Consider an L-bracket for your camera
Friday 1 May 2026, 13:31 by Nando Harmsen | 1,383 views | 5 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
Every tripod with a tripod head comes with a tripod plate. You screw it underneath the camera. It often comes loose, or the camera slips down when you want to take a vertical photo. Make things easier for yourself with an L-bracket.
You know the situation. You screw a tripod plate underneath the camera, and you are sure it is as tight as possible. A little later, you notice that it has come loose (again). Or you tilt the tripod head 90 degrees for a photo in portrait orientation, and the camera slips down.
To call it annoying is an understatement. It simply makes taking photos with a tripod frustrating. But there is a simple solution, provided you have an Arca-Swiss compatible connection.
A L-bracket is a tripod mount in the shape of the letter L. Hence the name. It fits seamlessly underneath and beside your camera. The condition is that it must be an L-bracket made for the camera model you have.
With an L-bracket, you will not have to deal with a tripod plate coming loose. You also no longer have to hang the camera beside the tripod for a photo in portrait orientation. It is sturdier, more secure, and above all safer.
An L-bracket made for your camera never needs to be removed either. Leave it on your camera at all times. You can still access the battery or the connections.
So what do you do with the tripod plate you used before? Put it in the cupboard, or screw it underneath the tripod collar of your telephoto lens. Although... There are better mounting plates for that too, which prevent anything from rotating.
Do you want maximum security for your camera on a tripod? Then consider investing in an L-bracket. I have been using them since 2006 and would never be without one.
About the author
Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.
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5 comments
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Carla Groenenboom wrote on Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 13:09 | replyI like to use the L bracket. I have an OM sytem OM1. But I also like to use the battery grip. And those don't work together. And I don't understand that now. An L bracket is handy for tilting, a battery grip is handy when you use your camera tilted but they don't work together. I think that's a real shame. And strange.
Translated from Dutch. -
Nando
wrote on Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 13:25
| reply
It indeed seems that there are no L-brackets for the OM1 with grip. At least, I didn't see them.
Translated from Dutch.
Other camera brands have versions for both with and without grip.
There is a universal L-bracket available. How it works together with the OM1, I don't know.
https://www.augenblicke-eingefangen.de/en/ProMediaGear-PLX4T-QD-L-bracket-universal-for-cameras-with-battery-grip-and-tilting-display/AE20936 -
Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 15:05 | replyNando, I agree with your plea. I also use an L bracket on my R7. On the previous cameras as well. Although my L bracket is intended for the R7, it still causes a problem. The cutout for the tilting screen rubs a bit. But if you know that, you can take it into account. For me, it is no longer a problem by now.
Translated from Dutch.
I find an L bracket especially pleasant when using a tripod. The ca me era always stays centered on top of the tripod and that giveg the best stability. In any case better than tilting the camera using the ball head or 3-way head.
I wouldn't want to be without one anymore. -
gbellens@gmail.com wrote on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at 15:42 | replyHi Nando,
Translated from Dutch.
Thanks for this article. I also always worry when I let my R6 hang from my tripod. But the downside of an L-bracket is that I can't use it together with my Peak Design Clip.
Best,
Guido -
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