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With Sony A7 line cameras, and from what I'm reading other Sony cameras as well there's a real design flaw where you can't use the screen at its downward tilt angle when on a tripod.

I've found a makeshift solution but it seems somewhat labor intensive. I am wondering if there's a better adapter or small plate of some sort I can just buy for a few dollars instead?

Shooting manual focus so really need to be able to see at least the screen if not the viewfinder. Might end up bringing something to stand on instead but that's pretty silly too.

Update: To be clear I just purchased a Benro Travel Flat A1192TB0 that comes with an Arca Swiss style Quick Release Plate PU-50 (I believe, pretty new to this tripod / tripod head stuff).

Here is with the QR PU-50

enter image description here

Compared to how far it can tilt down without the obstruction and what I'm looking to obtain while on a tripod

enter image description here

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    \$\begingroup\$ You could use a Canon or Nikon lens, with a Metabones adapter that has an Arca foot / 1/4-20 tripod screw hole. Probably not what you're looking for... =\ \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 3:46
  • \$\begingroup\$ @scottbb that's a rather expensive solution but it is an idea that might lead me to some other option \$\endgroup\$
    – RyanFromGDSE
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 3:50

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Sunwayfoto has an Arca-copmatible L-plate (similar to the Really Right Stuff plate)¹. Apparently it introduced at $60, but as of 2016-03-02, I was able to find it for < $20 USD on Amazon.

Notably, the Sunwayfoto plate appears to allow more downward angle of the LCD than the RRS plate does.

Articles describing the Sunwayfoto plate:

¹ Note: often times, "Arca-compatible" is a loose definition. If you use a lever-action Arca-type clamp, this plate might not be compatible (according to some of the Amazon reviews). However, if your Arca-type clamp uses a screw knob to tighten the jaws, this plate (or any Arca-type plate) will work fine.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Well now I dont know if yours or MichaelT's deserves the Accepted mark. That improved one looks terrific considering it even shows it with the screen angled down. Is there anything I need to watch out for as far as making sure its compatible with the ball head my tripod came with? \$\endgroup\$
    – RyanFromGDSE
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 4:09
  • \$\begingroup\$ I just checked on your Benro tripod w/ ballhead. If the images are correct, your ballhead has a screw-type clamp. You should be fine. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 4:16
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Its a matter of what tripod mount you are using. Some are bigger than others. While a bogen hex plate could potentially give you issues, an L bracket from something like Really Right Stuff (Sony A7 L plate) appears to be designed so that it has a smaller than camera base plate on it.

enter image description here

I'm going to point out that this is not a "few dollars" and if you are asking this question, you likely don't have an arca-swiss style quick release plate tripod head.

Thats just one quick release plate. There are many others in the area style that are small. For example:

enter image description here

is a small generic plate on a rather small camera.

There are some rather small QR plates out there from Arca-Swiss such as a 32mm x 32mm plate (b&h) and a 48mm x 32mm plate (b&h). Given the option I'd be looking at the larger of those two plates because it provides more of a base for the camera to rest on (though I have to admit that I don't have a Arca-Swiss head to look at (I've got Bogen RC-0s which I know won't work for you at all) nor a Sony camera to measure to check on the tolerances).

Get a good tripod and a good quick release system and you won't have this problem. There are more than enough QR plates out there for the Arca-Swiss system that you will find something that works precisely. And given the funds, I'd really check with the RRS option mentioned at top because it is designed exactly for that camera.

That said, an old search finds extending the 1/4" screw on tripod heads. A home improvement store should be able to get you a longer screw and you put a few bolts and washers on it in hopes of providing enough support.

That last bit is key... and something you are going to have to watch out for. You are trying to move a rather heavy camera up a bit - so that it isn't in contact with the tripod head. This means that the stresses on the screw itself will be greater. You risk breaking off the screw in the camera with any solution like this.

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    \$\begingroup\$ If you have an arca-swiss style QR plate as an option, something like the 32mmx32mm would probably fit on the camera without problem (the 48mmx32 would probably also work and better). I don't have an acra-swiss qr head to test with (I'm invested in bogen hex plate heads) nor a sony to measure precisely the dimensions at issue. I will point out the RRS L bracket is probably the best long term option and you can check with them about the LCD display. \$\endgroup\$
    – user13451
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 3:57
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    \$\begingroup\$ Aside, give this a read for the buy it and don't look back. \$\endgroup\$
    – user13451
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 4:01
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    \$\begingroup\$ @scottbb Personally I use the bogen hex plate (RC-0) because I fell in love with the 3047 head. Its a beast of a pan tilt head but really does a good job of "this is tightened down on this axis, it isn't going to move". I never found a pan-tilt that I liked for arca heads that was affordable when I was in the 'buying tripod heads' phase. The C1 cube is nice, but certainly not in the affordable range. \$\endgroup\$
    – user13451
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 15:12
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    \$\begingroup\$ @scottbb apparently, only cheaply... or if I was going to supplement the additional $158. \$\endgroup\$
    – user13451
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 21:32
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Ryan sorry, we were just kidding around. =) Certainly, MichaelT's answer is better, more instructive and informative. But in this particular case, it's entirely understandable that my answer fits your needs better, because as you said, the LCD angle was the entire motivation for the question. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    Commented Mar 3, 2016 at 21:41

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