Mamiya 7II L-bracket

r.e. · Feb 25, 2007

I use an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead with this camera and a Kirk quick release plate.

For vertical shots, I use the groove in the ballhead to change the camera's orientation from horizontal to verticle. Can anyone tell me whether the Kirk L-bracket plate is more convenient? Is it solid in verticle orientation? Does having the plate on the side of the camera affect the ergonomics of hand-holding? Given that the plate is on the side of the camera that has the two lugs for carrying the camera in verticle orientation around one's neck, can that still be done? And does the back open easily to change film?

Thanks for any comments.

naturephoto1 · Feb 26, 2007

The Kirk L bracket for the Mamiya 7/7II works quite well. I replaced my QR with the bracket and do not remove it. Great piece and worth the added weight. The camera handles almost as well with as without the bracket. You get used to it being in place with little problem and should have no problem leaving it attached. The camera is quite solid on a tripod in the horizontal or vertical position. All releases on the bottom plate are accesable with the bracket in place and the camera back opens easily to change the film. At best, it would be difficult to camera the camera in the vertical orientation by the strap. It may be possible but I can not say for sure. Since you hold the camera with the right hand and the left hand cups the lens like on a 35mm camera, I have not found that the bracket on the left side of the camera interferes with handling.

Rich

r.e. · Feb 27, 2007

Rich,

Thanks, exactly what I needed to know.

m_liddell · Mar 6, 2007

I have the kirk L bracket for my mamiya 7. It fits well and makes the camera very very solid on the tripod which makes it a must have to get the most of the great lenses It does add a fair bit of weight to the camera but taking it off is very easy, you can also still keep the strap on.

The dowside is the very high cost for what is just a bit of alu but it is well made.

naturephoto1 · Mar 6, 2007

As I recall, the Bracket is about 5.4 oz and the posting on the Kirk Website is incorrect for the weight.

Rich

MAGNAchrom · Mar 6, 2007

m_liddell said:
I have the kirk L bracket for my mamiya 7. It fits well and makes the camera very very solid on the tripod which makes it a must have to get the most of the great lenses It does add a fair bit of weight to the camera but taking it off is very easy, you can also still keep the strap on.QUOTE]

Keep in mind that the Kirk L Bracket is only for the Mamiya 7II, not the 7.

Cheers,

m_liddell · Mar 7, 2007

MAGNAchrom said:
m_liddell said:

I have the kirk L bracket for my mamiya 7. It fits well and makes the camera very very solid on the tripod which makes it a must have to get the most of the great lenses It does add a fair bit of weight to the camera but taking it off is very easy, you can also still keep the strap on.

Click to expand...

Keep in mind that the Kirk L Bracket is only for the Mamiya 7II, not the 7.

Cheers,

Mine fits my Mamiya 7 no problem :confused:

naturephoto1 · Mar 7, 2007

MAGNAchrom said:
m_liddell said:

I have the kirk L bracket for my mamiya 7. It fits well and makes the camera very very solid on the tripod which makes it a must have to get the most of the great lenses It does add a fair bit of weight to the camera but taking it off is very easy, you can also still keep the strap on.QUOTE]

Keep in mind that the Kirk L Bracket is only for the Mamiya 7II, not the 7.

Cheers,

Click to expand...

Hi Michael,

The Kirk website indicates that the L bracket is for both cameras- 7/7II. Unless I am mistaken, both cameras have the same layout so I can not see why the bracket would not work with the 7. Additionally, m_liddell confirms that it fits his Mamiya 7.

Rich

MAGNAchrom · Mar 7, 2007

naturephoto1 said:
MAGNAchrom said:

The Kirk website indicates that the L bracket is for both cameras- 7/7II. Unless I am mistaken, both cameras have the same layout so I can not see why the bracket would not work with the 7. Additionally, m_liddell confirms that it fits his Mamiya 7.

Click to expand...

Interesting. I'll have to take a look see when I get back to Boston this weekend. As I recall, the M7II has the camera strap in a different place than the M7 and the Kirk L has a small bolt that attaches indirectly to the strap (making the L plate much more rigid).

Is it that you forgo the little bolt and let the "L" float freely when used w/ the M7? Or do I have an early model that has been superceded with an updated L bracket that now supports both camera bodies?

Note: I also own the original Kirk M7 base plate which is appropriately mounted to my M7, so I'm defintely familiar with their "older" products and may not be totally up-to-date with their newer products.

Cheers,

m_liddell · Mar 15, 2007

The bracket uses the left hand strap lug which the 7 has. The only strap difference between the 7 and 7II is that the 7 has a lower lug on the left rather than the tradiational top lug on the right. The L bracket has a cutout for this lower lug.

Mamiya 7II L-bracket

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