L Bracket for A7iii that will fit Manfrotto CR2 head

[Jboy]

I'm looking to buy an L Bracket for A7iii that will fit a Manfrotto CR2 plate. Preferably one that won't break the bank...any suggestions?

[thebeardedgroundsman]

Fugasun do such an L plate - I've not seen one so I don't know the quality, But starting at £14 from Amazon it should be worth trying.

[tadwil]

I didn't know such a beast existed but there IS!  https://www.amazon.ca/Manfrotto-L-Bracket-Q2-MS050M4-Q2/dp/B006LW1672

This bracket is expensive and awkward looking.  Better to by a generic Arca-Swiss based (there's tons of them available) L-Bracket and mount the RC2 plates on the tripod mount on the bottom of the L-bracket and even on the side and you would still be well ahead of the Manfrotto RC2 L-Bracket.  The best L-Bracket imo is the Smallrig brand because the mounting points are centred to the lens.  https://www.amazon.ca/SMALLRIG-Camera-Bracket-Plate-Sony/dp/B08MYZTDY9/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=L-bracket+Sony+a7iii&qid=1637278139&s=electronics&sr=1-3

I was a long time user of Manfrotto tripods and heads but I have switched to Arca-Swiss heads because everything is all standardized.  Well no, I didn't actually by Arca-Swiss heads to replace the Manfrotto heads, I bought Arca-Swiss clamps and mounted them on the RC2 and RC4 plates and left the plates in the respective heads.

[thebeardedgroundsman]

My L-bracket (for Arca Swiss) is the Three Legged Thing  "Ellie", as it has full length plates which mean the lens can easily be centred over the middle of the tripod. It gives good access to ports and battery compartment and, as a bonus can have a plate that also fits a Peak Design clip (in my case it came as a free bonus!!).

Cheap L plate for Manfrotto - https://www.amazon.co.uk/L-Plate-Release-Vertical-Manfrotto-055m0-q2/dp/B07D3KYRWY/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07D3KYRWY&psc=1

or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Release-Bracket-Manfrotto-200PL-14/dp/B07J9XVS1L

From my experience, you need to be a bit careful changing clamps on Manfrotto heads because the shallow socket on some clamps do not quite fit the "plug" on the Manfrotto head. (I tried a couple and found they wobbled, or came loose - I then changed heads completely.)

 

[tadwil]

I have generic L-Brackets similar to your "Ellie" for my Pentax K5 but I wasn't too impressed with the unbalanced look when the camera is resting on a level surface.  The main reason why I bought an L-Bracket for my A7II is because I find the camera to be a little too small for my hand.  My pinky finger grips nothing and slips under the camera base becoming fatigued much quicker than the fingers gripping the camera.  The generic L-Bracket was an improvement but not quite enough - the plate is not thick enough.  The Smallrig L-Bracket seems to be twice as thick as the generic one and should prove be more ergonomic.  I talked myself into ordering one while writing this.😄

I don't quite understand what you are trying to say about the clamp wobbling problem.  Here is my set up with the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head.  This uses RC4 plates which is much more beefier than RC2 plate.  There is no movement between the clamp and the plate but the mounting screw on the plate is much shorter than I would like.  The mounting screw makes about three revolutions before reaching the maximum tightness.  The mounting screw on the RC4 Plate is shorter than I would like - I will have to get some longer 1/4" 20tpi socket cap screws to make the connection between the clamp and the RC4 plate more secure, at least to my satisfaction.

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[thebeardedgroundsman]

Hi Tadwill

Maybe the problem I had with wobbly plates when I had a Manfrotto was due to the make of clamps I used - I tried Leofoto and Colorado Tripod co. - I guess any mixing of different makes comes with a note of caution - some work, some don't.

It did not occur to me that people use L-brackets for better grip - it's always interesting to hear of things being used for purposes other than what they were designed for!

For your purpose I understand you enjoying the Smallrig - which does deepen the body of the camera.

 

Edited November 20, 2021 by thebeardedgroundsman

[tadwil]

On 11/20/2021 at 11:07 AM, thebeardedgroundsman said:

Hi Tadwill

Maybe the problem I had with wobbly plates when I had a Manfrotto was due to the make of clamps I used - I tried Leofoto and Colorado Tripod co. - I guess any mixing of different makes comes with a note of caution - some work, some don't.

It did not occur to me that people use L-brackets for better grip - it's always interesting to hear of things being used for purposes other than what they were designed for!

For your purpose I understand you enjoying the Smallrig - which does deepen the body of the camera.

 

Hi thebeardedgroundsman,

Here is the Smallrig L-Bracket on my A7II.  I took delivery quite a while ago but when I installed the l-bracket on the camera, hand holding cold aluminum in direct contact with the heel of my hand was very cold and uncomfortable.  I tried wrapping the grip portion of the l-bracket with a strip of real leather from Michael's, faux leather from Amazon (both were too thick), I bought polyurethane leather repair sheets (adhesive backed) which turned out to be 0.7mm thick.  I have wrapped the grip of the l-bracket with the p-leather, although the workmanship is kind of rough (trimmed using x-acto knives) at least the grip is now comfortable to hold. 

The Smallrig added some weight to the A7II to clock in at 830g including battery and the height was increased substantially to be about the same as Pentax K-1 full frame body - my first choice for a full frame body but I was unable to afford the cost of even a second hand body.

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[thebeardedgroundsman]

Hi Tadweel

Looks good, I understand what you are saying about grip. Fortunately for me (i never thought I would say this) my hands and fingers are quite wide and stubby, with strength developed from 40 odd years of working with hand tools, that I find my little finger nicely supports the camera without any extension to the body.

Horse for courses! 

Cheers