Problem with RRS L-plate

I just got my L-plate and Markins Q3 ball head today. The head is Really nice! Small and super tough. One problem however. The L-plate isn't flush with the bottom of my camera. I believe it is a problem with the base of the camera. The plate itself is flat. I called them and they said they had never heard of this, and didn't really know what to recommend. I put some aluminum foil-folded over millions of times, in the gap, and it is solid now. Anyone ever had this problem? If so, what did you do? Any hints would be helpful. Thanks so much for the previous advice on this-very helpful! Chip

Can you show us a picture, Chip?

I can't show you a picture of the L-Plate on the camera. Its the only camera I have and it would be really hard to show it in a picture anyway. I can try and explain it a little better. When I screw the L-plate to the bottom of my camera(very tight), I can toggle the camera back and forth on it. When I pull back on it, I can see a slight gap under the front portion of the plate-between the camera and the plate. Only thing I can think of is that my camera is bowed out on the bottom....

It could be that your camera body is distorted but it could also be something as simple as the screw being a bit too long so it bottoms out in the socket on the bottom of your camera before snugging it up against the bracket. Perhaps removing the screw from the bracket and buying or making a rubber or cork washer would help. Failing that I'd call RRS again and see if they can exchange the plate for another one. If that doesn't work, return it and buy one from Kirk. I had the RRS plate on my 10D and now have the Kirk plate for my 40D and both have fit perfectly. Let me know how you like the Markins Q3. I've had mine about 2 months and still can't believe how smooth and easy to work with it is.

Thanks for the response William. I really like the Markins so far! I never thought about the screw being too long. Maybe I can rig something up to see if that is the problem(washer of some sort).

Chip it almost sounds like you got the wrong plate for your camera. The RRS L-Brackets typically fit VERY snug against the bottom of the camera.

RRS does a VERY good job of fitting their brackets to the camera body.

VERY ODD............

Hey Rick-I'm pretty sure it is the right one. It fits perfectly everywhere else. I ordered the one specifically for the 5D......

Chip, I'm having the same problem with my RRS L-Bracket for my D300. The one for my D200 was snug. I know RRS has "heard of this before," because I called a couple of months ago, and got the same response.

chip, I have a 5D L bracket you can borrow for a test. maybe the one you received was machined out of spec. You want to pay for the shipping I'd let you test it out ...
matt@mattandersonphotography.com

That's not right, Chip, it should fit snug as a bug in a rug. I'd return it, maybe try another from RRS or get one from Kirk.

I agree with Mark - return it immediately stating it doesn't fit your Canon 5D "Snug as a bug in a rug" as it should.

Thanks guys!! I have a feeling that the problem is on my end, with my camera. I tested the flatness of the plate, and it is flat. I tried the washer suggestion, and that didn't work so it's not an issue with the screw not going in all the way....Thanks for the offer Matt! I think it would probably do the same thing, but I might take you up on it anyway. RRS is sending me some gasket material to try-so well see how that works. Richard-what did they tell you to do about the D300? Did you try some other brackets with it?

my old D100 had the same problem with a Kirk bracket. I put a couple strips of tape one the top edges of the bracket (the top edges, if you cut the bracket in half it looks like a wide U) I put the tape on the inside, on both sides on top.

Chip,
Are the threads on the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera OK. Could be messed up inside there and not allowing the screw to go all the way in.

The Screw on the bracket is captive so it doesn't fall out when you remove the bracket from the camera. Make sure the head of the screw is flush with the bracket before you try to attach it to the camera base (it be screwed out to far).

Finally, you got the bracket for the 5d without the battery grip - right?

Chip, they weren't much help when I called. They also said that they hadn't heard of this, and didn't suggest a solution. The bracket is flat, and the angle is 90 degrees--however, my camera isn't that symmetrical. I think the problem is in the design--it should be a "modified" L-shape for my camera. If fits close enough, that I'll probably use it, but it bugs me that it doesn't fit as well as it should.

Thanks for the responses. I got it pretty solid, but had to put some material between the camera and plate. It just doesn't look right. The bracket is crooked now. It does work though. Interesting they keep saying they have never heard of this....We'll see what they end up sending me to fix this.