I wrote the article called “OM-1 and SmallRig Cage 3948: A Perfect Pairing” published on March 31, 2023. That SmallRig cage, thought it was designed for video shooting, can be adapted as an L-Bracket by attaching the quick release plate to the side of the cage. In my article, I noted that the bulky top of the cage impeded my view of the lens scale while using a small manual focus prime lens..
I read a lot of articles and queries regarding the L-Bracket for OM-1 especially for the cheap one. As of this writing, most of the L-Bracket on the market are the expensive ones. The L-Brackets from the producers like Really Right Stuff costs $165, the OLLIE Dedicated L-Bracket from 3 Legged Thing costs $120, and the Folding Grip for OM-1 from the STC costs $120. These prices exclude shipping fee. For me, I’m really interested in the Folding Grip from the STC which has a unique design. This Folding Grip will help you grip the camera with heavy and long lens. If I want to buy this thing from the STC which is a company in Taiwan, I have to pay the additional $35 for the shipping cost. So the total cost will be $155 and it’s subject to VAT in my country. I don’t think I’ll be happy to spend such an amount of money.
I know that some OM-1 owners are looking for the cheap L-Bracket from China. At the moment you can’t find a no-brand product from China. But fortunately I found the inexpensive L-Bracket from a Chinese brand which has a good reputation. It’s a NiSi brand.
In fact, NiSi doesn’t design the L-Bracket for OM-1 directly. NiSi Universal Adjustable L Plate, Model: NLP-S(G) is designed for Sony A7 M4, A7C, A7S3 and Canon EOS R, EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS M50. According to NiSi website, the NLP-S(G) is partially compatible with Olympus OM-1 and E-M1 iii because access to the battery door is impeded. Well, that’s not a big problem because we can adjust the position of the base plate to unblock the battery door of the OM-1.
This NiSi NLP-S(G) costs around $35-40, it depends on where and when you’ll buy it. The weight is 88.3g (3.11oz). It’s made of aircraft grade aluminum. It has a rubber pad placed on the base plate. This will protect the base of the camera from scratching when the L-Bracket is attached to the camera.
It includes the magnetic wrench which is magnetized under the base plate. The base plate and the side plate can be separated. Both of them are Arca-Swiss compatible.
There are three 1/4”-20 threaded holes at the top of the side plate. This will facilitate you to add accessories like the external microphone, the external flash or the LCD light to the camera. The cut out in the side part of the L-Bracket doesn’t block the using of the camera’s flip screen.
You can also adjust the side part of the L-Bracket by moving it backward or forward position as you like.
The picture below shows you how the NiSi L-Bracket fits to the OM-1 precisely.
But bear in mind, in attaching the L-Bracket in that position, it will block the battery door as shown in the picture below.
I prefer to adjust the base plate like the picture below. So I can extend the side plate for easy port access and I can also use it as a side handle in order to shoot the video.
It won’t block the battery door if you just move the base plate further away from it.
If I attach the side plate of L-Bracket close to the camera and want to replace the battery. I can take less than 5 seconds to loosen the screw under the base plate. It’s not a deal breaker for me.