SmallRig L-Bracket and Grip Extenders Review

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Keywords: SmallRig, SmallRig Review, Cage, L-Bracket, Video, L-Bracket Review, Grip Extension Review, Grip Extension, Sony a7riii, sony a7iii, sony a6500, Sony a7R3, Sony a73, Arca, Dustin Abbott, Video Test, Hands On, How-To, How To, SmallRig Cage, SmallRig EOS R, Canon, SmallRig a7riii, SmallRig a73, SmallRig a7iii, SmallRig a7R3

[HankMiner]

Your review was just in time in helping make the decision on which L-Bracket I was getting for my new EOS R. I wholeheartedly agree with your shortcomings list of non-SmallRigg L-Brackets. Just ordered a SmallRig. I always look forward to your equipment reviews. Thank You!

[edmoss]

Thanks Dustin. Just pruchased the updated version for the A7III. Looking forward to trying it out! The new version includes a leather texture on the grip section.

[snymat_]

Great review, as always. I too use SmallRig L-Brackets on both my A7Riii and A9, and I also added grip tape to mine. Another positive of the grip tape, is that you're not holding a chunk of freezing cold aluminum if you shoot outdoors in the Winter without gloves.

I keep the L-Brackets on mine for 4 reasons: protection, an extra place to grab the camera if needed, shooting in portrait orientation on a tripod, and my favorite, shooting in landscape orientation very close to the ground or at odd angles by using my tripod w/ articulating center column and ball head.

Like you, I wish SmallRig would incorporate the textured grip into their design. I also wish they would eliminate 1 or 2 of the 1/4-20 threaded holes on the bottom and sides of the thing and replace them with QD (quick disconnect) holes, such as the RRS brackets. I love the QD system for my slings, and have a RRS QD lens foot on my 200-600, which makes for almost instantaneous removal of my gear from the strap when needed. But I wish the SmallRig brackets also had the QD holes to be able to use the cameras with other lenses on my QD straps. The way I have gotten around that for now, is to use a small ArcaSwiss clamp with a QD hole on the bottom of the L-Bracket.

It's also worth noting (as you did in a previous review) that SmallRig allows you to order your bracket with custom text laser etched on the back face of the bracket for an extra $8 or so.

[jm]

I'm with you. I have Smallrig extenders on all my bodies as well. They are in another league with regards to quality and engineering compared to the other, generic, Chinese imports. Right up there with RRS at about 1/4 of the price.

[scbscb]

Just for all people reading this. The 2122D and 2417B are now released that included the door construction i helped design, the 'guntape' is not needed anymore and a new way to store the peak-design plugs. My own youtube channel will still show some hacks you can do on it (one still coming waiting for parts) but they are a solid upgrade from before...

[AnthonyTeasdale]

Great stuff. I was looking at the small rig but I was worried about the anchor point for the peak design straps I use on the bottom of my camera. Now I know that is not a issue.

[Scratchen]

Hi Dustin. On the noname grip, you are supposed to attach the battery door to the grip itself. I personally don't like that, since I think it messes up the weather sealing. But at least you can change the battery without taking the grip extender off.

[mncn]

Yeah i bought the L bracket from SmallRig for my Z6 and i love it. Same with me tho i keep the L part off. But i agree with you on I wish they would match them up better instead of the whole thing being smooth. Especially since SmallRig is not what i would call a cheap L bracket I do not think it is too much to ask.

[Dom_Lim]

Great review as always Dustin 👏 you should check out the YC Onion L-brackets. I have one on my A7Riii and love the grip extension it provides and it has the rubber grippy part already on them plus the allen wrench stored below like the smallrig. The cold shoe option on the Sony is really handy too 😁👍🏻

[priteshacharya]

I have a new SmallRig L bracket for A7R IV and it looks pretty well built. The one thing I'm concerned is the weight. It weigh 0.23kg. I'm comparing this to the "3 Legged Thing QR11-LB Universal L Bracket" which is under 100 grams. Weight matters to me because I do a lot of hiking with the gear.

[skymakai]

I’ve had this accessory since I first got my Sony A7III. I’ve had both versions of it. It stays on my camera unless I’m trying to reduce weight. My only issue with SmallRig accessories is their weight.

[Soul_Visuals_Photography]

This was fantastic thank you sir. Have you tried the three legged thing extenders? I wonder how they compare.

[bileamscorner]

Lovely review. Did you put the link to the grip tape? I could not find it.

[jeremias.lindner]

Hi dustin great review like always! Do you find some issue with the l bracket on the body? Like scratches or something like that?

[DalsPhotography]

Dustin, following your advice I am going for the sony a7r IV, I have a manfrotto tripod and head, is this rig compatible with that brand? Thanks a lot for your help!!! Best wishes.

[Niei]

Isn't it ironic?
They make the cameras as compact as possible and then we slap on pieces of plastic and aluminum so we're able to handle them more comfortably.

[malenky]

On my A7iii I'm currently switching between the small rig (without the L bracket extra like you suggest), and the Meike grip extender (that looks like the regular sony one, but with arca swiss). The Meike has much better ergonomics, the grip is seamless from the camera, and it doesn't dig into my left hand when balancing the camera by the lens, like the Smallrig does. The only downside to the Meike is that I can't access the batter with it on. If the Meike had battery access, it would be perfect for me.

[Andy_Thomas]

How usable is the Canon EOS R articulated screen when the L-bracket is fitted? Can you rotate and reverse it. Is it partially obstructed by the bracket when turned round to face forward (e.g. for when the user is in front talking to the camera)?

[chaoskProductions]

Have you tried it with the Canon r5. I was thinking of getting it but one review I saw on bhphoto said the little pin came off and stuck in his camera. They do seem popular. What are your thoughts

[michaelhicks]

Great review. Will the SmallRig bracket fit in a PeakDesign Capture Clip (backpack strap clip)?