluminium! How you enjoy your new toys.

I'll make up some of the cost when I sell my existing manfrotto RC2 infrastructure.

Way way out of my league

Review posted: http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic62685_ ... tml#698712

Hey Hotwire:

In your posted review you ask if the Acratech "L" will work with the RRS clamp. On the RRS site they specifically say that their clamp will not work with the Acratech plates (amongst others). On the Luminous Landscape forum there is a message posted by a member that Acratech plates slip in the RRS clamps (http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43418)

Shame really because I liked the Acratech "L" option, but I use RRS clamps on my tripod and monopod heads.

By the way, if anyone is looking for a Canadian seller The Camera Store has the regular size Acratech "L" plate for $259.

DG

Thanks for the heads up on that DG.

Incidently, I have a Manfrotto to Arca Swiss conversion plate made by kirk. So I can mount anything with an Arca Swiss plate on my manfrotto ballhead.

I got my Korean a900 and a700 camera plates in the mail today.

On initial mounting, they are very nice, and at least for my hands they don't interfere whatsoever with my using the vertical grips. Photos on my flickr.

I went to the Henry's show this weekend.

I know it's the Henry's show, but sometimes you see something there worthwhile. Talked to the rep from Jobu Design. They do make screw type arca swiss release clamps and plates, and quickly looking a their website, they are priced competitively, and are local to boot.

http://www.jobu-design.com/quickreleases.html

I was looking at possibly getting a gimbal, and Merkle has one of these: http://www.jobu-design.com/catalog/item ... 009620.htm in the store.

Pretty nice head designs without the price of a Wimberley. I ended up with a Sidekick for my 300mm f2.8, more so for the portability and convenience of not having to carry two types of tripod heads on a single shoot. The Jobu Jr.II is nice and lightweight (not much more $ than the Sidekick) and having the clamp below the lens does help balance the unit nicer than off to the side like the Sidekick.

I use the Sidekick for my 200-400 and it works great. As mentioned it avoids having to switch heads. Although Jobu have a plate that allows you to mount the camera on the gimbal, but it seems awkward.

I like the Jobu gimbal. I was talking with friend today and he was showing me his new tripod and he had the Jobu HD2 gimbal on it and it was sweet. I have been thinking of getting the HD2 or Pro. Although I do like the side knob on the Wimberly better than the top mounted knob on the Jobu. And both pan and tilt knobs are on the same side with the Wimberly, and on opposite sides with the Jobu. I am also interested in the Jobu flash bracket.

David, go for the HD2, think future! Jobu does not recommend the Jr for the 200-400, but it would probably be OK.

The factory is in Mississauga. If there is a number of people interested in Jobu products I wonder if a special TPMG group price could be arranged directly rather than through a dealer?:D

DG

http://www.jobu-design.com/index.html

New showroom in our Mississauga office now open. Please call ahead for an appointment!
We are generally open Mon-Fri, 9-5pm.

Appears they will do direct sales. I don't know one way or another if they will do a group discount though. Trouble is I need the plates by Thursday.

I went to the Henry's photographic show on the weekend and ordered
a few items from them. Henrys didn't choose the parts I wanted to stock at
the show. Jobu threw in free delivery. Will receive in a few days

I also visited them over the lunch hour today to pick up the clamps I needed.

Working next door to a store that provides the tools to your vice. What luck!