Base plate for Africa? at DVinfo.net

Larry Huntington · December 23rd, 2008, 09:23 PM

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?

Dan Chung · December 24th, 2008, 04:30 AM

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

Dean Harrington · December 24th, 2008, 07:16 AM

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

Jason Davenport · December 24th, 2008, 02:13 PM

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

Larry Huntington · December 26th, 2008, 02:08 PM

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

Jeff DeMaagd · December 26th, 2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Huntington

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.

Jason Davenport · December 26th, 2008, 08:11 PM

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".

Larry Huntington · December 27th, 2008, 01:28 AM

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.

December 23rd, 2008, 09:23 PM	#1
Larry Huntington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grass Valley, California Posts: 350	Base plate for Africa? 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?

December 24th, 2008, 07:16 AM	#3
Dean Harrington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tokyo Posts: 898	Larry ... I have to agree with Dan ... go Ted's base plate route.

December 24th, 2008, 02:13 PM	#4
Jason Davenport Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 131	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 Attached Images

December 24th, 2008, 04:30 AM	#2
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	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

December 26th, 2008, 02:08 PM	#5
Larry Huntington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grass Valley, California Posts: 350	Jason, Will the Canon TA100 adapter work with the hole patterns on DM/VF plates? Thanks for the advice!

December 26th, 2008, 08:11 PM	#7
Jason Davenport Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 131	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".

December 27th, 2008, 01:28 AM	#8
Larry Huntington Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grass Valley, California Posts: 350	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.