any suggestions for a tripod adaptor plate for the EX3. I know of the protech version in japan ... any others?

Depends on the head in use.

Probably the best one would be the press shooter by PROTECH but ... that's about $300. I'd like something a bit more inexpensive if possible.

Miller | 489 Camera Mounting Plate | 489 | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/274613-REG/Miller_489_489_Camera_Mounting_Plate.html)

Miller | 489 Camera Mounting Plate | 489 | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/274613-REG/Miller_489_489_Camera_Mounting_Plate.html)

I have that plate ... what I need is a tripod adaptor plate.
something along these lines:
Translated version of http://www.protechweb.jp/products/tri_adp/st1/index.html (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.protechweb.jp/products/tri_adp/st1/index.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DPROTECH%2Bpress%2Bshooter%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den)

I would really like to buy the Protech ST-1 - anyone heard of a supplier in europe ?

I would really like to buy the Protech ST-1 - anyone heard of a supplier in europe ?

As far as I know, Protech is a small japanese company of shooters who make gear! Maybe their stuff will eventually get to the states but at this point the best thing you could do is follow the link above and see if they'll ship to the states.
good luck

Got mine off of Ebay.... there are two on there now... one is at $75

Would this work?

QR Plate and Rods system (http://www.dvtec.tv/id32.html)

just got the tls one, it is best out there, really solid. go to my website and look at comments on main page for a link to non dvi sponsor.

its the best out there, but i here tls are going to stop making them

just got the tls one, it is best out there, really solid. go to my website and look at comments on main page for a link to non dvi sponsor.

its the best out there, but i here tls are going to stop making them

I thought I saw a protech QR release plate on your cam?

I thought I saw a protech QR release plate on your cam?

replaced it. this new one is WAY better. Locks better, no horizontal movement at all. Got it yesterday

Phil,
Love your site, but for the life of me I cannot find your link to tls or whatever. How 'bout another clue mate ?

Clueless in Seattle

Here is the link. No sponsors sell it as far as I can tell so I should be ok posting it. If not then please remove it.

Mitcorp > Tripods & Camera Support > Accessories > 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 (http://www.mitcorp.com/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=tls_vct14-adapter)

Mitcorp in London have hired me to do "how to" and overviews of products I really like, when I saw this I made a short video of it which will go on their website http://vimeo.com/1658373 done a few others which will be up soon and reviews of both the Z7 and S270

Any videos of products I don't know or don't like that much won't be done by me so I can maintain some independence!

Looks to be a very nice product.... not to try and rain on anyones parade..

Just to see how much it would actually cost to bring one into the USA I put one in the
order basket...

With shipping and all... it showed a wopping $438.85 .......

I think there may be an issue with the order page... as it shows the shipping at $277.13 and
the plate itself at $161.72 ????

oh well.......

yeah that isn't right. I would email them!
yevgeny.subbotin@mitcorp.co.uk tell him i sent you and there is a problem with shipping costs.

I would buy the Sony plate if you dont already have one from the US if you live there as it would be cheaper am sure... TLS is a UK company so i doubt you will get in cheaper in the US

I tried to register to check pricing, but I keep getting an error on the verification code. It's only four letters in a blue box - should be easy - but it never works. Tried it a dozen times, even started over.

I tried to register to check pricing, but I keep getting an error on the verification code. It's only four letters in a blue box - should be easy - but it never works. Tried it a dozen times, even started over.

i would try emailing and explaining that to them!

It really is much better than the protech one.

Phil,

I've never used one of these plates...

Do I need a piece for the camera as well as a piece for the tripod? For example, if I use a bogen head or a libec head, is there a component necessary? Do other more pro tripod heads already work with this adapter plate? Not planning to change any time soon - my libec sticks and head were about $1K - that's about all I'm willing to drop right now.

Thanks,

i would try emailing and explaining that to them!

It really is much better than the protech one.

Nice find! Think I'll wait until I'm back in the UK in Oct to buy one though it looks much more sturdy. Cool.

Jus.

Phil,

I've never used one of these plates...

Do I need a piece for the camera as well as a piece for the tripod? For example, if I use a bogen head or a libec head, is there a component necessary? Do other more pro tripod heads already work with this adapter plate? Not planning to change any time soon - my libec sticks and head were about $1K - that's about all I'm willing to drop right now.

Thanks,

The piece IS for the camera & works in conjunction with a Sony VCT-14 adapter plate, so you would need that as well.

The piece IS for the camera & works in conjunction with a Sony VCT-14 adapter plate, so you would need that as well.

LOL! Thanks, Bill! Where where you four months ago!?

I found what I needed anyway.

DOH!! Sorry about that. I didn't notice the previous post date. :D

Doesn't VFGagets make a similar solution now?

EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate System | VFGadgets.com (http://www.vfgadgets.com/grip-camera/ex3-heavy-duty-base-plate-system)

They make a base plate, as does DM-Accessories (for less money). Neither, though, manufacture the VCT-U14 or other tripod adapter plate.

While the VCT system is an industry standard and has been for many years, it is actually a pretty flawed physical design that allows for a certain amount of vibration and play. For most tripod work it's not much of an issue but for vibration-critical applications such as Steadicam, remote head or vehicle mount, it is possible that issues may become noticeable in the image, especially with long lenses. I've seen a few 3rd party versions of the baseplate that attempt to remove the play from the system but in doing so the quick release application is usually compromised. It's a shame that this design has not been updated, but it was initially oriented towards news photography so the issues were not relevant in that application.

For my money the Sachtler touch-and-go design is more solid, however I haven't seen any prosumer-priced adaptor bases for mounting on heads that aren't already compatible with that plate.

Charles,

Those flaws are amplified when not using the rear pin. For most tripod/dolly work, it is still just fine and the quick-release benefit heavily outweighs the slight movement inherent in the design.

On a recent road trip, I used it in a vehicle mount. at first, the vibration/road noise was a huge problem. Since I began by just testing, and was able to resolve simply by wedging a small piece of aluminum in between the plate and camera. This shim lived there for a couple days during filming and it performed flawlessly. However, as you pointed out, it completely compromised the quick-release aspect of the unit.