I just simply know it would work, regardless of how odd it looks. Does anyone know somewhere that would sell me just that piece of rubber or foam rubber or whatever it is, with the metal plates and screw holes?

Panasonic might still sell them as replacement parts. Watch ebay for broken F250's. I'm still not sure it would work without extensive modification. It would attach to the XL1 in place of the MA-100/200. In order to use the MA-100/200 you would need to extensively modify the bottom of the XL1 and the adapter. I wonder if Chris is remembering the correct model.

Are you sure? Even if you screwed the shoulder piece into the tripod plate, and not the MA100 screw hole? That was my plan.

I still have a few options before I go looking on ebay. I'm gonna try to get it for free first.