L-plate for D40x?

[Olivier]

Jørgen, welcome to the IR world, you'll have lots of fun!

[Hugh_3170]

Jørgen, I have just taken a look at my D200 and its L-Bracket and it is the same as the one in your external link.  So far it has been fine.  At $30, I think that you might have found  a solution. 

Thanks Hugh. It seems they have a universal model that should fit: http://photoloving.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_82&product_id=456&limit=100

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Olivier: Thanks, I'm looking forward to playing with it.

Hugh: I have ordered the VERY cheap one that Bjørn linked, I'll try that first. If that doesn't doesn't do it, I'll probably order that one.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

That cheap L-plate arrived today. Seems to be in decent quality, it's a multi model version which means it's not a perfect fit for my D40x but it'll do for my use. It's slightly wider than the Markins L-plate which means it takes a bit more force to mount it on the tripod. Due to the battery compartment, it's neccesary to have a bit of a gab between the camera and the plate on left side.

Some quick iPhone shots:









Ps. MS Onedrive's way of providing image embedding is not exactly optimal, hopefully the images load for you, otherwise let me know and I'll use Flickr.

[Matthew Currie]

I have ordered the one linked above at "photolovers" and will report on it when and if it arrives.  I did not realize that, at least in the US, the "free shipping" option has it drop shipped from China, with a warning of unlikely but possible customs glitches.  Delivery time is thus a little open ended.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Took around a month to get here to Denmark.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Jørgen, the better solution is using a hack saw to cut off the end of the L such that you can mount it flush to the left hand side of the camera, yet make it clear the battery compartment.

As of now, it is evident the L-bracket can twist. Plus its form factor certainly influences handling of the camera adversely.

[David H. Hartman]

I'd like to save money but I require the fit and finish of an RRS camera L-bracket. I put the L-bracket on and only remove them occasionally to clean the camera. I don't recommend a compromise here.

Dave

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Cutting off an overlong plate to get a perfect fit is no compromise in my book. Plus it saves a load of money compared to the RRS version. Even the made-to-fit-a-model RRS brackets sometimes need a firm hand in trimming to ensure a more stable or suitable fit. The Df bracket springs to mind.

I always try to recirculate the L-brackets when a camera is taken out of active service. Thus D40x brackets can be adapted to D3200 or D5300, a GH-1 bracket can be made to fit the AW1, the D200 model suits the Fuji S5 with minor modification  etc.

[Jørgen Ramskov]

Jørgen, the better solution is using a hack saw to cut off the end of the L such that you can mount it flush to the left hand side of the camera, yet make it clear the battery compartment.

As of now, it is evident the L-bracket can twist. Plus its form factor certainly influences handling of the camera adversely.

You are of course completely correct. I don't own a proper saw for the job though and until now, I've only used the same small 18-55mm kit lens, so the weight is not really an issue.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Perhaps Erik can help?

[Jørgen Ramskov]

No doubt but we live quite far from eachother.

[Matthew Currie]

Surprisingly, I found a package from China in the mail today, containing the L plate that I ordered at the beginning of the month.  Very nice. 

Fit and finish are fine, and it looks pretty good.  It's definitely a universal gadget, with two holes in a sliding inner base making for versatile fit.  The anti-rotation bracket fits the D3200 all right, and the whole thing goes on fine, but the side does not clear the single rubber door on the D3200 over the connections.  If one is to use the connections, it would be necessary either to remove the bracket or position it with the side further out so the door can open behind it.  There's room for that, and in that position it might make a convenient extra handle.  The camera is so light, flex and stress aren't likely.  I rarely use the connections, so don't worry about it.  If you do operate tethered or use those connections, this is definitely a problem.   I'll try to attach a couple of shots, apologizing for the quality, as they were taken with the last dribble of battery juice in my dying Fuji S1.  I tried earlier to load the wrong files by accident and the post button would not work, so I'll try again.

edit to add:  I forgot to mention also that the battery door issue seen above exists here too.  If you're going to set it snug to the end, you'll have to hacksaw off a piece of the bottom.  At this point, I'm figuring to leave it sticking out,  but I don't think the hacksaw will hurt either if you don't expect to need the strap eyelet.

[Matthew Currie]

I'll add another bit here.  Deciding that there's no time like the present, I took the plate out to the shop and stuck it in the mill drill and dealt rather mercilessly with it.  The result is seen here.  It's still quite functional, now fits the D3200 battery chamber and even allows for a tiny bit of filing I may do later to fit it more snugly to the side.  I had to steal my wife's D7100 to take the picture, though. Oh boo hoo. I think the CR-123's in the Fuji have gasped their last.   IN this shot you can see the double holes and sliding inner part of the base plate.

edit to add:  also, by the way, in the earlier photos, note that just to remind us that the product is Chinese, the name is printed upside down.

[Hugh_3170]

Your modification looks good Matthew. I think that some items, such as L-Brackets, should be regarded as consumables and that tailoring them to fit ones cameras and equipment is fair game.

An alternative to your straight cut all the way through the bottom of the plate would be to cut the front rail and the middle portion of the plate the same as you have done and then to preserve the rear rail as it doesn't interfere with the opening of battery door.  I concede however that this does make for a more complex cutting procedure.