Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Mirrorless Cameras => Topic started by: paul ross jones on February 28, 2014, 01:44:30 pm
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I have purchased a sony a7r and I'm really liking it. But the body is too small so I want to use it with the matching grip- also need the extra battery life.
But I can't find a dedicated grip L-plate.
I emailed Really Right Stuff - but they say they have no intention of making one, so did Kirk. I have no idea why they aren't going to… maybe they don't think they are sell enough…
I'm really disappointed- especially when i have been a RRS user with every camera I have owned since my film days with a contax.
So can everyone who interested in one please email kirk, RRS and sunday photo to say we really want one.
the emails are-
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
I figure if they get enough emails- one of them will make one for this quite impressive little camera.
cheers paul
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I have purchased a sony a7r and I'm really liking it. But the body is too small so I want to use it with the matching grip- also need the extra battery life.
But I can't find a dedicated grip L-plate.
I emailed Really Right Stuff - but they say they have no intention of making one, so did Kirk. I have no idea why they aren't going to… maybe they don't think they are sell enough…
I'm really disappointed- especially when i have been a RRS user with every camera I have owned since my film days with a contax.
So can everyone who interested in one please email kirk, RRS and sunday photo to say we really want one.
the emails are-
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
I figure if they get enough emails- one of them will make one for this quite impressive little camera.
cheers paul
I think most people that will be mounting the camera to a tripod will not be using the grip. The grip adds no benefit to the camera when mounted onto a tripod. Just adds weight and bulk.
I currently use a 5d2 and do have a grip for it. When I plan on using the camera on a tripod, I always remove the grip. It serves no purpose in those conditions.
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I think most people that will be mounting the camera to a tripod will not be using the grip. The grip adds no benefit to the camera when mounted onto a tripod. Just adds weight and bulk.
I currently use a 5d2 and do have a grip for it. When I plan on using the camera on a tripod, I always remove the grip. It serves no purpose in those conditions.
constant screwing and unscrewing is a pain... I 'd love to put a grip once and L plate once till the camera either sold or broken... now imagine constant interchanging between grip and plate ?
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Even though I don't have the battery grip for my A7r, I probably would get one if RRS (or someone else) made one for the gripped body -- simply because several of the early discoverers of "shutter shake" in the r have found that the added heft of the battery grip significantly reduces the problem when the camera is attached to a tripod. More battery power at hand would be nice; going far to resolve the shake . . . even better.
Ron
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I think most people that will be mounting the camera to a tripod will not be using the grip. The grip adds no benefit to the camera when mounted onto a tripod. Just adds weight and bulk.
I currently use a 5d2 and do have a grip for it. When I plan on using the camera on a tripod, I always remove the grip. It serves no purpose in those conditions.
i always have a grip on all my other cameras and it stays there. weight isn't a problem as i have assistants ;).
the grip and the L-plate also has other reasons- not just for vertical shooting-
- as I'm always alternating from tripod to handheld quickly
- its like a roll cage for the camera so i can plonk it down on concrete, and also saves the day if i actually drop the camera (has happened).
- the camera itself really is far too small for me to hold. its a pain. I need a decent grip as the lenses are so large on it (see attached pic).
- L-bracket can have attachments added to hold the ables in. Especially with this camera with tiny plugs- mini hdmi, tiny usb, they just don't stay in.
- This camera is a bit of an embarrassment to shoot professionally - its just looks like a toy! Clients are often requesting that i use medium format (i have a contax /p65), but due to its limitations i can't use it much, and prefer the 5dmk3 often- but that can be a bit of a hard sell to them. I figure the sony a7r will be a even bigger problem to sell.
But if you don't see the need for one of these L-plates for the grip, thats cool - but please help me and send these guys an email so they think there is enough people needing them to warrant making them! I would really appreciate it.
paul
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Same problem here. I have the grip and the RRS plate. Taking the grip on and off is a PITA. Going out doing some tripod work, then walking around without the grip is very uncomfortable. And the grip gives it a fine form. Much better to hold than without. And yes, the grip mitigates shutter shake.
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I emailed Really Right Stuff - but they say they have no intention of making one, so did Kirk…
I'm a bit baffled by this as well.
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JLM from getdpi forum mentioned 4 weeks ago that he was working on an L bracket for the grip but hasn't mentioned anything since.
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- L-bracket can have attachments added to hold the ables in. Especially with this camera with tiny plugs- mini hdmi, tiny usb, they just don't stay in.
Try a right-angled cable ...
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i always have a grip on all my other cameras and it stays there. Weight isn't a problem as i have assistants.
paul
I think you have answered your own question. Only a miniscule proportion of users of consumer-level cameras such as the A7r are likely to have assistants. So you can see why there may be reluctance to provide accessories that would have a tiny market.
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I can appreciate the desire for an L-bracket on the A7R.
I have almost always had L-brackets for all of my cameras and I would want one for my A7R as well, if it weren't for the fact that I have the L-bracket for the Metabones adapter.
I can also understand Kirk and RRS' concern about it not being cost effective.
I realize it's inconvenient (battery, memory card access) but you might consider a universal L-bracket, like one from Hejnar: http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34_58_56
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I have almost always had L-brackets for all of my cameras and I would want one for my A7R as well, if it weren't for the fact that I have the L-bracket for the Metabones adapter.
This looks very convenient!
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Chris,
Indeed it is. That is, if you only (or primarily) use Canon EF lenses on the A7R.
I do so it works for me. I don't have any lenses that are native to the system.
_
Phil
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I think you have answered your own question. Only a miniscule proportion of users of consumer-level cameras such as the A7r are likely to have assistants. So you can see why there may be reluctance to provide accessories that would have a tiny market.
that's why they shall loose whatever market they have for plates - buy base plates on ebay, do not buy them from RRS = http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quick-Release-QR-L-Plate-Bracket-for-Sony-Alpha-7-A7-A7R-/201042734139
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I think you have answered your own question. Only a miniscule proportion of users of consumer-level cameras such as the A7r are likely to have assistants. So you can see why there may be reluctance to provide accessories that would have a tiny market.
that was kind of a joke. honestly, the a7r is ridiculously light- even with a battery grip. i can't believe how lazy people are with their camera gear, its not that hard to carry around. it wasn't that long ago people had to carry around pentax 67's with a set of lenses and lug the stuff up mountains.
a sony a7r, grip and lenses probably doesn't weight any more than a drink bottle..
whether there is a market of or not, the reason for the post was to help convince RRS etc to make a L-plate for a very common camera, not to justify their reluctance to support their user base. they made plates for mamiyas, contax, has hassy's, all sorts of very small markets of cameras- I sure the A7r and battery grip would way outsell and of these cameras by a large margin.
paul
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Chris,
Indeed it is. That is, if you only (or primarily) use Canon EF lenses on the A7R.
I do so it works for me. I don't have any lenses that are native to the system.
_
Phil
i can't see that clearing the battery grip with an area clamp. it also doesnt allow cables to be supported. but a great setup for a body only and a use canon lens.
paul
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Sorry this is off topic; Paul I am familiar with your work and since I value your opinion:
Are you using the a7r for work or play? are u experiencing the shutter shock problem? are u using native lenses like the sony 55m?
And most importantly; in the film days I could shoot a person backlit without adding bounce or fill light and it would look pretty.With canon DSLRs, I cannot do this. Something about the Dynamic range or highlight roll off is bad. Could you do this with the Sony?
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Would one of the Arca-Swiss L-brackets be of any use?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr8D410dieE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr8D410dieE)
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i always have a grip on all my other cameras and it stays there. weight isn't a problem as i have assistants ;).
the grip and the L-plate also has other reasons- not just for vertical shooting-
- as I'm always alternating from tripod to handheld quickly
- its like a roll cage for the camera so i can plonk it down on concrete, and also saves the day if i actually drop the camera (has happened).
- the camera itself really is far too small for me to hold. its a pain. I need a decent grip as the lenses are so large on it (see attached pic).
- L-bracket can have attachments added to hold the ables in. Especially with this camera with tiny plugs- mini hdmi, tiny usb, they just don't stay in.
- This camera is a bit of an embarrassment to shoot professionally - its just looks like a toy! Clients are often requesting that i use medium format (i have a contax /p65), but due to its limitations i can't use it much, and prefer the 5dmk3 often- but that can be a bit of a hard sell to them. I figure the sony a7r will be a even bigger problem to sell.
But if you don't see the need for one of these L-plates for the grip, thats cool - but please help me and send these guys an email so they think there is enough people needing them to warrant making them! I would really appreciate it.
paul
This is sold by capture integration. It's expensive and large but configurable and will clear all of your cables.
(https://captureintegration.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/c57e95.jpg)
https://captureintegration.com/product/smart-flex-l-plate/
It's large, but if you want to give you clients an impression of specialty equipment on set, this would do it and unlike the rrs plates you don't have to replace it every time you change a camera model.
IMO
BC
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Sorry this is off topic; Paul I am familiar with your work and since I value your opinion:
Are you using the a7r for work or play? are u experiencing the shutter shock problem? are u using native lenses like the sony 55m?
And most importantly; in the film days I could shoot a person backlit without adding bounce or fill light and it would look pretty.With canon DSLRs, I cannot do this. Something about the Dynamic range or highlight roll off is bad. Could you do this with the Sony?
hi billy,
i have only just brought the A7r a few days ago- still testing it. i seem to be able to focus the 50mm f1.0 and the 85mm f1.2 with focus peaking ok so far.
I'm not planning on buying sony lenses. my tests have been wide open, so shutter shock isn't a problem so far..
i haven't studied the files much yet. i know the canon files are pretty bad with highlight roll off. if i try and under expose the canon files then the darks have an ugly grain. when testing the d800e last year it was far better at living the darks without an ugly grain- still grain, but nicer looking imo. Its a pity you can't get the same look as film with highlights with these dslrs. my p65 is better with highlights.
i have one job this week that requires shooting someone running from ground level- so the sony should be sweet with this. ill be on a wheel chair or trolly and ill be able to tilt the screen up to see down on the camera. can't do this with the canon- even when i tried with my zacuto evf it was problematic.
it will be a back lit shot-- so this will test the files i think. so ill use this for work then, but only use the a7r in situations like this rare case until i can be confident with it. theres still no way to tether well as far as i know.
paul
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that was kind of a joke. honestly, the a7r is ridiculously light- even with a battery grip. i can't believe how lazy people are with their camera gear, its not that hard to carry around. it wasn't that long ago people had to carry around pentax 67's with a set of lenses and lug the stuff up mountains.
a sony a7r, grip and lenses probably doesn't weight any more than a drink bottle..
whether there is a market of or not, the reason for the post was to help convince RRS etc to make a L-plate for a very common camera, not to justify their reluctance to support their user base. they made plates for mamiyas, contax, has hassy's, all sorts of very small markets of cameras- I sure the A7r and battery grip would way outsell and of these cameras by a large margin.
paul
Depends what you mean by carry around. If all you do is drive up to a location, get out of your car and place your tripod within 5 minutes of the car, then I agree with you. If you trek through say the Rockies on 20km day trips with an elevation gain of 3000m, then that is a different story where any extra weight and bulk is very noticeable.
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hi billy,
i have only just brought the A7r a few days ago- still testing it. i seem to be able to focus the 50mm f1.0 and the 85mm f1.2 with focus peaking ok so far.
I'm not planning on buying sony lenses. my tests have been wide open, so shutter shock isn't a problem so far..
i haven't studied the files much yet. i know the canon files are pretty bad with highlight roll off. if i try and under expose the canon files then the darks have an ugly grain. when testing the d800e last year it was far better at living the darks without an ugly grain- still grain, but nicer looking imo. Its a pity you can't get the same look as film with highlights with these dslrs. my p65 is better with highlights.
i have one job this week that requires shooting someone running from ground level- so the sony should be sweet with this. ill be on a wheel chair or trolly and ill be able to tilt the screen up to see down on the camera. can't do this with the canon- even when i tried with my zacuto evf it was problematic.
it will be a back lit shot-- so this will test the files i think. so ill use this for work then, but only use the a7r in situations like this rare case until i can be confident with it. theres still no way to tether well as far as i know.
paul
Thanks I appreciate that.
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Received this mail today:
Update for Really Right Stuff Support Case #3417 - "L-Plate for A7r with Battery grip."
We are in the process of researching and designing a custom plate for use with the added battery grip on the Sony A7/A7R. If we decide to make a custom plate for use with the added grip, you will see such an announcement made on our website homepage as well as on our company Facebook page, and in our monthly newsletter.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Erik
Really Right Stuff, LLC
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Did I mention the Arca-Swiss L-brackets? They are adaptable, & will fit a range of cameras. No more having to buy a new one every time you upgrade or otherwise change cameras.
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Received this mail today:
Update for Really Right Stuff Support Case #3417 - "L-Plate for A7r with Battery grip."
We are in the process of researching and designing a custom plate for use with the added battery grip on the Sony A7/A7R. If we decide to make a custom plate for use with the added grip, you will see such an announcement made on our website homepage as well as on our company Facebook page, and in our monthly newsletter.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Erik
Really Right Stuff, LLC
this is great news.
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OK $140 for the L-plate for the Sony w/ grip:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1279807
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Bad news from RRS:
Quote:
That is correct, we had revisited the possibility of making an L-plate for the A7 with the added battery grip, however we have concluded once again that the design of the battery grip is such that we can not make an L-plate that will meet our minimum requirements for functionality and atheistic design.
While I can certainly appreciate that you would be accepting of removing the L-plate to gain access to the battery door, the vast majority of our customers do not share that opinion, and so designing such a limited plate would not be well received, and we imagine we simply wouldn't sell enough to justify the cost of the research and development.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Quote.
Erik
Really Right Stuff, LLC
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Acratech's universal L-plate might be a good candidate for use w/ & without the grip.
http://www.acratech.net/universal-l-bracket/
I use one w/ my a900 in this way. Very solid.
Rand
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Got myself a Novoflex L-Plate. Fits perfectly. Has to be screwed on and off for battery changing, but I don't care. I use to take them off anyway, if I shoot by hand.
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JML over on GDPI has just finished work on his L plate for the A7/grip. He's allowed it to slide by loosening a d-ring on the base to remove batteries.
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/sony/49769-jlm-l-plate-a7-r-2.html