Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

Once I got this L-Bracket it was very easy to install and fit perfectly to the camera. Very pleased with the L-bracket.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

Well made product. The strap loop is a nice addition. Easy to get at the connectors.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

I shoot mostly nature and landscapes, often with a tripod, and this has really opened up doors for me. Sure it was possible use my camera in portrait orientation with just my ball head, but this makes is so much more stable and gives me much better stitching for panoramas and the like. I will never go back to shooting without one. And I can't imagine you would need a more expensive L-bracket -- this thing is really well made and designed.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

This is great.. for landscapes, portraits, if you need a L type bracket for an Arca Swiss type ball head.. this is the one. Strong and very lightweight construction. Get one of this now!

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

Would've been 5 stars if the camera strap mount had another half mm of clearance and of course it fits better in some plates than others. Overall though, it's just what I needed.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

I like the plate,seame to be convieant and sturdy.and i like the free shipping.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

What I like: * It's moulded to conform to the body of the camera* It has a positive connection to the strap eyelet. * It's the same weight and bulk of the RRS one I had for the 5D Mark I.What I don't like* Cost - this seems very pricy for what you get. There not a lot of R&D that goes into this, and the raw cost looks to be less than about $.* One advantage (connection to strap eyelet) is also a disadvantage, in that your camera strap is now attached to the L bracket. Not an issue if you leave it on all the time, but a pain if you don't.* Style. There is none. This won't make your camera look "cooler".I bought this over the RRS because it's moulded to fit the body, whereas RRS version is a retainer bar that will likely create rubs on the camera body. Also, the finish on the RRS and the hardness of the aluminum weren't top notch on my earlier version, but I don't know if the Kirk bracket is better - I would guess not. Functionally, they do the same thing, cost the same, look pretty much the same and will outlast your camera.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

I bought this L-bracket to use primarily for shooting panoramas in portrait mode.
The key benefits of this bracket include:
+ customized slip proof support of the camera in portrait, as well as landscape modes
+ easy access to I/O ports on the side of the camera
+ sensor centering lines (I use this for set up in finding the nodal point of a lens)
+ threaded hole that will allow for a custom strap (I use the Black Rapid RS-7)

The key downside considerations:
- expensive (but not really when compared to the alternatives)
- need to remove the stock Canon Camera strap

The custom fit of this bracket will ensure that my camera does not slip because of a over/under tightening of the screw that holds the bracket to the camera. In addition to the front lip on the bracket that is custom designed to wrap up around the camera, there is the added support provided by a bolt that utilizes the camera's camera strap loop (see 14of the additional images).

The open nature of the bracket will easily allow for the use remote controllers and other corded items (i.e. corded audio/video I/O devices).

The sensor centering lines are very handy in ensuring that the camera is centered properly in the bracket and in a nodal rail, when setting up for the proper nodal point in shooting panoramic images.

While this bracket is expensive for a simple piece of metal, it was much less expensive than some of the alternatives that I considered. When you also consider that this L-Bracket is customized for the 5D Mark III and functions much better than the alternatives, the price really starts to look like a real bargain.

While the use of the camera's strap loop means you will have to lose the stock Camera strap, the inclusion of a threaded hole on the bottom of the bracket will allow for a custom strap like the Black Rapid RS-7 to be attached. I would also point out that the bracket is powder coated, which means that the first time you go to screw in the bolt through the camera strap, you MUST BE CAREFUL so you don't cross-thread and strip it out.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

Crazy bulky but I was expecting that. The one major complaint I have with this is that is that to take it off or put it on you have to remove the neck strap and put it back on. This makes it a very time consuming and annoying process. If your camera mostly lives on a tripod then this product will make shooting vertical much better but if like me, you're shooting hand held as much as you're in a tripod then you might not like this. With it on you pretty much lose the ergonomic grip that the 5D III has.

Comments about Kirk BL-5D3 L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark III:

I cannot think of a better addition to my camera and tripod system. Solid and safe - no cameras pitching themselves off the tripod. Just wish it was not sooooooo expensive.