Decisions...

CmazzJK · Oct 20, 2014

I have been doing my best to not get caught up in the Nikon FX upgrade mindset, I don't feel that I am ready(skill wise) to justify dropping over two grand on a full frame camera yet however, I do have money burning a hole in my pocket. I have been shooting with a D7100 for almost a year now and I definitely see where it struggles in certain natural light. It can be frustrating but I understand thats the nature of landscape photography with DX. So I have been contemplating a new camera but honestly I don't want one yet (or so I keep telling myself). I do however need some more efficient gear. Which brings me to my problem: I really want an L bracket for portraits, however it is not compatible with my current sturdy-ish Vanguard 264AB tripod/ballhead combo. I need ideas for a legs/ballhead/L bracket upgrade. My budget is 800 max, but I would be more than happy to spend less than that if its possible to do so without sacrificing quality. So help me not buy a new camera by spending money on something else....

bratkinson · Oct 21, 2014

No problem!

I desperately needed a flash bracket to move my flash higher and above the camera when in portrait mode and bought a Kirk L-bracket to fit my camera. Note: L-brackets are different for just about every camera make and model and with/without grip, so choose wisely.

Having decided on the Kirk L-bracket, which uses the Arca-Swiss bracket & clamp 'design', I then chose a suitable ball head for my monopod with a built in Arca-Swiss clamp...in my case, another Kirk product.

OK, what about my 30+ year old pan-head tripod that is still good and sturdy but has a standard screw bolt to attach the camera? Easy answer - Another Kirk (or any) Arca-Swiss clamp! Problem solved!
kirk clamp | B&H Photo Video

CmazzJK · Oct 21, 2014

bratkinson said:
No problem!

I desperately needed a flash bracket to move my flash higher and above the camera when in portrait mode and bought a Kirk L-bracket to fit my camera. Note: L-brackets are different for just about every camera make and model and with/without grip, so choose wisely.

Having decided on the Kirk L-bracket, which uses the Arca-Swiss bracket & clamp 'design', I then chose a suitable ball head for my monopod with a built in Arca-Swiss clamp...in my case, another Kirk product.

OK, what about my 30+ year old pan-head tripod that is still good and sturdy but has a standard screw bolt to attach the camera? Easy answer - Another Kirk (or any) Arca-Swiss clamp! Problem solved!
kirk clamp | B&H Photo Video

Thanks for the reply, I have been looking at the Kirk L bracket for a little while and it seems to be my best bet. Now I am trying to decide on the best tripod/ballhead option for the money. Gitzo has a mail in rebate deal going on now for most of their tripods which seem to be extremely well liked and reliable product. I am just having a hard time deciding on which combo to go with and its sort of driving me crazy.

CmazzJK · Nov 14, 2014

I ended up buying a new Kirk 2.5" QR plate for my vanguard tripod as well as the Kirk L-bracket for my D7100. Aside from having to buy a new bolt to attach the plate to the ball head due to the vanguard bolt not fitting flush with the Kirk plate. Everything is great couldn't be happier. Plus Kirk's customer service is top notch I will definitely buy again.

Derrel · Nov 14, 2014

Why not spend some money on "something else" that eliminates the need for an L-bracket!

How about a used 70-200/2.8 VR-1 lens, or a used 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S lens? Both have a good tripod foot on the lens that eliminates the need for the L-bracket, and are good portraiture lenses. Or how about a 70-200 f/4 VR-G lens, the hot, new Nikkor AF-S zoom with the good new-generation optics?

CmazzJK · Nov 15, 2014

Derrel said:
Why not spend some money on "something else" that eliminates the need for an L-bracket!

How about a used 70-200/2.8 VR-1 lens, or a used 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S lens? Both have a good tripod foot on the lens that eliminates the need for the L-bracket, and are good portraiture lenses. Or how about a 70-200 f/4 VR-G lens, the hot, new Nikkor AF-S zoom with the good new-generation optics?

Lol I have the Nikkor 70-200 f4 but I wanted a better more efficient way to shoot portrait landscapes and wildflowers with wide angle zooms. It was such a PITA to have to fight the tripod and ballhead with a traditional plate and bracket for a portrait composition it made me avoid them a lot of the time. You not a fan of L brackets?

Derrel · Nov 15, 2014

I think I misunderstood when you wrote, "I really want an L bracket for portraits," thinking you meant portraits of people, not horizontally oriented landscape photos. For portraits of people there's seldom much need for extraordinary tripod support, since people are not still subjects and the speeds need to be somewhat fast no matter what, so the tripod foot on the bigger Nikkor zooms is perfectly adequate.

Gary A. · Nov 15, 2014

If you're into landscapes, I think you could use the extra wideness of a FF sensor.

CmazzJK · Nov 15, 2014

Derrel said:
I think I misunderstood when you wrote, "I really want an L bracket for portraits," thinking you meant portraits of people, not horizontally oriented landscape photos. For portraits of people there's seldom much need for extraordinary tripod support, since people are not still subjects and the speeds need to be somewhat fast no matter what, so the tripod foot on the bigger Nikkor zooms is perfectly adequate.

It's no problem I didn't make it clear what I meant

CmazzJK · Nov 15, 2014

Gary A. said:
If you're into landscapes, I think you could use the extra wideness of a FF sensor.

I agree but I can't drop a couple grand right now maybe next year.

cgw · Nov 15, 2014

"I have been doing my best to not get caught up in the Nikon FX upgrade mindset, I don't feel that I am ready(skill wise) to justify dropping over two grand on a full frame camera yet..."

You wrote this, right? That's a good enough reason alone to wait, now you can't afford it? Sounds like a chronic case of NAS. Stop jonesing for an FX body. We all know about the downward drift in prices--D7100 prices being a good example. Eyeball Nikon's refurb offerings and look out for Black Friday/Xmas/Cyber Monday deals if you must but be certain FX prices will be declining over 2015. By your own admission, sounds like you've got a bit to learn on the D7100.

CmazzJK · Nov 15, 2014

cgw said:
"I have been doing my best to not get caught up in the Nikon FX upgrade mindset, I don't feel that I am ready(skill wise) to justify dropping over two grand on a full frame camera yet..."

You wrote this, right? That's a good enough reason alone to wait, now you can't afford it? Sounds like a chronic case of NAS. Stop jonesing for an FX body. We all know about the downward drift in prices--D7100 prices being a good example. Eyeball Nikon's refurb offerings and look out for Black Friday/Xmas/Cyber Monday deals if you must but be certain FX prices will be declining over 2015. By your own admission, sounds like you've got a bit to learn on the D7100.

Not quite sure what you're saying? I bought an L bracket and QR plate after stating I was looking for one... My statement about the FX camera was me simply stating I want one but can't justify buying one yet so I'm gonna buy some other stuff I need and wait for the FX camera for potentially next year.