L Bracket

[kojow]

Greetings, I am looking for some way to position my camera on its side on a tripod for portrait pictures. I have found an L-Bracket at www.kirkphoto.com/lbrackets.html (http://www.kirkphoto.com/lbrackets.html) . I haven't really found many anywhere else. Does anyone know where else I can purchase one? Do they go under a different name other than "L-Brackets"? I am in Canada and preferably looking for a local place to order one.

Thanks,

-kojow

[memobug]

You might take a look at www.custombrackets.com They have a couple of options depending on whether you want to position a flash above the camera.

Keep in mind that the older S1 products they have there have a slight offset, so the lens barrel does not stay on axis. It goes through a 3/4" wobble as the camera goes from portrait to landscape, so the lens axis describes a small "C" shape. This was to give the S1 batter clearance

The newer recommended version for S2 uses an adapter plate on the 35 series mount and would supposedly give you a more accurate rotation about the lens axis.

I tried the S1 version and my only real complaint is that the mechanism, which rides in teflon rollers seemed a little stiff. Maybe it would loosen over time.

Some other manufacturer makes an L bracket with a stage that will flip on a little pantagram. I don't recall the name, but maybe somebody else here will.

Another option if you don't need to keep the flash in position is a ball head, or a tripod with an stage that flips out to vertical.

Regards,

Matt

[amazingthailand]

In the old days, an L-bracket simply refered to a handle with an arm for mounting the camera. An off camera flash was then mounted on top of the handle.

I just bought one of these recently for less than $10. But they are real hard to come by, for some reason.

But I think that may not be what you are looking for. The heavy duty bracket that you reference in your URL, or the ones at Camera Brackets are a different breed.

You can also check out Tallyn's at www.tallyns.com.

If all you really want to do is to flip your camera from horizontal to vertical while on a tripod, I suggest buying a good tripod. This will come with a top plate that will flip 90 degrees and a quick release mounting plate (check Bogen, among others).

A good tripod with camera head (not a video head) will run in the same ball park as the brackets listed above.

You did not say which city you are in, in Canada, but assuming you are in a larger one, then your local camera store should have a selection of tripods, and maybe even L-brackets.

Good luck.
Declan

[Topngu]

Stroboframe "pro" for SLR camera is the best...but you may need
SC 17 extension cord for flash TTl with S2...the flash mount on
top also you can raise the flash almost one feet higher!the camera turn vertical or horizontal without move the flash.

[NIKKOR]

I have the L bracket that you are taking about for my S2 (also have the bracket by Kirk for my S1). These are very well made and well thought out as far as not interfering with the firewire connector on the camera body. However they are expensive but I never worry about the camera when I use the bracket ....I leave the bracket on all the time... with the "shoe" part being the same for vert or horiz, it is very fast to change on my ball head. I would recommend it highly......they are made to fit the body exactly --- not a generic fit, so the camera does not swivel or move around once the bracket is on the body.
Don

[NIKKOR]

As a follow up to my L-bracket message -----you should also look at the following ball head for your tripod. It is designed around the Kirk L bracket. I also have this ball head and it is a delight to use. Very well made !!!

http://www.clearsightusa.com/acratech.html

Don

[Topngu]

I forget mention about quick release for "L" stroboframe bracket
you canget many adaptor plate for camera.I used with
Giotto MH1000 ball head.

[Nillfist]

I am not too experienced but doesnot the Bogen168 about the same? it saves alot cash. What are the exact proffits by such an
l-bracket?

[memobug]

Is the 168 a ball head?

Ball heads can be really useful. The L bracket lets you change from a vertical to horizontal orientation without reframing. The lens axis theoretically stays on center.

Ball heads unfortunately swing the body of the camera, and the lens in an arc, so it has to be reframed.

Some of the brackets discussed also allow you to keep a flash head in position over the centerline of the lens. This throws shadows down more and reduces red eye.

Personally, I have tried a ball mount but when you need to walk up to the subject to change a pose, I kind of cringe at the thought of the camera doing an end-o onto its lens if I forget to lock the ball. That could happen anyway, I am just always conscious of it for some reason. If you are always at the camera, like a nature photographer, I think ball mounts are the cat's whiskers!

Regards,

Matt