For research on an article I'm writing, I am interesting in knowing who uses a top mounted cheeseplate on their F3, whether you have mod-ed your F3 (e.g. Hot Rod mod), whether you use another plate or no plate at all.

Don't see any poll-creating options here, otherwise would have just posted a poll.

Thanks for any responses.

Ned Soltz

I use Berkey plates on my F3 and FS100.

Sony F3 Top Mount Accessory Cheese Plate | | Berkey System (http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/sony-pmw-f3-nex-fs-100-accessories/sony-f3-top-mount-cheeseplate/)

Currently using the Berkey plate on my F3. Also using some Berkey accessories to mount my Atomos on to the cheeseplate.

The Berkey plate is perfect for my 3D mirror rig as it's impossible to mount FIZ motors on the lower rails with the configuration of the rig in the way. Top mounting the motors has worked great and these plates are a perfect way to do that.

I made my own plates similar to the Berkley plates for the same reasons as Bruce. But I also have an adapter that gives good solid and level mounting points for an external EVF.

Berkey plate. I don't think the top mounting holes are strong enough otherwise.

When I need one, it'll be the Berkey.

Should have bought the Berkey a long time ago, since I've now stripped one of those top threaded holes with mounts for my monitors. Buying it now.

I'll yank your chain a little bit Nigel because you KNOW better. LOL

The damn sockets flex with an arm screwed into them.

I like the build of the Berkey System accessories. I have their camera plate, but the top mount has only one more bolt holding it together. I think that the way to secure heavy accessories is to the rail system.

Thinking of it as two bolts instead of one bolt way underestimates what the Berkey plate does.

The biggest problem with the regular screw holes is that socket bears all the stress and torque. Eventually the plastic torques to one side and deforms.

The Berkey plate places the weight over a large surface area of the entire top of the camera. What was pounds per square inch of pressure due to torque becomes a fraction of an ounce per square inch. On top of that the screws stay perpendicular to the camera. There is no 'hot spot' to speak of against the threads.

I don't think I'd want a KiProMini permanently mounted to the top plate, but a couple of wireless lav receivers and a monitor on the end of an arm. No problem at all.

There could be a problem with mounting too much heavy stuff to a rail system alone. If you pick the camera up by the standard handle, everything is hanging through the camera body from just two baseplate screws. It's not been unknown for these to be pulled out of the base of some Sony camera's? Just something to watch when you're lifting a heavy lens, recorder, v/f, monitor etc - it's still two screws!

There could be a problem with mounting too much heavy stuff to a rail system alone. If you pick the camera up by the standard handle, everything is hanging through the camera body from just two baseplate screws. It's not been unknown for these to be pulled out of the base of some Sony camera's? Just something to watch when you're lifting a heavy lens, recorder, v/f, monitor etc - it's still two screws!
I agree that if you lift the camera from it's handle wether you have a top plate or rail mounted heavy accessories it could eventually give way. What I was suggesting was a full rail system with both bottom & top where you can add a handle.

I'll yank your chain a little bit Nigel because you KNOW better. LOL

The damn sockets flex with an arm screwed into them.

You are correct sir! You get busy, get side tracked, forget about it and then...

Berkey top plate ordered (finally)

Old thread, but stumbled across it in my research and I thought I'd just chime in and say I too am ordering that Berkey top plate, as it looks soooo good!

Even though my second hand F3 already came with a top plate added/designed by Panavision NZ, the Berkey one just looks vastly superior!