Custom L Bracket for the M9

[Paul986]

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Hi all,

 

I recently received my lovely new M9 and have discovered that there is no custom made L bracket currently on the market for this camera. RRS and KirkPhoto do offer a generic version but it's not ideal.

 

I put my request to both companies and RRS replied saying they would consider making one if they got sufficient requests.

 

So, if you'd like to see this happen please email carla@reallyrightstuff.com and request same.

 

Thanks for your support,

Paul

[hoppyman]

Paul the requirement would be identical for the M8. This is not new. I use a RRS bottom plate and head. The current L plate option looks to be a reasonable solution, in my opinion. You only have one small issue with one strap lug that you can work with.

[Guest mc_k]

I'll participate, but the RSS universal L-bracket is o.k. I am able to use it with the camera strap if I undo the strap retainer. I am able to use the bottom plate release if I remember to leave it up. Can't really think of any drawbacks.

[Paul986]

I realise the M8 and M9 are the same which is all the more reason for someone to do a custom L bracket. There will very soon to be a sizeable market for such.

 

There are a host of improvements which could be made to the generic one.

 

All it takes is a simple email. Once they decide to go ahead, we can have input on the design.

 

Cheers,

Paul

[Guest brisman]

Hi

 

I use the generic L bracket - its usable but would much prefer a customer bracket.

 

S.

[drteitelbaum]

I have an L bracket that I use for my D3, but I don't see the necessity of it for a camera as light as the M9. The point of the L bracket is to keep the weight of the camera centered over the ballhead, and any RRS ballhead is more than enough to support an M9 with any Leica lens. I've been using my M9 with just a flat plate on the bottom with my RRS ballhead (i have both sizes,) and it is secure as can be when turned vertically. As much of a gadget geek as I am, I don't think an L bracket is necessary. More concerning, I wonder if it were designed as tightly as the other L brackets how the bottom plate would be removed...I gues it would have to L to the right rather than to the left side of the camera, which means it would get in the way of a right handed photographer, right?

[Guest mc_k]

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I have an L bracket that I use for my D3, but I don't see the necessity of it for a camera as light as the M9. The point of the L bracket is to keep the weight of the camera centered over the ballhead, and any RRS ballhead is more than enough to support an M9 with any Leica lens. I've been using my M9 with just a flat plate on the bottom with my RRS ballhead (i have both sizes,) and it is secure as can be when turned vertically. As much of a gadget geek as I am, I don't think an L bracket is necessary. More concerning, I wonder if it were designed as tightly as the other L brackets how the bottom plate would be removed...I gues it would have to L to the right rather than to the left side of the camera, which means it would get in the way of a right handed photographer, right?

 

With one of the heavier lenses the M is not so light, and maybe add a flash to that. Not everyone likes ball heads, and you need the L-plate for a two-way head. The RSS bracket doesn't interfere with the bottom plate, as posted above, and it doesn't interfere with someone right-handed; in fact it becomes a nice grip when off-tripod. For verticals, I find it better to have the viewfinder on top.

[tdtaylor]

And for us landscape types, you really need an "L" bracket to use a pano rig with the camera vertical.

 

Already sent my email.

[Paul986]

The purpose of an L Bracket has little to do with weight. It is designed to keep the camera centred so the framing is not moved off to the right or left which is what happens when you go vertical with a standard ballhead.

 

The other advantage is that it maintains the height of the camera on tripod instead of flopping it over and therefore lowering it.

 

Ls are a lot easier to use on tripod in the field if you like to shoot both horizontal and verticals.

 

Paul

[Paul986]

Terry

 

Thanks for sending you email to RRS.

 

Paul

[Guest brisman]

Sent my email yesterday - Carla was quick to reply and advised that she is keeping a list - so if you are interested in a custom L bracket for the M9 please send an email.

 

Has the this been posted in the M8 forum?

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[sunil]

Hi all,

 

I recently received my lovely new M9 and have discovered that there is no custom made L bracket currently on the market for this camera. RRS and KirkPhoto do offer a generic version but it's not ideal.

 

I put my request to both companies and RRS replied saying they would consider making one if they got sufficient requests.

 

So, if you'd like to see this happen please email carla@reallyrightstuff.com and request same.

 

Thanks for your support,

Paul

 

OK, I've done my bit. Lets hope they listen.

[Paul986]

No I haven't posted in the M8 forum. I'll do that now, thanks.

 

Paul

[Noel Holland]

The crux of the problem with any L plate for a the M9 or M8 is Leica's design conceit of hiding the battery and SD card under a bottom cover. Any L-plate that is fitted must contend with the bottom cover locking toggle.

 

As I see it there are only five ways of dealing with that locking toggle:

1) Accept that the L-plate has to be removed everytime you need to open the bottom cover.

2) Mount the L-plate on the right side instead of the left but this interferes with holding camera with the right hand and with proper placement of the shutter release finger. Also the bottom cover needs to rotate slightly to the right side to clear the bottom cover locking clip, an L-plate set too close to the side may prevent that.

3) Redesign the shape of the L-Plate so that it either has a bulge to allow direct access to the Locking toggle or else add a step between the base plate Dovetailed section so that there is a gap to allow you to reach behind the L-plate and operate the toggle. Both of these options would be just too ugly to be attached to a Leica.

4) Design the L-plate with a quick release mechanism. One part stays attached to the tripod socket while the vertical section and the part that covers the locking toggle can be removed to give access. This is a complicated idea and without care could produce something that isn't stiff enough at the joint to do the job

 

Then final the solution that makes the most sense:

5) Build an integrated L-Plate and bottom cover in one. Just remove the Leica bottom cover and replace it whole thing with an L-plate. That way the locking buckle would be an integrated part of the L-Plate and accessed without removing the L-Plate first.

[Luke_Miller]

I'll participate, but the RSS universal L-bracket is o.k. I am able to use it with the camera strap if I undo the strap retainer. I am able to use the bottom plate release if I remember to leave it up. Can't really think of any drawbacks.

 

I have the RRS L-plate on my M8.2. Like you I can use it with the Leica strap if I slide the retainer up while mounting the L-plate. Afterwards I can slide the retainer almost back into position. Recently I got an UpStrap and installed it using the Nikon style triangular "rings." In this configuration the strap no longer interferes with the installation of the L-plate. I can also remove and replace the bottom plate without removing the L-plate.

[d_brown]

I tried the RRS generic plate. It worked but was not completely satisfactory, so I made my own. It holds the camera properly, clears the strap, and allows access to the battery. If RRS doesn't decide to make one in a timely manner I might be humored into running a few if enough people were interested. I would try to get them anodized.

 

Here is mine:

 

Dale

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[fotoism]

Looks cool! How much would that run for?

[downstairs]

 

DIY but the measurements are here.

[downstairs]

Dale,

Your tripod shoe runs sideways instead of longways.

The distance from the camera base plate to the lens axis is not a variable, it is 34mm.

On the other hand the fore and aft distance is a variable. It varies according to the nodal point of the lens. Thats why the 'Right Stuff' bracket is no good for Leica. I would love such a beautifully made bracket such as yours. Would you consider a redesign?

Christopher

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[neli]

I tried the RRS generic plate. It worked but was not completely satisfactory, so I made my own. It holds the camera properly, clears the strap, and allows access to the battery. If RRS doesn't decide to make one in a timely manner I might be humored into running a few if enough people were interested. I would try to get them anodized.

 

Dale

 

hi dale

i'd be interested, what price are you thinking about?