I leave in 20 days for Mali and my budget is starting to get stretched. If I can afford it, I want to get a consensus on whether I should go with Ted's plate and a VCT-14 sony plate. I will have 2 EX3's and 1 EX1 roaming around with a Miller DV20 tripod on each. I will be on the main camera and I want to know if it's worth getting at least 1 base plate for 1 EX3. Any thoughts?

Larry,

I don't think you have much choice, I spent some time with Miller trying to make the EX-3 stable on a DS20 to no effect. They ended up suggesting the VFgadgets or DM plate route.

Dan

I have to agree with Dan ... go Ted's base plate route.

Yes, go with plates!! I have the VF one and it's rock solid. So either one will work, it,s all just aluminum. You be so happy you got one. I got the one with rails and it makes anything that is attached to rails, rock solid as well.
You can also use this plate as well, plus it's shorter that the sony plate, and a litte lighter.

Canon | TA100 Tripod Adapter | 9859A001 | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/349747-REG/Canon_9859A001_TA100_Tripod_Adapter.html)

Jason,
Will the Canon TA100 adapter work with the hole patterns on DM/VF plates? Thanks for the advice!

Jason,
Will the Canon TA100 adapter work with the hole patterns on DM/VF plates? Thanks for the advice!

If someone can measure that hole pattern, I'll know for sure if my DM plates will work. I do support a hole pattern that looks close. I'm trying to find if I know someone that has an XL/XH camera to make measurements.

Forget the hole pattern. In the picture there is a plate "clicked in" that's just for the canon camera. All you need is the standard triangle toe piece "which is already under DM's and VF's plate".

Just purchased the DM plate today for $179 us. I am going to hold off on the VCT-14 plate until I try the DM plate with my Miller shoe. If it is sturdy enough I am going to go with this option, as I need to travel as light as I can. I'll let you know my results.