Camera L-Plates (AKA L-Brackets) are among the most-used of my gear. Let's dive right into the Camera L-Plate review with an in-use example. Below is a Canon EOS 5D Mark II with a Canon BG-E6 Battery Grip and a Kirk BL-5DIIG L-Bracket.

 

The strong, anondized, machined aluminum bracket attaches to the camera via the tripood mounting threads. While some camera-generic L-Brackets are available (or announced), most brackets are camera-specific and available for most DSLRs - with or without battery grips. They are made to perfectly fit the contour of the bottom of the camera - a solid, anti-twist design. The custom brackets are machined to allow access to the various ports and controls. Battery access is also provided.

The bracket bottoms are threaded for a tripod or other attachments similar to the camera body itself.

 

The primary use I have for L-brackets is to quickly, securely and solidly attach a camera or big lens to a tripod or monopod head that has an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick release clamp. And the primary advantage an L-bracket has over a normal camera body plate is that there are two mounting plates - which allows the camera to be attached in landscape or portrait orientation with similar ease.
 
This versatility avoids the need to use the drop-notch on a ballhead (which significantly lowers the viewfinder eye level - especially for cameras with a battery grip) for portrait/vertical-oriented shots. The drop notch then remains available for more framing flexibililty - allowing far-beyond vertical framing even with a level tripod.
 
Various brackets (such as flash brackets, panorama brackets, other mounts ...) can be attached to the L-brackets. Clamps can be purchased individually and mounted to almost anything your creativity dreams up - allowing your camera to attach to the same.
 
Camera L-Plates provide some additional protection for the camera itself. These brackets, while not heavy (about 2-5 oz / 50-145g), are quite solid and take any blows coming from the two protected sides of the camera.

I love the Arca-Swiss system of plates and clamps. I can quickly put any camera with any lens on any tripod or monopod head I own. I currently have Kirk and Really Right Stuff Camera L-Plates on all of my primary DSLRs. I highly recommend them.

 
   

 

 

 

 

* Canon EOS 1D X Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D Digital SLR Review
* Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera Review
more Canon Digital SLR Camera Reviews ...
 
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM Fisheye Lens Review
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM Lens Review
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens
Review
more Canon Zoom Lens Reviews ...
 
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens Review
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L II USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L II Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 Lens Review
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro Lens Review
Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Soft Focus Lens Review
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III Review
Canon Extender EF 2x III Review
more Canon Lens Reviews ...
 
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens Review
more Canon EF-S Lens Reviews ...

Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens Review
Sigma 20mm F/1.8 EX DG Lens Review
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
more Sigma Lens Reviews ...
 
 
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II Lens Review
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens Review
* Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC Lens Review
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens Review
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di Lens Review
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens Review
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
more Tamron Lens Reviews ...
 
 
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens Review
 
 
Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Lens Review
Zeiss 100mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens Review
 
 
  (standardized results only at this time)  
 
   
* Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 320EX Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 270EX II Flash Review
* Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT Review
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 Review
more Flash & Lighting Accessory Reviews ...
 
Tripod, Monopod, Ballhead & Accessory Reviews
UV, Circular Polarizer & Other Filter Reviews
Camera & Lens Accessory Reviews
Lens & Sensor Cleaning Supplies Reviews
Camera Bag, Backpack & Lens Case Reviews
What I Use: Digital Cameras and Lenses
What I Use: Photography Accessories
 
* Text portion of this review is not complete

 
Introduction - Canon lens choosing is confusing!
What Focal Length(s) Do You Need?
What Maximum Aperture Do You Need?
Canon General Purpose Lens Recommendations
Canon Portrait Lens Recommendations
Canon Wedding Lens Recommendations
Canon Outdoor Sports Lens Recommendations
Canon Indoor Sports Lens Recommendations
Canon Macro Lens Recommendations
Canon Wildlife Lens Recommendations
Canon Landscape Lens Recommendations
 
ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Sample Crop Comparison
Vignetting Test Results Comparison
Lens Flare Comparison
Lens Distortion Comparison
Lens Specifications and Measurements Comparison
Lens Product Image Comparison
 
Used Canon Cameras and Lenses
Where To Buy Used Canon Cameras and Lenses
Where To Buy Canon Cameras and Lenses
Field of View Crop Factor (Focal Length Multiplier)
Canon L Lens Series
USA vs. Gray Market/Imported Canon Lenses - the difference?
Zoom vs. Fixed Focal Length (Prime) Lenses
Canon Lens Date Codes - How old is that lens?
Canon Lens Vignetting (Light Fall-off)
Lens Hoods - Do I really need to use one?
Canon Lens Rebates
UV Filters - Should they be used?
 
Canon Digital SLR Camera Sample Pictures
Canon Zoom Lens Sample Pictures
Canon Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF-S Lens Sample Pictures
Sigma Lens Sample Pictures
Tamron Lens Sample Pictures
Tokina Lens Sample Pictures
Zeiss Lens Sample Pictures
Flash & Lighting Accessory Sample Pictures
Filter Sample Pictures
Best of the Site Pictures
Sensor Cleaning
Watch the Background!
Exposure Basics
Digital Workflow - Using Canon Digital Photo Professional
Fireworks Photography Tips
Photography Equipment & Liability Insurance
Packing for a Landscape Photography Trip
Counterfeit Camera Accessories Warning
Camera & Lens Focus Calibration Testing
How To Use a Gray Card
Circular Polarizing Filters Can Make A Huge Difference
How to Remove a Stuck Lens Filter
Air Show Pictures & Photography Tips
More Photography Tips ...

 

 

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