E-M1 mkII RRS L-Bracket Review

The E-M1 mkII L-Bracket from Really Right Stuff is finally available!  I received mine a few days ago.  In my workflow an L-bracket is invaluable.  I virtually can’t use a camera without one of their brackets.  The markings allow for precise centering on tripod and panoramic equipment.  An L-bracket also allows you to place the camera in portrait mode centrally over the ballhead so balance is retained.  You can read more about L-brackets on the RRS website.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Really Right Stuff L-Bracket

This new bracket has some interesting features that were not available on older brackets.  I want to go over them, show a few items to be aware of when using a bracket, and then give my overall impression of the new unit.

L-Bracket Features

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Portrait mode L closed
e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Portrait mode L open

You can see in these two previous images how the L portion works now.  RRS came up with a nifty way to allow the L to slide out and relock using a screw underneath.  The screw is NOT captive and can be fully removed in order to allow the L portion to come out completely.  This feature is great if you are tethering or attaching mic cables, HDMI cables, etc… and need the extra space.  It also allows the screen a little extra space when swinging out.  It locks very securely and feels just as solid open as it does closed.  In fact when it is open you can hold the camera from there and have a great grip when shooting video with a small prime.  Also take note of the hex wrench in the first picture and the same wrench removed in the second picture.  RRS has added REALLY strong magnets into the bottom to hold a wrench.  This way you don’t have to worry about carrying tools additionally or losing them.  This makes adjusting the L immediate.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Wrench and magnets

Here is another shot showing the wrench attached via the magnet.  I can’t imagine this will ever get dislodged on its own.  Also note in this shot the battery door clearance is excellent and effortless.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Strap connections

Another great feature is how versatile the plate is with straps.  You can see I have a Peak Design strap connector on my left lug.  I have another connector attached to the bottom right of the L-bracket.  There is a small metal post on the right edge that allows for all kinds of different strap attachments.  In the center there is a traditional tripod hole which can also be used for straps like the Black Rapid, or a Peak Design Plate, etc…  Now notice there are two more holes…one of the L portion and one on the bottom right hand grip.  These two holes are designed to accomodate the RRS quick release connector.  I’ve never used one, but they seem great.  I image they are quite solid in the way they connect with their locking mechanism.  The top camera lug is also still available for those that like wrist straps.  Multiple ways of mounting makes fitting the camera to your needs very easy.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Bottom view
e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
L removed

It is nice that the L portion is so quick and easy to remove.  The only catch is not losing the screw.  I would immediately thread the screw back into the L so it does not get lost.  If you shoot a lot of video, you may not need the L portion on all the time.  This also allows complete usage of the screen swivel.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
L closed side swing
e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
L open side swing

Here you can see the catch of having an L-Bracket on a camera with an fully articulating screen.  You cannot swing the screen with full range of motion.  You get a wider angle with the L open.  This is not limited to this camera.  Any camera with a fully articulating screen and a bracket will have this problem.  In reality though…it is not that big of a problem.  If you shoot mostly video or hand held, I would just keep the L off and only attach it when there is a chance of portrait mode tripod usage.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Screen tilted upwards

Here you can see the screen tilted upwards.  You can turn it and insert it between the bracket.  This works, thought your angle of adjustment once inserted is very limited.  It is enough to get the job done though.

e-m1 mkII L-bracket RRS
Screen tilted downwards

Here you can see the screen tilted downwards.  This is more likely if you are doing an overhead shot for instance.  In fact, you have a lot more range of motion in this orientation and it is quite comfortable when shooting overhead.

RRS L-Bracket for E-M1 mkII

If you have never held a camera with an RRS bracket then you have missed out.  RRS gear is made solid.  VERY SOLID.  Yet lightweight.  It adds a little size and weight to the camera, but in turn you get enhanced functionality and ease of use when working with tripods and accessories.  It is nice that the L portion removes so quickly.  The E-M1 mkII was already built with a more substantial feel than the original.  Adding this new bracket makes the camera feel like a solid rock.  It honestly feels like an old hasselblad…. you know the feeling…like the whole camera was just carved out of a single piece of stone.  It’s the same feeling as a Leica M..just one solid piece.  The camera feels spectacular with the plate.  It retains this feeling with the L portion on or off.  If you use RRS ballheads, clamps, or any Arca-Swiss style clamp, you should really try an L-bracket as opposed to a screw on plate.  Many of those aren’t center, or block the battery door, etc…

In my opinion, the RRS bracket for the E-M1 mkII completes the camera.  I love it.  In fact, I can’t fully use my cameras without one.  I also won’t buy a camera that RRS doesn’t build a bracket for specifically.  That’s how much I trust in their product.

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20 responses on "E-M1 mkII RRS L-Bracket Review"

  1. Hy Tony…
    I am new to Olympus, I come from Nikon, I just changed a D4 for an M1 MKII (I still have the Nikon, but saved), a good contribution the ebook, I am reading.
    I have a question regarding the L;
    What is the option with the HLD-9 Power Battery Grip

    Bye

    Luis

    • So far I have not seen any good solutions from any manufacturer for an L-Bracket that works with the Olympus grips. I wonder if the demand for it is just not there. So far the options have only been for the standard camera. A generic L-bracket might work with the grip… but the battery door will be blocked.

  2. Hi, a very nice review! I have one question: I have bought the plate and L bracket, but would like to use it on my trusted Slik Grand master sport – it has standard scews, eg the rss can be screwed on to it. So what kind of clamp can I then use for “clamping” the rss to the Slik?

    • You should be able to use any kind of “arca-swiss” compatible clamp. Some seem to have a better fit than others, but generally they are cross-compatible. I use the RRS clamps…just my preference. If it says Arca Swiss, wimberly, kirk, or RRS it should be fine. That is a very standard clamp style.

  3. I have some reservations for the magnets effect on the camera (IBIS & shutter etc). Any answers for that?

    • You know this was an interesting comment I had never thought of. I unscrewed my base plate and examined it. So…yet the magnets work from the top side still. Not nearly as strong though. They are recessed pretty well. The base plate adds some depth on the camera. Between the extra space to the camera body, the camera body itself, and then the distance to the IBIS system, shutter, or anything else that would be sensitive to magnetism…I just don’t think the magnets are close enough. I have been shooting with this for months now and so far so good. I have not noticed any change with it on or off. I have no scientific answer…but, so far so good on my end.

      • I asked RRS about the magnets a few months back. They said they won’t damage the camera, but they can provide the bracket without them if desired.

  4. I bought a Kirk L-Plate for my OMD EM1 Mark II. I could barely use it, but instead I hack sawed the right side of the upright plate for just under 1″ where the monitor hinge is located. It almost works perfectly now. You can see it on my Dropbox Link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/757ykzigu9fz7r8/2017-12-08%2013-59-18%20-0500.tif?dl=0

  5. Will this L bracket work as well on the Olympus OMD E-M1 (not the Mark II)? Thanks.

  6. I ordered one of these brackets from RRS and it never turned up. They said it was returned to them by the courier though no reason why was given. They promised to send another, another number of weeks went by, it never arrived. They then said they were refunding and gave no reason why the replacement was never sent. I complained to their customer service team, they weren’t bothered. Customer service is appalling. I wouldn’t touch RRS or their products with a barge pole again. Interestingly, I just ordered this product from Ebay and I’m hard pushed to see how RRS justify the price of this product when I can buy a similar item for £19.00 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163109262656

    • Sorry to hear about that experience. No company is perfect. I’ve had many many dealings with them and they have always stood up and made good on everything. They might be easier to deal with within the US. Just a guess on my part.

  7. Where to buy it …. où l’acheter en France et quel prix environ ?

  8. I don’t need the ”L-bracket”. I don’t need much of the Arca-Swiss attachment either. What I really need, is some more space for my pinky when carrying the camera with a wrist strap. I am not very fond of neck straps. When trekking, to avoid an extra weight, I don’t want to carry any camera bags either. Then again the dedicated batterygrip for M1MkII is pretty heavy and clumsy – especially with travel lens like 12-100 F4. Therefore I have found this bottom plate to be an excellent and light weight companion with my M1 MkII/12-400/hand-strap-combo. When making camp I often lay my camera on the ground and since not having a camera bag, the bottom of the camera would be vulnerable without a shield that the bottom plate provides. That is the second most important reason to use this neatly designed bracket. It is simply perfect for my purposes. And yes – I still have an integrated Arca-Swiss attachment – in case I need it.

    • Yes, as for you, the bottom plate completes the camera for a pinky resting place. I found this even more important on the mkI which was smaller. Still needed on the later models too.

  9. A nice and fairly similar but cheaper alternative that is readily available both in the US and Europe (still excellent build quality though) is the Three Legged Thing Ellie Short. It’s a universal model made for smaller DSLR’s and mirrorless cameras that fits really nicely on the E-M1 MkII and III (they make a bigger one too).

    The version I have, has “PD” added to its name, which means that it’s not only Arca Swiss compatible but also Peak Design Capture (the latest version only) compatible, which is just great!

  10. It is a beautifully made L-Bracket, which would be perfect if RRS ever had one in stock. It’s now more than three years since I’ve been trying to purchase one!

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