Desmond Photographic Distribution U.S.A. have recently introduced a full line of Araca-Swiss® compatible lens plates under the Desmond brand name.
The line is comprised by seven new lens plates with lengths ranging from 60 mm (2.36") to 169 mm (6.65") which can cover the mounting needs of a large variety of long telephoto lenses.
Although the whole line follows the same design pattern, a difference in the mounting screw made me separate the three smaller ones from the batch and review them according to their common characteristics. So here we shall deal with the four longer lens plates ranging from 100 to 169 mm intended for larger and more expensive telephoto lenses.
Packing & Contents
The DPL Lens Plates
Plate Structure
Using the Plates
Lens Compatibility Table
For reference purposes I quote the recommended lens plate length for various brands of telephoto lenses.
Note: The compatibility table recommendations allow for adequate plate headroom in front of the lens-collar foot for the attachment of a variety of flash brackets.
* Requires optional 1/4"-20 > 3/8"-16 bushing
** Requires optional longer 1/4"-20 screw
*** Lens equipped with optional Collar
Pros
Exceptionally good machining and finishing quality for the price.
Excellent fitting with very small tolerances.
Good quality metal 1/4"-20 and M3 screws included.
Lightweight.
Cons
Tried hard but only found a blemish on the anodizing coat of one of the plates.
Conclusion
The benefit of using an Arca-Swiss® compatible double dovetail lens-plate especially a longer one than the lens collar-foot is threefold. Apart from the basic need of the lens quick mounting/release on a head, the lens can be moved fore-aft and balanced with a variety of camera sizes and masses and also allow extra gear to be clamped on the top dovetail.
Since these plates sell for approximately half the price than competition, they are so affordable that each lens could have its own dedicated plate instead of exchanging plates between lenses.
Given the Desmond quality and low budget price, I can once again declare the DPL plates excellent Value for Money!
I hope you found the article and ideas useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2013 S.C.Vlachos
Price and Availability:
Current prices for the Desmond DPL-100-115-150-169 plates renge fromUS$ 21.47 to US$ 24.97 US$ 11.95-14.95 (+shipping where applicable). All are available from Amazon.com or from eBay.com
If you are interested in the above product(s) or any other product please consider using the relevant link(s) to make your purchase and help support this site. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.
Referenced Articles:
Desmond DAFB-01 Arca Compatible Flash Bracket Review
Relevant Articles:
Desmond DLP-60 / 70 / 85 Lens Plates Review
Kiwi Fotos LP-100 Lens Plate Review
Kiwi Fotos LP-169 Lens Plate Review
The line is comprised by seven new lens plates with lengths ranging from 60 mm (2.36") to 169 mm (6.65") which can cover the mounting needs of a large variety of long telephoto lenses.
Although the whole line follows the same design pattern, a difference in the mounting screw made me separate the three smaller ones from the batch and review them according to their common characteristics. So here we shall deal with the four longer lens plates ranging from 100 to 169 mm intended for larger and more expensive telephoto lenses.
Packing & Contents
The DPL Lens Plates
Manufacturer Specification: | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Model : | DPL-100 | DPL-115 | DPL-150 | DPL-169 |
Length : | 100 mm | 115 mm | 150 mm | 169 mm |
Height : | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm |
Width : | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
1/4"-20 Screws : | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Weight : | 65 g (2.29 oz) | 74 g (2.61 oz) | 95 g (3.35 oz) | 106 g (3.73 oz) |
The bottom side is almost hollow with only a small strengthening brace around the flash bracket mounting holes. All plates are equipped with removable M3 safety stop screws at both ends. |
Plate Structure
Using the Plates
Further, a longer lens plate than the lens collar-foot, which features a double dovetail serves so as the base QR clamp of a flash bracket can be attached on the top dovetail. |
As explained in detail in the Desmond DAFB-01 Arca Compatible Flash Bracket Review, a tall flash bracket moves the flash beam far higher than the telephoto lens barrel, avoiding any shadows. |
Lens Compatibility Table
For reference purposes I quote the recommended lens plate length for various brands of telephoto lenses.
Note: The compatibility table recommendations allow for adequate plate headroom in front of the lens-collar foot for the attachment of a variety of flash brackets.
DPL-100 | DPL-115 | DPL-150 | DPL-169 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canon | MP-E 65 Macro EF 100L Macro*** EF 28-300L IS EF 35-350L EF 70-200 2.8L IS EF 80-200 2.8L EF 100-400L IS EF 180L Macro EF 200 1.8L EF 200 2.0L EF 200 2.8L *** EF 300 4.0L IS EF 300 2.8L EF 400 5.6L EF 400 4.0 DO IS |
EF 300 2.8L IS EF 500 4.0L IS * EF 500 4.5L |
EF 400 2.8L EF 400 2.8L IS * EF 600 4.0L * EF 600 4.0L IS * EF 600 4.5L * EF 800 5.6L * EF 800 5.6L IS * | |
Nikon | 70-200 2.8 VR ** 200 2.0 VR 300 2.8 MF 300 2.8 AF 300 2.8 AF-I |
300 2.8 AF-S 300 2.8 VR 400 3.5 MF 500 4.0 MF 600 5.6 MF | 200-400 MF 200-400G AF-S VR | |
Sony | 70-400 G | 300 2.8 G | ||
Pentax | 300 2.8 MF SMC-A |
300 2.8 MF SMC-FA 400 2.8 ED IF |
500 4.5 MF SMCP* |
250-600 5.6 ED IF* 600 4.0 AF FA * 800 6.7 IF * 1200 8.0 MF */** |
Minolta | AF 300 2.8 APO | AF 600 4.0 APO * | ||
Leica | 280-400 / 280-560 APO TELYT-R Modular System * | |||
Sigma | 50-150 EX OS HSM 150 2.8 Macro 300 2.8 | 120-400 HSM 500 4.5 * |
TS-41 Collar Foot 50-500 80-400 4.5 120-300 2.8 OS HSM | 150-500 300-800 5.6 * 500 4.5 HSM 800 5.6 |
Tokina | AT-X 300 2.8 | |||
Tamron | 70-200 2.8 Di 70-200 2.8 Di VC 300 2.8 SP AF |
* Requires optional 1/4"-20 > 3/8"-16 bushing
** Requires optional longer 1/4"-20 screw
*** Lens equipped with optional Collar
Pros
Exceptionally good machining and finishing quality for the price.
Excellent fitting with very small tolerances.
Good quality metal 1/4"-20 and M3 screws included.
Lightweight.
Cons
Tried hard but only found a blemish on the anodizing coat of one of the plates.
Conclusion
The benefit of using an Arca-Swiss® compatible double dovetail lens-plate especially a longer one than the lens collar-foot is threefold. Apart from the basic need of the lens quick mounting/release on a head, the lens can be moved fore-aft and balanced with a variety of camera sizes and masses and also allow extra gear to be clamped on the top dovetail.
Since these plates sell for approximately half the price than competition, they are so affordable that each lens could have its own dedicated plate instead of exchanging plates between lenses.
Given the Desmond quality and low budget price, I can once again declare the DPL plates excellent Value for Money!
I hope you found the article and ideas useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2013 S.C.Vlachos
Price and Availability:
Current prices for the Desmond DPL-100-115-150-169 plates renge from
If you are interested in the above product(s) or any other product please consider using the relevant link(s) to make your purchase and help support this site. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.
Referenced Articles:
Desmond DAFB-01 Arca Compatible Flash Bracket Review
Relevant Articles:
Desmond DLP-60 / 70 / 85 Lens Plates Review
Kiwi Fotos LP-100 Lens Plate Review
Kiwi Fotos LP-169 Lens Plate Review
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