Camera Labs

I usually use a tripod, or try to use one as much as possible for landscape shots. I don't have a good one like a Manfrotto or anything, just a Chinese brand which does a good job in the landscape position, but kinda sucks when I want to take portrait orientated ones.

I noticed an ad for L-Brackets and I've never heard of them before and didn't realise there was such a thing so I wondered if anyone here has any experience with them and how useful they are.

Recommended purchase or should I buy a decent tripod?

Thanks,
Mark

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Mark
Nikon D300 / Sigma 10-20mm / Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 / Nikkor 18-200mm VR / Nikkor 50mm f1.8 / SB600 Speedlight
Mark Amy Photography
My Squidoo lens - Images of China

Hi Mark,

Like you I have yet to purchase an L-bracket. It's on the wish-list but with my current set-up it seems to me that the only thing I gain is use of the top panning head when and if I want to use the camera in the vertical orientation. If your current head accepts Arca-Swiss compatible plates then have a look at the Kirk Photo offerings for Nikon cameras. Based on the fit of their camera plate on my 40D I would have no hesitation in buying one but be warned before you follow the link and have a glass of something fortifying to hand when you look at the prices.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Bob,
Thanks for all the links in your message, that's really helpful. Your review of your tripod and ball-head is excellent and exactly the same kind of specs as what I'm after.

Wow those L-brackets are pricey!! Still tempting though and it would fit into the quick release on the top of my tripod. Think I'd be more inclined to try more vertical landscapes if I had that too.

I think if it came to a toss up between a new tripod and an L-bracket then I'd go for the L-bracket because it would give me more options for taking pics. My Chinese tripod is a bit of a cheap affair, but it does the job with MUP and cable release. I'll have to try and find some prices for the brackets in HK, they've got to be cheaper if they run in line with everything else photographic.

My wish list is getting way out of control! I want a new tripod, the L-bracket, a new bag, an infra-red remote, Lee filters, a macro lens and a longer telephoto...it's never-ending!!

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Mark
Nikon D300 / Sigma 10-20mm / Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 / Nikkor 18-200mm VR / Nikkor 50mm f1.8 / SB600 Speedlight
Mark Amy Photography
My Squidoo lens - Images of China

What, no Tilt & Shift lens for extreme DoF control on those landscapes?

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

mmmm....now that's an idea

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Mark
Nikon D300 / Sigma 10-20mm / Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 / Nikkor 18-200mm VR / Nikkor 50mm f1.8 / SB600 Speedlight
Mark Amy Photography
My Squidoo lens - Images of China

Welcome to the club! It's just as well camera gear is expensive or we might all need warehouses to store our lenses.

Don't most tripods allow you to tilt the camera 90 degrees? I know my crappy tripod can, it doesn't hold the camera very still but then again it doesn't hold the camera still in any position.

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Graham
Flickr

Very true!!



Yeah I think they're supposed to, but I guess mine is half crappy It's great in the horizontal position, but vertical...forget it! To get mine to 90 degrees I have to tilt it into it's vertical position of 75-80 degrees and then fiddle about lowering the legs on the opposite side to bring it to roughly 90 degrees....not much fun!

That's why I'm so taken with the L-bracket...it looks so simple and effective.

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Mark
Nikon D300 / Sigma 10-20mm / Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 / Nikkor 18-200mm VR / Nikkor 50mm f1.8 / SB600 Speedlight
Mark Amy Photography
My Squidoo lens - Images of China

Same problem with mine then!

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Graham
Flickr