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L-Brackets: The Most Underrated Photography Accessory
L-Brackets: The Most Underrated Photography Accessory
by Keenan Hursh
In my opinion, there are a few key accessories that every photographer should bring with them on every outing. From obvious things like tripods, lens filters, and extra batteries to slightly less obvious accessories such as a rain cover for your pack or a remote shutter release these accessories will enable you to capture better images, stay out longer, and continue shooting in a wide variety of circumstances. As it turns out, simply having a nice camera and lens isn’t always sufficient.
One of the items in this essential list is incredibly underrated and is something I didn’t use or even know about for the longest time. This simple device can make a huge difference in your photography, especially when shooting landscapes, and now that I have one I almost never take it off my camera.
I’m talking of course about the L-Bracket. A simple L-shaped piece of metal that rests on the bottom and side of your camera. So, what exactly is an L-Bracket? How does it work? How does it assist in landscape photography? And what’s the big deal? Keep reading to find out!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, be sure to check out this great video on L-Brackets with BCJ’s own Matt Meisenheimer. Matt does an exceptional job of explaining this tool and why it’s such a useful accessory. Alright, let’s continue.
One of the items in this essential list is incredibly underrated and is something I didn’t use or even know about for the longest time. This simple device can make a huge difference in your photography, especially when shooting landscapes, and now that I have one I almost never take it off my camera.
I’m talking of course about the L-Bracket. A simple L-shaped piece of metal that rests on the bottom and side of your camera. So, what exactly is an L-Bracket? How does it work? How does it assist in landscape photography? And what’s the big deal? Keep reading to find out!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, be sure to check out this great video on L-Brackets with BCJ’s own Matt Meisenheimer. Matt does an exceptional job of explaining this tool and why it’s such a useful accessory. Alright, let’s continue.
An Introduction to L-Brackets
L-brackets are quite simple but ingenious tools designed to securely attach your camera to a tripod. What makes them unique and superior to your classic tripod plate is that they not only cover the base but wrap around to the side of your camera essentially giving you a massive Arca-Swiss tripod plate covering half your camera body.
This design allows you to choose where and how you mount your camera to a tripod and you can easily and quickly switch between landscape and portrait aspect ratios without significantly changing your field of view. Shaped like an "L," they provide support on both the base and the side of your camera, enabling you to easily change the camera's orientation without having to touch or tilt the tripod head, which we all know can be an absolute nightmare.
These simple accessories are a relatively new invention in the world of photography and many photographers simply aren’t aware of their existence and therefore their ability to transform one’s photography. Once I discovered what they were and how they worked I instantly purchased one and it has pretty much stayed attached to my camera ever since.
Let’s discuss some of the specific advantages of using an L-bracket as opposed to your tripods traditional and quite frankly boring plate.
L-brackets are quite simple but ingenious tools designed to securely attach your camera to a tripod. What makes them unique and superior to your classic tripod plate is that they not only cover the base but wrap around to the side of your camera essentially giving you a massive Arca-Swiss tripod plate covering half your camera body.
This design allows you to choose where and how you mount your camera to a tripod and you can easily and quickly switch between landscape and portrait aspect ratios without significantly changing your field of view. Shaped like an "L," they provide support on both the base and the side of your camera, enabling you to easily change the camera's orientation without having to touch or tilt the tripod head, which we all know can be an absolute nightmare.
These simple accessories are a relatively new invention in the world of photography and many photographers simply aren’t aware of their existence and therefore their ability to transform one’s photography. Once I discovered what they were and how they worked I instantly purchased one and it has pretty much stayed attached to my camera ever since.
Let’s discuss some of the specific advantages of using an L-bracket as opposed to your tripods traditional and quite frankly boring plate.
Seamless and Fast Configuration Control
In my opinion, the best and most helpful feature of an L-bracket is that you can quickly and seamlessly alter the configuration or orientation of your camera.
I’ve used a ball-head tripod for as long as I can remember and the flexibility, they provide in controlling the orientation of your camera is great without a doubt. That being said, I’m sure we’ve all experienced the pain and frustration of trying to tilt your camera 90 degrees to switch from a landscape to portrait orientation and not being able to do so for one reason or another.
This seemingly simple task has caused so much unnecessary suffering. Often times you can’t rotate the camera a full 90 degrees or achieve a level horizon line. Or perhaps one of the tripod legs is in the way and you now have to rotate the entire head. Maybe you have to adjust the length and orientation of your tripod legs in order to rotate the ball head exactly how you want. Regardless of the specific situation, this task can turn into a time-consuming nightmare and you might miss the shot you’re after.
This is where an L-bracket makes a world of difference. You no longer have to touch your tripod head, rotate anything, or adjust the legs, with an L-bracket you simply disconnect from the tripod head rotate the camera and reconnect it in a matter of seconds. Not only is this fast but you will also maintain the same general field of view and perspective that you initially had.
Let’s say you’re taking a landscape image of a stunning snow-capped mountain and you’ve lined your shot up nicely with a perfectly level horizon and the mountain in the right part of the frame. You capture a couple of images and then decide you want to switch from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation to capture more of the clouds in the sky. Instead of taking the time to readjust everything to achieve a similar shot you can simply disconnect your camera and reconnect it without touching your tripod. The horizon will stay level, the mountain will roughly be in the same part of your frame and overall, you will have saved quite a bit of time and frustration.
This is by far the main benefit of using an L-bracket. You may not realize how much time you’re wasting meddling around with your tripod but once you’ve used an L-bracket you’ll likely be surprised just how effortless this task can become.
In my opinion, the best and most helpful feature of an L-bracket is that you can quickly and seamlessly alter the configuration or orientation of your camera.
I’ve used a ball-head tripod for as long as I can remember and the flexibility, they provide in controlling the orientation of your camera is great without a doubt. That being said, I’m sure we’ve all experienced the pain and frustration of trying to tilt your camera 90 degrees to switch from a landscape to portrait orientation and not being able to do so for one reason or another.
This seemingly simple task has caused so much unnecessary suffering. Often times you can’t rotate the camera a full 90 degrees or achieve a level horizon line. Or perhaps one of the tripod legs is in the way and you now have to rotate the entire head. Maybe you have to adjust the length and orientation of your tripod legs in order to rotate the ball head exactly how you want. Regardless of the specific situation, this task can turn into a time-consuming nightmare and you might miss the shot you’re after.
This is where an L-bracket makes a world of difference. You no longer have to touch your tripod head, rotate anything, or adjust the legs, with an L-bracket you simply disconnect from the tripod head rotate the camera and reconnect it in a matter of seconds. Not only is this fast but you will also maintain the same general field of view and perspective that you initially had.
Let’s say you’re taking a landscape image of a stunning snow-capped mountain and you’ve lined your shot up nicely with a perfectly level horizon and the mountain in the right part of the frame. You capture a couple of images and then decide you want to switch from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation to capture more of the clouds in the sky. Instead of taking the time to readjust everything to achieve a similar shot you can simply disconnect your camera and reconnect it without touching your tripod. The horizon will stay level, the mountain will roughly be in the same part of your frame and overall, you will have saved quite a bit of time and frustration.
This is by far the main benefit of using an L-bracket. You may not realize how much time you’re wasting meddling around with your tripod but once you’ve used an L-bracket you’ll likely be surprised just how effortless this task can become.
Additional Benefits
Of course, being able to easily change your camera’s orientation is a great feature, but there are some other added benefits of using an L-bracket that are worth mentioning.
Another great feature of L-brackets is that when you change the orientation of your camera you aren’t changing the center of gravity. This added benefit might seem strange but actually makes a lot of sense when you break it down. Before I used L-brackets I would rotate my tripod’s ball head 90 degrees to the side to achieve a portrait orientation. If you’re on a level surface or if your camera is very lightweight this usually isn’t an issue. But, by rotating the camera to the side the weight is therefore shifting to the side and in many circumstances, this can actually cause your tripod and camera to fall over potentially causing severe damage to both. I’ve had to catch my setup as it slowly started to lean over more times than I’d like to admit. With an L-bracket, this issue is much less common and easily avoided.
Additionally, L brackets can add a nice layer of protection to your camera. With a strong metal surface wrapping around the bottom and one of the sides, your camera is partially housed within a metal cage that will not only prevent scuffs and scratches but also could make a big difference in the unfortunate circumstance that your camera is dropped.
Of course, being able to easily change your camera’s orientation is a great feature, but there are some other added benefits of using an L-bracket that are worth mentioning.
Another great feature of L-brackets is that when you change the orientation of your camera you aren’t changing the center of gravity. This added benefit might seem strange but actually makes a lot of sense when you break it down. Before I used L-brackets I would rotate my tripod’s ball head 90 degrees to the side to achieve a portrait orientation. If you’re on a level surface or if your camera is very lightweight this usually isn’t an issue. But, by rotating the camera to the side the weight is therefore shifting to the side and in many circumstances, this can actually cause your tripod and camera to fall over potentially causing severe damage to both. I’ve had to catch my setup as it slowly started to lean over more times than I’d like to admit. With an L-bracket, this issue is much less common and easily avoided.
Additionally, L brackets can add a nice layer of protection to your camera. With a strong metal surface wrapping around the bottom and one of the sides, your camera is partially housed within a metal cage that will not only prevent scuffs and scratches but also could make a big difference in the unfortunate circumstance that your camera is dropped.
Potential Drawbacks
Of course, nothing is perfect and regardless of how much I love L-brackets, it is worth mentioning some potential drawbacks that might pull a few photographers away from using these nifty devices.
To start, L-brackets will add a little bit of weight to your setup as they are made of metal and are designed to be durable. Although this isn’t an issue for me personally some photographers like to keep things as light as possible and especially with modern mirrorless cameras that are smaller and lighter than DSLRs the weight might be a bit more noticeable.
Another potential drawback is the price. A high-quality, durable L-bracket that perfectly fits your camera will likely be upwards of $100 or in some cases over $200 which isn’t cheap for a piece of metal. You can find less expensive alternatives but a high-quality option that fits your camera body well will likely fall around these prices. In my opinion, the added benefits you get with an L-bracket far outweigh the costs, especially when you consider how much you’ve spent on your camera, lenses, and other accessories, but everyone is different.
And that’s it. I really can’t think of too many drawbacks or negative attributes when it comes to L-brackets.
Of course, nothing is perfect and regardless of how much I love L-brackets, it is worth mentioning some potential drawbacks that might pull a few photographers away from using these nifty devices.
To start, L-brackets will add a little bit of weight to your setup as they are made of metal and are designed to be durable. Although this isn’t an issue for me personally some photographers like to keep things as light as possible and especially with modern mirrorless cameras that are smaller and lighter than DSLRs the weight might be a bit more noticeable.
Another potential drawback is the price. A high-quality, durable L-bracket that perfectly fits your camera will likely be upwards of $100 or in some cases over $200 which isn’t cheap for a piece of metal. You can find less expensive alternatives but a high-quality option that fits your camera body well will likely fall around these prices. In my opinion, the added benefits you get with an L-bracket far outweigh the costs, especially when you consider how much you’ve spent on your camera, lenses, and other accessories, but everyone is different.
And that’s it. I really can’t think of too many drawbacks or negative attributes when it comes to L-brackets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, L-brackets are a truly underrated photography accessory that can significantly enhance your shooting experience. Their ability to facilitate quick and easy changes in camera orientation, minimize fumbling around, maintain a chosen composition, and protect your camera make them indispensable tools for photographers across various genres.
If you haven't already incorporated an L-bracket into your photography gear, now is the time to do so. And make sure to get one that fits snugly and works well with your specific camera. This small yet powerful accessory will not only save you time and effort but also open up new creative possibilities, allowing you to capture stunning images with ease and confidence. So, the next time you head out on a photo shoot, don't forget to bring along your trusty L-bracket and witness the positive impact it can have on your photography journey.
And be sure to check out this great video about L-brackets with Matt Meisenheimer. He'll show you just how handy and beneficial they can be.
Until next time!
In conclusion, L-brackets are a truly underrated photography accessory that can significantly enhance your shooting experience. Their ability to facilitate quick and easy changes in camera orientation, minimize fumbling around, maintain a chosen composition, and protect your camera make them indispensable tools for photographers across various genres.
If you haven't already incorporated an L-bracket into your photography gear, now is the time to do so. And make sure to get one that fits snugly and works well with your specific camera. This small yet powerful accessory will not only save you time and effort but also open up new creative possibilities, allowing you to capture stunning images with ease and confidence. So, the next time you head out on a photo shoot, don't forget to bring along your trusty L-bracket and witness the positive impact it can have on your photography journey.
And be sure to check out this great video about L-brackets with Matt Meisenheimer. He'll show you just how handy and beneficial they can be.
Until next time!
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.
When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.
Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.
Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.
You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com
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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.