Photography by Tom Zeman - REVIEW: Really Right Stuff BMBD200-L L-Plate for the Nikon D200 with MB-D200

I’ve been a big fan of Really Right Stuff for years. They turned the Arca-Swiss mounting system into the incredibly useful tool it has become. There simply aren’t enough superlatives to describe how well their products are designed and perform, and I vastly prefer them over their competition. All of my cameras always get an RRS plate as soon as possible.

If you use a pro sized SLR, especially with heavy lenses, an L-Plate has tremendous advantages. By using one, you can keep the camera’s weight over the tripod’s center of gravity when shooting in vertical format. I’ve had one ever since my Nikon F5, so when I ordered my D200, I immediately called RRS and placed an order for their BMBD200-L ($183).

RRS obviously needs a camera to design from, and they had just as much trouble getting their hands on a D200 as everyone else did. So it took about a month for the plate to finally arrive.

Back when I got my first L-Plate for the F5, the L-Plate design was very functional, but considerably chunkier. RRS’ products have evolved over the years, to become beautifully machined, even elegant, pieces of design. Material has been removed where possible to reduce weight, but without sacrificing any strength. The plates conform nicely to the shape of the camera, and don’t hamper access to ports or controls. (RRS even offered an updated, more form fitting design for the F5, with a trade in discount, but by then I was shooting digital and didn’t see a need for it.)

Easily attached to the tripod socket with an included tool, the BMBD200-L does exactly what it is supposed to. It doesn’t look quite as graceful as on the D2H/X, but then the D200 isn’t as graceful a camera. It’s taller and more slab sided with the MB-D200 installed, than the D2H/X, so that isn’t RRS’ fault. Access to all doors and ports is unimpeded by the skeletonized design, and the black finish nicely complements the camera.

One nice new feature is the index mark on both the horizontal and vertical plates. It matches up with a similar index mark on the new RRS ballheads to aid in centering the camera in the clamp.

The only quick release system you should be using is the Arca-Swiss system, and you should be using Really Right Stuff plates on your cameras and lenses. Period. Yes, it’s expensive, but worth very penny. You need this.

Check the RRS website for information on this and other sophisticated products to improve your photography. www.reallyrightstuff.com