Markins Compatible Plate for MB-D80?

Randius · 14th October 2007

I am planning to get the Markins M10 but I have no idea what will be a suitable plate for the MB-D80? Can any bro enlighten me on the plate to get? On Nikonian.org, someone recommended the Kirk Enterprise's PZ-114 plate but is there one from Markins? Thanks.

brian · 14th October 2007

On the Markins website they seem to have PG-80 for the D80, but I think that's probably without the vertical grip.

IF you ask on Nikonians.org, most of the users there will assume that you have access to the US suppliers, so the 2 main ones that will be recommended would be ReallyRightStuff (RRS) and KirkPhoto. I use L-plates from both and on my main bodies its perfect, although really expensive at USD150 average. Not strictly required as you will have to buy it direct from the US.

Back to Singapore... I'm assuming you're living in Singapore. Best choice I can think of is one of those generic plates from either Markins, or Wimberley (Cathay has a bunch in stock in their tripod shop). Generic plates usually don't have the anti twist flange (little thing that prevents the camera body to move under heavy loads). Since I'm now in Shanghai, I've found that Kangrinpoche makes a good generic plate that cost less than half of what RRS and Kirk charges.

By the way, the plate is called an Arca-Swiss compatible plate. The M10 is a Arca-Swiss compatible ball head. Go to a major store and ask them what they have for plates. I've not tried too much in Singapore, but i think it will be difficult to get a custom plate for your MBD80. Might have to settle for a generic plate with no flange. Good news with that is that you can use it on other cameras if you decide to upgrade often. The only downside is that its not as secure as custom plates, but you will not see any difference unless you have a very very heavy load, long lenses, and pointed in a direction other than flat (i.e. very very seldom). Unless your usage is unique, for me, a generic plate will be enough for the typical user.

Randius · 14th October 2007

Thank you, Brian. I have taken a look at RRS and found they list the BMBD200 as a compatible plate for the D80 with MB-D80 and priced at USD55. Still acceptable, I will say. But the L-brackets from both RRS and Kirk costs about the same. May I ask if it is possible to purchase from Nikonian USA and have them deliver to Singapore? Found that they will redirect Asian customer to Nikonian Europe which the L-brackets will cost Euro 150!

Possible QR plate candidates includes the Kirk PZ-114 and RRS BMBD200 and L-brackets will be BL-D80G.

May I ask if L-bracket is really useful?

brian · 14th October 2007

Originally Posted by Randius

Thank you, Brian. I have taken a look at RRS and found they list the BMBD200 as a compatible plate for the D80 with MB-D80 and priced at USD55. Still acceptable, I will say. But the L-brackets from both RRS and Kirk costs about the same. May I ask if it is possible to purchase from Nikonian USA and have them deliver to Singapore? Found that they will redirect Asian customer to Nikonian Europe which the L-brackets will cost Euro 150!

Possible QR plate candidates includes the Kirk PZ-114 and RRS BMBD200 and L-brackets will be BL-D80G.

May I ask if L-bracket is really useful?

If you shoot a lot of wide angle and alternate between landscape and portrait mode, the L-bracket is useful as it keeps the weight of the camera right on the middle of the ballhead and there's no need to flop the ball head to the side notch. (most telephotos above 70mm have built-in tripod mount that you can use to rotate between the 2 modes) Useful for sure, but whether its $100 more useful is up for interpretation. One thing to remember about L-brackets from RRS and Kirk are that they're customized for the model of camera. So if you have a D2 now and you move to D3 in 6 months, you need another $150 bracket. It surely looks nice when you go out shooting with a big chunk of machined aluminium protecting 2 sides of your camera!

Personally, I think if you use the tripod only for the occasional shot, then you probably can get by without an L-bracket. I have L-brackets only for my 2 heaviest cameras (F4 + D2). The rest uses just a cheap universal arca-swiss plate that I can swap between cameras.

Delivery of the plates are quite expensive if you get them from the US or Europe. Where are you planning to get your Markins head from? What I did some years back was that I made a purchase for a Kirk BH3 and the L brackets in one go. UPS shipping cost about 50USD extra, which compared to the cost of the goods is not really that bad. The M10 should be the same as the Kirk Photo BH3, and RRS BH40. They should all be equally good. Don't forget the chinese knockoff Kangrinpoche which I heard is just as good.

Just curious, what do you think will be your typical body+lens combination you plan to use on your new ball head?

14th October 2007	#1
Randius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,744	Markins Compatible Plate for MB-D80? I am planning to get the Markins M10 but I have no idea what will be a suitable plate for the MB-D80? Can any bro enlighten me on the plate to get? On Nikonian.org, someone recommended the Kirk Enterprise's PZ-114 plate but is there one from Markins? Thanks.

14th October 2007	#2
brian Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Shanghai, China Posts: 388	Re: Markins Compatible Plate for MB-D80? On the Markins website they seem to have PG-80 for the D80, but I think that's probably without the vertical grip. IF you ask on Nikonians.org, most of the users there will assume that you have access to the US suppliers, so the 2 main ones that will be recommended would be ReallyRightStuff (RRS) and KirkPhoto. I use L-plates from both and on my main bodies its perfect, although really expensive at USD150 average. Not strictly required as you will have to buy it direct from the US. Back to Singapore... I'm assuming you're living in Singapore. Best choice I can think of is one of those generic plates from either Markins, or Wimberley (Cathay has a bunch in stock in their tripod shop). Generic plates usually don't have the anti twist flange (little thing that prevents the camera body to move under heavy loads). Since I'm now in Shanghai, I've found that Kangrinpoche makes a good generic plate that cost less than half of what RRS and Kirk charges. By the way, the plate is called an Arca-Swiss compatible plate. The M10 is a Arca-Swiss compatible ball head. Go to a major store and ask them what they have for plates. I've not tried too much in Singapore, but i think it will be difficult to get a custom plate for your MBD80. Might have to settle for a generic plate with no flange. Good news with that is that you can use it on other cameras if you decide to upgrade often. The only downside is that its not as secure as custom plates, but you will not see any difference unless you have a very very heavy load, long lenses, and pointed in a direction other than flat (i.e. very very seldom). Unless your usage is unique, for me, a generic plate will be enough for the typical user.

14th October 2007	#3
Randius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,744	Re: Markins Compatible Plate for MB-D80? Thank you, Brian. I have taken a look at RRS and found they list the BMBD200 as a compatible plate for the D80 with MB-D80 and priced at USD55. Still acceptable, I will say. But the L-brackets from both RRS and Kirk costs about the same. May I ask if it is possible to purchase from Nikonian USA and have them deliver to Singapore? Found that they will redirect Asian customer to Nikonian Europe which the L-brackets will cost Euro 150! Possible QR plate candidates includes the Kirk PZ-114 and RRS BMBD200 and L-brackets will be BL-D80G. May I ask if L-bracket is really useful?