Anyone know where I can find a somewhat inexpensive Arca Style L Plate?

Actually, I have two quick release plates. I bet I can make one. Hmmmmm. Time to visit the metal shop.

Inexpensive and L brackets don't go well together. I have a Kirk, a friend of mine had a Kirk for his old camera but RRS shipped one for his D3 faster.

yep, I'm using RRS plate, and ~$150/L bracket gets old fast. And it's way more for the 1 series ($180 I think). Plus with the non 1 series you have to decide weather or not you want it to work with a grip because it's 2 different brackets depending... So I have 2 for my non gripped smaller bodies.

That is ridiculous for something so simple.

They don't make them in high volume I don't think, and when my mechy buddy was looking at making one getting them designed and contoured just right like they are isn't the simplest thing in the world I guess. That probably has a lot to do with why they cost so much it seems.

Yep.

But in reality RRS does a really good job making them specific for each camera. There is ZERO wiggle/wobble/rotation once it's on there. And it's like a nice mini roll cage for the camera.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

Yep.

But in reality RRS does a really good job making them specific for each camera. There is ZERO wiggle/wobble/rotation once it's on there. And it's like a nice mini roll cage for the camera.

Same with my Kirk plates.

I can't stand trying to get the camera vertical on my ball head.
I might just have to break down and invest in one.

Yeah, it seems like an insane amount of money for now much Shawn, but once you use one you'll never go back. They are that good, especially if you shoot on a tripod a lot and are going between horizontal and vertical like I know you do... You just flip the clamp open, rotate the body 90º and put it back in. It's like 1~2 seconds versus what, 15 AT LEAST doing it with the head? I realize it's crazy money having a $300 head, a $120 clamp and $140 camera plates... But once you've used it, if you use your tripod a lot, they're so nice.

It's been a wonderful upgrade for me because I now like to use my tripod. I used to HATE using my old one so I'd avoid it whenever possible. Now I love my setup so I'm more likely to take it with me and use it. It all boils down to what you're willing to tolerate and what your budget is.

What are clamps?

the part on top of the head that holds the plate.

QR lever style:


Screw type:

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

the part on top of the head that holds the plate.

QR lever style:


Screw type:

Right on, I already have that on my ballhead. Not sure that I would need to buy any more.