Will a plate from a 503 work on a Libec LS-38? Is there a standard? I'm already thinking this is a stupid question. Why would they make it simple?

I don't have a 503 head so can't definitively answer your question, but I doubt it. The plate from the LS-38 doesn't fit any of my Bogen/Manfrotto gear, it's quite a bit narrower.

My problem is I've been trying to get the other half... the base platform... so I can mount it on a Steadicam Pilot, but Libec doesn't make one (yet). I've been in recent correspondence with Libec USA and it seems they may try to make one.

Thanks Julian. I was afraid it would be to good to be true.

Good luck with your issue. Maybe Libec will come thru for you.

Wade,

I used one of these adapters (http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&productCode=357) on my Libecs, to improve balancing. If you got the base unit from this and fit it to your Libec, it might allow you to use the Bogen camera plate on your Libec. I presume the base plate was a standard Bogen one, but I haven't got a 503 to check it on.

This means that rather than trying to get your Libec base plate to fit your Bogen gear, you might be able to get the Bogen plate to fit your Libec gear!

I can't guarantee 100% this will work, but it might be an option for you.

Nice! Thanks Mike. So do I understand correctly that my Libec plate would mount to the bottom of that?

You screw the bottom part of the unit (what I called the "platform" in my earlier message) to the QR plate of the Libec, then you screw the Bogen/Manfrotto QR plate to the bottom of your camera. Now, you slide the Libec QR plate onto the tripod as normal, and lock it down. Then slide the Bogen/Manfrotto QR plate onto its platform and adjust for balance. It works (I just tried it, as I have the same Bogen/Manfrotto platform/QR plates!), though it is not optimal.

Wade,

I did exactly as Julian described. It's not very elgant, but it works!

Thanks you guys. That definitely makes things more flexible for me.