any L bracket users?

[josef]

So I just bought a Markins Q3t ballhead.. (http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q3.php?req=trv) coming in next week. I am so pumped to graduate from my antique Bogen pan & tilt head. So the choice now boils down to what camera plate I'm going to use with the markins quick shoe...

I'm leaning towards Really Right Stuff plates as I have yet to hear one thing negative about their products.

So do you guys recommend an L-plate or just a regular bottom mount plate?
I know which one I WANT but gees the price difference is crazy. $55 for the regular plate or $183 for the L. Ouch.

I'll be heading to the Smoky Mountains (Tennessee) in two weeks for some hiking fun so I'll have to make a decision soon. I love landscapes and am looking to do some panoramas for the first time while in the mountains.. I'm also getting interested in HDR.

Somebody convince me the L is worth the money :D

Also, a minor worry or mine... I'm looking at the L plate (or the regular bottom plate) for the D300 with the battery grip. Does it make sense to buy the L plate with the grip option? Seems like the battery grip just adds more chance for wobble.. But I love having the grip on.. :confused: too many options. To me the D300 battery grip seems very solid with the camera so I hate to worry about it.. what do you all think?

[TheWengler]

I would get the plate for the body w/o the grip. While hiking around shooting landscapes, I wouldn't want the extra weight of the battery grip just so I could use the L plate.

Whether or not the L plate is worth it, I'm not sure. It's probably something I'll give a try at some point though. The RRS prices are kind of crazy, but everything I hear is good. Doesn't Kirk make them too? Did you check their prices?

[josef]

I would get the plate for the body w/o the grip. While hiking around shooting landscapes, I wouldn't want the extra weight of the battery grip just so I could use the L plate.

Whether or not the L plate is worth it, I'm not sure. It's probably something I'll give a try at some point though. The RRS prices are kind of crazy, but everything I hear is good. Doesn't Kirk make them too? Did you check their prices?

yeah, i haven't ever taken the battery grip hiking yet.. i'm wondering if it's really necessary too for that.. I think you might be right..

Kirk was actually the only other brand I looked at. They're prices are the pretty similar unfortunately. They are $5 cheaper I think. They make really nice stuff too though. I just like the design of the RRS a little better.

[TheWengler]

Yeah, I don't think you need the grip for hiking. Maybe if you're hand holding some wildlife shots or shooting star trails it might be nice. Would you even take this tripod set up hiking or do you have a smaller one that you'd take?

[josef]

Yeah, I don't think you need the grip for hiking. Maybe if you're hand holding some wildlife shots or shooting star trails it might be nice. Would you even take this tripod set up hiking or do you have a smaller one that you'd take?

I would definitely take this setup hiking (i did last year, minus the battery grip, which I didn't own yet, and I used the big pan and tilt head). My budget for photography is not like many people on here as this is just one of my many hobbies (as my wife keeps telling me.. ;)). I have some sturdy Bogen 3001 legs that weigh about 4 lbs. that are about 10 years old. My pan and tilt was 2.5 lbs so with the new Markins (0.8 lbs) I am slowly trying to lose some weight (the tripod, not me) while having a nice practical, sturdy, all-around rig. Some Manfrotto 190 carbon fiber legs are on my birthday list (which comes 3 weeks After our trip.. pity). I don't plan on owning any monster lenses in my near future, so I think once I get some new legs, that setup should last me a while. It should be plenty light enough to hike with as well.

Yeah, but that's my biggest holdup- I can't decide whether I want the grip on or off for hiking.. and that is holding me up on buying a plate. ahh..