Things I've Found That Just Work; Inexpensive L-Brackets

Model Specific L-Bracket for a Fujifilm X-H1 (click to enlarge)

I buy and use L-Brackets for all of my cameras.  I have been for years.  I find they very securely and easily allow me to center and attach my cameras to my tripods' ballheads.  When I want to switch from a horizontal composition to a vertical one, it is very easy to flip the bracket on its side, center it and my lens is essentially in the exact same position as it was for the horizontal shot.  No need to tilt the ballhead on its side and have the camera now sit lower and a few inches to the side from its previous position and have it no longer centered directly over the tripod thus causing some instability.  And....the point of using a tripod is stability.  Also, no need to reposition the tripod to attain the same composition.  Sometimes small changes in camera position can make the difference between an excellent composition and a lesser one.  L-Brackets are quick and efficient.

I used to buy only Really Right Stuff L-Brackets for all of my cameras.  Sometimes these are called L-Plates or Quick Release Plates.  Don't get me wrong, Really Right Stuff gear, as well as Kirk Enterprises gear is extremely well built of only the finest materials and everything I've ever bought from them has worked flawlessly—exactly as designed.  No criticism of their products—except they have become very, very expensive, in my opinion.  Compared to $25-$50 US for an off-branded L-Bracket, the RRS ones for the same cameras are anywhere from $185-205 US.  What is the value difference between the expensive ones and the less expensive ones? 

As a result, I started looking around on Amazon, eBay, B and H Photo, Adorama, Roberts Camera and other large, well known retail establishments for alternatives.  For the past 4 or so years, I've bought a number of inexpensive L-Brackets made by Chinese manufacturers and every one of the ones I've purchased has worked as well as their expensive counterparts.  In other words, the ones I've purchased has "just worked."  But I am a careful and thorough shopper.  Some people aren't.

If you are in the market for an inexpensive L-Bracket that "just works," read on.  I would like to pass on to you the benefit of my experience with them.

First, there are few different kinds of Brackets.  There are "universal" brackets that are just an L shape that will fit about any camera.  There is no customization or fit for your particular model.  The downside of these is if you don't get them tight enough, they can shift in position.

Second, there are those that are customized to be an exact fit for a specific camera model.  Those are the ones I buy as they don't shift or twist in use (see illustration above).  They are machined to fit around the outside of your camera body like a glove would fit your hands.

Third, there are those that fit right to the bottom of the camera without an attached battery grip and there are those which will fit a camera with a battery grip attached.  Those that will fit with the camera's grip attached are a bit more difficult to find and are a bit more expensive.  

Finally, there are also L-Brackets with an additional (detachable) finger grip in the right front if your camera doesn't provide you with satisfactory area to wrap your fingers around and hold it securely (see illustration below).

Same as above showing the style of attachment bolt that has small handle to attach the L-Bracket
so if you don't have any tools, it can be attached with your fingers. (click to enlarge)

If you do your research you will discover a couple of interesting things about inexpensive L-Brackets.  The exact same L-Bracket will be available under different names with wildly different pricing.  I've seen the same brackets listed with different names using the same illustrative photos for $18 all the way up to $40—for the exact same product!  The other thing you will find is that there are a variety of bolt designs that attach the L-Bracket to the camera's tripod mount hole.

I've found three basic styles of attachment 1/4" x 20 bolt designs and I think it does make a difference which one you buy (you can also find these three types separately on Amazon if you want to change styles).  The one that has been around the longest and most common is the one that has a "hex" head so you have to use a "hex" wrench, also called an "Allen" wrench, to tighten the bolt to the camera.  There is no other way to attach it.  If you lose or forget the correct size "hex" wrench, you are out of luck!

The second design is the type of head that will take a "hex" wrench but it can also take a coin or a slotted screwdriver for attaching or removing the bracket.  This makes it more convenient as you can attach or remove the L-Bracket if you lose or forget your "hex" wrench.  This is the kind I like best.  (Also, I keep at least two correctly sized "hex" wrenches in each of my camera bags since many, many years ago I was out photographing far away from home and didn't bring one and was very sorry!  I promised myself I would never make that mistake again.  In fact, I keep an extra attaching bolt in each of my bags in case the bolt breaks or gets lost.)

The third kind I've found is one that has the coin or slotted screwdriver slot but it also has a little "fold-over" handle that allows you to attach, tighten or loosen the bolt with your fingers.

This L-Bracket is designed for a Canon 5D Mark IV with a grip attached.  Since the batteries slide out from the
side of the grip, a large hole has to be made to allow the battery tray to slide out. (click to enlarge)

Of the three kinds, I like the combination "hex" wrench and coin slot.  The first kind is too limiting and the third kind, with the little handle to screw in the bolt with your fingers, I found, sometimes doesn't allow me to tighten it quite as much as I think necessary, for my comfort.  In other words, I can't tighten it quite enough that, on a couple of occasions, I found that the bolt has slightly loosened.  My confidence level dropped for those kinds of attachment bolts.  Since I often carry my tripod with my camera and lens attached, in my mind I need to be sure everything is securely fastened and won't loosen or fall off.

The L-Bracket brands I've purchased are Sunwayfoto, Fittest and a couple of "No Name" brands for my Olympus and Fujifilm cameras.  I've been very satisfied with each and they all have worked perfectly.

You can also find L-Brackets with an additional grip on the front right if your camera's grip
isn't quite enough for you (click to enlarge)

I have a couple of suggestions for you if you are looking to buy one of these.  Look at the bottoms of the L-Brackets you are considering.  Make sure they have cut-outs so the battery can be removed without having to remove the L-Bracket from the camera.  Also, the "L" part of the two-piece Bracket is normally attached with one or two "hex" bolts.  I like two for additional stability and security, if I can find one.  Finally, read reviews from other buyers to ascertain if they found the product to work well, fit exactly and last a long time.  You don't want to buy an L-Bracket that fits well but is flimsy or unstable and won't hold your camera perfectly still.  No flexing of the metal, in other words.

I hope this helps.  Enjoy your photography!

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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