TRIPOD adaptor PLATE ...

Phil Bloom · September 3rd, 2008, 09:08 AM

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

Ted OMalley · September 3rd, 2008, 10:19 AM

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.

Phil Bloom · September 3rd, 2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted OMalley

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.

Ted OMalley · September 3rd, 2008, 10:23 AM

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,

Justin Benn · September 3rd, 2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Bloom

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.

Bill Busby · December 25th, 2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted OMalley

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.

Ted OMalley · December 25th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Busby

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.

Bill Busby · December 25th, 2008, 09:44 AM

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

Mitchell Lewis · December 25th, 2008, 12:08 PM

Doesn't VFGagets make a similar solution now?

EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate System | VFGadgets.com

Ted OMalley · December 25th, 2008, 12:34 PM

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

Charles Papert · December 25th, 2008, 03:06 PM

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.

Ted OMalley · December 25th, 2008, 03:37 PM

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.

September 3rd, 2008, 09:08 AM	#16
Phil Bloom Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 1,939	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 __________________ Philip Bloom Cinematographer, Director, Filmmaker www.philipbloom.net

September 3rd, 2008, 10:19 AM	#17
Ted OMalley Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 596	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. __________________ Sony EX3, Vegas 9.0 64bit, Windows 7(64), Core i7, 12GB, RAID1 & 0, HotSwap SATA, 30" LCD(2560x1600)-GTX285 & 24" LCD(1360x768)-7800GT

September 3rd, 2008, 10:23 AM	#19
Ted OMalley Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 596	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, __________________ Sony EX3, Vegas 9.0 64bit, Windows 7(64), Core i7, 12GB, RAID1 & 0, HotSwap SATA, 30" LCD(2560x1600)-GTX285 & 24" LCD(1360x768)-7800GT

December 25th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#24
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	Doesn't VFGagets make a similar solution now? EX3 Heavy Duty Base Plate System \| VFGadgets.com __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

December 25th, 2008, 12:34 PM	#25
Ted OMalley Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 596	They make a base plate, as does DM-Accessories (for less money). Neither, though, manufacture the VCT-U14 or other tripod adapter plate. __________________ Sony EX3, Vegas 9.0 64bit, Windows 7(64), Core i7, 12GB, RAID1 & 0, HotSwap SATA, 30" LCD(2560x1600)-GTX285 & 24" LCD(1360x768)-7800GT

December 25th, 2008, 09:44 AM	#23
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	DOH!! Sorry about that. I didn't notice the previous post date. :D

December 25th, 2008, 03:06 PM	#26
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	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 Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 25th, 2008, 03:37 PM	#27
Ted OMalley Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 596	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. __________________ Sony EX3, Vegas 9.0 64bit, Windows 7(64), Core i7, 12GB, RAID1 & 0, HotSwap SATA, 30" LCD(2560x1600)-GTX285 & 24" LCD(1360x768)-7800GT