Custom L Bracket for the M9

[gwelland]

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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

 

If the rest of your equipment is RRS then the orientation of the plate is as you would expect. If you want to use this for panoramics then there are other accessories that the L plate would lock in to that provide that adjustment for the nodal point etc.

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[downstairs]

If the rest of your equipment is RRS then the orientation of the plate is as you would expect. If you want to use this for panoramics then there are other accessories that the L plate would lock in to that provide that adjustment for the nodal point etc.

 

Yes, of course. But I was suggesting an M8/9 dedicated plate and one less piece of metal in your pocket. The bracket could adjust fore and aft directly on the RRS swivel.

 

As for panoramics, a 'regular' photographer only needs about three verticals - nothing fancy like QTVR - to bring definition up to large format standards. All that is necessary is sure-fire, plug-in nodal points to avoid parallax problems - there is no way to work them out with a rangefinder.

 

Not a panoramic, but nevertheless a stitch with the M8.2...

[geesbert]

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

 

count me in, I'd want one. this orientation makes much more sense when switching between portrait and landscape

[NordHiker]

I am very satisfied with the RRS equipment. In a couple of days I am heading for the Northcape in Norway. The L braket for my M9 has its place on my packing list. It worked fine with the M8 before.

 

Tilman

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[previlo]

Nice!

[tom in mpls]

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.

 

Please add me to the list, Dale.

[haroldp]

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

 

Already sent my email.

 

You are exactly right. I do lots of panos (with RRS ultimate rig ), and oddly, an 'L' bracket is needed to use the camera in ' Landscape ' mode. 'Portrait' mode uses the bottom bracket.

 

I spoke to RRS last week while placing an order and entioned that I would like an 'M' 'L' bracket.

 

Regards ... Harold

[Mokkacream]

I am very satisfied with the RRS equipment. In a couple of days I am heading for the Northcape in Norway. The L braket for my M9 has its place on my packing list. It worked fine with the M8 before.

 

Tilman

 

 

Where is your toothbrush? Can't see it.

[volkerhopf]

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.

I use the generic plate but I have set it up in a way that I do not have to remove the L plate when I change a battery or card. Works fine, but I would prefer a custom fiied one and i told Carla.

[gwelland]

I asked for better alternatives to the B9 & universal L bracket too. I told Carla that I've reluctantly been using the Kirk plate instead, plus if they made a better plate/bracket then I'd buy it.

[danyves]

@NordHiker

 

Do replace your air mattress/pad by a Therm-a-Rest

 

Gear - Camping & Hiking - Sleeping Bags & Pads - Sleeping Pads at MountainGear.com

 

I do recommend the Z Lite Sleeping Pad or the Trail Pro Sleeping Pad

[The_hog]

Second Volkerhopf´s ultimate solution

 

"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."

 

Machine the whole thing out of one metal piece.

[kennedda]

I added my name to the list. I purchased the Really Right camera plate for the M8 and have used it for low light situations. However, I found that it scratched the bottom of the camera and found that it was better to use an older Manfrotto plate with a cork base which does not scratch. Thanks for creating the list.

[NordHiker]

@Mokkacream

 

My toothbrush? Sorry about that, the resolution was to low. Here it is, right next to the needle holder. Hope, I don´t need it this time.

 

Tilman

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[NordHiker]

@danyves

 

thanks for recomending a diffrent mattress. They look great, too. I will keep it in mind. The one which is on the picture is a "downmat 7 DLX" by Exped. Really good for coldest places. Kept me warm in Iceland as well.

 

Tilman

[Paul986]

Noel

 

I like your idea for the L bracket to replace the cameras bottom plate entirely.

 

Paul

[downstairs]

Noel

 

I like your idea for the L bracket to replace the cameras bottom plate entirely.

 

Paul

Tell Luigi.

[tdtaylor]

Just got the announcement from RRS. A new L plate for the M8/M9. Sounds very different. As a landscape photographer, I am excited. Probably have to refigure the nodal position for my lenses, but this would be worth it. It does sound rather expensive, but I'll be one of the first at the door.

 

Thanks to those who allowed RRS to borrow your camera- it is most appreciated .

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Hallo,

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[gib_robinson]

RRS returned my M8 which was used to create the specifications for the L-plate. They had also asked for feedback from 8-10 M users. I asked a couple from this forum (Jono, Jaap) along with others such as David Farkas and Roger Hicks who and written reviews of the M9. RRS took the feedback seriously and have worked to produce an elegant, integrated design. Here's their quicky description of the product due in May:

 

Due to popular demand, Really Right Stuff is creating a custom plate for the Leica M8 and M9 cameras. This new Leica plate will be unlike any other ever made.

 

The passionate voices of our Leica shooters dictated a fresh approach to the design of this plate. Instead of a standard L-plate that mounts to the camera's tripod socket, our plate actually completely replaces the Leica base. This replacement base will have an integrated dovetail for mounting in a Really Right Stuff clamp. Use the base alone as a conventional plate, or add an optional vertical component to create the L-plate. This vertical component will screw precisely to the base using our standard hex key.

 

Excited about this design, but still want to use a grip? No problem. Add the optional grip; the grip will screw to the other side of the base.

 

Innovative. Superior support. It's "Really Right."

 

--Gib

[d2mini]

Wow, can't wait to see this one.

Thanks to everyone involved.