HPX170's bottom screw plate not lined up with the lens

[DC]

ORIGINAL EMAIL RESPONSE FROM CINEVATE:

Sorry for not getting back to you on DVXUser, I'm afraid I simply just don't have the time to keep an eye on the different external forums that are there. Life is pretty busy here at Cinevate as it is
Yes, the HPX170 is notorious for being off-center, both the CCD as well as the bottom plate. The Brevis was designed to accommodate pretty much any off-center issues that we could think of - until the HPX170 got released.

I know it's small consolation, but you're not the only one, there has been a storm of complaints about it at at Panasonic and they have been issues vagues promises of doing some sort of fix. Personally, I think it should be a warranty issue, similat to Sony's EX1 problematic optical system.

Best,

Hubert Den Draak

www.cinevate.com
1-647-723-2664

EMAIL FOLLOW-UP AFTER CALLING CINEVATE

Nice chatting with you just now. We can exchange your plate for the new model with the 3 slots for the cost of shipping ($29.00). Just PayPal us that amount into our account there sales@cinevate.com, and be sure to leave a note in the comments box it's for the new base plate; also please confirm the shipping address. We'll have it overnighted as soon as the old plate gets here

Cheers,

Hubert

www.cinevate.com
1-647-723-2664

Big thanks to Hubert and Dennis! Any others who experience this problem now have options.

You seem to think that going to a machinist is a terrible thing.

Oh, not at all. I've studied my baseplate and the area where the extra slots would go have already been machined out larger than the middle slot, but not all the way through the top. So I wasn't sure if a machinist could actually create what I need with this particular baseplate. Dennis (below) seems to indicate it would work. Anyway, I appreciate your suggestion.

The Proteus base plate does have about 8mm side to side adjustment to get things perfect....it's done by loosening the links and moving the entire plate assembly left or right as needed.

Yes, I have noticed that and have maximized this adjustment but it is still not enough for the HPX170.

If you need more adjustment...here's more:

We have since modified the Proteus base plate so it has three, instead of one slot for the camera mount fastener machined all the way through, and widened slightly. The previous part had relief slots there to cut weight, but not machined all the way through so we could maximize stiffness. The extra two "new" slots are normally covered up but if you need to use them, just use a razor to cut the cork over the appropriate slot.

If your Proteus base plate is one of the previous designs, give us a call and we'll provide the updated part on a cost recovery basis for the part and shipping. Otherwise, yes, a machinist with a mill and about 2 minutes could run the old base plate for you.

Ah ha! So I have the old version of the baseplate! I think I'd rather just get the new baseplate from you, Dennis. :thumbsup: It's also great that the slot diameter has been widened slightly as it was usually kind of a pain to screw in.

Once I get the new baseplate, I will post the results on here and (hopefully) put a rest to this problem.

 

[DC]

Just want to confirm that I received the new baseplate with THREE SLOTS machined into it. The HPX170 now aligns perfectly with the Proteus rig. :thumbsup:

 

[jdfilms]

DC, it sounds like you are all set now but I just wanted to post what I have been working on. Not sure if you might still be interested or not because the 170 was the next camera I was thinking of making this for.
I have a prototype of a CNC machined aluminum base plate attached to my HVX200 right now. And I have the first production run starting on more of them this week. The plate is 3/8" thick and has multiple 1/4" holes and also a few 3/8" mounting holes. They are all inline with the stock 1/4" tripod mounting hole on the camera. The purpose of this plate is to allow for more mounting options and you can even fit two screws in most tripod plates onto this base. The other big reason I designed this plate is because I have a friend with an HVX200 that broke the base of his camera while it was on a tripod and it cost him $1000 to have Panasonic fix it.

I was looking at the 170 as the next camera model to design a plate for. If there is an issue like the mounting hole not lining up with the lens this could be corrected in the design of the new base plate. In my HVX200 plate I have the 6 small screws holding the plate to the camera and also had the plate drilled so I can have a bolt holding the plate down to the 1/4" hole on the camera so its a very solid mount.

Unfortunately I don't have any good pics to post or the website up yet but it should be soon. PM me if you are interested in a plate like this for the 170. I might need a camera to take measurements off of and maybe I could provide a plate for free if you can provide the camera for that.

This plate might not work for all applications though. If you use rails that have no height adjustment the extra 3/8" thickness of the plate might not work with a rail mounted matte box.

 

[jdfilms]

Here is a picture of the prototype plate on my HVX200. I just used it at an offroad race that I shot last weekend and it worked great.

 

[DC]

DC, it sounds like you are all set now but I just wanted to post what I have been working on. Not sure if you might still be interested or not because the 170 was the next camera I was thinking of making this for.
I have a prototype of a CNC machined aluminum base plate attached to my HVX200 right now . . .

Sweet design! Yeah, my problem was solved but your proposed plate for the HPX170 still appeals to me. I just got your PM so I will PM you back now. :thumbsup: