jeetsukumaran Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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I use the A7RIII with a vertical grip. I got the Arca-Swiss Universal plate to work with it:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/723386-REG/Arca_Swiss_802306_Universal_L_Bracket.html
Pros:
- As you might imagine, it is really well-crafted. Solid, solid, solid + exquisite workmanship.
- Lighter than my RRS 6D (no-gripped) L-bracket
- It is fantastic not to need to fumble for a hex key to adjust the vertical posts: just flip a lever, pull to adjust, and flip to lock again (but see below for a con)
- With the vertical grip in place (snug against the camera), you have access to all ports ... BUT I find the long plug of the Sony micro-USB connector hits the base of the tripod clamp, so I still have to pull the vertical posts away from the body a little to give clearance
Cons:
- It's not that universal in all its aspects. In particular, it comes with a registration pin to prevent twisting, and ports in the base plate to place the pin for different bodies. Unfortunately, it does not have a port for the Sony A7RIII. Which, in combination with not have a lip on the plate, means there is no obvious way to prevent it from twisting. I'll admit that it seems locked in really really really tight, and, at least in the last week of use I have not seen in budge an iota. But only time will tell, I guess.
- The vertical posts come up to just near the top of my camera with the grip. This is no problem in that configuration. BUT, I think if I was not using the grip, then the posts would clear the camera by an inch or so. While not compromising its functionality, I imagine it is going to be bit awkward (or, at least, unsightly, to have it jutting out). Again, this speaks to its very qualified "universality". I was hoping for an L-bracket I could use with both gripped and ungripped cameras.
- The locking levers do not have any indication as to which direction is locked vs unlocked. You just have to fiddle with it to figure out. It's easy enough to figure it out by flipping the lever back and forth: you can feel the increase in tension as it goes into the locked position. But it would be really nice to have a visual confirmation. Worse (and crazily), the vertical plate lock lever locks in the opposite direction to the base plate (vertical: left is locked; base: right is locked).
I still have no decided whether or not to keep it. The main advantage in functionality over the RRS plate -- namely, the lever locks --- is so outstanding, it just might trump all the cons ...
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