Really Right Stuff Plate with Grip for Olympus OM-D E-M5 — Field Experience

I have now used the Really Right Stuff BOEM5-L base plate (for tripod mounting) in the field extensively, both on and off the tripod. The setup is pretty slick: base plate only, with optional BOEM5-G grip (essential and the best part in my view), and the optional left-side “L” extension for vertical tripod mounting. The base plate incorporates a dovetailed base for mounting in Arca-Swiss style tripod ballheads or similar.

Notes on my now extensive field experience with the RRS setup:

• I’m so used to the grip now (which feels perfect for my hands) that I’ve half-forgotten that it’s not part of the camera; I rely on its ergonomics every time I shoot the E-M5.
• Being able to instantly clamp the E-M5 into the tripod head via its baseplate is a seamless switchover from handholding operation.
• The base plate laughs at rocks and the like, so the camera remain like mint in terms of not having any scrapes or scratches.
  
• The base plate allows access to the battery (no need to remove the plate, unlike some plates for some cameras).
• I have felt no compunction to remove the base plate + grip at any time to save weight; it just makes the camera feel better; better grip, a little more mass— perfect.

In short, the RRS base plate + grip stays on the camera all the time.

The plate and grip are available in black or silver to match your black or silver E-M5.

Adding the optional “L” allows native mounting in a vertical position, much more stable than flopping the tripod head over.