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
Following the standard Desmond packaging, all DPL Lens Plates come in a small, plain, white box with a model and code sticker. They are wrapped in a nylon bag and accompanied by two chromed Allen hex keys for the 1/4"-20 and M3 stop screws respectively which are enclosed in a separate and smaller zip-lock nylon bag.
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) |
Laid side by side from longer to shorter are DPL-169, DPL-150, DPL-115 and DPL-100 with their hex tools in front. All plates share the Double Dovetail design, Twin Ridge backstops and Flash Bracket mounting holes, while the two longer ones are equipped with two 1/4"-20 mounting screws instead of one, as they are intended for use with very long telephoto lenses which have two mounting holes on the lens collar foot.
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
A closer look at the Desmond DPL-115 lens plate, shows clear cut lines and smooth surface. Superb finishing for the price indeed. As all DPL plates, it has a long captive slot enabling adjustment of the position of the 1/4"-20 captive screw for different lens feet. The front edge has three passing through holes and a groove behind them (perpendicular to the long axis), serving the optional attachment of various screw mounted flash brackets.
The back end features two small backstops which serve as an anti-twist mechanism when set flash to a lens collar foot.
The lens plate model number is laser engraved in white lettering at the back side.
A closer view of the almost hollow bottom side with the two M3 safety stop screws at both ends and the chromed stainless steel captive screw in the main slot. The screw head has both a hex socket and a wide slot for its tightening.
Using the Plates
Taken as an example for illustration, DPL-100 lens plate was chosen to match the collar foot of the Canon EF 100-400 L IS USM lens. Although, the collar-foot can take a shorter plate, the push-pull nature of the lens which results in a displacement of the center of gravity as it is extends or retracts benefits a lot of a longer plate which permits better balancing.
The lens plate fits very tightly under the collar-foot. In my opinion that extra torque exercised by the Allen hex key secures any plate far better than any other tool. The separated back stop ridges fit seamlessly the slightly curved back end of the collar-foot depriving the plate from twisting.
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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
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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