Universal L-brackets

*hwblanks* · 07-14-2009, 07:09 PM

With the new (to me) ballhead coming, I've been toying with the idea of getting a custom L-bracket for my K20. That would be all fine and good except I'm beginning to think about eventually upgrading to the K7; if I'm going to upgrade, I'm not sure when this will happen (probably sometime later next year, at the earliest).

Has anybody had any experiences with using L-brackets with the K10/20? Keep in mind that I'm using mine without a grip and that I do use a cable release, so the L-bracket would need to accomodate that, as well.

Thanks!
Heather

ChrisN · 07-14-2009, 11:42 PM

The custom RRS (Really Right Stuff) L-bracket for the K10D/K20D is excellent in use, balancing the camera perfectly over the axis of the lens. The RRS bracket will allow you to open the door for the cable remote, but of course if you are mounting the camera in the portrait orientation you will have that end of the L-bracket mounted to the tripod head, so you can't also use a cable release. In that situation I will use an IR remote release. If I really need the cable (for timed "B" exposures) I'll just mount the camera in normal orientation, attach the cable release, then flop the tripod head over 90 degrees.

(NB. The bracket I bought for my K10D needed to be slightly modified for the K20D, to allow some clearance over the PC connector for the flash.)

Personally, I think the K-7 does not offer enough of an improvement over the K20D to be worth the money - I will wait for Pentax to really address the high-iso IQ issues before I upgrade.) So my RRS bracket will serve for a while yet.

Cheers!

mtngal · 07-15-2009, 09:14 AM

I have the RRS L-bracket for the K20. It has the ability to allow you to use the bracket in portrait mode and still have the door open for a wired remote. It's very handy as I've used mine this way a number of times.

I also have a K-7 and will buy another bracket for it when RRS makes it. In the mean time, I figured it wouldn't hurt anything to try the K20's on the K-7. It actually works quite well - the lip on the front fits and it holds the camera steady both ways without slipping. The bracket sticks out further from the camera on the left side than it should, so I'll want to get the custom designed one when it is available, but in the mean time, the K20's bracket works. As I recall, the wired remote jack is on the other side of the camera now, so you wouldn't have the issue of access that you do with the K20. I didn't actually try using the wired remote on the K-7 before I sent it back for replacement - as soon as I get it back I'll try to see if it will work.

*jem* · 07-15-2009, 04:09 PM

I'm using a Kirk Enterprises universal L-bracket with one of their quick release clamps attached so that I can quickly install/remove it from my cameras’ bottom plates. I don't like a L-bracket “permanently” mounted because they have always felt too clunky to me for general useage. For me, even the custom L-brackets feel awkward in regular usage which is why I replaced a RRS I had with the rather plain looking Kirk L-plate. With it on I can access the remote door without a problem as well as the PC sync port on my K20D. It works well both with and without the battery grip. Generally I only use it when I’m doing macro work. Occasionally, I’ll use it for general lens portrait framing – though for me most of the time the ball head is sufficient. All my long lenses have tripod collars so it isn’t needed in that configuration. What I like the most is that it works with any of my cameras and will work with the K-7 and beyond. It’s not sexy but it does the job.

*hwblanks* · 07-16-2009, 06:37 PM

Not having to take the QR bracket off to use the L-bracket is most definitely a plus in favor of getting a universal L-bracket.

To me, it appears that I can also mount it far enough away from the left side of the bracket that it'll be able to accomodate my shutter release when mounted vertically. Is that the case?

Heather

*jem* · 07-16-2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by hwblanks

To me, it appears that I can also mount it far enough away from the left side of the bracket that it'll be able to accomodate my shutter release when mounted vertically. Is that the case?

Yes it does. Sliding the QR plate in the QR mount allows me to fully access all connections. I used the Kirk L-bracket, a Kirk K20D camera plate and one of the older Kirk 1.75" QR mounts I got off of eBay. By the way, I've bought several of the Kirk QR mounts so that I can assemble various pieces together quickly - such as my micro-rails, telephoto brace, monopod, etc. At $39 USD they are a real bargain.

*hwblanks* · 07-16-2009, 08:16 PM

Thank you for the great pics. They are really helpful.

Heather

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-16-2009, 08:17 PM

Hrm, ...Thanks, Jem, that might be my way to go, too. I tend to use a variety of bodies, mostly film, and don't think I need an L-bracket that'll fit all so closely at present.

...Eeew. Bad pun alert. 'Kirk Enterprises?' Why did it take that long to notice?

*hwblanks* · 07-16-2009, 08:30 PM

While it's the most expensive of the universal l-brackets, I've got my eye on this one:
Universal “L” Bracket*::*Photographic Accessories*::*Acratech
It looks like the easiest to use out of all of them and I figure that with it being universal, I won't need to buy another one, so it would be worth the money to me.

Since Acratech says that it's a preorder, I may see about emailing them and asking them when it will actually be available.

Heather

*jem* · 07-16-2009, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by hwblanks

Thank you for the great pics. They are really helpful.

Heather

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Hrm, ...Thanks, Jem, that might be my way to go, too. I tend to use a variety of bodies, mostly film, and don't think I need an L-bracket that'll fit all so closely at present.

My pleasure! Glad I could help!

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

...Eeew. Bad pun alert. 'Kirk Enterprises?' Why did it take that long to notice?

Jeez... I just now noticed.

*jem* · 07-16-2009, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by hwblanks

While it's the most expensive of the universal l-brackets, I've got my eye on this one:
Universal “L” Bracket*::*Photographic Accessories*::*Acratech
It looks like the easiest to use out of all of them and I figure that with it being universal, I won't need to buy another one, so it would be worth the money to me.

Since Acratech says that it's a preorder, I may see about emailing them and asking them when it will actually be available.

Heather

I saw that as well. I like the looks of it - price-wise it wouldn't be much more than what I've done with the Kirk hardware. I like Arcatech as well - I have their leveling head and it is very solid and smooth.

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-16-2009, 08:44 PM

Think of all the Star Trek fans searching Ebay and wondering what all these clampy things could possibly be for. Spooooock!

*jem* · 07-16-2009, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Think of all the Star Trek fans searching Ebay and wondering what all these clampy things could possibly be for. Spooooock!

And that is why I always have to narrow my 'Kirk' search to eBay's photo branch - didn't even connect it...

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-16-2009, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by jem

And that is why I always have to narrow my 'Kirk' search to eBay's photo branch - didn't even connect it...

See. if you do film darkroom, you must be careful about searching on 'Enlarger.'

creampuff · 07-17-2009, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by hwblanks

While it's the most expensive of the universal l-brackets, I've got my eye on this one:
Universal “L” Bracket*::*Photographic Accessories*::*Acratech
It looks like the easiest to use out of all of them and I figure that with it being universal, I won't need to buy another one, so it would be worth the money to me.

Since Acratech says that it's a preorder, I may see about emailing them and asking them when it will actually be available.

Heather

Honestly at that price, I think the Acratech is over priced, and it is a generic plate at that. You can buy a dedicated RRS L plate for less than US$150 a piece.