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I'm about to get my D2x and will need a new plate for my RRS ballhead. There are two choices from RRS - a body plate (US$55) and an L bracket (US$183). I have an L bracket on my D70, but rarely took a shot in portrait position and I'm inclined to save the $$$ and just get a body plate. I'd be interested in comments from anyone who has either of these plates.

I have the base plate for my F5 and the L-bracket for the D2x.

After time with both I really like the L-bracket better. The only bad point is that it's quite hard to open the USB enclosure on the D2x with the L-Bracket.

I also find when using my micro lens that I do sometimes shoot in portrait mode.

If you're not going to use the camera in portrait mode, then maybe you would be better off simply using the flat plate that comes with the ballhead (I think you have a benro, Peter?)

I have a D70s with an L plate, and I use it a fair bit for portrait / horizontal panoramas.

I like my L bracket, it makes the camera feel a bit bigger plus the extra protection if I were every to drop it.
I've actually used in portrait mode quite a few times for panos.
Buy the L bracket as one day you just might need it.

L bracket is a must, regardless shoot or not shoot in portrait mode.
Base plate looks ugly and unstable with the D2x due to its weight.

Peter,
And go for the new "GOLD PLATED" version

It seems to me for the added protection and the fact that you only need to want to use it in portrait mode once and you'll regret a base plate only purchase and knowing you Peter if the image requires it you'll be taking a few portrait shots Oh and congratulations on the D2X purchase
cheers
marco

losfp wrote:If you're not going to use the camera in portrait mode, then maybe you would be better off simply using the flat plate that comes with the ballhead (I think you have a benro, Peter?)

I have a D70s with an L plate, and I use it a fair bit for portrait / horizontal panoramas.

He has the RRS BH55.
The Benro is his little toy on his monopod.

Birddog,
Can you supply the L bracket without it being a hassle and at what price? We might have a bulk order .
Gerard

glamy wrote:Birddog,
Can you supply the L bracket without it being a hassle and at what price? We might have a bulk order .
Gerard

What L bracket for?

You must have an email from me .

Peter as you know both Kevin and I have the 2X and neither of us have felt the need for the L Bracket. To be honest the D2x is heavy enough as it is, and I know that people tend to leave the L bracket on the camera all of the time. The L plate also gets in the way of opening up one of the rubber doors hiding connectors (can't remember which it is offhand). It also means that if you are using a remote you cannot store the little connector cover in it's rightful place. If you can't do that there is every chance that you will lose the little buggers.

Oneputt wrote:Peter as you know both Kevin and I have the 2X and neither of us have felt the need for the L Bracket. To be honest the D2x is heavy enough as it is, and I know that people tend to leave the L bracket on the camera all of the time.

Oneputt,
Kevin does not have a ballhead with Arca Swiss type and you just have the Benro with the base plate and you have other Manfrotto head, so the L plate is very complicated for you once you want to use the D2x on difference setup (heads)

Peter has the BH-55 and the Benro head, all two heads are with Arca Swiss type clamp so the L bracket is handy on both heads + the L bracket is another added protection to the body.

The "Gold Plated" version is more secured

P.S: Peter is not going to get the ML-L3 as you got, he got the aftermarket wired remoted @ $27.00 and works well. So he doesn't need to access the rubber door.

My two cents Peter, is even though you say rarely used in portrait orientation, what would you do without an L bracket, use the cut outs on the BH55? That would be much less stable in certain situations with a D2X. Personally I would get the L bracket for those times. I would imagine you would use portrait for panos.

Not that the D2X need it, but it also offers some handy protection (or more crap to carry, depending on where you stand).

I use the L plate on my camera. Although a ballhead allows for portrait with a single plate, it does place the camera off-centre. The L plate is also a good knock protector.

Just checked the RRS site. The L-Plate is out of stock

hi Peter

congratulations on the decision to get a D2X it wil lserve you well

The RRS L plate is a must as soon as i got it my D2x looked much more kick ass than it did out of the box, people actually notice too

regarding RRS they are always out of stock it's best to email them first to check availability before you put an order through and pay for it

there is no other option of L plate for the D2X that looks snazzy there is a kirk enterprises one but it looks strange

Stubbsy, don't let short term availability decide a choice you will live with for the next 5 years

Peter I originally bought the base plate and then the L Plate and use both.

They are both very well made and serve their intended purposes well.

You best know how you use your setup and you can't really go wrong.


Bob G

Love the L plate thanks to Thanh.

Good decision on D2x Peter. Your passion deserves it. You will never have people who dont know what they are doing behind a camera come up to you again and say - "I have that same camera, They are really great." For some reason that always annoyed me. It is a form of evidence that you take the art more seriously I guess. Sad, but true.

Heath Bennett wrote: You will never have people who dont know what they are doing behind a camera come up to you again and say - "I have that same camera, They are really great." For some reason that always annoyed me. It is a form of evidence that you take the art more seriously I guess. Sad, but true.

Heath sadly I think it well just lessen the frequency, but not eradicate it entirely. There are some clueless tools that will be a D2X just because its the biggest and most expensive, and still have no flipping idea what they are doing...

Craig,
This applies to everything from cars to cooking appliances, from dogs to houses,etc... Human nature .
Gerard

wendellt wrote:The RRS L plate is a must as soon as i got it my D2x looked much more kick ass than it did out of the box

And that's a good reason to get it because ??????

gstark wrote:

wendellt wrote:The RRS L plate is a must as soon as i got it my D2x looked much more kick ass than it did out of the box

And that's a good reason to get it because ??????

because i'm a shallow ass and look is very important

L plates rock...

Set up - compose - it looks much better in portrait - *Click* rotate *Click* *snap (in a good way)* - done

wendellt wrote:

gstark wrote:

wendellt wrote:The RRS L plate is a must as soon as i got it my D2x looked much more kick ass than it did out of the box

And that's a good reason to get it because ??????

because i'm a shallow ass and look is very important

He's shallow, but at least he's honest about it

stubbsy wrote:Just checked the RRS site. The L-Plate is out of stock

My BH-55 showed out of stock when I ordered mine, but funnily enough the BH-55 arrived approximatel 7 days after I put the order through. So the wait was not to bad.

wendellt wrote:

gstark wrote:

wendellt wrote:The RRS L plate is a must as soon as i got it my D2x looked much more kick ass than it did out of the box

And that's a good reason to get it because ??????

because i'm a shallow ass and look is very important

But this is Peter that we're trying to help. Arfe you suggesting that he, too, is shallow?

gstark wrote:

wendellt wrote:

gstark wrote:

wendellt wrote:The RRS L plate is a must as soon as i got it my D2x looked much more kick ass than it did out of the box

And that's a good reason to get it because ??????

because i'm a shallow ass and look is very important

But this is Peter that we're trying to help. Arfe you suggesting that he, too, is shallow?

no just advocating that the L plate is one snazzy piece of hardware that completes the D2X

Ah, but I am shallow. Why else try to save AU$150 when I've just spent 5K on a camera  BTW. Thanks for all your advice. I've decide on the L bracket (since it will look nicer - thanks Wendell ). The web site won't let me order it so I've emailed them.

Stubbsy, I always thought you looked kick ass enough, with or without the L bracket

Congraultations on the purchase Peter.

I've missed this and didn't realise you were planning an upfgrade. Incidentally, why did you choose the D2x over the D200 - lack of availability aside?

EDIT: Apologies, just checked the other thread and read Peters reasoning.

Peter, you won't be using the L plate for long. Once you get the know the D2x a little you'll be on a P plate in no time (a red one at first)...



Cheers
Steffen.