Can someone provide me with some guidelines on which L-plate they prefer. I am looking for either Kirk or RRS but I am open to other suggestions.

I use the RRS L bracket on my 50D and it works fine, but don't have an opinion of it vs the Kirk.

RRS it is designed so much better for function. if you were to use all the capabilities of each L bracket with the rrs you would need to slide the bracket out to access all ports and lock. with the kirk you would need to purchase yet another $60 riser plate to gain access to use all ports.

Thanks everyone. Can't they make this thing little slicker? They both looks so intrusive and cumbersome.

I use the Kirk without any "extra" stuff. Must be a different Kirk from the one I use?
Kirk's have worked great for me all the way back to the 20D..never a problem. Once you use one you'll wonder how you ever got along without one IMHO.

Hmmm...now I am confused...anyone else?

I just bought the Kirk for my 50D and my 5D with Grip; they both work fine, and I can access the ports on both.

MannyH wrote:
Thanks everyone. Can't they make this thing little slicker? They both looks so intrusive and cumbersome.

thats what RRS does.

harrygilbert wrote:
I just bought the Kirk for my 50D and my 5D with Grip; they both work fine, and I can access the ports on both.

you cannot use all the available ports on the 50D in portrait mode w/o the riser

Looks like my options are limited to Kirk and RRS. I see some sales for Kirk but not much for RRS :-( I think I will go with RRS.

smart move

I have had both and found that Kirk is a better design, specially for my D3. There is access to all connections without any "adjustment" as the case of RRS.

actually you are not correct. there are ports that will not be accessable in portrait mode without the kirk riser block. thats just a fact and why kirk makes the block. where RRS makes it an all in one total access product w/o the need for additional accessories kirk does not requiring additional cost and accesory to do so. i guess for some that is superior design.

Then your 50D is different than my 50D (or the L-plate): I can access all the ports in either portrait or landscape modes with my Kirk L-plate. After reading your posts, I specifically went and checked it. Works fine with no riser block. Both little rubber covers on the camera lift clear and allow any of the ports to be acessed. Same with my 5D and battery grip and the Kirk L-plate; all ports accessable. Only thing I had to do was buy a Wimberley M-8 perpendicular plate to use the L-plate with my RRS QR monopod head. My investment in QR clamps, plates, and related accessories is now approaching my investment in DSLR bodies and L lenses.

sjms wrote:
actually you are not correct. there are ports that will not be accessable in portrait mode without the kirk riser block. thats just a fact and why kirk makes the block. where RRS makes it an all in one total access product w/o the need for additional accessories kirk does not requiring additional cost and accesory to do so. i guess for some that is superior design.


I use the ports with my Kirk L-bracket in portrait mode all of the time...I must be doing something wrong.