L plate recommedations

[davidmknoble]

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The RSS brackets are available.  Watch the Leica sites for used S gear that gets listed. Occasionally they have RSS L brackets.  I just picked up another one for $75 US so I’d have a backup. Some of the RSS brackets are just ok (I think the M10 is ok, but not great).  The S bracket by RSS is one of the best I’ve ever used.  Thick and small, not in the way, easy to flip landsacpe and portrait, has a pin to help keep it from twisting.  Keep an eye out.

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[epines]

For anyone needing an L-bracket for the S body and unable to find a used RRS one, I've found a good solution: The Arca Swiss L-bracket:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/723386-REG/Arca_Swiss_802306_Universal_L_Bracket.html

Really well made. Fits beautifully, is very adjustable and doesn't block the ports on the left side (if you fold the rubber door to the lower ports behind the L-bracket). The one caveat is, if you want to shoot tethered with the camera in vertical orientation, you'll need to attach the RRS "cable relief spacer." This isn't due to the L-bracket itself but to the fact that the Leica USB cable comes straight out of the body rather than turning 90 degrees in an L fashion.

 

 

[hoppyman]

Out of interest, when I had this system I found that the RRS L plate would actually fit on the battery grip as well, albeit not as neat an arrangement as on the body only. I never bothered after trying it since the battery charge life was excellent in any case

[epines]

On 9/16/2022 at 9:43 AM, epines said:

For anyone needing an L-bracket for the S body and unable to find a used RRS one, I've found a good solution: The Arca Swiss L-bracket:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/723386-REG/Arca_Swiss_802306_Universal_L_Bracket.html

Really well made. Fits beautifully, is very adjustable and doesn't block the ports on the left side (if you fold the rubber door to the lower ports behind the L-bracket). The one caveat is, if you want to shoot tethered with the camera in vertical orientation, you'll need to attach the RRS "cable relief spacer." This isn't due to the L-bracket itself but to the fact that the Leica USB cable comes straight out of the body rather than turning 90 degrees in an L fashion.

 

 

One correction to this: you actually don't need the RRS cable-relief spacer to shoot tethered with the camera oriented vertically. I discovered on a shoot this week that the rails along the bottom portion of the bracket are long enough, and the bracket is built solidly enough, that you can simply extend those rails far enough out to the left to leave enough space between the vertical baseplate and the camera for the tethering cable. Much easier than attaching the separate cable-relief spacer.

Another note: the RRS clamp I use, the B2 LR II (with the quick-release lever), doesn't fit as snugly on this Arca Swiss L-bracket as it does on an RRS L-bracket. It does clamp down tight enough and hold the bracket in place securely, but the fit isn't as tight when you're initially clamping it down. To solve this, I've added one small strip of gaffers tape to the dovetail on each of the two baseplates on the L-bracket.

Edited September 23, 2022 by epines
grammar

[mgrayson3]

10 hours ago, epines said:

One correction to this: you actually don't need the RRS cable-relief spacer to shoot tethered with the camera oriented vertically. I discovered on a shoot this week that the rails along the bottom portion of the bracket are long enough, and the bracket is built solidly enough, that you can simply extend those rails far enough out to the left to leave enough space between the vertical baseplate and the camera for the tethering cable. Much easier than attaching the separate cable-relief spacer.

Another note: the RRS clamp I use, the B2 LR II (with the quick-release lever), doesn't fit as snugly on this Arca Swiss L-bracket as it does on an RRS L-bracket. It does clamp down tight enough and hold the bracket in place securely, but the fit isn't as tight when you're initially clamping it down. To solve this, I've added one small strip of gaffers tape to the dovetail on each of the two baseplates on the L-bracket.

This is why I’ve gone back to “classic knob” clamps. If every baseplate you have is from the same manufacturer, then adjustable lever clamps are great. They only need adjusting once. Novoflex has a brilliant one hand snap and twist solution, but it’s a bit of extra weight. 

[epines]

17 hours ago, mgrayson3 said:

This is why I’ve gone back to “classic knob” clamps.

Absolutely, but in the middle of a commercial shoot, when I need to release the camera to focus, unscrewing a knob is painfully time-consuming. Especially when you've got a nice flow and rhythm and rapport going with the subject / talent. It's frustrating that the RRS lever clamp isn't actually adjustable. 

 

 

 

[mgrayson3]

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1 hour ago, epines said:

Absolutely, but in the middle of a commercial shoot, when I need to release the camera to focus, unscrewing a knob is painfully time-consuming. Especially when you've got a nice flow and rhythm and rapport going with the subject / talent. It's frustrating that the RRS lever clamp isn't actually adjustable. 

 

 

 

I totally understand! Your solution is quite appealing, especially as it extols the virtues of gaff tape. 

[darylgo]

Gaffer tape works well for me, eventually I moved to the knobs on all my clamps. The knobs can also have issues, small knobs can be difficult to access with a large camera mounted.  Untightening can require the need to put some effort, similar to filter removal, nimble  fingers help.  Whenever possible I use clamps with long knobs.   

[epines]

21 hours ago, mgrayson3 said:

I totally understand! Your solution is quite appealing, especially as it extols the virtues of gaff tape. 

My setup is actually an Arca Swiss D4 head with the classic screw knob -- which I got exactly for that reason of flexibility and adaptability -- with my RRS lever clamp held in it for speed on shoots. And then the camera goes into the RRS lever clamp. It's a bit taller and heavier,  but it works. You do what you have to.

 

[mgrayson3]

1 hour ago, epines said:

 You do what you have to.

 

The definition of a professional. 

[Paul0303]

On 9/24/2022 at 7:30 AM, epines said:

One correction to this: you actually don't need the RRS cable-relief spacer to shoot tethered with the camera oriented vertically. I discovered on a shoot this week that the rails along the bottom portion of the bracket are long enough, and the bracket is built solidly enough, that you can simply extend those rails far enough out to the left to leave enough space between the vertical baseplate and the camera for the tethering cable. Much easier than attaching the separate cable-relief spacer.

Another note: the RRS clamp I use, the B2 LR II (with the quick-release lever), doesn't fit as snugly on this Arca Swiss L-bracket as it does on an RRS L-bracket. It does clamp down tight enough and hold the bracket in place securely, but the fit isn't as tight when you're initially clamping it down. To solve this, I've added one small strip of gaffers tape to the dovetail on each of the two baseplates on the L-bracket.

Thanks so much for this information. I just received my Arca Swiss L-bracket today and it works well allowing me to use tether cables in both orientations. Also worth mentioning is that locating pin fits the S-Body (in my case TYP 007). I found it best used (unsurprisingly) with a genuine Arca Swiss clamp which I have on either a Linhof ball head or Benro Fluid head, I also tried the L-bracket on a Benro geared head but its a bit too much weight and leverage resulting in it becoming a bit wobbly. 

[rollsman4]

Cant locate any L Bracket for the S 0007.   I tried just about every place.  Suggestions. 

[Paul0303]

I went with the Arch Swiss universal for my 007 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/723386-REG/Arca_Swiss_802306_Universal_L_Bracket.html If you look in the Q+A you'll my question regarding the Leica S3 (exactly same 007 for fit)  fitting and the affirmative response from Arca. I was just using it yesterday in the studio and am able to tether with it no problem. 

 

[epines]

26 minutes ago, rollsman4 said:

Cant locate any L Bracket for the S 0007.   I tried just about every place.  Suggestions. 

Have you read this thread? It's all about various possible L brackets for the S bodies. I posted earlier here about the Arca Swiss universal bracket, as did Paul0303 just now.

[mgrayson3]

I have the old RRS L bracket, so I just compared it with the Arca-Swiss L bracket. The latter worked fine with the heaviest lenses I have (without feet) - the S 180 w/elpro and the Zeiss 250/5.6 SA. Tethering in the vertical orientation is possible with both L brackets, but not ideal. I don’t tether much, so not an issue for me. I’d probably use the Tether Tools spacer if I did. 

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[John McMaster]

So there is no locating pin in the Arca bracket?  The RRS has one which mates up with the S to stay in a fixed position...

john

[mgrayson3]

47 minutes ago, John McMaster said:

So there is no locating pin in the Arca bracket?  The RRS has one which mates up with the S to stay in a fixed position...

john

True, which is why I was not expecting it to work so well. It's not magic - when extended, it is a bit flexible, but it doesn't vibrate. And none of that flexibility comes from the bracket/camera contact. It does have locator pins, but only for some popular cameras, none of them MF. But there was no slippage with my heaviest S lenses.

Edited November 20, 2022 by mgrayson3

[Paul0303]

Actually the Arca bracket does have locator pin that fits the S . Quoting Jen-Pierre from Arca "The L-Bracket universal Classic (Art.N802306) fits with a Leica S3. The registration pins will also fit in the holes of your camera as well as the base plate of the L-Bracket so that no rotation will be possible." 

here is a picture of mine

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[mgrayson3]

Well I'll be damned, you're right! I was looking at those five little holes and missed the big one.

I just fitted that pin and, while it does prevent catastrophic rotation on the S3, it isn't a very tight fit and the bracket can rotate a fair bit when it isn't tight. I'm not complaining! It's a great thing and makes me much more comfortable. The RRS plate has a bit of play as well, and one can't just assume that it will be on straight when tightened.

The Arca bracket has the added advantage that the vertical bit can be removed when not needed, leaving a more compact base plate.

Thank you for the correction.

Edited November 20, 2022 by mgrayson3