I just got my noticed that my L-bracket is shipping as of today. It will be interesting to see how it fits. As Arbitrage pointed out, it may be 10 days or so before I see it up here in Canada.
aZhu
It fits a lot better than before. When shining a light through the gaps to see if it's like before, it's harder to tell because now it sits a little more flush but I think the body is still slightly resting on that corner shelf. I don't know why it isn't made so that the base is flat and then you have the anti-twist ledge. Not too sure the purpose of that shelf in the middle. Putting the camera on a flat level surface doesn't cause the built-in level to be spot on. It's off by just a tad. Don't know if this is due to that shelf again....Show more →
It would appear the plate is not manufactured from a solid piece of metal, and even looking at the front ledge, there seems to be little bit of a shelf on it. This implies the the metal is welded together. It would still be plenty strong and there is no reason to doubt it, but it is cheaper to manufacture. This is as opposed to single piece of metal being cut or cast for this purpose of body plate. RRS does finish their plates with precision, so overall they function well.
Jim
I agree. My RRS L-bracket for my 40D was nice and rounded and made from one piece of metal whereas the latest RRS 5D3 plates seem to be modular and more angular. It will be interesting to see what the L-bracket looks like.
My RRS L plate shipped today. I should get it later this week. If it sucks, its going back but I'm willing to keep an open mind until I see it for myself.
It would seem we have similar taste's, as i too prefer the Kirk plate over what RRS is shipping on there rev 2 version. The Kirk has a perfect gradual curve that lovingly embraces the MK III. A very superior design imho, and they will also get my gripped L bracket business, as the one I had for my MK II was a very nice bracket, and i am sure they are watching this RRS mishap/misstep.
Good luck on the 300 f4 sale, and the incoming 70-300
Yeah I was really hoping the RRS plate would have a gradual curve as well. I just don't understand why it would be so different from the 5D2 plate... Gonna have to use this for a bit to see if it mars up my camera body some more. If so, might just have to return it since I'm not completely satisfied at the moment. Bummer...
I really would just return it, and grab the Kirk. That shelf just looks like it has to dig into the bottom edge. Also, thanks for keeping the forum at TDP updated on this!
Here's a pic of the Rev A plate with a side view. You can see that it's better but still not perfect.
Really Right Stuff, is this really supposed to be like this?
http://andyzhu.com/forums/B5D3A_e.jpg
Brutal. Square peg, round hole. I can't believe they did this considering the recall of the old plates. Unbelievable.... Mine shipped today but I have half a mind to just reject it, if the L-Bracket looks anything like that I am not paying $140 for it.
geniousc wrote:
The 7D and 5D2 plate look they were sold and designed by a different company. Marks on the body are going to affect resale.
I intend to keep the L-bracket on the body as a form of protection as I don't use a tripod all the time. It has lived on my 40D for years and the body has not gotten bumped or scrapped. That said, if a plate causes damage to the body, then that is not cool.
James Taylor wrote:
I usually get the RRS plates, but that Kirk plate sure looks nice!
They sell Kirk at B&H but they are not carrying the 5D3 plates yet. I just looked at the Kirk L-bracket and it looks very intriguing with the ability to float the bracket away from the body to accommodate a tether cable on the side. I do this on my 40D and it works nicely but I noticed other RRS L-brackets don't all have the ability to change how the bracket attaches to the body.
I'm pretty miffed at RRS at this point. I received my replacement plate today. In addition to the 90-degree angled ledge being reduced, I expected them to adjust the taper of the lip. It's exactly the same. So now when the plate is attached to the camera fairly tight, there is a gap in the plate and the camera...it doesn't even touch the ledge. I guess if I torque down the bolt further, it might fit better. But I already have a permanent depression in my body from the first plate. And to put icing on the cake, the freakin' thing STILL isn't level because the camera position on the lip is more-or-less the same. I don't need to repeat my level experiment, because like the first version, it's quite visable with the naked eye.
I'd love Matt the designer come back on and explain how (in his own words: "to properly measure whether an installed plate is squared up, you need a granite surface plate, 123 blocks, and a height gauge with dial indicator at the very least") he actually tested this plate and thought that it was even an acceptable design, much less a good one.
After seeing the Kirk plate and hearing how well it fits, I consider the design rational give to us by RRS for this plate to be complete B.S.
. I will go with either Kirk or even PMG later. PMG's universal plate works fine for now.
Marks on the body are going to affect resale.