Maybe I haven't done enough research, but the VFGadgets plate looks a lot more "machined" than it's new competitor. Maybe the machining on the plate has some additional use? Strength? Maybe it makes it fit more snug against the base of the camera? Dunno. Sure nice to see them reduce the price right before I'm ready to buy. :)

Does Ted's plate have the machining like the VFGadgets plate?

Relief.
 

Hopefully Simon W. will notice the price-drop and look more favourably on the VF device now. Seems that competition can be good for the consumer and while I wish that I got mine cheaper, I don't regret having paid for the peace of mind in the mean time. Hope they can come up with an attachment for the rear U14 pin.

As with a lot of metal parts, 'relief-machining' dramatically increases the stiffness of the said part by removing material that might otherwise transmit flexing or torsional forces along its length. This works well on beams and plate-like parts. A good example are airplane parts but almost anything well designed in light metals (like fancy bike and car parts) can be finished in this way. It is, however, possible to take this too far and make things too thin and filigree. The VF gadget item seems to avoid this pitfall, does not 'ring' and is very stiff.

Jus.

You guys are beginning to speak beyond my range of knowledge. I will offer this, though. I asked Jeff about the color - mentioning that I thought he was going to anodize black. He mentioned that he opted for "hard" anodizing instead to increase durability, and that this method procludes color. He said the resulting finish is, however, pretty cool and high tech.

All the parts are all CNC machined, given a brush finish on the outer surfaces afterwards, then given a hard coat anodized surface. I planned to do more structural machining, but it turned out that the weight savings would have been negligible.

Hopefully the first customers will be seeing their plates soon enough to give third party accounts of what it's like, maybe this weekend or early next week.

I look forward to that Jeff. It's going to be a tough decision for those of us who haven't made a purchase yet. Both plates seem to be very well made. Impressive! :)

fold up battery plate
 

Hi Ted -

Just checking to see that the fold up battery plate can be used for counter weight, but WITH the long life Sony Battery installed in the camera. Does it still fold up properly?

Thanks,
Zac

Neither Ted or I have the long life battery to make a definitive test, but the plate is deliberately positioned far enough back to clear the longer extra-duty Sony battery, based on dimensions Ted found.