VaricamLT: Base Plates for LT

S

Straw Man

Active member
Anyone used baseplates other than the Panasonic branded one? I've used the Panasonic plate a few times as a rental and like it just fine, but wondering if one of the cheaper alternatives is still worthy since I don't love the idea of spending $1400(!) on a baseplate. Tilta which makes one specifically for the LT and that caught my eye. Seems well-enough, similar to the Zacuto one probably.

Secondary question: I'm assuming that the LT labeled baseplates do not have height adjustable rods since the baseplate is designed for that specific camera? I wasn't sure if the lens could ever dictate needing to move the rods up or down for a mattebox fit...but I guess not since center would be center?
 
I'd look around. I had the LT for an extended demo last year and I didn't really like the Panasonic shoulder mount.

The Panasonic doesn't have adjustable rod mounts, because it is for that specific camera and the distances are known and fixed. I have Zacuto baseplates on my C300 and F55 and while they do have a lot of adjustment built into them, the rod mounts do eventually, ever so slightly slip and move around and if you use a matte box that is rail mounted, you'll have to re-adjust them every so often. Otherwise you have to "force it" over the lens sometimes.
 
I have been using the Zacuto VCT Pro Baseplate on the Varicam for over a year now. It works great and adjusts quickly between tripod and shoulder rig.
 
Second the zacuto VCT pro. Pretty great unit. Wish it had a rosette on the left though. The front rod mount could be more stable, but it’s a good trade off between low profile and support. Has a ton of clearance at the front for short lenses.

In the cheap market the small rig vct is actually not too bad. Definitely a step down from the zacuto, but nice that it uses a more standard camera mount plate than the zacuto. Main issue is that the pad interferes with some VCT plates.

The tilta unit looks intriguing. The vct baseplate can mount in top of a 19mm baseplate with Arri dovetail. Lots of options with thatsystem. Haven’t seen it in person though.
 
I ended up going with the Panasonic shoulder mount, and also got the Sony VCT-14 off B&H to go with it. I do have a question because I'm not sure if I have an issue or if this is normal. One corner of the shoulder pad cushion on the shoulder mount is running into part of the VCT plate. Images attached.

I've rented the shoulder/grip kit with a sony VCT-14 plate before I don't remember having this happen. It causes me to have to apply extra pressure to force the pad up into the metal bump to get the secure "click." And it leaves an indentation on the pad. Surely this is not supposed to work this way?

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Which VCT-14 plate are you using? Oddly enough, there are often slight variations between manufacturers. There's even a significant enough difference between Sony's own VCT-14 and UVCT-14 plates where, for example, the Small Rig shoulder mount won't work properly with the cheaper "U" version.
 
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Seanik-

Using the standard Sony VCT-14 plate (not U14). And it's purely a shoulder pad issue, like the one corner of the pad is too thick for the plate. Everything else connects and locks correctly.
 
Weird. It almost looks like that area of extra thickness on the pad isn't supposed to be there (although, it could just be how it looks in the photo). Defect, perhaps? It also looks like there is no way to adjust the pad further back so it clears the obstruction on the plate. Maybe check in with the rental house (that you used prior) to confirm shape of the pad, plate, etc. Good luck, I hope it works out! That's a pricy shoulder mount... everything should work perfectly, IMHO.
 
If you use a proper Panasonic SHAN-TM700 plate (our version of the Sony VCT-14) then perhaps you would not have this issue.
 
Shoot, looks like I need to stop letting B&H algorithms dictate products for me. I didn't even know Panasonic had a compatible plate for sale, because whenever I searched VCT-14 on there in never appeared, even deep in the results. And I didn't know they were different enough to go searching. Certainly would have gotten the Panny one even for $100 more if I had known, but guess I might be stuck with this Sony now as I'm sure they aren't going to take it back with the little scuffs you get even after a day of use.
 
All of my plates are Sony VCT-14's and I don't recall having any issues with the Panasonic shoulder mount(besides just thinking it's not a good design).
 
Straw Man said:
Shoot, looks like I need to stop letting B&H algorithms dictate products for me. I didn't even know Panasonic had a compatible plate for sale, because whenever I searched VCT-14 on there in never appeared, even deep in the results. And I didn't know they were different enough to go searching. Certainly would have gotten the Panny one even for $100 more if I had known, but guess I might be stuck with this Sony now as I'm sure they aren't going to take it back with the little scuffs you get even after a day of use.
Click to expand...

It's always best to filter the results and make sure you're in a certain category or section to see any and all of the options (in this case @B&H). Sometimes it takes a bit digging:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...type_4585|tripod-mounting-plates&N=3907816629
 
Straw Man, if I were you, I would return it. I doubt they would take issue with it, and if they do, tell them that you bought it because it was recommended by their site to buy it. The fact that VCT-14 plates are marketed by that standard, yet are not necessarily "standardized" is crazy. You should not have to eat the money you put into a plate that didn't work. B&H will just resell it as "used" or "open box" and still make money on the mark up. That you have to buy a specific plate from a specific manufacturer at $100 more is another thing. BTW, take a look at the new SmallRig VCT-14 plate... it looks super minimalistic. Maybe it lacks the part that causes the obstruction? It's a very good price for a decent plate.
 
BTW, I have no idea if there is any issue using the VariCam shoulder mount on a plate other than the SHAN-TM700. In fact I have used it quite successfully on several other brands. But I have also seen a few oddball plates in my day and it could be that this is what is causing the issue. I would also note that if you really wanted to go nuts with this you could buy one of the ARRI versions, which are the Mercedes of quick release plates with the price tag to prove it. There is nothing as nicely made as the ARRI versions, but at $820 and a dazzling $1560 for a mount, they really better do a sweet job.
 
Thanks for the input everyone!

Seanik, I followed your advice and B&H did in fact accept my return even though I told them upfront I used it on a shoot and there were some signs of use. Very kind of them. So I will be returning this week and ordering the SHAN-TM700 per Mitch's recommendation. If anyone is interested, I did get a chance to try the Tilta varicamLT shoulder pad and it was well built. The shoulder pad was a little narrow and slippery in my opinion, so I passed and ended up with the panny one, which I do like. I feel like I can sling it up on the shoulder and it just stays put.
 
I have an "old" Tilta shoulder mount that I bought for my C300 when there weren't that many VCT shoulder mounts around and speaking strictly on the shoulder pad, it was almost an exact carbon copy of a Sony Betcam shoulder pad. I actually preferred the feel of it over the gel pads that Zacuto use, that are in my opinion, too slippery/not angled enough.
 
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