BEFORE buying an L-Bracket for your Camera... WATCH THIS

An L Bracket is one of the most essential pieces of gear I own for every camera I have. However, L-Brackets can be pricey, and why, I have to ask?

It's a piece of metal, albeit an important piece of metal, it should not cost you what some companies charge.

Today I am going to talk about why you need an L-Bracket, what it's used for, and give you an alternative to the companies out there charging "Camera Tax" on a simple piece of metal...

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#LBracket #SCOSLO

[frankmuller.]

Best video I’ve seen on L-brackets - at least it makes me understand now the usefulness of that piece of metal, unlike some other videos that wasted 20min without even demonstrating how it’s used throughout the video!

[colinmelhuish]

Watched your video, excellent . Had purchased an L bracket, Was not happy, couldn't open the battery flap. Looked up Smallrig, showed one specifically for my camera model Twenty UK pounds cheaper than the one I had. Ordered a smallrig bracket straight away. (Amazon), (around 44.00 US dollars inc Postage.) received the day after. superb, even the Live view can be flipped. Better design, locking key stored at the bottom of the bracket. Well thought about. Totally sold. `So.. thanks for posting this video. Has made all the difference. Will remain on my camera. All happened within 48hrs of seeing your video.

[speterlewis]

I have an inexpensive L-bracket (under $25) for each camera. Never had a problem. Don't waste your money. Thanks for the straight dope, Blake.

[grantnewton]

I purchased a $15 L bracket off eBay for my Fuji XT2 …. Fits perfect, allows access to battery etc ….. works great!

[quallzone]

Great video! It was clear, informative, and the information can be applied to numerous camera and L-bracket manufacturers. Thank you!!!!

[peterdesmidt]

I've used RRS L-brackets for many years. Recently, I picked up a D850, and I bought a Sunwayphoto L-bracket for way less than a RRS one. The Sunwayphoto bracket is excellent, just as good at my old RRS brackets.

[GYS]

Just bought a smallrig bracket for the new camera - use it all the time and it doesn't come off the camera. Also bought plates so I don't have to change them from the 70-200mm lens to the tripod. - best time saver!

[JasonLorette]

Just bought an L-Bracket (SmallRig) for the first time, for my Z6II, definitely good advice in this video!

[Theshaileshsaraf]

Leaves no questions or doubts. Couldn't be more lucid

[mariodennisVA]

Great video! I also have the SmallRig L-bracket for my Fuji X-T4. One thing I would add to the fit process is to make sure you can use your rear LCD screen as needed, that it can swing out freely in all directions. That's what sold me on SmallRig's bracket.

[naturebypamfitzpatrick]

I love my SmallRig L-Bracket! I got it 2 and a half years ago and it has been on my camera ever since. It is a high quality product that fits my
Canon M-50 perfectly. L Brackets are definitely a time saver on location. Having one custom fit to your camera model is a must. The last thing I want to do is get my composition set up then have to remove my camera from the tripod to change a dead battery. It's not an issue with the SmallRig L- bracket. I can easily change the battery or card while the camera is mounted to the tripod. Another bonus is the extra protection it provides for my camera. It also works with my peak design straps and my Cotton Carrier Harness. (I have to attach a quick release plate to the bottom of the Cotton Carrier attachment before mounting it to my tripod but that is quick and easy to do.) Great video Blake!

[avfuels]

Thank you for this video, Blake! I had bought an L bracket for my Canon R6, only to discover when it arrived, that I could not open the LCD screen. I was about to buy one for $150 from another company. You just saved me over $100! I just bought a SMALL RIG one!

[alanm.]

Yes, the challenge with the Sunway and Small Rig can be the movement of the LCD screen in the small slot of the bracket. ..with some people worrying about the glass face hitting bare metal.
But either brand can be very economical for most people. And work just fine. Thanks Blake.

[jimbass]

Today I received my L-bracket from SmallRig. It's made for the Sony A73 and others, but not specifically for the Sony A7R4. I own both cameras and found the bracket works fine on both cameras. Thanks for the tip.

I have a Smallrig L-bracket on my Nikon Z5. Never needed one in 50+ years of photography, until I had to capture some vertical video on a recent hybrid shoot. Perfect for that and better than a full cage because Arca plates are built into bottom and side. Makes it so much faster and easier to switch between horizontal and vertical on the fly when on tripod or monopod. It does add pinky rest as well, but not having one didn’t bother me anyway.

[paulaustin]

I use (leave on) L brackets on my Nikon Z7 and D800. As Blake noted, the bracket needs to allow access to the left side connectors but one thing he did not mention is "anti-twist" features to keep the bracket from rotating on the body. Most have a "shelf" on the front that is intended to prevent rotation. That doesn't always work. In my D800, I had to install a hole in the bracket that matched a hole in the body and epoxied a nylon pin in the L-bracket that matched to hole.
I also use a D500 for birds, almost always with a long lens. -That- camera doesn't get an L-Bracket since the Arca-Swiss rail on the lens foot allows the lens and camera to rotate as needed.

[kevinparkes]

I bought an L bracket for my X-T30 from Amazon for £21 - about $25 US - and it is excellent. Well made and also includes a hand grip which is ideal on the compact Fuji for us long fingered people

[peterpage]

I had a RRS L-bracket for my Canon 70D. Upgrading to the Canon R5 was so expensive that I had to save save money as much money on the required accessories. I got a Smallrig L-bracket, which was about 20% the cost of the bracket from RRS. It works just as well and has pins that fit perfectly into the corresponding holes in the bottom of the camera. Great purchase!

[JohnDrummondPhoto]

I have a Kirk bracket on my R5 and a SunwayFoto bracket on my R6. Guess which cost a fraction of the other. Guess also which one is "better". Ah, forget that last one; they're equally good.

Guess what else: when I got my first bracket on my 5D Mark IV, I too had to swap out my Manfrotto ball heads for Arca Swiss. When I got a new tripod, I got a RRS Arca Swiss head for it. I don't regret that at all.

[basilbcf]

I am getting the ProMediaGear bracket for my R5 for the simple reason that it has a side piece that can slide forward (towards front of camera) to that I can access cable ports on teh side and, more importantly, I can fully articulate the rear screen. With Fixed brackets on a camera with an articulating rear screen you can't open the read LCD screen.