How to put down the D800?

Killerbob

I know it sounds simple, but I am actually in doubt (so don't laugh)...

I have a D800 with the MB-D12 battery grip, and of course I could just lay it down on a surface on the battery base, and it would naturally tip over and rest on the attached lens. However, when I then add an RRS L-plate, a BlackRapid M-plate, or any other release plate, then I start wonder... How is the best way to lie down my camera? How do you guys do it?

Golf007sd

When I take my camera off and I'm in the process of placing it on a flat surface, I almost always put it down so that the lens is facing the sky; so that when I need to get it or pick it up I can just grab the lens and be ready to go. Hence, I place the camera down on its backside (lcd screen down).

Msmoto

Mine sits about anyway it falls...on the floor of my car where it resides under junk. I like to have it sitting on a soft surface and in a position it has no place to fall.

PB_PM

I leave my camera in my camera bag, lens down. No problem.

proudgeek

Once I get mine I don't plan on putting it down.

SkintBrit

I always put mine down resting on their left hand (HDMI/USB flaps) side. The distance between the lens mount and camera edge is at its shortest here, and I have found offers the most stability.

macsavageg4

Call it fat?

Ironheart

Or slow ;-)

Photobug

Got to admit putting down any camera with the battery pack and especially with the RRS bracket is unstable. I have also gone to lens up, laying on it's back.

Killerbob

I have the rubber eyecup installed so putting it "lens up" is not such a good feeling. I think I'll go with putting it down on the side, on the HDMI/USB connection protection. With the battery grip, an RRS L-plate, and the BR mount, it is funky.

JJ_SO

Use the same way as SkinBrit, sideways on the rubber caps of the connectors. Lens up? I don't always put immediately the lens cap on and for lens up it's too fragile. With some of the lightweight plastic lenses and the battery grip, the Manfrotto plate 394 gives a pretty stable stand, but for the fat f/1.4 I count on their hoods.

EiTaro

I recently got the RRS plate (not L) for the camera with the battery grip and I was wondering the same. I've tried all the possible positions and conclude that the optimum way is to rest the camera on the plate and the lens on an angle. Most of the time my attached lens is 70-200 with the tripod collar but I do the same with my other lenses. I don't like it but I consider it as the trade off for the permanently attached plate.

Killerbob

I think with the battery grip, the L-plate, and possibly a mount, the angle becomes to steep, and that can't be good for the mount. As SkintBrit says, laying it on the side makes for a more pallatable angel on the lens.

JJ_SO

@Killerbob , just try to calculate what the mount has to hold with the whole weight of 70-200 There's no reason to worry about.

Msmoto

For those who are really concerned about how to set down their camera, buy some closed cell foam like what is called "kayak foam" used for floatation and sold at good stores where kayaks are sold. Supplied in a four inch thick piece it is a perfect material to cut out a camera shaped hole so as to support the camera and lens attached. Or, use the thinner (about 1 inch thick) material and glue up with contact cement (the yellow stuff) to make a camera support.

bland

The only thing I'd suggest is if you have the camera in the car with you, whether it's in a carrying or not, make sure you have the lens pointing towards the seat. If you ever have to slam on the brakes, this will keep the lens from going head first into the floorboard and the camera body will take the hit instead. Sadly, I learned this the hard way.

tektrader

sideways with the plastic connector cover down. Seems most stable like that.