Our Verdict
The SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate for Nikon Z50 Camera LCN2525 is a well-made and affordable accessory that solves a problem with the Z50 as a vlogging camera. It fits the camera very well and has some nice flourishes like the neatly-stored screwdriver. There’s a problem with seeing the record icon, but it’s not insurmountable and it’s possible that Nikon will resolve it with a firmware update.
For
- Provides multiple tripod mounting points
- Moves a tripod to the side of the screen
- Screwdriver supplied and mounted on the plate
Against
- Covers the top section of the screen
- Needs to be removed to open the battery and memory card compartment
What is the SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate for Nikon Z50 Camera LCN2525?
SmallRig’s LCN2525 plate is specifically designed to fit the Nikon Z50. It mounts on the bottom of the camera, attaching via the tripod bush, and it has threaded holes that enable the Z50 to be mounted off-centre on a tripod. This means that the screen is visible from in front of the camera when it’s flipped down for viewing from in front.
The SmallRig LCN2525 plate is available by itself, but it’s also included in the Nikon Z50 Vlogger Kit along with the 16-50mm kit lens, Rode VideoMicro microphone and the Manfrotto Pixi mini tripod. This is discussed in our Nikon Z50 review.
Specification
- Product type: Bottom plate for Nikon Z50
- Material: Aluminium alloy
- Dimensions: 132.7 x 55.7 x 33mm
- Weight: 64g
Features
The SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate for Nikon Z50 Camera LCN2525 is, in essence, a very simple piece of kit. It fixes on the bottom of the Nikon Z50 to enable a tripod to be attached just under the grip to allow the screen to be seen beneath the camera when you’re vlogging or shooting a selfie. However, SmallRig has taken the opportunity to maximise the potential of the LCN2525 plate.
For a start, there are 9 thread holes at the right end of the plate’s base. That means that you can pick the hole that works best for your tripod. With a Manfrotto Pixi, for example, you need to use a middle or outer hole to enable the screen’s full range of movement.
There’s also a tripod bush right next to the plate’s mounting-point. This means you can mount the camera conventionally on a tripod if you’re not going to be viewing the screen from in front of the camera.
There are also two threaded holes on the grip-side of the plate. That enables the camera to switched to portrait orientation without adjusting the tripod head angle.
In addition, that side of the plate has a coldshoe which could be of use for mounting an accessory like a light or a mic.
The little extra that photographers are likely to be most grateful for, however, is the flat screwdriver. This circular little tool is held by magnets in its own bay on the base of the plate. It snaps in sharply and is held securely so it’s always there if you need to remove or reattach the plate.
Build and Handling
SmallRig is very experienced in creating cages and plates etc for cameras and the Vlogging Mounting Plate for Nikon Z50 Camera LCN2525 is an excellent introduction to them if you’re new to the company.
The SmallRig LCN2525 is made from aluminium alloy so it’s lightweight yet tough enough for the job. It’s also nicely finished with high-quality machining and a shape that matches perfectly to the Nikon Z50.
A couple of lips along the front edge of the plate ensure that it can’t slip or rotate on the camera once it’s fitted, it won’t move or droop during your shoot.
There are inevitably a couple of snags, but there’s not really a great deal that SmallRig could’ve done to avoid them. For a start, the plate needs to be removed before you can open the battery and memory card compartment. That’s where the every-ready screwdriver comes in handy.
The other issue is that when the screen is flipped down for viewing from in front of the camera, a slither of the top of the screen is obscured. That’s annoying because the record indicator – the red dot that appears to let you know that the camera is recording – is in that location. It means you can’t be 100% sure that the camera is recording.
The simplest solution is flip the screen back up a little and check that the camera is recording just before you start the action, then flip it back into position and carry on as normal.
Alternatively, you can start and stop the video recording with a smartphone running Nikon’s SnapBridge app, but then the preview is on your phone.
What’s really called for is a firmware upgrade from Nikon to introduce the option to show the record icon at the bottom of the screen or to put a red box around the screen when the camera is recording.
Nikon includes the SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate for Nikon Z50 Camera LCN2525 in the Nikon Z50 Vlogger kit (and Creator Kit). The video below shows the Vlogger kit and the plate in use.
Verdict
The SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate for Nikon Z50 Camera LCN2525 is very well made and it does the job of enabling the screen to be seen from in front of the camera when the Z50 is on a tripod.
The LCN2525 plate fixes securely on the Nikon Z50 and it enables an extra accessory to be attached via the side coldshoe or 1/4-2o threads should you want to do so.
While the plate needs to be removed to access the battery and memory card bay, SmallRig’s clever design puts a screwdriver to hand and stops this from being a drama.
An added bonus of the LCN2525 is that it gives the base of the Z50 some protection – that’s an area prone to knocks.
If you already have a Nikon Z50, I recommend investing in the SmallRig LCN2525 plate. However, if you’re yet to buy the Z50, and you’re thinking about vlogging or shooting selfies with it, consider the Nikon Z50 Vlogger Kit which includes the plate plus the 16-50mm kit lens, Rode VideoMicro microphone and the Manfrotto Pixi mini tripod.