When my A1 II (hopefully) arrives in January, I would like to have an L-Plate available when it arrives.
I cannot find a source for such a part, but can find them for the A9III. I read that the new A1 II body is like the A9III. My question is - is it the exact same body configuration?
RRS shows a Preorder status for the A9III, but I don't know if it will fit the A1 II. I can, of course, use a Universal plate (I have a big, klunky, one), but would prefer a custom fitted plate.
Both the A9III and A1 II both utilize the same VG-C5 vertical grip which would seem to indicate they are the same configuration, but there could be small differences that affect L-Plate fit(?).
Any information, thoughts or wisdom would be appreciated.
InFocus2014 wrote:
When my A1 II (hopefully) arrives in January, I would like to have an L-Plate available when it arrives.
I cannot find a source for such a part, but can find them for the A9III. I read that the new A1 II body is like the A9III. My question is - is it the exact same body configuration?
RRS shows a Preorder status for the A9III, but I don't know if it will fit the A1 II. I can, of course, use a Universal plate (I have a big, klunky, one), but would prefer a custom fitted plate.
Both the A9III and A1 II both utilize the same VG-C5 vertical grip which would seem to indicate they are the same configuration, but there could be small differences that affect L-Plate fit(?).
Any information, thoughts or wisdom would be appreciated.
SmallRig often does a nice job on their grip plates, such as for the A7RV, and I would think they will have one for the A1II (maybe already have an A9III plate that fits?).
Just scrolled through SmallRig options on their website and I don’t see a plate for the A9III, nor any preorder yet for A1II.
robert614 wrote:
As far as I know, the two bodies are identical. Or so close that the differences are irrelevant when it comes to an aftermarket plate.
I own the A9III RRS plate (just the base plate) and posted a thread about it you may find of interest.
While it is machined well (like all RRS products) there are a couple things I didn’t like. Most notably the rear lcd screen hits the base plate.
I do currently have it installed on my A9III though. Mostly because it’s the only game in town currently.
I’m hoping the release the of the A1 II will encourage other companies to start making their own products.
Long story short, the RRS L-plate for the A9III should work on the A1 II ...Show more →
I always prefer RRS products, but the L-bracket is not yet available for the A9III and, based on further research in the forums, it appear that RRS is not committing to availability. I found a LeoFoto L-bracket and ordered that one. Hopefully, the LCD does not hit the plate.
One thing I like about the LeoFoto bracket is that it doesn't have physical, metal grip features that can leave marks on the camera (something I have experienced with various cameras, over the years); rather, it uses a flat surface and rubber pads for a friction grip. We'll see. At least, it's cheap.
Ross Martin wrote:
SmallRig often does a nice job on their grip plates, such as for the A7RV, and I would think they will have one for the A1II (maybe already have an A9III plate that fits?).
Just scrolled through SmallRig options on their website and I don’t see a plate for the A9III, nor any preorder yet for A1II.
I have a SmallRig L-brackets on my A7R5 and Fuji GFX and they work great. I like their products.
InFocus2014 wrote:
I always prefer RRS products, but the L-bracket is not yet available for the A9III and, based on further research in the forums, it appear that RRS is not committing to availability. I found a LeoFoto L-bracket and ordered that one. Hopefully, the LCD does not hit the plate.
One thing I like about the LeoFoto bracket is that it doesn't have physical, metal grip features that can leave marks on the camera (something I have experienced with various cameras, over the years); rather, it uses a flat surface and rubber pads for a friction grip. We'll see. At least, it's cheap. ...Show more →
That's what I bought, too! My first time ordering from AliExpress and I am quite pleased with their follow-up/updates and yes, the speed of delivery. I got mine in 8 days and that was a week ago already. The quality seems to be fine but I don't have any camera to mount that on... yet. I paid a little less 2 weeks ago, not that it matters much. I am sure they are using some kind of algorithm that would increase the price as that page gets more and more clicks...
AGeoJO wrote:
That's what I bought, too! My first time ordering from AliExpress and I am quite pleased with their follow-up/updates and yes, the speed of delivery. I got mine in 8 days and that was a week ago already. The quality seems to be fine but I don't have any camera to mount that on... yet. I paid a little less 2 weeks ago, not that it matters much. I am sure they are using some kind of algorithm that would increase the price as that page gets more and more clicks...
AI seems to be creeping into most all aspects of our lives.
InFocus2014 wrote:
I always prefer RRS products, but the L-bracket is not yet available for the A9III and, based on further research in the forums, it appear that RRS is not committing to availability. I found a LeoFoto L-bracket and ordered that one. Hopefully, the LCD does not hit the plate.
One thing I like about the LeoFoto bracket is that it doesn't have physical, metal grip features that can leave marks on the camera (something I have experienced with various cameras, over the years); rather, it uses a flat surface and rubber pads for a friction grip. We'll see. At least, it's cheap. ...Show more →
Looks good! Thx for the info!
Never ordered from AliExpress. They won’t even let me look at the item without downloading the app or logging in. Which is kind of annoying. I think I’ll go ahead and order one though.
Never ordered from AliExpress. They won’t even let me look at the item without downloading the app or logging in. Which is kind of annoying. I think I’ll go ahead and order one though.
Appreciate the info!
Robert, do it via Google; they somehow work together, then you get the website and order it there rather than having to download their app.
AGeoJO wrote:
Robert, do it via Google; they somehow work together, then you get the website and order it there rather than having to download their app.
I had preordered two of the RRS L plates for my A1 II bodies, but after seeing this thread I just ordered the Leofoto ones for a savings of $300. Looking forward to trying it out when the new cameras get delivered.
I am not seeing any options for an L-Bracket that will fit the VG-C5 grip that will be used for the A1 II. This is the same one used on the A9 III that has been out for a while yet no options seem to exist.
One big reason I hate it when they change the shape of a camera. Get it close to right and leave it please.
white wrote:
I am not seeing any options for an L-Bracket that will fit the VG-C5 grip that will be used for the A1 II. This is the same one used on the A9 III that has been out for a while yet no options seem to exist.
One big reason I hate it when they change the shape of a camera. Get it close to right and leave it please.
Yeah, the A9III is so niche, there’s hardly any aftermarket accessories for it. Even though it’s been out for a while.
Hopefully, with the release of the A1 II, more companies will build accessories for this body shape
An update on the Leofoto L-bracket on the A1II. It works fine and is well made, but has a small problem due to the shortened Arca-Swiss groove on the front. If you use a clamp with a longer jaw, like the RRS PC-LR, it is not possible to get the camera centered in the clamp. It is offset a bit and consequently not centered over the axis of rotation. Often this is not an issue, but I find it aggravating.
You can see the shortened groove in the first photo below. The groove is a bit shorter due to the way Leofoto enables the battery door to open fully by using a section of the bracket that rotates out of the way, which is shown in the second photo. By contrast on the A1, the RRS bracket has longer groove and the battery door clears the bracket since it has a larger opening. That does result in the bracket protruding a bit at the bottom of the grip.
Its a small point, but depending on your preference you may to consider this in your choice.
It's worth noting that the A1 bracket will attach to the A1II and allow it to be mounted on an Arca-Swiss clamp, but the grip is uncomfortable and the battery door is blocked. Not a good solution but it works if necessary.
Leofoto bracket on the A1II. Note the short groove and the alignment with the grip.
The reason for the short groove is the lever that opens to allow the battery door to open fully
The RRS bracket on the A1 has a longer groove, but also has a bump at the bottom of the grip.
The battery door opens fully because of the larger opening in the bracket.
Gunigaon wrote:
a7R5, a93 and A1ii have same body?
The A1 II is essentially identical to the A93. But the a7r5 is NOT. The a7r5 has the new screen (it was introduced on the a7r5) but the rest of the body is very different. As it pertains to baseplates, the right side (the grip) of the a7r5 is smaller and shallower. This was changed with the a93 and the A1 II matches the a93. (The a7r5 has other changes but they don’t impact the baseplate that I can think of.
For those interested in the RRS base plate and L bracket for the A1 II, I was able to order the one for the a93 from BHPhoto and received it in about 3 days. They had them in stock. But this was a couple weeks ago. At the time I also had a pre-order in with RRS which I cancelled once the BHPhoto one was in the mail.
I've got the SmallRig (difficult to find in North America) in hand, waiting for my A1-2 to arrive today. A report will follow.
UPDATE: Got the A1 M2 now. I've had the Smallrig L bracket for a few days already, bought it from China. It does NOT fit. Way off regardless of what the label says, assuming that the A1 and A1-2 have the same body. I need an alternative, probably the Leofoto.
