dclark wrote:
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....Show more →
Hadn't even noticed that Dave! I bought mine mainly for the extra height it adds to the grip. I haven't even tried mounting it on a tripod yet.
Just checked on my Leofoto tripod. Indeed, the clamp is slightly too wide. So I can't quite line it up to the centerline of the sensor. I was able to use a clamp off a different ballhead that isn't as wide and is able to be cenetered. Barely.
FWIW the A9III RRS plate's Arca Swiss dovetail does extend the entire width of the front. Although the RRS plate has other issues like having to pull the LCD away from the body to tilt the LCD down.
Pick your poison I guess 😃
RRS plate dovetail extends all the way to the grip
It is annoying that L-Brackets other than RRS are so hard to come by for some models in the US because IMO the RRS ones are stupidly overpriced (I can just about swallow the price of the RRS baseplate, but an additional $100 for the L part is just absurd).
I have a Smallrig L for my A1 (that I bought in the UK) which is nicely made but need to replace it because it's an older model without a QD socket. The new Smallrig ones are next to impossible to find in the US. Same with the Leofoto one for the A1ii, which is still unavailable from a US retailer. Looks like AliE is the way to go for now
dclark wrote:
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....Show more →
Does the Leofoto one interfere at all with the flippy screen movement? And have you has any issue with it twisting at all on the camera or do those rubber grip pads actually work?
wordfool wrote:
It is annoying that L-Brackets other than RRS are so hard to come by for some models in the US because IMO the RRS ones are stupidly overpriced (I can just about swallow the price of the RRS baseplate, but an additional $100 for the L part is just absurd).
I have a Smallrig L for my A1 (that I bought in the UK) which is nicely made but need to replace it because it's an older model without a QD socket. The new Smallrig ones are next to impossible to find in the US. Same with the Leofoto one for the A1ii, which is still unavailable from a US retailer. Looks like AliE is the way to go for now
Does the Leofoto one interfere at all with the flippy screen movement? And have you has any issue with it twisting at all on the camera or do those rubber grip pads actually work?...Show more →
If you move the screen out to the left it does not hit the bracket but you can't twist it. If you pull the mechanism out away from the camera, you can then twist it. I would say that is fully functional, but the bracket does block one side of the screen a bit if you are trying to see it from the front of the camera.
Another problem has arisen with the Leofoto L-bracket. I am unable to connect an HDMI cable to the full size HDMI plug on the A1II. This is true even with the side bracket fully extended. The side bracket has a tab with a couple of screw threads to allow stuff to the attached to the bracket and that interferes with the HDMI connector. Maybe an L shaped HDMI connector can be made to work, but my straight one cannot be used. The only solution is to remove the side bracket.
I found out why the Smallrig A1 L bracket does not fit the A1-2. See the pics below. Pretty obvious different geometry. A1 on top. A1-2 on the bottom. I think I just need to wait for a proper A1-2 L bracket to come along.
dclark wrote:
Another problem has arisen with the Leofoto L-bracket. I am unable to connect an HDMI cable to the full size HDMI plug on the A1II. This is true even with the side bracket fully extended. The side bracket has a tab with a couple of screw threads to allow stuff to the attached to the bracket and that interferes with the HDMI connector. Maybe an L shaped HDMI connector can be made to work, but my straight one cannot be used. The only solution is to remove the side bracket.
Yeah, looks like the bracket was designed for the A9III. But the port configuration was rearranged for the A1II. The 1/4-20 threads cover the speaker on the A9III
ProMediaGear has two versions of it, the regular one and offset, the offset would be recommended for articulating screen hence it allows for all that movement. The regular one would block some ports and screen obviously (it's made for the A1 original).
ProMediaGear has two versions of it, the regular one and offset, the offset would be recommended for articulating screen hence it allows for all that movement. The regular one would block some ports and screen obviously (it's made for the A1 original).
The Grip version is not ready yet.
Your offset design solves a lot of problems with access to camera connectors and the tilting screen, and it looks like there is little or no interference with the lens controls. Looks good.
ProMediaGear has two versions of it, the regular one and offset, the offset would be recommended for articulating screen hence it allows for all that movement. The regular one would block some ports and screen obviously (it's made for the A1 original).
The Grip version is not ready yet.
I have your tripod and it's the best. For the A1-II, wouldn't' the non offset version slide out when loosening the lower screws to gain port access? I'm thinking of that one for me.
I have ordered an A9iii plate to use with the A1 ii. But I discovered that my old SmallRig generic plate (not specific to any body) seems to fit just fine on the A1 ii.
Yes, the Promediagear a1 non-offset will work on the a1ii and a9iii and access to all doors is improved by slightly loosening the lower screws and extending the bracket. Not much extension is needed. I know this because I loaned Tom at Promediagear my A1ii for all measurements. I also provided him with the new 5 series battery grip, so the L bracket for a1ii/a9iii with battery grip is in production.
Tom gave me the offset grip as a thank you for loaning him the body. I had never tried one. The offset grip is really nice to gain access to all ports and it also serves as a nice way to hold the camera while shooting video.
As always, the Promediagear finish is top-notch and (to me) it's nice to buy USA. It's a lot easier to contact Tom with an issue than overseas.
dallvr wrote:
I have ordered an A9iii plate to use with the A1 ii. But I discovered that my old SmallRig generic plate (not specific to any body) seems to fit just fine on the A1 ii.
Shirley, I venture to guess that the generic L-plate doesn't extend all the way under the grip, correct? I remembered I valued the extension under the grip, where you can rest your pinky, using older and smallish Sony bodies. The gripability of newer Sony bodies, starting with the A9 III and A1 II, has improved, making the grip extension not as crucial as before but yet, I still like that extension though...
The offset really works best with the articulating screen. I rarely use the lcd, but if I was a heavy lcd user, or big into video, the offset bracket is a no-brainer. Great design.
That's right Joshua. That old bracket is a decent workaround at the moment until I get a new one made for the A1 ii. I just have to make sure that the battery is fully charged since part of the plate covers the battery opening.
I just got the Leofoto L-bracket. Pretty happy with it. It's lightweight and allows articulation of the rear screen. I was worried that the Leofoto logo would be too bright, but it's a dark blue and pretty discreet. I did have to remove the dangly triangle camera strap clips, otherwise the vertical portion forces the clip to be oriented up, which could interfere in accessing the dial on top of the camera.
I got the Leofoto L bracket. Seems ok so far. Smallrig is not available in the US (not the cage, but the L bracket - with import duties it is at 150$ from Aliexpress). RRS as usual is ridiculously expensive at 215$.
Are there any other alternatives which extends up to the battery compartment as a L bracket?
