90-280/2.8-4

[MEB]

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Those of you who have attached a quick release foot plate to the SL 90-280, which one did you use?  I contacted Really Right Stuff.  They do not have one specific to the SL lens but they recommend their number L-84 "Multi-use fore and aft plate."  It is slightly longer than the foot of the lens and uses one mounting screw.

 

Mark

[Leicaiste]

You can order the RRS L-84 with a second mounting screw.

 

Anyway there is a flat anti-twist lip.

 

Another solution could be the B-84 camcorder plate and its anti-twist pin.

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Quick-Release/Camera-Plates-L-Plates/Camcorder-Plates

 

But it will be a bit short.

 

The Leica SL and the 90-280 are both equipped with the camcorder standard hole next to the screw mount.

 

Like the R8/R9 and some long R-lenses were in the past.

[LocalHero1953]

I use a Kirk 3" plate. Kirk plates are a bit thick and heavy compared to RRS, but then who notices on the 90-280?

[wlaidlaw]

I wish someone did a long two screw plate but with an east-west dovetail on it for the 90-280. I use a single screw iShoot 40mm plate across the foot of my 90-280. Because I use a Manfrotto 322 side handle joystick head with a Hejnar Arca compatible clamp converter on it, I need the dovetail to be east west or it would be very difficult to squeeze the release handle of the head. I use an RRS BP-CS plate on the SL body, where again of course, the dovetail is east west, so while rotating the Hejnar converter on the 322 head would solve the 90-280 problem but then would be wrong for when I mount the camera body on this head. 

 

Does anyone know of such a plate. I emailed RRS but they said they did not do one. 

[Leicaiste]

I wish someone did a long two screw plate but with an east-west dovetail on it for the 90-280. I use a single screw iShoot 40mm plate across the foot of my 90-280. Because I use a Manfrotto 322 side handle joystick head with a Hejnar Arca compatible clamp converter on it, I need the dovetail to be east west or it would be very difficult to squeeze the release handle of the head. I use an RRS BP-CS plate on the SL body, where again of course, the dovetail is east west, so while rotating the Hejnar converter on the 322 head would solve the 90-280 problem but then would be wrong for when I mount the camera body on this head. 

 

Does anyone know of such a plate. I emailed RRS but they said they did not do one. 

 

 

The only solution I see is the following plate which has a Bi-directional dovetail design and an anti-twist flange :

 

the RRS B9

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/B9-Multi-use-bidirectional-plate

Edited August 30, 2016 by Leicaiste

[wlaidlaw]

The only solution I see is the following plate which has a Bi-directional dovetail design and an anti-twist flange :

 

the RRS B9

 

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/B9-Multi-use-bidirectional-plate

 

That is what I will probably end up getting, as the anti twist lip makes it more secure than the iShoot plate I am using at present and was what RRS suggested. The ideal plate would have no anti twist lip, the screw slot would be central and the base (non-dovetail side) would be extended along the axis of the screw slot with a second hole to insert a second screw into the foot of the lens. This would fix the plate more securely to the foot. 

 

Wilson

[steppenw0lf]

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I do not really understand what is so critical about these plates, sorry. Is the lens slipping in any way ?

 

I often use a gimbal head with the 90-280. And with that the camera/lens combination is so flexible/movable with little force/effort that I never have a problem with the plate.  (It is all noname stuff - was very cheap compared to named brands (sale) - so I cannot even recall the brand/type). For me it is simply the "monkey swing" (Affenschaukel). It works great for me.

Edited August 30, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[steppenw0lf]

I think it is the Movo GH700. Really cheap but very sturdy and flexible at the same time. And it has an arca-swiss quick relese plate

When the head is moving easily/effortlessly there is little force on the plate. It is probably cheaper than many a customized plate.       (ebay USA)

There is also a GH800 for heavier weights - but not necessary for me.

Edited August 30, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[wlaidlaw]

I think some folks worry (me included) is the strain on the foot from a single fixing screw. The plate I am using at the moment does tend to slip and rotate a bit on the foot, so I have ordered one of the RRS B9's with the anti rotate lip. 

[sillbeers15]

I have been shooting the 90-280mm handheld so far till date. Thanks for the B9 info, I've since ordered it.

[Guest VVJ]

The 90-280mm appears to be in stock now at B&H.  First time I see it sitting in stock...

[rriley]

I think some folks worry (me included) is the strain on the foot from a single fixing screw. The plate I am using at the moment does tend to slip and rotate a bit on the foot, so I have ordered one of the RRS B9's with the anti rotate lip. 

 

I'm using an L84 RRS plate.  It is about 3 1/2" inches long (1/4" longer than the lens foot) and has provision for two screws for attachment.

Edited August 31, 2016 by rriley

[wlaidlaw]

I'm using an L84 RRS plate.  It is about 3 1/2" inches long (1/4" longer than the lens foot) and has provision for two screws for attachment.

 

The problem for me with that plate is that for the head I am using, the dovetail runs the wrong way. If RRS or anyone else did that plate with a short dovetail running across it rather than along it, that would be what ideally I would like but meanwhile an RRS B9 is on its way to me. 

[Leicaiste]

Those are also excellent plates.

 

http://www.tripodhead.com/products/lens-plates-main.cfm

[MEB]

You can order the RRS L-84 with a second mounting screw.

 

 

Thank you for that suggestion.  It hadn't occurred to me that I could get a second screw to work with this plate.  I have ordered it that way...should arrive today or tomorrow.

 

Mark

[Leicaiste]

The problem for me with that plate is that for the head I am using, the dovetail runs the wrong way. If RRS or anyone else did that plate with a short dovetail running across it rather than along it, that would be what ideally I would like but meanwhile an RRS B9 is on its way to me. 

 

 

 

Another solution may be the Wimberley Module 8---M-8 Perpendicular Plate :

 

http://www.tripodhead.com/products/product-details2.cfm?product=M-8

 

but it may not be strong/rigid enough.

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[wlaidlaw]

That is all getting a bit complicated. I will just live with the single screw fixing into the foot and the RRS B9 plate I have ordered. Thanks for the suggestion anyway, 

[johnbuckley]

Sorry to take this off the topic of plates, but I just want to make a general comment on the 90 - 280, which I've now been using on a stay in the American West for the past two weeks. I think it is truly an incredible -- no, more than incredible, an unbelievably good lens. I've shot it mostly hand held, and with the image stabilization can take sharp images of wildlife not just at dusk, but well past it. Yes, it's long, especially with the hood attached. But it completely fulfills, for me at least, the promise of the SL, and in combination with the 24-90, offers an incredible solution for landscape and wildlife photography.

 

I don't use a plate with my tripod or monopod, but find the detachable holder on the lens sturdy and quick to put on or off. Anyway, this thread persuaded me to purchase the 90-280. Having done so, it confirms that the SL system is a winner, for me at least, even as it makes me appreciate my seemingly tiny M all the more.

[David Dennis]

Sorry to take this off the topic of plates, but I just want to make a general comment on the 90 - 280, which I've now been using on a stay in the American West for the past two weeks. I think it is truly an incredible -- no, more than incredible, an unbelievably good lens. I've shot it mostly hand held, and with the image stabilization can take sharp images of wildlife not just at dusk, but well past it. Yes, it's long, especially with the hood attached. But it completely fulfills, for me at least, the promise of the SL, and in combination with the 24-90, offers an incredible solution for landscape and wildlife photography.

 

 

John, how have you found handling the heavy lens compared to similar products?  Is it similar to other DSLR/lens combinations of similar style?

 

How would you compare it to a Nikon 80-400 or Canon 100-400?

 

Thanks!

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[johnbuckley]

John, how have you found handling the heavy lens compared to similar products?  Is it similar to other DSLR/lens combinations of similar style?

 

How would you compare it to a Nikon 80-400 or Canon 100-400?

 

Thanks!

Dennis - the handling is really very easy and smooth, and it's not inordinately heavy. I really have had no problem shooting it handheld. I don't have familiarity with the Nikon, but do with the Canon, and it seems thinner, lighter, and perhaps not quite so rugged. That said, like the SL itself, it seems incredibly well made.