L-Plate for Nikon Z & L-Plate for FTZ

December 8, 2018

Photographer / Toshiya Hagihara

I visited the mountain stream a little closer to late autumn. Fallen leaves floating on the water surface were slowly rotating. I'm always excited to shoot with new equipment. I took out my camera and attached it to the ball head. I turned the knob and tightened it, and the camera didn't move at all. After shooting in landscape orientation, I changed it to portrait orientation as usual. Of course, the Markins L-shaped plate was attached, so the change was quick. It's only Markins that allows me to do each task quickly and precisely. The Q10i-BK ball head, as well as the dedicated L-shaped plate that allows you to easily change the orientation even when using a lens without a tripod mount, are essential items for my photography so far and will continue to be indispensable items.

This fall, Nikon released the full-frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z. As a long-awaited camera for me who has been using Nikon for a long time, it was only natural that I purchased the Markins L-plate for the Z7 and Z6. As cameras have become smaller and lighter, the weight of the entire system, including the lenses and backpack, has been reduced, but the lightness of the L-plate made of aluminum alloy does not diminish this advantage, as you would expect from Markins. The advantage of the L-shaped plate is that when using a lens without a tripod mount, the optical axis does not move much when changing the vertical and horizontal orientation, making it quicker to operate. Therefore, it is easy to decide the composition even when changing from horizontal to vertical orientation. To use it as an L-shaped plate with the Nikon Z7 Z6, you need to combine the Markins PN-Z7 Camera Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6 and Markins LN-Z7 Sub Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6. It is easy to set up because you only need to fasten the two plates with one screw. The joints are firmly fitted, so it has excellent rigidity. The Markins PN-Z7 Camera Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6 also has a hole for a hand strap, which is a small consideration. This is great for Z7 Z6 users who actively take snapshots and portraits using a hand strap. The Markins PN-Z7 Camera Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6 is specially designed and very easy to use. When I first got the camera and didn't have a special plate, I ended up using the FTZ Mount Adapter with a slightly larger general-purpose plate attached to the camera, and the tripod mount on the FTZ Mount Adapter interfered with the quick shoe on the head side. However, after attaching the Markins PN-Z7 Camera Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6, it can be attached to the quick shoe without any interference. Indeed, this is only possible with a special design. Furthermore, the use of an anti-rotation pin makes it less likely to rattle, which is a great advantage. This means you can concentrate on shooting without any worries. The Markins LN-Z7 Subplate for Nikon Z7 Z6 is also very easy to use. When using slow shutter speeds in landscape photography, remote cords are often used, but the camera's remote cord attachment area is wide open, so the rubber cover for the accessory terminal can be opened and closed easily. Furthermore, even when using an external microphone or headphones when shooting video, the Markins PN-Z7 Camera Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6 can be slid, so operability with the plate attached is also significantly higher.
The Nikon Z7 and Z6 are full-frame mirrorless cameras that have changed significantly from the previous system. There are not enough dedicated Z mount lenses yet, and the mount adapter FTZ is required to use existing F mount lenses. The L-plate for the FTZ is the Markins LN-FZ Nikon mount adapter L-plate. The Markins LN-FZ Nikon mount adapter L-plate is attached to the tripod mount of the FTZ mount adapter. The plate in the vertical position has a large cutout, making it easy to attach and detach the lens and to operate the attachment/detachment lever with the camera. When attaching lenses such as the 14-24mm F2.8 or the 70-200mm F4 without a tripod mount, it is better to attach the FTZ side to the tripod rather than the camera side due to the weight of the lens. Of course, even with the Markins PN-Z7 Camera Plate for Nikon Z7 Z6 or the Markins LN-Z7 Subplate for Nikon Z7 Z6 attached to the camera, it can be used comfortably without any interference. The L-plate allows you to quickly change the vertical and horizontal framing. The greatly improved operability allows you to concentrate on shooting without stress. Also, if you plan to continue using existing F-mount lenses, the Markins LN-FZ Nikon Mount Adapter L-Plate for FTZ is a must-have item. The reason I continue to use Markins is because of its high quality. It goes without saying that once you use it, you won't be able to let it go.

Toshiya Hagihara

Born in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture in 1964. Joined an advertising agency and was assigned to food-related advertising production, catalog production, event planning, etc. After leaving the agency, became a freelance photographer. Fascinated by the vast landscapes of the northern foot of Mt. Asama, relocated there in 2007 and moved to Tsumagoi Village full-time in 2008. Currently photographs natural landscapes and writes for photography magazines, etc. Also appeared in "Wonderful Photo Journey 2," which aired on BS11 in November 2014.