EX-1 users, would you be interested in a base plate like this?

[Curtis Guise]

I currently offer aluminum base plates for the Panasonic HVX200 and I am almost finished with them for the HPX170 and HMC150. The base plate protects the base of the camera from cracking when mounted to a tripod and also adds multiple 1/4" and 3/8" tripod mounting holes.

Is this something you would want for the EX-1? The Panasonic plates are $125 each. After looking at my friends EX-1 I think the plate would be around the same or possibly less because it would be a smaller plate.

Juice Designs

[James Huenergardt]

Something that took advantage of the Sony VCT-14
Sony | VCT-14 Quick-Release Tripod Adapter | VCT14 | B&H Photo

Like This
Mitcorp > Sony Specialist Dealers > Camera Accessories > Tripod Plates > TLS VCT14-Adapter - Allows use of Sony VCT-14 / U14 quick release tripod plate TLS VCT14-Adapter - Allows use of Sony VCT-14 / U14 quick release tripod plate

Would be really cool.

[Bill Ravens]

I agree. Something that mounts to a Sony VCT-14 baseplate, and I'd buy one.

[Curtis Guise]

Why doesn't the VCT-14 work with it? Do the bigger Pro cameras already have the other plate integrated into the cameras that click into the VCT-14? Or does the VCT-14 come with a plate that only screws into a 3/8" mount? If that is the case then the VCT-14 will work with any camera I make the base plate for because of the multiple 3/8" and 1/4" holes that I put in the plate.

The TLS VCT14-Adapter that you posted a link to looks like it already solves the issue. I don't think it would make sense to compete with that. But I did notice that adapter only mounts with the 1/4" tripod hole on the camera so it might not be as strong of a mount as mine that uses the other smaller screw holes as well.

I could be wrong but I think the crowd I am aiming towards are the guys that bought small cameras and want to keep the weight down, but protect the base and add more mounting options. They are on the go constantly shooting on a tripod and handheld sometimes. Adding the VCT-14 which is 2 lbs plus the adapter plate is allot of weight. My base plates for the HVX200 are under 1/2 lb. And if I make one for the EX-1 it should be less than that. Also I'm not sure if it would make sense to limit my new plate to only work with the VCT-14. With a flat base and multiple mounting holes any tripod plate can be bolted to it.

It looks like the amount of people that want to use it might be limited? Canon also makes a quick release mount. I saw a post somewhere about a guy getting one for the XH-A1. I wonder if that is smaller and lighter? Maybe it could be used with other cameras.

[Olof Ekbergh]

I agree the VCT-14 is a great mount, and anyone who has shot with Beta or large DVcam/DVC pro probably has a few baseplates kicking around. I have 3, one on the jib one on the stedicam and one on my miller solo tripod.

It is the easiest to quickly snap into and very secure.

I have an EX3 and I was appalled at the poor basemount sony put on the camera.

I now use this solution:EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate System | VFGadgets.com

With the VCT-14 plate, it works great.
I certainly think there is room for more competition in aftermarket plates for these cameras.

[Joe Lawry]

A light weight baseplate option for the EX series of camera would be welcomed with open arms. I know i would anyway. Give me a way of mounting my EX1 on a tripod or my Steadicam without the camera wobbling from side to side!

I had actually seen your panasonic plates and had almost thought of giving you an email in regards to making one for the EX1.

[Frédéric Attal]

Hi everybody ,

this is the piece I am looking for , before going to vtc-u14 system .
I have just completed my rig with a microShouldermount and a Genus wide mattebox
with rods support .
having to move the camera from handheld to shouldermount or to tripod's head as quick as possible , I bought 3 Bogen/Manfrotto 577 quickrelease plates ;
trying to keep an optimal center of gravity was tricky and during all these mounting, unmounting tests , I realized how poor the design of the ex1's base was .
unfortunately , there is plates only for EX3 users (I saw toe pieces for vtc14 exist) .

Curtis , I will definitely order your baseplate for my EX1 as soon as it will be available !

thanks
(sorry for my "french" english !)

[Curtis Guise]

Between this forum and the dvxuser.com forum I think there is enough interest for me to make a base plate for the EX1. Stay tuned I will post progress updates.

If anyone uses the Chrosziel 450 matte box I just started making an adapter plate so it can be used with any of the base plates that I make for the Panasonic cameras. It will also work for the EX1 if anyone uses that matte box and wants the new base plate I will be making.

[Bob Grant]

We discussed these issues with Miller at NAB.
Part of the problem is how the "Euro" style quick release plates work as a system. These plates are not the sole way in which the camera is locked to the head. The plate provides downward force onto the camera body. The camera body should then seat against the raised rails on both sides of the head. If the camera body fails to contact the rails the camera will wobble slightly. They have solved this issue by mounting their Offset Camera Plate (858) to the camera and then that to the quick release plate. Link to the Miller part here: Camera Plates: Offset Camera Plate (858) - Miller Camera Support .

Based on this I'd suggest that any similar such plate needs to be as flat as possible on both the upper and lower surfaces. Looking at the photo of the proposed plate for the EX1 this does not seem to be the case as the bottom has reliefs into the casting. Also the plate needs to be wide enough to ensure it sits onto the rails and not between them.

[Curtis Guise]

Originally Posted by Bob Grant

We discussed these issues with Miller at NAB.
Part of the problem is how the "Euro" style quick release plates work as a system. These plates are not the sole way in which the camera is locked to the head. The plate provides downward force onto the camera body. The camera body should then seat against the raised rails on both sides of the head. If the camera body fails to contact the rails the camera will wobble slightly. They have solved this issue by mounting their Offset Camera Plate (858) to the camera and then that to the quick release plate. Link to the Miller part here: Camera Plates: Offset Camera Plate (858) - Miller Camera Support .

Based on this I'd suggest that any similar such plate needs to be as flat as possible on both the upper and lower surfaces. Looking at the photo of the proposed plate for the EX1 this does not seem to be the case as the bottom has reliefs into the casting. Also the plate needs to be wide enough to ensure it sits onto the rails and not between them.

Bob, I assume you are talking about the use of the VCT-14 with the EX1 camera? Are the rails you are talking about part of the VCT-14? What is the size of the VCT-14 and the measurement from rail to rail? Once I know that I can figure out if the base plate I would make would work with it or not. The reliefs you are talking about in the HVX200 plate are machined pockets so it looks good, but more importantly to save weight. The pockets in the EX1 plate can be designed any way I want so if they are smaller pockets with allot of webbing area for a VCT-14 to have plenty of contact area with, then I don't see it being a problem.

And that 858 offset plate you posted a link to has 3/8" threads which would not work with an EX1. You might be able to put a 1/4" bolt in there but then you are only mounting it to the camera with that one bolt. And it sells for $150 on the B&H site. My goal is to design a plate that is similar in price to my HVX200 plate ($125) and it will serve multiple purposes. Adding multiple 1/4" mounting holes, multiple 3/8" mounting holes, and also protect the base of the camera from breaking. It will be attached by the 1/4" mount and at least 4 of the smaller screws that go into the internal frame of the camera.

[Bob Grant]

Nothing to do with VCT-14, that's a quite different system to the "Euro" style quick release system. Here's a link to the release plate Miller use on their Arrow heads: Camera Plates: Camera Plate (860) - Miller Camera Support .
This plate snaps into a carriage on top of the head. Front / rear balance adjustment is made by sliding and locking the carriage. Seems to be a quite common system on Satchler heads as well as it means the camera can be taken on and off the head very quickly and COG adjustment is retained. Here's a link to Miller's Arrow 25 head: Fluid Heads: Arrow 25 Fluid Head (1022) - Miller Camera Support
If you enlarge the image you should see fairly clearly that the sides of the top of the head sit slightly higher than the release plate and the other plates that lock the release plate to the head. Those raised ridges are what hold the camera stable, not the release plate itself.

I appreciate that the Miller offset plate I provided a link to only has the larger screws however I'm pretty certain they have another plate for the more common screw and pin arrangement on the EX's. I certainly wasn't suggesting that Miller's plate was an alternative to what you have or will have to offer, just that your plate needs to be functionally similar and certainly the same width so it will engage those ridges / rails.

[Curtis Guise]

Ok that makes sense. Do you have one you can measure? Or anyone else that is reading this? I would like to know the measurement from rail to rail (ridges) and the length of them.

[Bob Grant]

There's several where I work but I'll not be back there for another 24hours at least.
If no one else can help you then I'll have the info for you by then.

[Bob Grant]

Curtis,
have measured up the head on a Miller Arrow 25.
The "rails' are 170mm long and to the outer edge 75mm wide.

[Jason Kabrich]

Ill buy one when youve finished them. they look great!