L-bracket

After much consideration I have ordered a Kirk L-bracket for my K-1 as I often use a tripod in portrait mode. Problem is I have two Manfrotto heads I use regularly but need an Arca Swiss mount; the Manfrotto conversion for each is about £75 and I have read reviews that some plates don’t fit which put me off. For about the same price I have ordered two Sunwayfoto conversions which has excellent reviews but doesn’t locate into the anti-twist slot on the Manfrotto stem; for that you need a boss adapter - from China! Hopefully all will arrive ok and go together as it should. I would add that the U.K. Sunwayfoto outlet CGUK have been very helpful in this regard.

Sounds interesting. I wonder if there's any advantage apart from size over using something like a Novoflex L bracket which is part of the pano system and therefore much more versatile. Can be set on the nodal point plus balanced etc.

See bottom photos here.... (not actually of a bottom )..........

https://neunzehn72.de/test-des-novoflex-panorama-vr-system/

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The Kirk L-bracket is tailor-made for each body so sits snugly against it and allows access to the various ports, and it can be left on the camera all the time if you wish. Weight and space are a big consideration which is why I have avoided a battery grip, nice to see a company making purpose-made products for Pentax (as well as the others!).

I like the idea of the Velbon PHD‑66Q Revolver Head (£109 )

http://www.velbon.biz/product/head.html

One left on Amazon uk for £86.28 Free delivery for Prime customers.

Another PLUS for the Pentax K-1 over the Sony A7's is that the tilt screen can be used with the camera in portrait mode. The Sony's only work in landscape mode

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********!! Now you tell me!

Did you see these on Amazon link and this link from some time ago

Thanks for these, the advantage of The Kirk L-plate is that it is purpose made for each model to ensure that all ports are accessible although it is rather more expensive. Interesting that the earlier post bemoaned the lack of such a product for Pentax but Kirk Enterprises have rectified that (and I love that name!). Mine has just arrived together with the Arca Swiss tripod fittings but not had a chance to open them yet.

Here it is:





Ooooh it's sexy! weighs very little and the finish is a perfect match to the body. This Arca Swiss mount means that the body still rests nicely when put on a flat surface which the Manfrotto mount doesn't allow.

The Sunwayfoto head replacement is very nicely made and has a smooth firm action. here are some pics:






This model will also take the Manfrotto plates should the need arise:


And it comes with a screw for attaching to a Manfrotto plate if you either cannot or do not want to replace the head permanently:


Overall really pleased with the quality of the products, I am just waiting for the anti-twist widgets from China or alternatively something could be made to work.

Looks a neat job. What are "anti-twist widgets" ?

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With just the screw connection and the head locked it is very easy to rotate the mount and loosen it. The stem on Manfrotto heads that the mount screws to has a slot either side, and Manfrotto mounts have a corresponding ridge to lock in place and prevent this happening. Third party mounts like the Sunwayfoto have slots underneath instead of the ridge, to suit different manufacturers, so a widget (proper name boss adaptor) is used with ridges either side of a washer to locate into the slots:link. The Sunwayfoto agents here in UK were out of stock so posted me the link on ebay which was helpful of them. However all the suppliers appear to be in China so a longer wait.

Ah!! I've never used any heads that needed locking and that includes a lot of Novoflex stuff . Usually a good tightening is sufficient. Even my camera is just a screw. The little stud just clips on and off the holder

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Novoflex-miniConnect/273221077312?hash=item3f9d3ec940...

This L Plate would be needed to turn that into a very quick 90deg system

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Novoflex-Clamping-Plate-L-Shaped/173030824830?hash=it...

I haven't bothered with it because I have the other version for pano that uses Arca type clamps.










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